Chased (The Graysen Pack Series)

by Bartley, Regina

  Chapter FifteenThe screaming in my head woke me up.

  Ava, please answer me. Where are you?

  Zee

  O’ Baby, where are you? Are you okay?

  I don’t know where I am. I opened my eyes slowly. My head was throbbing. I knew that Lucas had hit me with something. My left eye barely opened. When I touched it, I could feel the dried blood along the side of my face and ear. My head hurts but I am okay. No one is in this room with me, but my legs and arms are tied up. Zee, it was Lucas that hit me.

  He growled in anger. I swear on everything that when I find him he will die.

  I didn’t doubt him for a minute. He said he would kill him and he meant it.

  Zee, someone is coming. I hear their voices. I’m scared please hurry.

  I am going to find you, Baby. I promise. What do you see?

  The floor is concrete, and it’s cold. It smells like wet towels or mildew. There are no windows. It’s small and there isn’t anything in here except a desk that I can see. It looks like a basement. I know that when we left the parking lot at the school, we took a right. Then I was hit in the head. That is all I remember. Well, besides Nicole was driving the car. She was my friend. Wait the door is opening.

  “How is your head? Sleep well?” He laughed. “I had always heard that when you hit someone with the back of a gun, it hurts like hell.

  Zee, he has a gun somewhere. He said that he hit me with a gun.

  Does he have it in his hand right now?

  Not that I can see. I didn’t want to say hurry again. I knew that he was trying hard to get to me.

  Lucas walked across the room slowly. He kneeled down in front of me. My breathing picked up, and my heart raced fast. I could barely make out an audible beating sound. He scared me and he knew it. Of all the places he could be at this moment, close enough for me to feel his breath was not where I preferred. He wore a wicked grin on his face. The sides of his smile curved up reminding me of The Joker. You are disgusting.

  “Why are you doing this, Lucas?”

  “Aren’t you cute?” I flinched when he touched my cheek with his hand. “Paige,” he yelled. “She is awake. Get in here.”

  Zee…

  I’m here.

  He’s working with Paige.

  Why is he doing this? He questioned me like I had some kind of clue.

  How should I know? They are your pack. You tell me. By this point I was losing all sanity left inside me, and I could have smacked him over the head had he been close enough.

  I’m sorry. I am trying to figure this out. I don’t know why he would be helping her. Ugggghhhh… I am sorry. I know I am not helping matters.

  Just get here.

  I wanted to cry when she walked into the room. All of the blood felt like it drained from my face. Nicole was Paige. Paige was Nicole.

  “You feel pretty stupid right now. Don’t you?”

  I was fighting back the tears. I didn’t want them to fall. That would have been the satisfaction cherry on the top of her ice cream sundae. How could I have not known? I did feel really stupid.

  Paige is Nicole. I thought Nicole was my friend from class. But this entire time she was Paige. I am such a fool.

  Zee’s breathing became erratic. You didn’t know. It is my fault. She has you because of me. I am going to find you. I swear Ava. I will find you.

  “I have had so much fun with you these last few weeks. The chase has been a blast, but catching you was better. In fact it was the easiest part. You hopped right into the car with the enemy.” She laughed. I was defeated in every way. She knew it. I knew it. The crow was hard to chew.

  “What now? Are you going to kill me? Is that your master plan?” I let the sarcasm linger.

  “Of course I am, but first I am going to torture you. The way you have tortured me these few weeks parading around with him, all up in my face. He belongs with me. I’m the one that has known him his entire life. Me… Not you! I know everything about him. I love him,” she screamed just before striking my face with her fist.

  The pain was barely tolerable for a minute. It was burning to the bone. Ouch, shit, that hurt.

  I am sorry, Baby. He screamed in my mind. He was in pain too. I knew he was trying hard to find me.

  “Lucas, strip her down to nothing and turn the air conditioner down to thirty degrees. We are going to play freeze the little bitch today.”

