by Bianca Cole
I have to work out a plan to get myself out of this mess. Otherwise, I’ll be made an example of by the council. Alec means well, but he won’t save me.
The cage I’m in is impenetrable from the inside. What they won’t bet on is me having help from the outside. It’s a risky option, but I have no other choice. My mate is the only person who can save me. If I draw Anastasia to the city hall, she could help me out of here.
My wolf isn’t sure. He doesn’t like endangering her, and neither do I. Bringing her here is dangerous, but not doing so is too. A human whose mate dies will go crazy, particularly when the bond isn’t consummated.
It’s not the only danger of her coming here. I can’t promise I won’t claim her for real the moment I get my paws on her again. My wolf needs his mate, and he won’t rest until she is by his side—marked with our mark, our scent.
I shut my eyes, picturing Anastasia in my mind. That beautiful, delicate face framed in fiery red hair and those eyes that could kill me. I wish she were here with me more than anything. The longing to claim her overrules all my other senses.
I shake my head, as I’ve gone off track. My eyes remain clamped shut as I picture her again and focus on penetrating her mind. Her voice comes loud and clear through mine, and it drives me fucking wild with need. I feel her emotions and thoughts instantly, before forcing the connection the other way.
Anastasia, I need you to come to the city hall now. I’m in danger.
It takes all my strength to send that one message to her because I’m weakened by the power sucking silver. Not to mention, our bond is weak. I quickly lose the connection and feel my consciousness slipping. All I can hope is that she comes and doesn’t freak out too much over the message. I need her now more than I’ve ever needed anyone.
Everything fades to black, and all I see is her beautiful bright green eyes.
6
Anastasia
I lie awake in bed for hours, staring at the ceiling. What the hell happened between me and that wolf shifter?
He's all I can think about ever since he ran away. His promise to return to me both excites and scares me. I want to see him again, despite everything.
The fear I felt when I saw those men chase after Rhys made me sick to the stomach. He was in danger—shifter or not. I know what our city council does to shifters caught breaking the rules. I've witnessed an execution before. It is debase and disgusting, and yet, so many humans support it.
I think it makes them feel powerful in a world where humans have no power. We're weak. We may have the numbers over the fae, shifters, and even vampires, but we can't fight them. If they wanted to extinguish us, they could.
I wish New York had come around to the more modern way of thinking. The south has embraced the other paranormal species, accepting them into their cities. I've even heard of shifters taking humans as mates in some states, but mostly it's expressly forbidden.
A sudden sweep of heat washes over my body, one that feels just like it did when Rhys touched me for the first time.
His face appears in my mind as clear as day. Then, I hear his voice.
Anastasia, I need you to come to the city hall now. I'm in danger.
I sit bolt upright in bed, eyes wide, waiting for something more. There's no other message, and quickly, the heat leaves me.
Am I going insane or was that real?
I know shifters have powers beyond a human, but I didn't realize they could communicate through the mind. I can't understand what is happening, but I know Rhys is in danger. If he at city hall, then they've caught him.
They will kill him if that's the case. I jump up, pulling on a pair of pants and a shirt. I've got no plan. All I know is I have to save him. A man I don't even know. Okay, he did make me come against the wall in a back alley harder than I've ever orgasmed before.
Is that why I'm so willing to help him?
I shake my head, knowing it's not the sole reason. I felt something deep when he gazed into my eyes, something beyond standard attraction. One look into his eyes made me feel more wanted and safer than I have in my entire life.
There was a promise in his eyes—a promise that he would keep me safe. I have to return the favor. Rhys needs me, and I'm not about to sit here and let him die.
I may not understand it, but I'm going to save that alpha asshole if it's the last thing I do. He's important to me, even if I don't know why.
Guards patrol outside city hall, as I wand past, trying to scope the entrance out. There isn't an easy way inside. No matter how I play this, it's going to be dangerous.
I walk around the side of the building, hoping to find another entrance. There has got to be a weak point to the security of this building. It's like Fort Knox.
You'd think our city hall was a prison, but something tells me that's what this place is.
God knows how many shifters they are keeping in cages in there. The council members are fucking animals if you ask me. They're the ones that should be locked up. My mom, when she was alive, fought against the council every step of the way. I've got a feeling it's the reason she died.
The mystery surrounding her death is unsolved. The police give me bullshit excuses that there isn't enough evidence to find the killer. I know deep down the council covered everything up. She was murdered, and no one seems to give a damn. I'll never find out the truth about her death, as the council is too powerful.
A window catches my attention at the back of the building. It's cracked open and big enough for me to climb through if I can open it further. A tingle runs down my spine at the thought of being so reckless.
All my life, I've been a good girl. Always following the rules, but if Rhys is in danger, screw the fucking rules. It's about time I broke them, especially since the council doesn't seem to have to follow any rules themselves.
They do what the hell they want and kill who the hell they want. Maybe, once I've saved Rhys, he can help me get to the bottom of my mother's murder.
