by Ava Mason
I shifted so quickly that he didn’t see it coming and slammed my fist into his face. He staggered back and I grabbed his hand and twisted. The Taser fell to the ground and I kicked it in the corner. “Not with an asshole like you.”
He growled and I knew he was seconds away from shifting. Suddenly, the door burst open and Ashton walked in with a plate of food.
“Xander, what the hell are you doing in here? You’re supposed to be guarding the door, not screwing around with her.”
My heart leapt in my throat and I smothered the smile that wanted to break out on my face. It was Ashton, one of the Foxy Four. I couldn’t believe my luck. Either that, or Shayne had something to do with this.
Xander stood up, licking the blood on his mouth, grinning at me. “I’m just breaking her in. Nothing you need to be concerned about.”
Ashton’s eyes went to the Taser on the floor. “You’d better be glad that I’m in a good mood today, or I’d report this up to Shayne. Now get the hell out.”
“You’re not the boss of me.” Grumbling, Xander grabbed his Taser anyways and left the room. Ashton put the food on the floor and shut the door behind him. I stared at him, uncertain if he was still my friend or not. In two seconds he’d grabbed the blanket off the bed, wrapped it around me, then swept me up into his arms. He whispered in my ear. “You don’t know how happy I am to see you.”
He held me tight for a moment and it felt so nice to know that I wasn’t alone in here. Then he released me, setting me back on my feet and pulled out a knife. “Sit down.”
I stared at it. “What are you going to do with that?”
He grinned. “Just sit the hell down, woman. You know I’m not going to hurt you.”
I couldn’t stop the grin that spread up my face. I sat down, feeling something wet and sticky on my back. Ugh, gross! I jumped up, yelping. “Turn around, turn around!”
“Okay, fine. Yes, I’m going to hurt you, but it’s not going to be anything you won’t like.” He gave me a flirty look.
I closed my eyes, trying not to think about the wet spot on my back. “Just. Turn around, please.”
“Fine.” He sighed and turned around. “Seriously, though, Shayne sent me to dig the bullet out of your shoulder.”
“I figured.” I growled. “Just give me a second.” I dropped the blanket, letting a shiver roll over me. “Eep!” I jumped around, screeching and freaking out. That was seriously gross. I didn’t look at the blanket, I didn’t want confirmation that it was the remnants of a pull-out. I tentatively kicked it away. Then, after inspecting the sheet, decided that it was safe. Ignoring the agony in my shoulder, I wrapped it tentatively around me.
“Okay, you can look.”
When he turned back around, I was back on the bed, with the sheet opened just enough around my shoulder for him to see my wound. The hole was black and red angry lines jutted out in my skin, spreading down towards my breast. He raised his eyebrow, but didn’t comment on my freak-out, which I was glad for. I didn’t want to think about that wet spot.
He mouthed quietly. “You brought some men with you?” He cut my skin and I didn’t stop the yelp that escaped my mouth. I was certain Xander would appreciate it.
I nodded, gritting my teeth as he cut wider. Then he stopped and I took in a deep breath. He mouthed again. “You’re going to need them.”
I shook my head. “I’ll be okay.”
“You sure?”
I nodded.
“I’m sorry, this is going to hurt.” He grinned. “But at least I’ve got some experience in it.”
Ashton was a police officer and had to dig a bullet out of his own side once. One that he put there himself. Idiot.
“Just do it,” I growled. He dug into my collar. I gripped his shoulder, squeezing it tightly and he braced against me. This time, his voice came out loud and clear.
“If you don’t stop squeezing me, I’ll never get this out.”
My hand shot to my mouth and I tried to stifle my giggle, laughing at the sexual innuendo that was always right on the tip of Ashton’s mouth. Then I groaned and grit my teeth as he dug around my shoulder. Finally, he found the bullet and pulled it out.
“Bastard,” he whispered under his breath, then he threw it to the floor.
