Talia's POV

I had the darkness as cover for a few more hours.


But I knew I had to do something drastic to change my appearance.

I walked fast into town and fr away from the palace, for that night at least.

I kept thinking fast about who to run to.


I literally had no ally.

Hungry, broken, maltreated and nearly raped, I broke down in tears.


I had been sat for about twenty minutes when someone came and tapped my shoulders.

Just a concerned passers-by, I was grateful.

'Hey there pretty." He said.

I already had PTSD from Vance, I was not looking forward to more interactions with males.

I was fed sick of guys who wanted to take advantage of me.

'What are you doing out alone here?" He asked again. He was unrelentingly persistent.

I like his accent though, and that he was reek of alcohol and didn't seem like he was high on drugs at least.

'I just want to be alone." I replied to him very standoffish.

'Oh. And that's enough reason to stay out here lonely, in these dangerous times?" He sounded really genuine and concerned.

'You're creeping me out." I said to him. I was already mentally stressed from the days occurrence. My head was aching and throbbing.

'How is that? I'm just concerned." He still didn't look like he was ready to move.

'I need you to be not concerned. I need you to not look at me. I need you to walk past like I don't exist. I need you to look the other way. I need you to not notice me. I need you to not look at me with all that pity in your eyes. I need you to walk away, now!" I screamed.

'I'm sorry I come off that way. I'll be gone now." He said and walked away.

'I'm sorry too." I whispered and broke down in tears. I was actually sorry. I was so broken, I didn't care who I bled on. I just wanted to express myself.

I was sick of how men like Vance and Landon were used to using women to achieve their goals.

I hated how women were always the puns in their conspiracy.

I was sick of it. Worse still, they want to have sex with every woman they come across with.

I still was in denial about what happened that afternoon, but I had the welts from Vance's belt and the mark from the tight bondage as unmistakable evidence that it really did happen.

His men just went and whisked him back to the palace. Safe and sound, no injuries, no punishment for what he did.

Fresh tears came to my eyes and it got me really thinking.

I wiped my face and stared straight ahead.

There was no use shedding tears over a man who would never change.

'You're so sure you don't need my company?" The same voice from about five minutes earlier said.

At that point, I didn't even know what I want and what I didn't.

I just wanted to die. I had had enough.

Fate had dealt me a very poor hand. In my all my trying times, there was barely anything to look forward to.

'I'm just going to stay here till you walk away from me." He said. It made me smile. He sounded so much like Kael.

He was an absolute reminder of him. Of how selfless he was.

I missed him, and there was no denying.

Since he passed, I hadn't had it any easier. It's been from one shocking discovery to one another. None of which were exactly good for my mental health.

'Are you comfortable?" I asked him.

'No. Are you?" He replied.

'No. That's how your gender has made me fell almost all my entire life, uncomfortable." I said.

He kept quiet. But I felt him inch a bit closer. He provided me with instant warmth, I couldn't deny.

I had to strongly hold myself back from leaning on him and resting my head on his broad welcoming shoulders.

'I feel that way sometimes too." He said.

I thought I head wrong. He possibly didn't hear me well.

'Do you know what you are saying?" I asked him, with my parched and fading voice.

'Yes, I do. As much as I'd love to engage you, I hate to. You look tired and spent. We shouldn't be out here talking. I should be helping you." He replied.

'What's the assurance you're not going to tie and rape me?" I asked him point blank.

'What does that even mean?" I could tell he felt very insulted. But that didn't move me. A rapist would never admit to being one. Vance would introduce himself as an Alpha and a husband, not a rapist.

'It means I do not trust strange men." I repeated.

'This strange man has a wife to get back to. I'd leave you to fate. It was nice meeting you. And I hope you heal from whatever this is."He said, got up from the floor, dust his clothes and wet in his way.

Something about saying he had a woman got me. It made me feel he was safe enough to follow.

I stood up after his, mustered all the strength in my body and began walking behind him. It was safer that way.

He walked for quite a distance, venturing close to the palace at some point.

It was almost midnight, I could tell. Where would a man with a wife have been coming from at such an hour? It was none of my business, so I jut kept walking behind him.

We soon got to his house.

As expected, he knocked and a woman carrying a little child came to the door. He kissed her before they all entered and locked the door.

I had confirmed he was quite safe to stay with.

Then I reasoned I would've a burden to him.

He felt pity for me, but that didn't mean his wife would.

I would only be an unnecessary load to him and his little family.

Tired and unable to go on, I collapsed right in front of his door.