Chapter 10 Esmeralda's Pov

• Before I can even protest, Sheldon strides across the room, snatching me up and tossing me over his shoulder like I weigh nothing. My heart races as I try to squirm free, but he holds me tightly, squeezing the back of my thigh.
• “Put me down!” I shout, struggling against him, but my protests are met with silence.
• Lucien follows behind, silently seething. I don't blame him for being unable to do anything. He has tried his best to protect me for whatever reason he has. But he possibly couldn't go against his alpha and Lord. He was a good person, but he knew what he would face if he crossed Sheldon. He knew he’d likely find trouble.
• “Sheldon, this is wrong!” Lucien finally calls after us, his voice edged with frustration. “You can’t just take her back like this!” He was referring to how battered and weak I am.
• “She belongs to me,” Sheldon snaps back without even glancing over his shoulder. “You’re overstepping, Beta.”
• As we exit the room, I catch sight of the other pack members stopping and watching, their eyes wide with surprise. I can’t help but feel exposed and vulnerable, their gazes heavy upon me. I squirm against Sheldon’s grip, but he only adjusts me, making it clear that resistance is futile.
• “What are you doing?” I shout, desperation clawing at my throat as we pass through the pack’s common area. “You can’t just treat me like this!”
• He halts suddenly, slapping me hard on my butt, causing pain to run through me. “And why not? You’re just a breeder, Esmeralda. Nothing more. I have no use for you beyond that.”
• A mixture of hurt and anger floods my system. I keep forgetting just who I am dealing with.
• His lips curl into a cruel smirk. “You think I care about your feelings? You’re simply a means to an end, nothing but a complication I didn’t need.”
• My stomach churns with humiliation, and I stare down at the floor, struggling against the surge of despair. “I’m not just some property! I am a person!”
• He sneers, striding forward once more. “That’s where you’re wrong. You were sold to me as a breeder, and that’s all you’ll ever be. Don’t confuse this with any kind of bond.”
• Sheldon pushes open the door to his room, the luxurious space filled with dark, imposing furniture that only amplifies the oppressive atmosphere. None of the toys I saw before were in sight.
• He strides inside, still holding me over his shoulder, and I can feel the cold air of the room wash over me like a wave of despair.
• “Put me down!” I protest again, struggling to shift my weight as he finally drops me unceremoniously onto the plush bed. The impact jars my aching body, and I wince as I land. I quickly sit up, trying to gather myself, but Sheldon’s presence looms large, his dominance suffocating.
• “Stay,” he commands me like a pet, his voice low and sharp as he turns to the door, his eyes glazing over for a second. I knew he was mind-linking someone.
• A moment later, a young maid enters, her eyes widening in shock at the sight of me on the bed, my bruises still visible. “Yes, Alpha?” she stutters, glancing nervously between us.
• “Get the pack doctor,” he orders, his voice brooking no argument. “She needs to be treated. Now.”
• The maid nods quickly, her hands trembling slightly as she hurries to obey. “Right away, Alpha.”
• As she scurries out of the room, I can’t help but feel a strange mix of relief and dread. At least someone will help me, but the thought of Sheldon’s wrath looms over me like a dark cloud.
• I can barely comprehend how he can be so cold and commanding one moment and then call for help the next. It only serves to highlight the twisted reality of my existence in his world.
• Sheldon leans against the doorframe, arms crossed over his chest, observing me with a detached gaze. “You should be grateful,” he says, a hint of condescension in his tone. “You’re lucky I’m not leaving you to suffer in that cell.”
• I meet his gaze, anger rising within me. “Grateful? For what? Being treated like a criminal?” I retort, my voice shaky but defiant.
• He pushes off the door, moving closer, his expression darkening. “You need to understand your place, Esmeralda. You may be a breeder to me, but I’m still the Alpha. Your life depends on my whims, and right now, I’ve chosen to have you treated. Don’t mistake my actions for kindness.”
• Before I can respond, the maid returns with the pack doctor, a stern-looking woman with an air of authority that demands respect. She steps inside and takes in the scene with a practiced eye.
• “Alpha Sheldon, what happened?” she asks, her gaze assessing me critically.
• “She was locked away and needed treatment,” Sheldon replies curtly, stepping back to allow her access. “Tend to her wounds.”
• The doctor approaches me, her expression softening as she kneels beside the bed. “Esmeralda, we’re going to take care of you,” she says, her voice soothing. “Let me see your injuries.”
• As she examines my wounds, I can’t shake the feeling of vulnerability. The pain from the slashes on my back reminds me of the humiliation I endured, and with Sheldon standing there, watching, it makes it all the more unbearable.
• “You need to be more careful,” the doctor says, her tone serious. “You’re lucky these injuries aren’t worse.”
• I glance at Sheldon, who stands in silence, his gaze intense and unwavering. “Why do you care?” I ask, my voice barely a whisper. “Why do any of this?”
• “Because I’m responsible for you,” he replies, his voice flat, devoid of any warmth. “And I don’t tolerate weakness.”
• As the doctor continues her work, I feel a mix of frustration and confusion. Sheldon may have brought me here, but I refuse to accept that I am nothing more than a pawn in his game.
• “I won’t be broken,” I declare, the determination swelling within me. “You can’t keep me like this forever.”
• He smirks slightly, the corner of his mouth twitching up in amusement. “We’ll see about that, Esmeralda.”
• And as I lay there, feeling the sting of the doctor’s ointment on my wounds, I realize I have to fight. This is not just about survival; it’s about reclaiming my autonomy, even if it means standing against the very man who has the power to destroy me.
• The doctor finishes her work, standing to gather her supplies. “You’ll need rest, ma'am. I suggest you take it easy for a few days.”
• Sheldon nods, his gaze still locked on me. “You’ll be safe here. For now.”
• As the doctor leaves, I’m left alone with him, the weight of his presence suffocating. I refuse to show any sign of weakness, even as my heart races with uncertainty.
• “Remember, Esmeralda,” he says, his voice low and threatening. “You’re mine. You’d do well to remember your place.”
• And as the door closes behind the doctor, I realize that this fight has only just begun.
• I blink, my mind void, a blank mass of uselessness.