Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath (Stella)

Uriah was silent, his mind racing. Was he worried?

Tegan sniffled, her voice small and uncertain. "Why does your mother hate me so much?"

She continued, her eyes shimmering with confusion and hurt. "My father gave his life to save yours, yet your mother treats me like I'm her worst enemy. Why?"

Uriah's eyes widened in shock, but Tegan grabbed his wrist before he could respond. With a gentle but firm grip, she pulled his hand away from her chin.

Sitting back, she turned to gaze out the window, her thoughts heavy with unspoken emotions. "I've tried to figure this out for years, but now..."

"Did Forrest give you an answer?" Uriah interrupted sharply.

Tegan hesitated.

An answer? Not exactly. Forrest hadn't provided answers, but he had certainly stirred up a storm inside her, leaving her with more questions than before.

Uriah leaned in, his forehead against hers, their breaths mingling in the tense air.

"Forrest isn't a good guy. Whatever he told you, forget it, okay?" His voice was cold, almost commanding. Tegan placed her hands on his chest, trying to push him away, but his grip on her neck only tightened. "Be a good girl, Tegan. Don't see him again, okay?"

She struggled to catch her breath, glancing up at Uriah. They were so close, she couldn't read his expression, but she could sense the danger he felt Forrest posed.

Meanwhile, halfway across the world in Ferrowland, Susanna desperately tried to distract herself with gossip. But after hanging up with Stella and Tegan, her mind kept drifting back to the morning she woke up in a state of undress.

Hull had been out all day. She had tried to leave, but the place was swarming with security. She could have grown wings and still not escaped.

When Hull finally returned that evening, they sat across each other at the dining table. The spread was a classic feast, dishes from all over Portis City, but Susanna barely touched her food, poking at it with little interest.

Hull glanced at her untouched plate. "I thought you were a big eater.

are

cat

you picking at your food like Bet

Susanna bristled. Big eater? That was a bit harsh. She never claimed to be one.

She looked at Hull, her lips parting to speak, but the words got stuck.

Noticing her hesitation, Hull asked coldly, "What is it?"

His tone was brimming with impatience, making her swallow nervously.

How was she supposed to bring it up? Should she just ask straight out why she'd woken up without clothes?

Worse, she'd noticed some blood on the sheets.

What if Hull shrugged and said, "Yeah, I undressed you. So what?"

Her heart raced at the thought. This was a nightmare.

Hull continued, "Not hungry?"

Susanna shook her head. "No, that's not it."

bet

She wanted to eat, but nothing tasted right with so many questions hanging over her, especially not with this intimidating man across from her.

The staff seemed to follow his lead, refusing to serve dinner until he returned, and now it was well past eight.

She was starving, but Hull's presence made her lose her appetite.

"Um, can lask about... my clothes last night?" she ventured, her she ventured, her voicenoveldrama

barely above a whisper. Her het art

poed in her chest.

She had to know. It was too big of a question to ignore.

She swallowed hard, avoiding Hull's piercing gaze and the dangerous aura he exuded.

With a deep breath, she steeled herself and asked, "Did you undress me?"