I immediately felt better and I clasped my hand over his. “Thank you,” I mouthed. He smiled at me, his eyes warm.
Then he kneeled down to look into my eyes and spoke quietly. “Plenty of the pack will support you. Shayne has been working on it ever since you left. And besides, Garrett’s a miserable asshole. A lot of shifters hate him. And they know that he’s lying about that night.” Then his face grew serious and sad. “I’m sorry about Aaron. I wish I…” He looked like he was about to cry and it looked strange on his face. Ashton was never serious. Or sad. Life changes people.
I put my hand on his shoulder. “It’s okay. There was nothing you could’ve done.”
He clasped my hand. “I could’ve stood up to Garrett.”
I shook my head. “He would’ve killed you. He almost just killed me, but Shayne stopped him.”
His mouth dropped open. “Motherfucker.”
I nodded. “But then again. I tried to kill him first.”
He smiled, his lips pressed together firmly, and the glint was back in his eyes. “Good.”
I shrugged. “I didn’t succeed. But I will when we fight.”
He stared into my eyes. “Are you sure? I heard he’s bringing in a witch.”
“What for?”
He shrugged. “Not sure.”
A realization dawned over me; that’s why he gave me two days. He needed a witch to show him how to use the necklace. I nodded grimly. “It’s okay. I’ll be fine.”
“Are you sure?”
I growled, trying not to smile. “Of course I’m sure. Stop doubting me, asshole.”
He grinned, suppressing his laugh, then he waved his arm. “Fine, fine. At least you’ll be able to heal now.” He nodded to my shoulder.
I nodded. “Thanks.”
He stood up.
“What about Elias? Will he be there? Will he do anything?”
He bit his lip, thinking. “He rarely comes over here anymore, but you never know.”
Shit.
“Will he be a problem?”
He nodded. “Don’t underestimate him. We don’t know much about him, but I’ve heard that he’s worse than Scarface.”
I smiled at his use of my old nickname for Garrett. “Okay.”
He leaned down and kissed the top of my head, patting it. “What do you need?”
“Just find a way for my guys to get in unnoticed, if you can.”
He nodded. “Shayne’s already working on it.”
I stood up, clutching the sheet around me. “But tell them I said not to interfere. Not to try to save me. I know they’ll want to. But I need to do this the right way. I need to take him down on my own.” I paused. “And tell them to find James.”
He nodded, serious again. “I understand, Alpha.”
I choked up at the term and he looked away to give me a moment. Stuupid hormones.
Then he gave me a hug and left the room, leaving me to fend for myself with Xander.
Xander tried to come in one more time, but after another punch to the face that left him squealing, he left me alone.
I tried not to think about things too much, and instead focused my thoughts on my guys, wondering what they were doing. I only hoped they weren’t being stupid and trying to break me out.
This was right. I would face him as an Alpha should.
And I would kill him.
It took about an hour for Garrett to come for me. He looked refreshed and had a healthy glow about him. That Jade girl must treat him good. Well, good for him. It was nice for him to get a good screw in before he died.
“Xander, watch the door.” Garrett was smiling, so I knew that I was going to hate whatever happened next. He shut the door behind him, leaving a disappointed Xa
nder behind. Then he came inside the room and squat in front of me, the necklace hanging from his hands. I could only look at it, feeling the loss of its weight on my chest. Where it belonged.
“You have no idea how I tore up your parents’ house looking for this.” He didn’t bother to keep his voice quiet; I guessed he didn’t care if Xander heard him through the door. “I stripped everything apart. The furniture, the closets… even the walls. And when I didn’t find it, I destroyed your house, too.”
I didn’t react to his words. If he meant to unsettle me, it had no effect on me. I’d long ago left all those worldly possessions behind. The only thing I wanted from my past was to see where my parents were buried. I was tempted to ask him what he’d done with my parents’ bodies, but I didn’t want him to know that I cared about that. So I sat silently before him.
“Did you ever learn how to use it? And how long did it take you? Did your mother give it to you? Or did you take it before you ran off?”
