Chapter 0801
“You disgust me,” Elias snarls, hauling Gabriel with him towards the door. “I’m taking you out of here and you will not return until Ariel invites you. If she ever does.” I watch in shock, because Elias is both the younger and the smaller brother. How…how does he have this kind of authority? Why is Gabriel listening to him?

Elias glances once at Pippa, who gives him a steady nod, but then Elias and Gabriel gone, the door closing hard behind them.

Pippa holds me for a long few minutes, stroking my fur and telling me that it’s all right. When I finally feel strong enough I shift back into my girl body, tears streaming down my cheeks.

“Oh, Ariel,” Pippa murmurs, taking my face in her hands. “I’m so sorry. That was so horrible.”

“Why – why did he do that?” I whisper, shaking my head, still terrified. I glance at the door, scared he’ll come back. Because even if Blaze did teach me some things, I know I can’t win against Gabriel, not really. He – like most Alphas – is just so much bigger than me.

“I don’t know why he did it,” Pippa whispers, softly stroking my cheek. “But it won’t happen again, darling. The doors – they have locks – all of our maiden chambers do. None of them can be opened except from the inside if you will it. I promise.”

A little tension goes out of me at this and I nod to her, hoping that’s true.