Chapter 47: Blind loyalty

ELAINE'S POV.

I took a deep breath and wiped away my tears, still shaken by the memories of the whipping. "Savio," I said, my voice quivering. "How could you work for someone like Atlas? He's so heartless and cruel, how could you possibly defend him?"

Savio's expression grew serious, and for a moment, I thought he might lash out at me. But instead, he just shook his head and sighed. "Elaine, you don't understand. Atlas is my alpha. I have sworn my loyalty to him, and I will always serve him, no matter what."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "But he ordered his men to whip me," I said, my voice rising with each word. "How can you defend someone like that?"

Savio's eyes hardened, and I could see the alpha in him come to the surface. "Watch your tongue, Elaine," he warned. "You may be in my room, but you're still in his territory. You never know who might be listening."

I felt myself start to shrink back, closing up again. I had almost forgotten where I was and who I was with. Sav