by Victoria Sue
“Of course, if you wanted them…” Badass gleamed.
She thought furiously. She didn’t trust him one bit. If he believed for one second, she cared about either of them, they would be kept as a bargaining chip. But what if she convinced him she didn’t care? It could easily backfire, and he might decide they were too much trouble to keep around.
The guy holding an inert Molly clearly decided he’d had enough and, snickering, shoved her at the one with the scar. He seemed shocked and struggled to take hold. Lisa narrowed her eyes, maybe?
Push. “Let her go!” Lisa sent a huge wave at him with her mind, and startled, he dropped Molly on the ground. Molly fell in a heap of legs and arms. The guy holding Erin dropped her as he lunged for Molly. Three guys all scrambled for her and collided.
Lisa screamed at Molly. “Run!”
Molly, scrambled a few feet, and then hesitated, looking at Erin. Erin dived in front of the legs of the nearest one going after Molly and sent him sprawling. He missed Molly. Badass made for another grab, and somehow Scar-Face got in the way. It all happened in seconds, and that was all that it took for Molly to jump up and run. Erin screamed at her to move as the guy who had been holding her, grabbed an arm and hoisted her up. He clamped a hand over her mouth, effectively shutting Erin up.
Badass took a threatening step toward Erin, and Lisa shouted, “Alpha Mate!”
The silence in the clearing was deafening. He stopped and turned to her, eyes gleaming, canines descended. Lisa wanted to gulp, cry, shake, scream, but she just stood there. She lifted her chin lifted toward him. Her arms dropped to her side, and she tilted her head and bared her neck, in a gesture of submission that instinct dictated. At the same time, she acknowledged any offering of herself to this monster was plain wrong, something in her had her bowing her head, not with shame, but with pride. She was alpha female. It was her duty to protect cubs, all of them.
Something finally clicked inside her. It was as if she’d waited all her life for this, and one by one, all of his men dropped to their knees. The one with Erin dragged her down too.
“Alpha, I am your queen. You want me willingly, let her go.”
His eyes shot up, and he growled low at the wolves who had raised their heads at her words.
“I think not.” He licked his lips. “You may wish for something to amuse you.”
“She’s a human child.” Lisa hardened her heart and tried to make it sound like something disgusting. “I thought you wanted an alpha female? Want me to play nice? Well, that’s the deal.”
Badass didn’t look convinced.
“I don’t need some sniveling kid.” I’m sorry. Erin’s eyes turned bewildered, then angry. Yeah, kid. Fight.
Lisa edged closer to the Alpha trying not to vomit. She rubbed slightly up and down his arm and licked her lips.
Interest flared in black eyes.
Lisa pressed home. “She’s an insignificant human.”
“Alpha?” The younger, scarred guy stepped forward hesitantly. “I can drop her at the edge of the woods. They’re less likely to follow if we give them back both the kids.”
Lisa’s heart leapt and then she cringed as the alpha backhanded the younger one.
“Silence. Your incompetence already cost me a female.”
The younger one hung his head, but didn’t try to scramble away. Lisa was increasingly convinced his innocent stumble that had caused the alpha to miss grabbing Molly hadn’t been an accident.
He nodded and gestured for the huge guy to give over a desperate, struggling Erin.
“Lisa?” Erin nearly sobbed, and Lisa’s heart broke.
Lisa didn’t move a muscle. They had to be convinced. “Shall we go?” Lisa pointedly ignored the hurt glare.
Badass chuckled and raised his fist.
Chapter Thirteen
Mac was crawling out of his skin. His footsteps were threatening to bore a hole in the wooden floor. Zack and Riley were on their way. He’d arrived home a few minutes ago to find a sobbing Molly being held by Cassie, and no one could get anything out of her.
The door banged, and Erin ran in.
“Erin, Erin?” Cassie cried as Erin ran to grab Molly out of Cassie’s arms.
“Erin, what happened?” Stay calm. “Where’s…Did you see Lisa?” Mac tried to keep the agony from his voice.
Mac heard car doors slam and in seconds Zack and Riley raced in. Riley headed for Mac. He couldn’t stop the horror leaching out of his skin. His hand shook as his brother grazed it.