I didn’t look up at him, I just kept staring at the necklace, wishing I could grab it. But I saw the gun holstered to his side, knew that it was filled with silver bullets. If I tempted him now, without Shayne’s presence, he would kill me with it. He was a coward; he probably didn’t want to face me in a fair fight. And he obviously had no problems lying to the pack. He would tell them I tried to attack him.
“Was that what I saw the other day? The blue bolt of light in the sky?”
Like I was going to answer that. Idiot. He thought I would willingly give him answers? He was dumber than a stump.
“Not going to answer me?” He reached forward, tugging my chin to force my head up. I stared into his eyes, forcing him to look into the eyes that were just like my mother’s.
He sighed. “Fine. But I will learn how to use it. And have no doubt. I will use it to kill you in the arena. And then I will use it to control those still loyal to your pitiful father. Including my ex-wife. My own children who’ve defied me. I will find them, and force them to take their place by my side.” He paused and leaned in closer. “And even Shayne.”
I gave him a cold, indifferent look.
“Yes, I know about Shayne. Are you surprised? I knew if I kept Shayne close, letting him believe that I trusted him, that he would draw you back to me. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer, and all that. I’m assuming that he’s the one that told you about Aaron?” He paused for a moment, thinking. “Unless you’ve been with Aaron this whole time. I thought he was with Olivia, but now that you’re here, instead of with those dragons…” His voice was bitter; he obviously hated the dragons.
I grinned, thinking about them, and the thought boosted me.
He frowned and stood up, calling out. “Xander.”
Xander opened the door. “Yes, Alpha?”
“Give me the leash, and the Taser.”
Xander handed them over and Garrett looked down at me. “Stand up.”
When I didn’t move, Garrett leaned over, gripped the sheet and ripped it off me. Then he attached the leash to the collar around my throat and yanked on it. “I said stand up.”
I remembered Shayne’s words, that it was better to just deal with it and not fight back. I assumed if I did, he would beat me. So I allowed him to pull me up and he grinned. “Good puppy. I must admit, I’m a little disappointed. I’d hoped I would have to show you who’s the master in this house.” He sighed and turned towards the door, the end of the leash still in his hands. “Never mind. Don’t shift or I will show you how to behave.” He began walking, pulling tightly on the leash. “Let’s go.”
Garrett drug me up the stairs and through the house. It was completely empty and I understood why when we went outside. The pack was lined up in two groups, facing each other. There was just enough space between them for one person. As soon as we walked out the back door, the crowd went wild, screaming and clapping. Garrett put his hands up like a famous ruler, greeting his people. He let the enthusiasm build until it was at a frenzy, and my eyes moved over the crowd, trying to recognize the faces. Many of them were recognizable and several of them cast their eyes down, ashamed at my nakedness and being led about like a dog. All of the new faces looked at me with a singular hatred and it was clear that they believed Garrett’s lies. Either that or they were good actors.
Finally, Garrett put his arms out again, calling for them to quiet. When they finally settled down he yelled out over the crowd.
“Look who I’ve managed to capture!”
The crowd went wild again, screaming and calling for my death. In that moment, I truly felt a little scared. Even if I killed Garrett, would the crowd want to take out vengeance? I doubted I could fight against a whole crowd. Would it come down to that?
Because I was certain I would kill Garrett, I would do it if it was my dying act. I grit my teeth, mentally blocking myself against the onslaught of their cries and stood tall and proud.
Fuck them and fuck their fucking bloodthirsty assholery.
I ignored them and instead, I searched the crowd for Shayne. I desperately needed to tell him that Garrett knew the truth about him. But he wasn’t anywhere in sight.
The crowd finally calmed down and Garrett addressed them again.
