17 Chapter 17 Walls Closing In
Elena’s POV 1
Marcus looked ready to combust. Rage radiated from every inch of his towering frame, and honestly, I had zero clue what had triggered this latest explosion.
The pathetic truth was that I’d grown accustomed to his dramatic entrances and baseless accusations. I hopped down from the bench and deliberately walked around him, settling onto the threadbare couch before clicking on the ancient television.
His eyes tracked my every movement like I’d just committed some unforgivable sin.
“Don’t you dare ignore me like that,” he snarled.
“Then don’t storm in here throwing around accusations without context. Ask me nicely about whatever’s eating at you, and maybe I’ll give you a straight answer.” I kept my voice level, refusing to give him the satisfaction of seeing me rattled.
“You seriously don’t know what this is about?” His voice dripped with disbelief.
“Absolutely not.”
“You and Miller.”
I actually laughed. “Are you kidding me right now? Have we even spoken since he pulled me out of that wreck?”
“That’s not the point.”
“We crossed paths downtown. Was I supposed to pretend he didn’t exist? I thanked him for saving my life. End of story.”
A sharp knock interrupted our standoff. I trudged to the door, finding Beta Hugo on the other side.
“Come on in. Apparently everyone’s making themselves at home today.” I gestured him inside with mock hospitality.
“Alpha, here’s the file you wanted,” Hugo said, extending a manila folder toward Marcus. I returned to my spot on the couch, pointedly focusing on the flickering screen while Hugo’s gaze wandered around our cramped living space.
“Impressive accommodations, right?” My sarcasm was thick enough to cut.
17 Chapter 17 Walls Closing in
Hugo shifted uncomfortably, clearly unsure how to respond.
“Thanks for this. Head back to the packhouse,” Marcus dismissed him curtly.
“Sure thing. Viviana and her uncle are already there waiting for you,” Hugo mentioned before making his exit.
“Wouldn’t want to keep your precious girlfriend waiting,” I muttered.
“I couldn’t care less about that right now. Stay away from Miller, or something very unfortunate might happen to him.” The threat in Marcus’s voice was unmistakable.
“You can’t threaten him. He doesn’t even know what I am to you.”
“Doesn’t matter. You know exactly what you are to me. Make sure it doesn’t happen again.” He spun on his heel and stalked out.
“Asshole,” I breathed once the door slammed shut.
My stomach chose that moment to remind me it existed. I wandered to the kitchen, opening the fridge to find nothing but expired condiments and a carton of questionable milk. The cupboards revealed the same depressing story. I checked our emergency fund jar, only to find it completely empty.
Mom wouldn’t get paid for several days, and even then, most of her paycheck would disappear into bills. I had no idea when my own paycheck might materialize. Hunger gnawed at my insides, but stealing wasn’t an option. Never had been, never would be.
I’d have to tough it out until we scraped together enough for groceries. Mom always managed to buy something before tackling the bills. She never let us starve completely.
Glancing out the window, I spotted the warrior still stationed outside, his eyes fixed on the trailer. His constant surveillance wasn’t frightening anymore, just infuriating. Marcus refused to acknowledge me publicly but acted like he owned me privately. The contradiction was driving me toward a complete breakdown.
My position was crystal clear. Either accept me as his mate or reject me outright. Simple as that. But he refused to choose either path, keeping his girlfriend in the picture like some twisted game.
Was this deliberate torture? I knew Marcus could be ruthlessly cruel, but I’d never imagined he’d stoop to this level of psychological warfare.
17 Chapter 17 Walls Closing In
The next morning, I dragged myself to work at six sharp, joining the crew as we tackled the first delivery truck. Our manager materialized to oversee operations, and I caught him studying my every move with unsettling intensity.
He looked to be in his early thirties, reasonably attractive by human standards. By werewolf standards, however, he barely registered on my radar. Not that it mattered.
I threw myself into the work, hoping he’d retreat to his office and leave us alone. Instead, he lingered in the warehouse, leaning against the wall with his clipboard, making notes about God knows what.
The other workers exchanged glances, clearly as uncomfortable with his presence as I was. His attention felt heavy and unwelcome, like another weight added to my already overwhelming burden.
Every box I lifted, every pallet I moved, he watched. His scrutiny made my skin crawl, but I forced myself to focus on the job. I needed this work, needed the eventual paycheck, needed some semblance of independence in my increasingly complicated life.
The morning stretched endlessly under his watchful gaze, each minute feeling like an hour. I wondered if this was Marcus’s doing somehow, another way to monitor and control my movements. The paranoia was starting to eat away at my sanity.
Between Marcus’s possessive threats, the warrior’s constant surveillance, and now this manager’s creepy attention, I felt trapped from every angle. The walls were closing in, and I wasn’t sure how much more pressure I could handle before something inside me finally snapped.
18 Chapter 18 Shelves Packed Full
