by J. E. Cluney
Jaye’s wolf nearly broke through as he shot forward, but Lawrence was quick to step before him and halt him. I couldn’t contain my howl for my love, my desperate cry of sorrow and fury, but I remained in place, knowing there was nothing I could do.
I could see Gadion watching us curiously, and I knew if I made any move to aid her, he’d be on me in the blink of an eye.
We knew the rules of this fight.
Didn’t mean I had to agree with them.
My chest tightened as Richard howled in triumph, and I fought the urge to race over and hit him upside the head, to drag him off Tay and whisk her away to safety, to watch over her and tend to her injuries.
I’d told her she’d be asking for trouble, challenging an Alpha, but she truly believed she had a chance. And her Huntress training had paid off, just not enough to make her victorious.
Lawrence sent us away, ordering Chris to remove us from the area. Drawing my eyes away from Tay’s bloody face was the hardest thing I’d ever have to do. This couldn’t be it.
We’d get her back, somehow.
I voiced my anger and rage as we’d driven home, Jaye just as vocal and pissed, while Scott sat silent and rigid in the backseat with Jaye. Chris drove, thankfully, as I doubted I was in any state to be behind the wheel.
When we arrived back at the mansion, Carlos was quick to join us, having left Lawrence behind.
When he told us that Tay had been bound and loaded into the trunk, the white rage that shot through me brought my fist down on the windscreen of my jeep, the glass cracking and caving from the blow.
I ignored the sharp pain in my fist; the blood pouring from my hand as I snarled and turned away from my Pack mates. I needed to rein in this raw emotion. Being this pissed wasn’t going to help anyone.
Scott ushered me inside as he went off to find a first aid kit, and I cupped my other hand underneath my injured one to save from dripping blood all over the floor as we headed for the living room in tense silence.
“This is fucked,” I spat as Scott began cleaning the nasty cuts on my hand, shaking my head in anger. We needed to head over to that Pack and bring her home.
“We’ll get her back. I doubt Lawrence is just going to accept this,” Scott mumbled. I was taken aback by how silent he’d been all this time. But I could feel the uneasiness rolling off him in waves.
Then the thought of that wretched man mating with her, undergoing the mating ceremony to unify them in blood and body, it made me grit my teeth, the pain slicing through me as I shook with rage. Not Tay. She didn’t deserve that. She was too free spirited and sweet. She did not belong with such a horrendous man.
“Don’t worry, Lawrence has a plan, he gave me the heads up before we left. He has no intention of letting Richard keep her, I’m sure he would’ve preferred if we’d all just killed him right then, but with a Councilman present, we couldn’t. He was a vampire after all,” Carlos said from his perch on the steps leading down into the sunken living area. I was glad he was here, he was the older male we needed right now, someone not as close to this who could remind us why we needed to stay sane and strong.
“He’s going to mate with her,” Jaye spat, still pacing around the room. He’d been unable to stop since we arrived, and I knew he was fighting off his Feral wolf. To be honest, I was quite surprised he’d been able to keep it under wraps.
“I hope she’s not scared,” Scott murmured as he carefully worked on stitching up the worst of my cuts. I grimaced and winced as he drove the needle through my skin, knowing that there was no need for numbing cream right now, I was too amped up with adrenaline for it to work properly.
I clenched my jaw as I closed my eyes. I prayed to anyone who would listen, if there was a God or some greater deity who watched over us, that they’d keep her safe. That they’d drive away any fear she had and console her.
“Lawrence will have a plan, you boys need to keep your heads about you. Taylor needs you all in your right mind if we’re to bring her home,” Carlos said sternly.
He was right, but it didn’t stave off my anger and frustration. The image of Tay’s bloody face kept flashing through my mind, and I could feel my canines lengthening as I growled. He’d pay for what he’d done to her.
“I won’t let him keep my sister. She belongs here. I knew that once she’d done this Huntress thing, she’d make her way home to us, after all, we’re her Pack,” Chris mumbled from his seat on the far couch.