“She came for me, just like the others, in the middle of the night. Trying to kill me, your beloved Alpha.” He didn’t stop speaking, even though several heckles were called out. “But now, being the honorable man I am, she will have the chance to fight me in the ring. Face-to-face, man-to-man.” He laughed, then poked at my breast. “Even though she’s as cowardly as a woman.” Several of the men laughed, and even some of the women, though I saw several of the women roll their eyes. Shifter women were strong, and not to be laughed at. They didn’t take lightly to talking down on the gender. “But in two days, we will fight for Alpha of the pack. And this fight will be to the death.” I wasn’t surprised by this, as I’d intended that the only way he would stop me was if he were to kill me. Otherwise his body would be dead on the ground. But, several people were surprised, as usually the winner had the choice to determine the loser’s fate. Most Alphas chose mercy, but Garrett would not.
And neither would I.
“If she wins, then she will be your new Alpha.” Again there were several boos, and when Garrett didn’t immediately continue, more people reacted by crying out their unwillingness to follow me. When he was content they hated me as much as he’d hoped, he continued. “But if I win, I swear to you this day, I will bring in any traitors to the pack, and they will kneel before me, or die.”
Again, I tried to find Shayne, but he was still missing.
Garrett continued. “Now, let’s get on with this shall we? I hate to do this to her, because it’s rather shameful.” I didn’t believe for a second that he meant that but he played the humble role well. “But I’m a strong believer that the pack must have its say. It’s your turn, show the bitch how you feel about her.” Then he ran forward, through the break in the crowd, pulling me from my neck.
Arms reached out for me, scratching and pulling my body towards them. They spit in my face, pulled on my hair and pinched at my nipples and butt. Legs tripped me and Garrett enjoyed pulling me up by the leash. They called me names: bitch, whore, killer, murderer.
I shut them out, letting them do it. Letting them touch me, abuse me, make sexual gestures at me, noting the faces of those who did it. Relieved that they were mostly ones I didn’t know. I would remember who they were, and kick them out of the pack as soon as I was able. This kind of shit was not welcome in my pack.
Garrett ran me through them twice, and the second time I passed through, they became more violent. Punching, kicking, some even tried to violate me by sticking their fingers up inside me. But they weren’t quick enough, Garrett was pulling me too fast, for which I was grateful. If someone had actually managed to do it, the crowd would see me break a finger right then and there.
As we reached the end of the crowd, Shayne stood there with a clean blanket. Finally.
“What’s this?” Garrett stopped; his face splotchy with anger. I stared into Shayne’s face, trying to warn him about Garrett with my look.
“That’s enough, Alpha.” Shayne wouldn’t look at me, but held Garrett’s eyes as he held out the blanket. I grabbed it and wrapped it around my body.
Garrett smirked. “You didn’t feel that way towards Olivia. What’s different this time?”
Shayne’s voice was respectful towards his Alpha but firm. “I don’t care what kind of whore she is, I think Robert’s daughter’s had enough.” I desperately wished I could’ve told him that it didn’t matter how respectful he treated Garrett, that Garrett knew the truth about him. But Shayne moved away from me, still not looking at me.
At the mention of Robert’s name, Garrett growled a little, but then he turned towards the crowd. “Alright, alright. Shayne’s a little embarrassed for her. Let’s show him what we think of that.”
The crowd roared in response, booing and calling him feminine names. I don’t know about Shayne, but if I were him, I’d be proud to be called those names. Garrett turned his face towards me, a smirk on his face. I gave him an impassive look. He scowled at me.
“Come on,” he barked, then yanked on my leash, dragging me back inside the house and to my holding cell. He slammed the door shut behind me, and I was alone with my thoughts.
12
I spent the next two days wrapped in my new blanket, trying to focus on my goal: killing Garrett.
But every time I closed my eyes, the image of Aaron lying cold in his casket kept coming to my mind. Or, the image of Garrett’s wolf grabbing ahold of Aaron’s throat, his sharp teeth ready to rip it out.
I pressed my hand to my chest, trying not to be swallowed up in the darkness. I tried to push away the feelings and just remember his body next to mine only a couple nights ago.