  “It sounds fun to me.” He raised his eyebrows at me. His facial expression looked like he couldn’t wait to get his hands on me. My stomach bunched up in knots. I felt the vomit rising in my throat. “Please don’t do this Lucas.” I pleaded. “Please, please, please. How can you do this to Zee?”

  “With him and Zander out of the picture I will become Alpha. I am next in line. They’ll be out of the picture and I will rule. And did I mention that I can’t stand them?” he said it with such anger. His dark brown eyes were searing holes into mine. They were so dark they looked black. I couldn’t fight him. He was much bigger, and I was confined with a rope.

  “You don’t want to do this Lucas.” I was trying to persuade him. “If he and Paige get together, he will still be Alpha.

  “He won’t be with her. It is your thoughts he hears. Once you are dead, it won’t be long and he will die too. That’s how mating works. Poor thing will have such a broken heart that he’ll die. Quickly…”

  “What? You can’t. Please, Lucas.” I pleaded. The tears were falling now. I didn’t want Zee to suffer too. Mating was what they lived for as a wolf. It completed their souls.

  “It is all happening just like I planned.” He raised his eyebrows at me several times.

  “You’re sick.”

  “You’re hot! Too bad I can’t keep you for myself.” He kissed me with force. It hurt me. I wanted to spit in his face, but knew he would only hurt me worse. He was quick. Thank goodness.

  I closed my eyes up tight. I didn’t want to breathe, just die. He tore the clothes from my skin. No man had ever seen me this way. I kept my eyes closed the entire time, only letting out a few loud breaths when the clothes left my skin. The warm tears rolled down my cheeks. My bare skin was never touched by his hands and I was grateful. I lied there naked and vulnerable. He made a few sly remarks before walking out the door.

  I could feel the cold air flowing freely out of the vents above my head. This was going to end badly.

  I continued to cry; curled up in a ball. My brain was telling me I was freezing quickly. It wasn’t reality. It would take time, I thought. I was just working myself up, but couldn’t help it.

  Zee was trying to speak to me in my mind, but I was too upset to talk, embarrassed that I lay there bare skinned, stripped of my clothing and my pride.

  It became colder and colder. Zee had grown fine with me not speaking, but I had to tell him. I didn’t know how long I could lay there in the cold. My toes and fingers had gone numb and were aching. My throat was sore from the dryness and my belly was growling with hunger. My head kept falling as I would drift hazily in and out of sleep.

  Zee

  Baby, are you okay?

  How long does it take for someone to f…Fr…freeze?

  What’s going on, Ava? Tell me what’s happening? There was urgency in his voice.

  They took my… I could barely speak, because my teeth were chattering uncontrollably.

  What did they take?

  They took all my clothes... She was planning on freezing me to death. It… It’s… work…working. Mmmmyyyy… toes hurt.

  I swear to you, I will make her pay. Can you please hold on? Think about the sunlight and warmth on your face, anything to make it tolerable. We are following a lead. I had a trace put on Lucas’s cell phone. We will be there soon. Just hold on for me.

  I will try. How long… How long have I been here now?

  It’s been nearly six hours. We are doing everything we can. My father and yours have packs set up everywhere searching. We will get to you. We are close now.

  I
hear someone coming again.

  “Are you still breathing?” Paige closed the distance between us. Her brown eyes were glaring.

  “Unfortunately.”

  She laughed. Her laugh was small for such an evil witch. There was fierceness in the way she looked at me now. I never saw it before. Somewhere behind those evil brown eyes was a sweet girl. I had seen it before. We hit it off in class right from the start. She was amusing and so much fun. Her personality was the exact match to me. It was uncanny. Now I wouldn’t even guess this was the same girl. It was a case of multiple personalities, or she was going crazy from not mating.

  “You still have your sense of humor. Wonderful.” She smiled.

  “You won’t get away with this.” I whispered slowly. “Killing me won’t make him love you. Ouch…”

  A hand full of my hair was being pulled from the top of my head. I bit her. Not a smart move, but the only logical one at the time. It was stupid. The look on her face was not amusement, and it was followed by some very hard blows to my face. She was kicking me with full force. The pain was excruciating and my screams were loud. At least they were loud in my head. The world went dark again.

