Calling it a bathtub would've been an understatement. The one I had used before now seemed like a mere bucket in comparison. This one was closer to a pool than a tub.
My heart pounded with excitement as I slowly undressed. The pain in my wrists made even the smallest movements difficult. Thankfully, my clothes were simple and functional, so it only took a few minutes before I stood naked.
I glanced at the full-length mirror before stepping into the bath. I looked like a cavewoman dragged straight out of the dark ages. My hair was a tangled ball of frizz, and there wasn't a single inch of me that wasn't covered in dirt.
Aside from my wrists, there were several bruises all over my body, mainly on my backside from when I was tossed inside the cell.
Seeing myself like this made me feel even guiltier for having rested on such a grand bed earlier.
I took a deep breath and cleared my thoughts. Right now, all I wanted was to enjoy this bath.
The moment my foot touched the water, a pleasant warmth spread through my body. The sensation was only enhanced by the refreshing scent that came from the water.
Unlike the calming lavender scent before, this time it was zesty and citrusy. White flower petals and dried orange slices floated gently across the surface.
The water was the perfect temperature— hot, but not enough to sting or scald.
As I soaked in the pool-sized tub, I took in the rest of the bathroom. It was enormous, carrying the same 'light and bright' motif as the bedroom.
The floors were made from white stone tile, but the walls and furniture were the same dark walnut wood as the four-poster bed. Large and small plants were placed around the room, bringing a breath of life into the space.
If they gave me this room, I couldn't even begin to imagine what the Alpha's must look like.
"Miss Esther, is it okay for me to come in now?"
Nessa's voice drifted from the adjoining room. I glanced toward the open doors but didn't see her.
"You really don't have to. I can wash myself..." I replied, but as soon as I lifted my hands to scrub my scalp, I realized that my wrists weren't ready for the task.
With the bandages removed, I could finally see the deep purple bruises forming nearly perfect rings around my wrists.
"They must hurt quite a bit. Even for a werewolf, that kind of injury would take some time to heal," said Nessa as she approached.
I dipped my hands back into the water, hiding them beneath the layer of bubbles. It still amazed me how easily he'd nearly broken my bones with a single grip.
Nessa walked over, holding a jar. "I brought a freshly made batch of shampoo with me. The herbs I used are very good at nourishing and softening hair."
Without wasting time, she began applying the mixture to the top of my head, working carefully down each strand. I felt a flush of embarrassment, but I couldn't deny the blissful sensation as her fingers massaged my scalp.
Her movements were slow and methodical. She took her time untangling every knot, ensuring that not a single strand of hair broke. By the time she finished, my fingers were pruny from the long soak.
"Sorry. Your hair is just so beautiful, I couldn't help but take my time!" Nessa said as she rinsed the last of the shampoo away.
My cheeks warmed from the compliment. "Thank you for doing this," I said softly.
"No problem. Here, I'll leave the towel and your clothes right here. Let me know if there's anything wrong," she said, walking out of the bathroom.
I climbed out of the tub and wrapped the towel around myself. The reflection staring back at me in the mirror looked completely different from the one I'd seen earlier. My skin was no longer covered in a layer of dirt, and my hair was glossy. The only downside was that the bruises were a lot more pronounced against my pale skin.
After drying off, I walked over to the chair where Nessa had left the clothing. The material felt very soft and breathable. There certainly weren't any clothes like this back home.
I slipped into the light brown colored dress. It sat loosely but comfortably.
"How's it going?" Nessa asked.
I turned around, covering my chest with my arms. "I think you forgot to get me a bra..." I said with embarrassment.
"A bra? Why would you want to wear that?" she asked with a giggle.
My eyes widened. "Wait— you mean it's not standard for women to wear bras here?"
"Of course not! We only wear them if a dress requires it," she said with a smile. "Come, let me reapply the medicine to your wrists."
I followed her back into the bedroom, to the sitting area. She pulled out a small tin of what looked like the herbal ointment I had earlier.
"Place your hand on the table, please."
I followed her order and watched as she carefully scooped the ointment out of the jar and placed it on my wrist. She was very careful not to hurt me, but worked quickly.
After finishing the first arm, she bandaged it and moved to the second arm.
"You're lucky your bones weren't crushed. Any more pressure, and the damage might've been permanent."
I nodded, agreeing with her observation. Though I didn't know the internal state of my arm, I knew that this injury had the possibility of being permanent.
"All right, you're all set. Your food should still be warm, and I changed the bedding. Is there anything else I can get you before I leave?" she asked with bright eyes.
I shook my head, "No, thank you."
It was hard for me to say anything else. This kind of kindness was not what someone who attempted to kill the Alpha deserved.
"Then have a good night, Miss Esther. I'll see you tomorrow."