Freya ignored him, struggling to pull herself the rest of the way inside. Before she could manage, Elias crossed the room in two strides and grabbed her by the arm, yanking her inside with enough force to make her stumble.

“You dare to sneak out of my house?” he hissed, his grip tightening painfully on her arm.

Freya winced but held her ground, her defiance shining through despite the fear in her eyes. “I—”

“You what?” Elias interrupted, his voice low and venomous. “You thought you could leave without consequences? You thought I wouldn’t find out?”

Kenneth snickered. “She’s not very good at this whole sneaking-around thing, is she?”

Freya...