He stared at the floor, like it would reveal to him the answers we needed. The way to bring our Taylor home. He was collected and cool headed, an Alpha’s son through and through. The only sign of his anger and unsteadiness about this situation was the whites of his knuckles as he clenched his hands together.
We waited for what seemed like forever in tense silence, and I simply nodded to Scott when he’d finished stitching up my hand.
When Lawrence did return, a wave of relief washed over all of us at the look in his eyes. We all knew right then and there that Taylor was coming home. Nothing would stand in our way.
4
Scott.
My body went numb as Taylor was pinned to the ground, and that heart-wrenching sound of her head being punched by that monstrous man broke me inside.
Blood trickled from her mouth as she lolled her head, and I watched in dismay as the fight came to an abrupt end.
My beautiful little Taylor.
Jaye howled with rage as he shot forward, but Lawrence was quick enough to stop him from doing something stupid. We couldn’t interfere, they were the rules.
Even Nathan let out an agonized howl, but he remained beside me, bristling and seething.
I wanted to be angry, but only despair washed through me at the sight of Tay beneath that man as he howled in victory.
I knew quite well that there was nothing we could do here, that with a Councilman present, we couldn’t go to her and fend off that brute.
It crushed me as I stared at her, my eyes flashing yellow and my claws growing as my canines threatened to protrude from my mouth.
I dug my claws into my hands to fend off any idea of running to her, of hurling that hunk of muscle off her and fleeing with her.
We were bound by our laws and ways.
I struggled to draw my eyes away from the woman I’d fallen for so many years ago, the woman who ran free with me in the woods as wolves, who laughed and joked like she was one of the boys, the woman with so much fire and energy inside her.
Chris managed to herd us into the Jeep and drove us home, and my mind fell quiet as I succumbed to the numbness. I didn’t want to think or feel; I wanted to slide into my memories, to frolic in the forest with Tay, to kiss her and hold her close.
But if I allowed myself to feel, a red hot rage would overcome me, and I’d want to feel that despicable man's windpipe crush beneath my hands as I took his life for hurting her. That darker part of me was what I wanted to avoid, so I focused on the numbness, on not feeling at all for the moment. There was nothing that could be done right now. We’d have to wait until the Alpha returned home. I barely even registered my companions raging and voicing their fury with snarls and harsh words.
We pulled into the parking bay beside the mansion, all of us sitting in silence, fuming and seething.
After a while, Chris was the first to climb out, and we all followed suit.
The cool night air was what woke me up from my zombie state as it caressed my cheek.
We stood around the car, all lost in our own anger and minds until Carlos showed up.
His news only fueled everyone’s rage, and Nathan punched his windshield, caving it in and the glass tearing up his hand badly.
It was the distraction I needed as I moved into work mode, herding everyone inside as I loped off to retrieve a first aid kit from one of the bathrooms. And then I was cleaning up Nathan’s hand in the living room, knowing we would need stitches for two of the nasty, deep cuts.
“This is fucked,” Nathan spat as he shook his head in anger.
“We’ll get her back. I doubt Lawrence is just going to accept this,” I mumbled.
I was putting all my faith in our Alpha to return our sweet Tay to us. We needed her; she gave us all so much joy, laughter, and tended to our other desires and needs. She was everything to me, to us, and not having her would destroy all three of us. I’d only just started getting used to having her home, to seeing her around the place, that zest in her step and that soft smile she unknowingly always wore.
“Don’t worry, Lawrence has a plan, he gave me the heads up before we left. He has no intention of letting Richard keep her, I’m sure he would’ve preferred if we’d all just killed him right then, but with a Councilman present, we couldn’t. He was a vampire after all,” Carlos said from his perch on the steps leading down into the sunken living area. At least one of us was able to think straight.