  ***

  I must be hallucinating. A voice was speaking in my head.

  I feel her close to me. I know she is near. I must get to her. Please give me strength. She has brought me happiness and ignited the fire in my soul. I’d give my whole heart for the love I don’t deserve. I promise to love her, for she is remarkable and I cannot continue without her.

  My love, I am here. I feel your heart beating with mine. I will take away your pain. Keep breathing. I am almost there. My wolf has claimed his love for you and so have I. I love you my princess. Please can you hear me?

  Gage, A single tear fell from the corner of my eye. They were the most beautiful words anyone has ever spoken to me.

  You can hear me?

  Yes, unless I am going crazy, and I could be. Seriously, I may be losing it. How exactly am I hearing you right now?

  I wanted to tell you before. I was waiting for the right time. I suppose now is good. He had a nervous laugh in the prolonged moment. I have always heard you. I kept my mind closed off to you because I was afraid that you wouldn’t hear me too.

  I’m confused. What are you saying?

  Listen to me my love, I would love to settle this right now, but it will have to wait. I am outside and I coming in to get you.

  Be careful Gage.

  I will.

  Chapter SixteenMy eyes would not open unless they were forced. They were swollen shut. Every part of my body ached. Death felt closer to me than life. Ice cold glaciers were sounding warm to me. My brain was starting to shut down, only to find that it could race a million miles a minute thinking of the words Gage had spoken. Was this real? Did he actually say that he loves me? Nothing was making since. Zenick was my mate. Wasn’t he?

  I heard breaking glass and a serious commotion breaking out close by. Loud gnarls and growls were piercing, like nails on a chalkboard. Or as Sam would say, the sounds that make you wanna slap yo’ momma. Her words, not mine.

  The heartbeats in my chest became louder, and my stomach fluttered. The door came smashing down. Please be Gage. Please be Gage, I chanted to myself.

  I’m here.

  Gage! O’ Gage! I cried. Well, I tried to cry. The tears couldn’t fall anymore for lack of fluids.

  He rubbed his hand lightly down the back of my head. I am so sorry, Princess. I handed you right to him. I should not have left you alone. Can you ever forgive me?

  You’re forgiven.

  That was easy.

  If you are expecting a fight, you will have to wait until later. As soon as I am recovered we can fight all you want. I promise to take back the part where I forgave you and I will even slam the door in your face. Just not right now.

  Your forehead crinkles when you are frustrated, and it’s cute.

  Yeah, yeah.

  Let’s get you out of here. He untied my hands and legs, while I stayed tucked into a ball. His hands on my skin felt so warm. It made my breath catch when our skin touched. I even felt the relief and calmness just like when I touched Zee. This should not be possible in any way. I needed an explanation, but now wasn’t the time.

  Wait Gage… I don’t want anyone to see me like this, even you. I was embarrassed.

  He didn’t say a word. He took the shirt off his back and helped me put it on. It was long enough to cover the important parts. The moment we shared didn’t become inappropriate. It was a loving and protective gesture.

  “Thank you,” I whispered into his neck when he lifted me cradled in his arms. I still could not open my eyes to look at him.

  Please don’t feel embarrassed around me. You are beautiful, and my mind did not think of you indecently.

  I couldn’t get myself close enough to him. The heat was amazing. How come my body could not stay as warm as yours?

  You are just partially wolf. No one with human blood can withstand such temperatures. You have been here eight hours. A full blooded human would have shut completely down by now.

  Good to know.

  Let’s find your dad and get out of here.

  Where is he?

  I left him with Paige.

  Where is Lucas? I asked although I didn’t want to know.

  He got away. But I have the wolves on his trail.

  He had carried me for what seemed like forever. We must have climbed four flights of stairs.

  I made him slow down when I heard voices. “Stop,” I insisted making a shhhh sound with my lips. I hadn’t planned on eavesdropping but they were whispering.

  “I told you not to do this. You are acting like a crazy fool. You could have killed her.” This was my father’s voice speaking.