“What the hell?”
“Zack.” Mac shook his head, and Riley put his arm on his brother to check him as he raced toward the girls.
“Erin, did you see Lisa?” Mac tried again.
“Oh, yeah, I saw her.” The little girl’s words were tinged with disgust. Riley gently rubbed her arm, and she calmed visibly.
“Erin?” Mac hunkered down in front of her. “I need to find her.”
Erin blew a shaky breath. “Well, don’t bother, `cause she doesn’t want to live here anymore. Not with stupid humans.”
Mac raised a bewildered gaze to Riley.
Cassie pulled both the girls on her lap. “Now, tell me.”
“She told the wolf she wants to go to live with them.”
In the stunned silence, all Mac could hear were the gentle sniffs coming from Molly.
No. God, no. Pain ripped through Mac’s gut, and he nearly bent over. How could he have been so wrong? His Lisa? He had been so sure.
A hand brushed his, and Mac shrugged Riley off. No, he wanted to be angry.
“Mac, think about this,” Riley pleaded.
Mac turned to Erin, but Cassie stalled him. “Erin, tell us exactly what Lisa said.”
“The big wolf called her an alpha.” Erin shrugged her shoulders as Riley and Mac shared a worried glance. “Lisa said that she was and that if he wanted her to go with them then she was okay with that.”
Mac stiffened, this sounded all wrong. He shook his head to clear the pain. He had to think. Lisa? Lisa wouldn’t do this.
Cassie hugged Erin “And what about you two, how did you get away?”
“Molly got let go straight away. I managed to trip the guy up, so he didn’t get her fast enough.”
Cassie grinned. “Good girl.”
Encouraged, Erin continued. “The black wolf—”
“Black?” Mac ground out.
“Yeah, he was really bad tempered and seemed to be the boss of the others. He shifted like my dad used to, but he was mean looking. He said Lisa might want me to keep her company, but she didn’t want me.” Erin blinked and lowered her head.
Mac swallowed and tried not to jump down her throat. “Erin, so, Lisa said they had to let you go?”
“Yeah, she said she didn’t need humans, and if they let me go, she’d go with them— Oh!”
Mac nodded, pride mixing with fear.
Zack and Cassie helped the girls upstairs while Riley and Mac got on the phone and started making calls. Brett raced in a few moments later. “Angie’s getting Jamie from school. She’ll meet Alex’s bus and stay with them both until we get back.”
Mac nodded, his throat tight. “The Sheriff’s on his way over. He has a couple of guys to help also.” Mac stood impatiently. “We need to get going.”
Brett grabbed the truck keys. “I’ll meet you in Jackson’s clearing. That’s where they were spotted before, right?”
“Mac?” Cassie’s eyes were huge. She’d just come back into the kitchen. “You need to know.” Cassie hesitated. “This is all my fault.” Cassie’s eyes were huge.
“What?” His heart pummeled his ribs painfully.
“I should have realized Lisa seemed out of sorts. I didn’t think.” Troubled eyes looked as she grabbed Riley, and he nodded.
“My fault too.” Riley added apologetically. “I sensed it this morning, but I got distracted.”
“What?” Mac nearly shouted.
Riley stared at him hard. “Cassie says she
was on edge this morning. She’s only just put it together. If the rogue realizes Lisa’s still in her mating cycle, it could prove a problem.”
Mac gaped. God, he was so stupid. He remembered her being jittery this morning and how she’d rubbed herself on him. He was too bothered about a little girl seeing him, and being embarrassed instead of concentrating on his mate, helping her. She’d been through hell for eight years and now, because he couldn’t concentrate on her for two fucking days, she was in danger.
Mac hardened his jaw. “I’m going for her now. Molly said they were at Jackson’s clearing?”
“It sounded like that.” Cassie hesitated, “He knocked her out. Erin saw before the other guy got her to the tree line.”
Mac’s hands fisted. “Then we’d better go.”
“One more thing, Mac.” Riley looked anxious. “We don’t know how this will affect her if she doesn’t get relief. Brett mentioned something about it being dangerous, but I didn’t follow it up then. Because you were here, I didn’t think it mattered.”
