Royce's heart pounded in my chest as she walked away from Ruiz. Maquand’s words echoed in her mind, a cacophony of promises, veiled threats, and a strange, unsettling allure. I couldn't decide if I was more confused or frightened.
The weight of Royce's predicament pressed down on her like a physical force. She paced the small room, her mind racing with a thousand different thoughts.
Was he truly offering her a chance at a different life, or was this all a carefully crafted illusion to keep her under his control? The idea of being held captive, even in a place as beautiful as this, filled her with dread. She had fought for her freedom for so long, only to find herself trapped in a new kind of confinement.
The idea of being his "mate," or whatever he called it, was terrifying to Royce. E