“He’s going to mate with her,” Jaye spat, still pacing around the room. It was obvious he was struggling to contain his ‘wolf, and I felt sorry for him. This was not a situation for a once Feral ‘wolf to be in. I’d have to keep an eye on him, make sure he didn’t flip out. Yes, that could be my job. I needed a focus, and caring for my two other betas was as good as any.
“I hope she’s not scared,” I murmured as I carefully worked on stitching up the worst of Nathan’s cuts. He grimaced and winced, but I ignored that as I worked, trying to fend off the painful thoughts of Tay, locked in a trunk and terrified about what was to come. When would they have the ceremony? Could Lawrence get her out in time?
“Lawrence will have a plan, you boys need to keep your heads about you. Taylor needs you all in your right mind if we’re to bring her home,” Carlos admonished.
I let his words calm me a little, but it wasn’t easy. Putting all my faith into someone else, it was hard. But our Alpha would sort this. That was his duty, and considering she was his daughter, he would save her. There was no doubt about it.
“I won’t let him keep my sister. She belongs here. I knew that once she’d done this Huntress thing, she’d make her way home to us, after all, we’re her Pack,” Chris mumbled from his seat on the far couch.
He’d held it all together well, and I knew he’d make a fine Alpha one day. Little Jamie would then be first in line for the title after him.
Children, so sweet and innocent. I’d wondered if I’d ever have them one day, if Tay would settle down and come home. I liked the idea of all of us having our own cottage somewhere. I’d do my best to work and provide the extra pay needed for us to travel and explore beyond the ranch. But I also liked the idea of seeing a child of my own in her arms. Nathan and Jaye had spoken about it, Jaye was scared about it, worried about his Feral side, if it’d scare a child or if he could somehow pass it on despite our reassurances that it wasn’t hereditary.
An uncomfortable silence settled on us, and Nathan gave me a curt nod when I finished up tending to his hand.
I sunk down into the couch beside him, holding my knees and struggling to keep my mind from wandering to Tay and filling with dark thoughts.
And then the Alpha returned, a man sturdy and strong, filled with fury and power. We all settled at the sight of him and the way his lips were set in a grim line.
Tay would come home. We’d make sure of it.
5
I awoke groggily as someone called my name softly, pulling me from my dreamless sleep.
My left eye was swollen shut, but I managed to peer at the woman perched beside me on the bed with my good eye. May.
“Hey sweetie,” she murmured as I struggled to sit up, my body protesting with a vengeance.
At least my wrists had shrunken, the swelling settling thanks to the balm. Not so lucky with my eye, but I hadn’t expected a miracle.
“I brought you the numbing cream, if you want it. And he wants you to wear this,” May waved her hand over a yellow dress at the end of the bed. Of course he couldn’t pick a better color. Then again, it would probably ruin the color for me.
I sucked in a shaky breath as I realized it was all happening now. This was it.
“As for the phone, no such luck. It got confiscated from my cousin, and she’s got a black eye for having it. Richard probably has it locked up somewhere,” May slumped forward in defeat. “I’m sorry, I really wanted to help you.”
“It’s okay,” I breathed, but my stomach twisted and threatened to send me to the bathroom to hurl. Wherever the hell the bathroom was. I just had to hope my father would still figure something out.
I eyed the numbing cream in her hand, wondering if I truly needed it.
No.
I wanted more reason to hate this bastard. I was not going to give him that pleasure of knowing I was afraid of what he’d do to me. He’d smell it easily and know he’d scared me enough.
“I don’t want the cream,” I growled as I looked away.
“I understand,” May said with a soft smile, a sparkle of admiration in her eyes.
“Can I do my teeth or something beforehand? I have to pee as well,” I muttered, hating how my chest tightened in dread and sickness bubbled in my stomach.
“Of course, come with me,” May stood up quickly, grabbing my ugly yellow dress as she helped me climb to my feet.
My body groaned, but it wasn’t as bad as earlier. I just felt bruised and sore.
May led me out into the hall and into the next room over, a large, luxurious bathroom with a claw-footed bathtub and spacious walk-in shower with additional jets in the wall.