  “That was the plan,” Paige replied.

  “No plan of mine. I thought you were going to get over all of this nonsense. You have gone too far. They will punish you and I will let them.

  “But Dad,” Paige said with her whiniest voice.

  Did she just say dad? I glared at Gage.

  Maybe we heard wrong. That was his nice way of saying that he heard it too.

  We didn’t. Put me down, Gage.

  NO!

  What?

  I will carry you in there. He replied. He was just as stubborn as me.

  Whatever, let’s go.

  I used my cold fingers to pry my eyes open just enough to see. “Son of a… Damn that hurt.” I peeked at Gage. He was snickering way too loud. One nasty glare from me, and he shut right up.

  “Would someone mind explaining this? What the hell is going on? She called you dad and you didn’t seem to mind.” Gage laughed again. “And you shut up.” I pointed at Gage.

  “Why do you care? It has nothing to do with you.” She rolled her eyes at me. She was unable to move though. Someone had tied her up to the chair she was sitting in.

  “It has everything to do with me. He’s my dad too.”

  “She’s joking, right?” Paige asked Dad.

  “No, I was going to tell you.”

  “When, exactly?” she screamed.

  “We will talk about this later,” he said. “You are going back home, and you are going to take your punishment or stand at pack trial. You’ll do whatever it is that they have in store for you.”

  “Already she is the favorite daughter,” Paige said, rolling her eyes at me.

  “Really, you have had him your whole life. So don’t give me that shit.” I gave a look that could kill to him. He took what I said like a punch in the gut. I could see it in his eyes. He deserved it, but I didn’t have to be such a witch. I’m better than that.

  “Sorry,” I offered him. He shook his head no and swallowed hard. I left it alone.

  “Put me down, Gage.” He sat me down easily. I walked across the room to where she sat with her arms tied behind her.

  “You make me sick. I can’t believe I trusted you. You were my friend.” I spoke softly.


  “Blah, blah, blah.”

  I used every ounce of energy I had in my body to kick her in the face, just like she did to me. This turned out to be a lot more energy than I thought my weak body had. The blood that gushed from her nose felt like sweet revenge.

  I smiled and cocked my head to the side. “Welcome to my family, Bitch.”

  Everyone laughed at that. By everyone, I mean Gage.

  Zee burst through the door with several other guards. The room looked like extreme madness. Gage’s bare chest caught his eyes. His shirt still hung from my bare body, while Paige held her head back to stop the bleeding.

  Among other things, my head was about to explode off of my shoulders.

  “Are you okay?” he asked with genuine concern, reaching for my hand to hold. I took it easily because I had missed him.

  “I’m fine. I’m tired. Tired of looking at her,” I motioned towards Paige.

  “Did you do that to her nose?”

  “Yes, I did, and I would do it again in a minute.”

  “By looking at my face, I think she won round one.” I gently tucked my blood stained hair behind my ears.

  You still look amazing. Gage chimed into my thoughts. I blushed.

  “Thanks, G.” I closed my eyes tightly. I had screwed up.

  Zee looked at me intently. Then he looked back at Gage. Like an idiot, I opened the flood gates.

  The fight broke out quickly. Zee, of course, went straight at him. Within minutes the two of them were in wolf forms. They were clawing, scratching, and biting each other. I was scared, but the anger I felt was worse. I couldn’t even enjoy them as wolves. Zee’s wolf was light gray and white and beautiful. Gage’s wolf was dark brown with long fur. He was fluffy and beautiful too. But damn it, I couldn’t enjoy it, stupid boys.

  “You,” I screamed pointing at Zander. Everyone stopped and the room went quiet.

  “Do you have a car here?”

  “Yeah,” he answered.

  “Take me to see your father please?” He nodded his head, and I walked towards him to leave.

  Princess, Gage called after me in my thoughts. I opened my mind completely hoping Zee would hear me too. I need time. I have to figure this out for myself. My body is in serious pain right now and I can’t even think straight. The two of you are not helping by beating the crap out of each other. When you guys are done acting like flea bags and we can talk like adults, come and find me.