“You were a vegan?”
“I still am. I always laughed about being an overweight vegan.” She smiled at him. “I love fries and plant burgers. They’re the best.”
He liked this side of her.
“You do know I find that disgusting,” he said.
“Is there a hint of a smile for me?” she asked.
He wasn’t going to offer her a smile or let her believe they were bonding. “No boyfriend?” he asked.
“No.”
“Ever.”
“No.”
“You’re a virgin?”
She froze and quickly lifted the iron. “Er, excuse me.”
“With no boyfriend now or ever, it makes one believe you’re in fact pure.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“I do. You’ve never known a man’s touch.” He stood up and moved behind her. Breathing in her scent, he was fucking addicted.
Sweet, untouched, pure.
She was sent to him and all he wanted to do was show her how dirty the world could really be.
“I’m going to put Daphne to bed.”
He left before he did something he’d regret.
****
Several days later, Winter noticed several changes to the fridge. Some of those being her plant-based favorites, including milk. For the first time in weeks, she made herself a cup of coffee. The scent alone made her smile.
She’d put Daphne to bed and she had a little radio thing, she couldn’t remember what it was called, that allowed her to monitor her.
She sat down on the sofa. There was a television but she didn’t want to draw attention to the house. Rocko clearly wanted her presence in his life a secret and she refused to be selfish near him. Sitting back, she relaxed.
The monitor was silent.
She blew across the top of her cup. The steam rose after she’d stopped blowing. Time ticked on by. Rather than be annoyed with nothing to do, she felt at peace in a way she hadn’t for days, if not weeks. Working for him wasn’t so bad.
He wasn’t always around either. Most of the time, she was alone, and she liked it that way.
Sipping at her drink, she waited.
What did Rocko think about having her in his home? She knew she was the enemy, at least to him she was.
Running her fingers through her hair, she took several deep breaths. She could handle this. Whatever happened, she would always be there for Daphne. He’d asked about her life before. With her parents, she’d been happy, glorious. Now, she’d counted down the hours until sleep.
The door opened and she got to her feet as the alpha stumbled in. He slammed the door closed and the entire house seemed to rock on its foundation. She rushed upstairs to check on Daphne. Each day the young girl seemed to be able to sleep through anything. She checked and saw Daphne hadn’t woken.
Rushing downstairs, she found Rocko in the laundry room. He was in the process of removing his clothes and she noted the blood dripping down from what looked like bullet wounds.
She flicked the light on and he growled at her.
“Fuck off,” he said.
“You’re hurt.”
“No shit. Hunters in the woods.” He shoved his pants down, followed by his boxer briefs. He was naked in front of her. His cock on full display.
She averted her gaze. “Hunters?” she asked.
“Don’t worry. They’re not going to save you. I’m collecting their bodies as soon as I’m done here.”
“You’re injured.”
“And I will continue to be while humans think they’re better than us.”
“Can I please check out your wounds?”
“You want to dance about it?”
“No, I want to take care of you?” she asked.
“You can’t even look at me.”
“You’re naked. It’s not polite to stare.”
Silence filled the air.
“You ever seen a naked man before?”
“No.”
“You really are innocent.”
“Please, let me take care of you.” She wasn’t going to stick around to be mocked about her virginity and complete lack of male suitors. She went to the downstairs bathroom, found the first-aid kit she’d spotted there, and returned to the kitchen table.
Sitting down, she opened up the kit and saw several sterile wipes, Band-Aids, and wraps. Everything required to treat him.
In only a pair of boxer briefs, Rocko entered the kitchen. He dragged out the chair, and she listened to the monitor for any sound from Daphne. Rocko was huge in every single direction. Large body and muscular all over.
He also possessed several patches of ink but she didn’t allow herself to look too long. Her heart raced and her hands felt clammy.
He really was a beautiful male.
Again, she wasn’t going to think about wanting him. Rocko would more than likely kill her than desire her.
Trails of blood leaked from holes. “We’re going to need to get you to a doctor.”
“No need. I’ve already removed them. Fucking wooden bullets. Assholes.”
“Wooden bullets don’t work?”
“I’m not giving you ammunition to kill me.”
“I won’t kill you.”
“Because you’re a vegan who cares about the animals?” he asked, mocking her with every word.
“No, because I don’t believe in violence and I’ve already told you I have no desire to hurt you. I don’t believe in it.”