Chapter 340
Harrison slipped out of the room without a sound.
Nathaniel's gaze followed her retreating form, his expression darkening with barely contained frustration.
Night had fallen over Wintervale, and Sebastian was fast asleep. But Harrison couldn't bring herself to close her eyes. Not with Adrian lurking nearby.
Her claim of being married hadn't deterred him at all. His interest in her was still burning strong.
Harrison couldn't afford to let her guard down. Every instinct screamed that she and Sebastian weren't safe.
She sat alone by the door, the oppressive silence of the mountain village pressing in around her. The snow-covered landscape felt like a frozen wasteland, isolating them from the rest of the world.
A violent shiver wracked her body. The cold had seeped deep into her bones, and now a feverish heat was creeping up on her.
She had spent too long in the freezing sea. Even her normally resilient body was starting to give in.
Harrison pressed a hand to her forehead, forcing herself to stay awake. Falling asleep now would be dangerous.
Then, Nathaniel's face flashed through her mind.
What was he doing right now? Was he with Isabella? Had he even noticed they were missing? Would he come for them?
Sebastian's leg was badly injured. Adrian was watching her like a predator. She had no idea how they would ever make it back.
The cold was unbearable. Harrison wrapped her arms around herself, resting her head against the doorframe. Her eyelids grew heavier.
Just as she was about to drift off, something cold and wet brushed against her cheek. A slow, deliberate touch.
Her eyes flew open.
Adrian stood over her, his fingers lingering on her skin, his gaze filled with hunger.
Harrison jerked away. "Adrian! What are you doing?"
Her body felt sluggish, her strength drained. Panic flared as she realized something was very wrong.
Adrian had returned to his room earlier, but sleep eluded him. The image of Harrison's delicate beauty haunted him, stoking a fire he couldn't ignore.
He had lived in this village for years. Women from the outside world came and went, but none had ever captivated him like her.
A lewd grin twisted his lips. "Harrison, don't play dumb. You know exactly what I want."
She pushed his hand away, her voice sharp. "Stop this! I'm married!"
"So what?" Adrian sneered. "Your husband isn't here. No one will ever know."
With that, he lunged.
Harrison's eyes widened. She tried to scramble back, but her body was too weak. Adrian, far stronger, knocked her to the ground. His hands tore at her clothes.
"Harrison, just give in!"
Pinned beneath him, Harrison recoiled in disgust. She fought with everything she had. "Let me go! My husband is coming—he's powerful! He'll destroy you!"
Adrian was beyond reason. He ripped at her clothes, laughing. "Forget him. Tonight, you're mine!"
He leaned down, his lips inches from hers.
Harrison twisted her face away, despair crashing over her. Was this how it would end?
"No! Please—"
Then, a large hand seized Adrian by the collar and yanked him backward with brutal force.
Harrison gasped as the weight lifted off her.