Mac’s insides fisted. “What do you mean, dangerous?”
Brett spoke up, “To her health. Her body may go into shock. Alpha females are very protected because they are so rare. To have this happen is inconceivable to a pack, so there aren’t many cases of this.”
“What?”
“I’m sure everything will be okay.”
“For fuck’s sake, Brett, just tell me.”
His face hardened. “The only case I could find out about was during a pack war about sixty years ago. The female was kidnapped and held to ransom. She was held for two days before the ransom was paid, but by then it was too late.”
Mac felt the bottom start to leak out of his world.
“The female had gone into shock. Her body had shut down. By the time she was rescued, she was dead.”
* * * *
Oh. Oh. God that hurts. Lisa moved her head from lying on something really painful. It didn’t help. The pain was in her head, and she tried to crack open her eyes, only to wish she hadn’t as memory flooded back in. What the hell was she lying on?
Lisa gingerly raised an eyelid. A cellar? Sitting up slowly, she blinked to see the room. Tiny slits for windows were up high on the stone walls, and the place smelled damp and musty. Yeah, definitely some sort of cellar. Stone steps led up to a closed door, and she could hear muffled noises upstairs. Lisa put her hand to her hair to gently press the lump on her temple. What the hell had he gone and done that for? She’d said she’d go with him. Erin? God, she hoped she’d gotten away.
The door opened. For a few seconds, Lisa wondered if she should pretend to be still unconscious. But the guy was at the bottom of the steps before she could decide.
“What did you hit me for?” Silence made her open her eyes open fully. She gazed at the scrawny looking man that she recognized from before. He had let Erin go. Pale and thin. His clothes were filthy and had definitely seen better days. She half-smiled. Not too long ago, she had worn similar clothes. He had dirty black hair that covered his face when he hung his head. Lisa had a feeling it was deliberate. How old was he? He looked about eighteen, but she’d bet he was older. Lisa studied the puckered scar running from the bottom of his right eye to the corner of his mouth. He shuffled his feet, and he held a bottle of water. Taking a risk, she breathed slowly and held her hand, demanding. A flicker of surprise shadowed his eyes as he lowered his head. In shame? Embarrassment?
“Where am I?”
“I—”
“Don’t talk to her, fool.” Heavy steps clattered on the stone. One of the Alpha’s henchman appeared. “Just give her the damn water. Alpha will be back soon, and he won’t like you looking at his queen.” He glared at them both and disappeared back up the stairs.
Queen? Wow. Someone was really taking this alpha thing too far.
“I’m cold.” She wasn’t really, but wanted to see how far this queen thing was going to get her. Scar-Face immediately shrugged off his jacket. Lisa took the denim. “Thank you.” He nodded and stepped away.
She tried to push slightly. “What’s your name?”
“J…Jesse.” He glanced at the steps anxiously.
“Well, thank you, Jesse. Go on, I don’t want you to get into trouble.” Lisa nodded to the stairs. Surprise flashed into his eyes. Lisa looked at him again. He reminded her a bit of Alex, older definitely, but like he still wanted to please and fit in.
He ducked his head and hurried upstairs.
Lisa walked around the small, musty room and sighed. The only door was at the top of the steps. There was nothing else except a few upturned crates and just the wide stone ledge she was sat on.
What the hell was she going to do?
Mac? Would he realize? Would he know she only said those things to convince the Alpha to let Erin go? Her heart constricted. Would he? What if Erin told them she wanted this, and they didn’t come to rescue her? What if she’d had a few glorious days of freedom, and then done no more than swap one prison for another?
She had to get a grip and start working out how the hell to get out of here. She tossed the jacket down. She certainly didn’t need that. She was roasting. Blowing out a breath, she swiped at her forehead and wiped sweat away.
Oh God. She looked around the empty cellar. It wasn’t warm in here. She sat suddenly as her legs gave way with the shock. She was still in heat. No wonder she’d wanted to bite Cassie’s head off this morning. She tried to unclench her hands and take deep shuddering breaths. She had to stay calm. A shaft of light illuminated the top of the cellar steps. Someone was coming down. Lisa tried to sit casually and pretend her heart wasn’t threatening to jump out of her chest.
