Hollie gasped and sat up when the sunlight hit her eyes. She blinked and looked around the bright, spacious room in confusion.
This wasn’t her room.
And this wasn’t her bed.
The bed that she slept in every night was hard, creaking and lumpy. It was a bunk bed, and she shared the windowless room with seven other low-ranking she-wolves at the basement of the pack house.
This bedroom had nice wallpaper, curtains and a beautiful ceiling light. And the bed she was in was really, really comfortable. She had never slept so peacefully and soundly in her entire life.
Hollie tumbled out of bed and rubbed her eyes. She looked down at the large t-shirt she was wearing and her memories came back to her in a rush.
She was in Kyle’s house. She had slept in his bed. She blushed when she remembered how Kyle had pleasured her last night in this very bed.
Hurrying into the attached bathroom, Hollie washed up quickly and finger-combed through her wild red curls. Stepping out of the bathroom, she stared at the bright sunlight streaming through the window and winced.
Had she slept through the morning? It looked like it was almost noon already.
Gingerly, Hollie opened the door and peeked out.
She saw Kyle sitting at the dining table with a cup of coffee. He turned around and his entire face lit up. It was as if the light of his life had just stepped into the room. No one had ever been so happy to see her before.
“Good morning,” she said shyly.
“Good morning,” Kyle said, pushing his chair back. He came up to her and kissed her softly on the top of her head. “Did you sleep well?”
“Very well,” she said, blushing.
“I’ll get you a cup of coffee,” Kyle said, leading her to the dining table. “Oh, the package on the table is for you.”
“Huh?” She had a package?
Hollie stared at the package on the table in confusion. Kyle grinned as he poured the coffee. “I ordered some clothes for you online,” he said.
“Oh. You ordered them last night?” Her eyes rounded in surprise and bewilderment.
“Yup. I opted for express delivery. The package arrived an hour ago. I just guessed your size and ordered some blouses, dresses, um...bras...”
Her cheeks were flaming, but she was deeply touched by his thoughtful gesture. “Thank you, Kyle,” she said, ducking her head.
She glanced at the clock and saw that it was late morning. “Let’s go out for brunch,” Kyle suggested. “Joe’s Diner is just round the corner.”
“You don’t have to keep me company,” Hollie said. “If you need to go to work...”
Kyle shrugged. “I’ve taken the day off. Shane and Ian can manage without me. Come on, it’s a beautiful day. We shouldn’t be cooped up at home. We can spend the day in town.”
Hollie knew that Kyle was encouraging her to get out and see more of the town. She had been trapped in the Black Blade pack for so many years and had never really gotten to know the town of Nightbrook. She only realized now how unnatural and bizarre it was to have lived in Nightbrook for so long and yet not know anyone in town.
She had been cut off from the world on purpose. The Black Blade pack really was run like a cult. It was easier to control and abuse the members when they had no contact with the outside world.
Hollie clenched and unclenched her fists. All her suppressed emotions were swirling to the surface. She felt anger, regret, sadness and guilt. Why hadn’t she done something to free herself? But what could she have done? If she had fought back, she probably wouldn’t be alive today.
“Yes,” she said at last. “We should go out.”
Hollie picked up the package and stood up. “I’ll go change, and then we’ll go out for brunch and explore the town. I want to see everything.”