HAZEL
I reached for the door handle and stopped.
The thought of Laslo stepping inside again made my skin crawl. I had been trying to think of ways to get him out, to reclaim even a sliver of privacy in this nightmare, when I heard his footsteps stop behind me.
I turned, and that was when he bowed.
I stared at him. My hand was still on the door handle. My mouth opened, then closed.
"What is happening?" I asked.
"This is a thank you from Alpha Wenzel, Mistress Hazel," Laslo said. His voice was even, formal. "He believes you deserve some privacy."
I nearly scoffed. The sound caught in my throat, and I forced it into a smile instead.
Manipulation. That was all this was. A favor that was not a favor. A gesture designed to make me feel indebted. Like he was doing me some great kindness by not having me watched every second of the day.
"I thank him," I said.
"I will make sure he knows."
I hesitated. The words were already forming before I could think them through.