I pull open the window further and pull myself inside, jumping down onto the toilet seat below. I've found my way into a bathroom. Better than ending up right in the center of a damn council meeting. A few voices filter through the air, making me tense.
A man and woman are speaking in the corridor outside the bathroom. I hold my breath, waiting for someone to either come inside or walk past. Thankfully, they keep moving.
My heart is pounding at a thousand miles an hour.
Rhys could have given me a clue as to where to find him in this damn place. The city hall is enormous. I'm not sure how much I'm going to stick out. Hundreds of people work for the council, but the fact is if they know I'm not one of those people, it will be game over.
It wouldn't surprise me if I end up on the chopping block too. I slowly get down off the toilet and open the door into the bathroom. The place is ridiculous. It's so extravagant. It looks like I'm in the bathroom of a five-star hotel.
Good to see the council invests its money well on fucking gold taps. They better not be real gold.
I shake my head, trying to focus on the task at hand—getting Rhys out of here before he ends up roasted on a damn barbecue.
A shiver runs up my spine as I remember the rumors over one of the shifters they killed. According to rebels, the council has developed a taste for shifter flesh, which is beyond wrong if it’s true. It's a halfway step to pure cannibalism. Shifters aren't much different from humans other than the ability to change into another animal.
I step toward the door, freezing as I hear footsteps approaching.
Fuck.
Putting on my best game face, I open the door and step out of the bathroom, hoping I've just walked out of the ladies. To be fair, the lack of urinals suggests that it was.
A man walks right past me and into the opposite bathroom. He didn't even bat an eyelid as I stepped out. My heart is pounding at a hundred miles an hour as I turn left and head the way he came.
I've got no idea if this is the right way, but I'v
e got to start somewhere. Now, where would the council keep shifters?
I come to a stop as I notice a floor plan on the wall.
Perfect.
A few people are milling about, which is strange for this time of night. They don’t even look at me as I move toward the wall and carefully check it out. I'm in the main hall. Slowly, I scan the plan. There's got to be a recognizable name for the prison here.
Then, I notice something strange. An entire area on the map is marked in red and classed as restricted. Well, that's where I need to go. It's down the second corridor on the left.
I know there's going to be some weird things kept in here, but I wonder if that is where they are keeping Rhys.
A few groups still try to rise against the New York City Council, but ever since my mom's group broke apart, not long after she died, none of them have gained any momentum. I'm pretty sure my mom's work got her killed. Rhys might have more answers as to what has been going on with the council.
I walk down the corridor, and my heart skips a beat.
“Can I help you?” A guard asks, patrolling the entrance to the restricted area.
I clear my throat. “I’m looking for Mr. Carmichael, it's important. Have you seen him?”
He nods. “Yeah, he went in about half an hour ago. I’m sure he's still in there.” He narrows his eyes. “What's your business with him?”
I set my hands on my hips. “Confidential and highly secret regarding the shifter we captured tonight. I need to see him now.” I hold his gaze, not backing down.
Finally, he nods. “Fair enough, go on in.”
I can't quite believe that worked. I head into the restricted area. It's a maze of fucking corridors.
Great.
I get a feeling there won't be a floorplan for the restricted area. Anyone in here should know where they are going. I step toward a corridor on my left, but a sign catches my eye.
Holding cells.
If I had to bet any money, that's where he is.
Slowly, I head down the corridor, making sure to check for guards or my father. The bang of a door opening has me slipping into a small alcove and keeping still. My breathing is way too fucking loud, so I press a hand over my mouth.
My heart is pounding so hard. I'm worried someone will hear it. Footsteps near me, walking away from the holding cells. I can just about see my father walk past.
Shit.
The last thing I need is to run into that asshole. There will be no talking my way around him. He knows damn well who I am. I stay as still as possible, waiting for his footsteps to fade. Once I'm confident he is gone, I step back out of my hiding spot.
There's one door at the end of the corridor, and that has to be it. I sprint toward it and try the doorknob, but it's locked.
“Fuck,” I breathe.
It's only just occurred to me how ill-equipped I came to break out a shifter from the fucking city-hall. My mom would be ashamed. Then I remember my hairpins. I pull one out and move it into the lock, quietly trying to navigate it. My mom taught me a lot of things that would get me on the wrong side of the law, but she was the best.
It clicks open, and I push the door, entering the room. The room is so dark, and I don't dare switch on the lights. I'm not stupid enough to take the chance. Instead, I let my eyes adjust and move further into the room. A familiar heat filters through my body. A of pine and musk encases me. He's in here—I'm sure of it.
As I move further into the room, I can detect some sort of cage in the center. I move closer. Heat pulses through every part of my body the moment I lock eyes on him. Rhys. He's half-naked, unconscious, and caged.
The man I had been so desperate to fuck earlier that evening.
What have they done to him?
I feel a desperate need to get him out. It feels like my sole purpose in life should be to save him. It's all that matters. Why is it that I feel such desperation whenever I'm near him?
I think he has some explaining to do, but first, I need to get us the fuck out of here.
7
Rhys
My eyes flutter open as I hear someone enter. The scent brings me to my senses instantly—Anastasia's smell.
