Page 14 of Damaged Princess

Evie sighs. "I might end up with a serious spanking for suggesting it, but put some real effort into meeting a pack. I bet if you went on an actual date, Vik would magically appear within days."

I snort.

"It's very inconvenient that Lydia confirmed spanking is safe during pregnancy," Evie grumbles under her breath. "I thought we had a womanly bond thing going on. Apparently not."

I laugh, shaking my head. She's ridiculously cute sometimes.

"We need to get to work," I remind her. "I can't afford to lose any hours off my check."

We get up and prepare to head to the shop, but all day my mind replays what Evie said.

Maybe she's right. I don't hate the thought of tormenting Vik, the same way he's plagued my thoughts for the last few weeks.

And I'm damn tired of being walked all over by men who think they own me.

Chapter Four

Rafe

This is going to be a problem. I know it's true the second Anastasia steps out the door of her suite.

Normally, she's drowning in the spare clothes Evie gave her so she'd have something warm to wear around the lodge. Except tonight she's back in her old attire.

She's wearing a black dress and black heels, the kind with the red bottom that women go crazy for. The dress is tight up top and flares out into a puffy skirt. She's got dark liner on her eyes and bright red lipstick on her plush lips.

My chest tightens as I watch her saunter down the hall. She's absolutely beautiful. Not that she isn't every single day, but she looks confident. It reminds me of the old Anastasia.

Ana heads for the stairs. I glance at the door. I'm on the first floor. I could head her off wherever she's headed. Wolfe is in the gym. He just got started a few minutes ago. I'm wearing jeans and a t-shirt. Since I'm pretty much exclusively in the office, my bosses don't make a big deal about me wearing the polo. I mean normally I do wear it, but I spilled coffee on my shirt this afternoon and had to change.

Anastasia makes it to the first floor landing while I'm trying to talk myself out of interceding.

I can't sit here and do nothing.

She's an unbonded omega.

All omegas are required to be accompanied when they're outside of their room. Okay, so that policy is for guests of The Exchange and Ana is technically now an employee. But I get a weird churning feeling in my gut when I think about her being out without someone I trust to keep her safe.

I shove my chair back, grab my cell phone and keys, and move to intercept.

Anastasia sighs when she spots me. She marches along down the hallway and doesn't say a word. I follow her out into the cool evening air and shiver. Ana doesn't seem to be as bothered by the chilly temperature as I am. She hits the sidewalk that leads down to the shops in the small downtown area.

"Wait," I say, finally breaking the silence. "Where are you headed?"

"There's a bar," Ana says, running her hands over her arms. "I'm pretty sure it's that way."

I sigh so loudly it reminds me of my grandfather.

"How about we walk the fifteen feet back that way," I say, nodding to the parking lot. "I'll gladly drive you anywhere you want to go."

Ana's blueish-gray eyes study me carefully. Her body betrays her with a shiver, and I link my hand in hers.

"Come on," I growl, gently pulling her toward my car. "What were you thinking? It's cold as hell. It might not look like it's that far, but it's several city blocks."

"Jeez, sorry, dad. I'll do better next time."

"Not my kink," I grumble, guiding her to my SUV. I freeze. Shit, I really shouldn't have said that. I know it's Vik's, and I'm pretty sure she's hurt he's not here.

"I mean, it could be," I say with a laugh.

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