Evelyn's POV
The first thing I felt when my eyes fluttered open was warmth. Not the kind that burns like fever fire, but a gentle, steady warmth that told me the nightmare of sweat soaked sheets and shivering was finally behind me. My chest rose and fell in a rhythm I had almost forgotten, calm, steady, alive.
For a moment, I just lay there, staring at the ceiling above me, my mind struggling to piece together the fragments of dream and reality. Then some movements drew my attention. Men in white robes stood around me, doctors. Their eyes widened the moment mine opened. Relief washed over their faces in waves so intense I almost thought they had been the ones sick.
"She's awake," one of them whispered, and the others exhaled collectively, as though my waking had pulled them back from the brink of some terrible fate.
It startled me, their joy seemed greater than my own. Almost desperate. Their hands trembled slightly as they packed their tools, muttering prayers of thanks under their breath. Why did they care so much? Why did it feel like their lives had depended on me waking?
I tried to push myself up, my body still weak but eager to prove I could. A jolt of dizziness hit me, but I pressed on, only for the doctors to rush forward, gently pushing me back onto the mattress.
"You must not stand," one of them urged. "Your body is still recovering. Rest. We'll leave now so you can comfortably rest and wait for Lord Lucian."
Lord Lucian?
The name rang through me like a bell, and suddenly memories rushed back. The sting of the whip. The shame of being stripped and tied to a pole. My own screams echoing in my ears. And then, him. The beast, Lucian. His cloak covering my body. His voice, dark and commanding, yet strangely protective.
Lucian had saved me.
Who would have thought the creature everyone called a monster was capable of mercy? And of all people, to me, the human servant girl scorned and beaten, yet he had chosen to shield me.
I was thankful for his kindness that still felt like a miracle. But as I looked around, as my eyes fell on the massive bed beneath me, the gratitude twisted into discomfort.
This was his bed. The same bed where I had seen him with countless women, taking them like possessions. And now, here I was, lying where they had lain. My skin prickled with unease. No, I couldn't stay here.
I clutched the heavy coat wrapped around me, the same one Lucian had draped over my nakedness. It smelled faintly of him, wild and sharp, like pine and blood. It made my chest tighten. I shook my head. I had to get out.
Swinging my legs over the edge of the bed, I walked towards the door. My body was weak, my steps unsteady, but determination drove me. I wasn't going to remain in his chamber, wrapped in his scent, pretending like I belonged there. I'd return to the servant quarters, change, and bring his robe back. That was all. Nothing more.
The corridors felt strangely hollow as I made my way out. The moonlight painted pale streaks across the yard. And yet…. something was different.
Everywhere I went, people stopped. They froze when they saw me, eyes darting away as if burned by the sight of me. They scurried into corners, whispering, pointing when they thought I couldn't see. Some lowered their heads, others simply vanished into shadows.
Their avoidance crawled under my skin. Were they still mocking me? Whispering about how I'd been tied to a pole, naked, humiliated in front of everyone? My cheeks burned at the thought. I quickened my pace. I couldn't think about that anymore.
I reached the servant quarters and barely had time to push open the door before arms flung around me.
"Evelyn!"
Lisa's voice cracked with joy as she crushed me in a hug. Rose and Clara were right behind her, wrapping me in warmth I hadn't realized I needed.
"We missed you so much," Clara said, tears glistening in her eyes.
"We thought you wouldn't wake," Rose added, her hands trembling against mine.
Their relief was genuine, and it tugged at something tender inside me. I swallowed hard and managed a smile, though exhaustion pressed against my bones.
"I'm fine," I whispered, though it wasn't entirely true. "But I need a change of clothes. I can't…. I can't stay in his robe any longer. I need to return it."
Rose hurried to a chest and pulled out a simple dress, soft and plain, but far more comfortable than the heavy coat clinging to me. I slipped behind a curtain, removed Lucian's robe, and dressed quickly. When I stepped out, I folded the robe neatly, clutching it close.
But a thought gnawed at me. The way the people had looked at me outside. The strange weight in the air. The eerie silence of the estate. Finally, I asked
"Did something happen while I was unconscious? The whole place feels.… off. Heavy."
The three exchanged glances, their smiles fading. For a moment, no one spoke. Then Rose cleared her throat.
"Well… the Luna is dead," she said softly.
My heart stuttered. "What? Dead? How? She was alive just this morning, she was the one who punished me, she.…" My voice trailed off as shock choked me.
Lisa's gaze sharpened. "The demon wolf didn't tell you?"
I blinked at her. "Tell me what? Is he supposed to tell me anything?" I asked confused
It was Clara who stepped forward to finally speak "In my opinion, Evelyn.… I think the demon wolf really likes you."
My breath caught. "What are you talking about?"
She leaned closer, lowering her voice. "Everyone saw it. The way he went off after what was done to you. He showed his monstrous side, and he didn't hold back. He killed the Luna for punishing you. He slaughtered the guards who whipped you. And.…" She hesitated, watching my face carefully. "….he heard about your uncle. The one who… who did those things to you. The demon wolf went after him too, probably to kill him and avenge you"
The world tilted. My hands trembled so badly I almost dropped the folded robe.
"What?!" I gasped