All the hope escapes me when I set eyes on who entered.
Landon Carmichael.
The last person on this planet that I want to see right now. The guy hates shifters, but he hates me most of all.
I focus my attention on Anastasia's scent, trying to get a read on where in the building she is. The last thing I want is her getting caught by this bastard.
My message must have got through, and the pull of the bond was too much to resist. I smile to myself as I remember how she moaned against that wall.
The woman acted like she's never had a man make her come like that. Fuck. She is beautiful. My cock is hard just thinking about her, which is highly inappropriate considering the position I'm in right now.
“Rhys, what have you done now?” Landon asks, stopping in front of my cage. The smirk on his face makes me sick.
I wish these bars weren't standing between us, and I'd scratch it the fuck off of his face. He wouldn't be smirking like that if my wolf got hold of him right now—no fucking chance.
“Nothing wrong. I was searching for a pack member, which is my right as an alpha.”
“Rhys, you have no rights in The City of New York.” He shakes his head. “You should know better.”
I shrug. “My pack members come above any stupid fucking rules you put in place, Landon.”
“Shame, as you will die for it. The council has already voted, and Alec's pathetic attempt to save you made no difference whatsoever.”
I growl at him, wishing I could pull apart these bars and tear his head off right here and now. The bars of the cage are silver. If I touch them, they will burn me and weaken me.
“Always were the hothead, weren't you? Even at school,” he taunts.
Yeah, we went to school together. This asshole was the nerd, and I'm not proud to admit our group did pick on him now and then. That's why he loves this. The tables have turned. Shifters are the outcasts—I'm the outcast—the jock who used to get all the girls and all the attention.
“Still holding a grudge from school, Landon?” I laugh. “That is ancient history. Why can't you put it behind us?”
His eyes narrow. “It may be ancient history to you, but…” He holds my gaze with his hands clenched by his side. It never helped that his wife was my best friend before the reveal. He always believed I'd fucked her, which was a lie. “Never mind all that, this is about the rules you broke Rhys.” His jaw turns hard set. “You'll pay for the crime you committed.”
I watch as he turns away, even though my wolf wants to fight him. The fact is, Anastasia will get me out of here. She will save me from the fate the council is planning for me.
I pick up her scent again, ignoring everything else. She's getting closer. All I can hope is that she doesn't run into the wrong person. If Landon realizes she’s here to come and save me, there'd be no escape for either of us.
My wolf strains to break free at the thought. We both know Landon would execute her too. I sit back in my cage, keeping my back pressed against the silver, despite the pain. It's the only way to stop my wolf from breaking free. He doesn't think straight under captivity. We'll end up dead before Landon can even get his hands on us.
All we can do now is wait for our mate—Anastasia is my only hope.
I passed out from the pain of touching the silver, but a strong scent brings me back. I sit bolt upright and stare into the brilliant emerald eyes of my mate.
“Anastasia.” My voice is raspy and desperate.
Her cheeks turn deep red the moment I utter her name.
“You came for me,” I say.
“Of course. When I heard your message, I knew you were in danger.” She shakes her head. “For some ridiculous reason, I couldn't leave you to your fate.”
I smirk at the beauty in front of me, wishing I could expl
ain the reason why. This isn't the time or the place to reveal the fact Anastasia's my mate. “Can you get me out of this cage?”
Her brow furrows. “Aren't you a super strong shifter? Why don't you bend the metal?”
I touch the silver for a short moment and then lift my hand for her to see. “The cage is made from silver. It's deadly to all shifters.”
She bites her bottom lip and glances around the room. If it weren't for this damn metal between us, I'd be all over her right now. My wolf is ready to claim her, but we can't. The risk to her is high.
Wolves can get totally out of hand when claiming their mate for the first time. It's okay if the two mates are shifters, but when one is a fragile human, like Anastasia, it can be dangerous.
“I can try and pick the lock,” she says, meeting my gaze.
I smile at that. “Have you picked many locks before?”
She narrows her eyes at me, and that attitude I love comes back in full force. “Do you take me for a thief?”
I laugh. “No, it was just a question.” I hold my hands in the air in surrender.
She fiddles with her hair, which is up in a tidy bun, pulling out a hairpin. It lets some of the hair down, cascading over her creamy skin.
I clench my fists together, wishing I knew a way to control my urges. It's a full moon tonight, and it's making my need to claim Anastasia increasingly difficult to resist, even with the fucking silver between us. I can't even think about the pack right now. The last thing they would want is for their Alpha to take a human mate, but I can't find it in me to care.
My cock strains against the fabric of my boxer briefs, making me increasingly uncomfortable. I bite my lip and resist the urge to take matters into my own hands right in front of her. This woman is going to be the death of me.
She slips the hairpin into the lock and begins to move it. Her proximity drives me wild as I keep my eyes on her, watching and waiting. I'm tempted to tell her to keep me locked in here. I know the moment this cell opens she won’t have a chance. My wolf will claim her if it's the last thing he does.