Hard, heavy steps thudded. She knew who it was before she looked up.
Badass swept a cold hard look over her, and she tried not to cringe. Years of experience at looking blank while orderlies sniggered and pawed at her kept her expression calm. He was staring at her hard. She stared back. Three of his henchmen had walked in behind him. Waves of anger blasted her when she calmly returned his gaze. Maybe it wasn’t a good idea to antagonize him. He glanced back and growled, long and low. Immediately, all three behind him dropped to their knees and bared their necks.
Well, she certainly wouldn’t be doing that.
“So, where am I?” Lisa feigned boredom. “I have to say that, as an alpha, you show a poor way of treating your queen.”
One of his henchmen looked up and growled at the insult. With a swift growl, Badass backhanded him and sent him sprawling to the floor.
“How dare you look at her,” Badass thundered and stared at the others cowering near the floor.
Lisa gulped. Not really what she was going for.
He glared at her again. “I am Killian, Alpha of this pack. Soon, Alpha of Stone Ridge Pack.” His eyes gleamed.
Jesse came clattering down the stairs, thankfully keeping his head bowed. He was carrying what seemed to be some clothes and a few bottles of water. Lisa nearly licked her lips and resisted wiping her brow. Killian waved an arm at the clothes. “Get changed. The ceremony begins at midnight.”
Before she could ask what ceremony, he turned quickly, and his three henchmen scrambled after him. Jesse stood in the corner, head still bowed. Killian stopped as he reached him, and grabbed his arm, forcing him to kneel. “Keep your eyes down, pup.”
Killian increased the pressure of his fingers until Lisa could see the claws stabbing into Jesse’s arm, but Jesse made not one sound. Without so much as a second glance, he went up the steps, and the door clanged behind him.
Jesse got shakingly to his feet. Lisa hurried over to him. “Are you okay?”
Jesse shrank at her voice and lowered his eyes. Lisa pursed her lips. He clearly expected nothing but cruel treatment. She looked at the thin red trails of blood on his arms, crisscrossed over other scars. “Jesse, I asked if you were all right.” Push
Jesse’s eyes flew up. “Yes, My Queen.”
“That’s better.” L
isa smiled and opened one of the bottles of water. She used the underside of her T-shirt, cleaner than the rest, wet it, and dabbed his arms. “Now, Jesse. Hold still. This may sting.” She dabbed at the cuts. His arms were filthy. “Do you have any cream?” Silly question.
Jesse’s mouth opened. “N-no, My Queen.”
Lisa sat on the wide, stone ledge she had been laying on when she woke and pulled at her T-shirt. So hot. She raised the bottle to her lips and finished it off.
“Jesse, I’m not your queen. My name’s Lisa.”
Jesse looked startled at her again, but Lisa had to try. She needed to get out of here fast. She was dreading whatever ceremony was going to happen at midnight, but had an awful feeling Killian was expecting her to be queen to his king.
“Why does he keep calling me his queen?”
Jesse was trembling in fear, and she felt dreadful about putting him in this situation. She wasn’t going to push again. He’d been bullied enough. Just because she had a good reason, didn’t make it any less wrong.
She tried to smile again. “Jesse, why does he need an alpha female?” Silence. She laid a hand on his shoulder and tried another question. “Jesse, why do you stay with him?”
Gray eyes blinked at her, and his feet shuffled. “Because I have nowhere else to go.”
Lisa inhaled sharply at the dull voice that echoed back at her. “Don’t you have a family?”
“They didn’t want me, My Queen.” He twisted his lips. “I was an abomination to the pack. I ran before I could be put down.”
“Abomination? What?” Lisa looked incredulously at the pale slim young man. He reminded her of a boy she’d met in one of the group homes, always awkward, never one of the boys. Seemed happier with the girls… “Jesse? Jesse, are you gay?”
Gray eyes bled to amber and teared up. He nodded miserably. “Alpha Killian needs an alpha female to get Stone Ridge Pack. He’s been trying to get more numbers as there aren’t enough of us for an all-out war. But if he makes a challenge with an alpha female, the other alpha will have to accept a one-on-one challenge. No one would deny him that right with a queen.”