A door led off to the right, and May informed me it was the toilet.
I hurried inside to relieve myself, trying to fight off the urge to wail and scream at my upcoming ceremony with that vile man. Instead, I dug my nails into my knees as I hissed, repeating to myself that I was stronger than this, that I could keep it together and take tonight, that I’d break free from him and find my way home in time. I just needed to get through tonight, to focus on the relief of getting home, on trusting that I could find a way out of this mess and I could contact my father.
I finished up and headed back into the bathroom, drawing in a deep breath as I washed my hands and finally looked at myself in the mirror.
I looked like shit, and the sight made my throat tighten.
A black bruise was forming over my left eye, the ugly, swollen flesh making my face look alien on that side. My lip was swollen too, but the split was already healing. My hair was a disheveled mess despite being tied back, the fiery red hair needed a desperate brush.
May showed me where a spare toothbrush was, and she then perched on the edge of the tub, averting her eyes as I carefully brushed my teeth, doing my best not to hit my lip.
Once I’d spat and rinsed, May offered to do my hair, and I stood still as I allowed her to.
Her fingers were thorough but gentle as she took my hair tie out and ran them through my curls before reaching for a brush. She was careful as she brushed my hair, not wanting it to pull on the swelling around the left side of my face. I was grateful for her care.
“I have a daughter, Maria, she’s six now. Her father is taking care of her and her brother. Wade, my two-year-old, is Richard’s. I didn’t get much of a choice there,” May said, wanting to fill the silence with light conversation as she brushed my hair. “Maria has curls like you, something she got from Mark’s side. So thick and wild, but I’ve learned how to deal with it.”
“Does Mark care that Wade isn’t his?” I asked.
“No, it’s not like Wade chose who his father would be, and Mark treats him like his own. For that I’m grateful. Richard has claimed me in my last two heats, but thankfully I haven’t fallen pregnant.”
I closed my eyes, wishing Richard would just drop dead. We went into heat less often than humans, who cycled monthly. Ours was quarterly, unless we were pregnant already. Periods happened right after our heat if we didn’t mate or if it was unsuccessful. Or if you were like me and took the morning after injection because it wasn’t time.
I�
��d heard forced matings during heat were more unsuccessful, as the she-wolf had to be willing and susceptible, and being stressed and forced lowered the chances of it sticking. Luckily for those in this Pack.
“When’s your next heat due?” May asked quietly.
“Not for another month, although my partner managed to draw one on this weekend after I hadn’t seen him for two years. I’ve been training to be a Huntress,” I admitted. I wasn’t ready to confide in this woman about my three lovers.
May drew in a sharp intake of air as she slowed her brushing.
“You were going to be a Huntress? Now I see why you fared so well in battle with Richard. Ray was there, he said he almost thought you could do it,” she said in amazement.
“My mother succumbed to the ‘wolf disease, and my Aunt, a Huntress, stopped our Pack from getting hurt by putting her down,” I murmured.
“And you decided to be like her? Even after she put down your mother?” May frowned at my reflection in the mirror.
“She saved us. No one was willing to attack the Alpha’s mate, not even in self defense. And my father couldn’t bring himself to stop her. If it weren’t for my Aunt, many could’ve gotten hurt, or died,” I said firmly.
May just nodded, her nose scrunched deep in thought.
She finished making my hair presentable and delicately tied it back up for me in a loose bun.
Then she was helping me out of the light blue pajamas and into the ugly yellow sundress. It was extremely unflattering and had frills along the bottom, something I’d never consider wearing. And the spaghetti straps were frilly as well.
I felt like a child going to playdate. No such luck there.
“Just… I don’t know, don’t fight him. He’s hurt you enough. It’ll be over quick. He’s not the kind to hang around once he’s had his way, although he might want to have you more than once. He’s rough… “ May looked lost as she tried to prepare me for what was coming.
Seeing the look of contempt and despair in her eyes made me turn and wrap my arms around her.
