Shattered Emotions (Redwood Pack)

by Ryan, Carrie Ann

  North had been helping her on that, training her at his house so she could learn to fight with speed and agility, rather than the blind fear she’d used before.

  Corbin had always liked when she fought him…

  A shiver ran down her back at the memory, and she closed her eyes, willing it to go away.

  “Ellie?” North asked. “Ready to go?”

  She nodded, not meeting the eyes of either man, though she could feel their gazes on her. Maybe Maddox was right and she didn’t deserve him. Not that he’d said that to her, but it had to be the reason…right? They had no idea what she’d been through, but they had to see it marked on her skin. Past the scars they could see were the ones that had seeped into her pores, the dirt and filth of years when she was nothing more than a doll to burn and toy with.

  Maddox came to her side, and she stiffened, afraid that he’d see what she felt, what was etched into her skin. She felt a tug as he did something with her bag, and she frowned.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Making sure your pack is on right and not too heavy,” he mumbled, and her traitorous body warmed.

  No, he wasn’t thinking about her safety and care like she wanted. He was probably just caring for her as he would for any other member of the Pack.

  “I’m fine,” she snapped, angry at him, at herself, and the situation. “I’m not as weak as you think I am.”

  Maddox’s eyes widened, and she cursed inwardly. Why was it she could only find her backbone when she was around this man? She never yelled back or fought for herself unless it was around him. Yet, it never seemed to get her far.

  She was still alone.

  Hell, she didn’t want to be one of those women who thought a man would fix it all, and frankly, she wasn’t, but it would be nice to have someone to lean on when times got rough…someone other than North, whom she didn’t have feelings for.

  “I never thought you were weak, Ellie,” Maddox whispered, his voice a caress when she couldn’t handle it. “Far from it.”

  With that, he left her to stand on her own, not even looking back.

  North gave her a sad look then started off behind his brother, leaving Ellie again to trail behind.

  A branch cracked to their side, and Ellie froze, her wolf rising to the surface. She let her senses widen, tasting the air and the energy around them. She might not have any special powers like the others in the Pack, but she could still hear and see things better than a human.

  Maddox moved back slowly to her side, while North flanked her other side. As much as she wanted to growl at them for trying to protect her, she knew it wouldn’t do any good. Not only were they better fighters than her, but their wolves needed to protect her. It wasn’t an instinct the human in them could easily overrun. Yes, they might have let her walk by herself for a bit, but that was before the danger had shown itself.

  Goosebumps ran up her arms, and she clenched her teeth. Another branch snapped to their side, and Maddox ran a hand down her arm, calming her.

  It took all in her power not to rub up against him in response. Her wolf whimpered for a moment then stood at attention, ready for whatever was coming for them. She couldn’t sense another wolf. No, it was something dangerous, but something different…

  “Caym…” she whispered.

  The demon walked out of the trees alone, a smile on his angelic face that looked as if it had been carved in stone. She held back the shudder that threatened to consume her. He was no angel.

  She knew more than most just how much of a devil he was.

  “I see the three of you are all by yourselves,” Caym drawled.

  Maddox growled beside her, and she reached out involuntarily, tangling her fingers with his, willing him to not attack. There was no way they’d win against a demon, not with their fists.

  “What do you want, Caym?” North asked, his tone cooler than she’d thought possible.

  “Your deaths would be appropriate, but I think not yet. No, I want to see the three of you in pain, writhing from the cuts and gashes that I can inflict. Then, when you’re just about to heal, I want you to watch your loved ones die screaming your name. You’ve already left your Pack alone, and they’re waiting for me.”

  “You can’t touch them,” she said, her voice shaky, but stronger than she’d hoped.

  Caym tilted his head, his dark eyes seeming to reach into her soul and violate her all over again. She swallowed the bile that rose into her throat, and Maddox squeezed her hand, again infusing that calming strength she needed.

  “Oh, that bitch of mine might have strengthened the wards so I can’t come into your precious little den, but that won’t stop me for long.” Caym smiled, his too-white teeth gleaming. “Ah, but I think you already know that. Tell me, how are Larissa and Neil?”

  Maddox growled but didn’t move forward. She knew Caym was just baiting them, enjoying the game as much as he enjoyed anything.

  North stood frozen by her side, and she could tell from the energy radiating off him that he too was ready to jump like a spring and attack—even if it did no good.

  “No one is going to speak back?” Caym asked, a put-out frown on his face. “I’d hoped for something more from the three of you, though I really shouldn’t have. After all, you’re just the broken shell of a man, the twin who means nothing, and the whore who spread her legs for me.”

  Caym grinned, and Ellie’s vision blackened for a moment.

  Oh, God, he’d said it. He’d told Maddox and North.

  Humiliation coated her as she forced herself not to look at either of them. They’d leave her right there where she stood. She’d always known she wasn’t good enough, but now she’d lose it all.

  Maddox squeezed her hand once more, and she held on for dear life.

  Please, don’t leave me.

  Caym sighed. “You three are boring, honestly. I expected so much more from you. No matter.” With that, Caym moved, attacking with a speed she’d hoped to never see again.

  North howled beside her, lashing out with hands that had turned to claws. He raked them along Caym’s side, and the demon yelled, blood staining his crisp white shirt. Maddox pulled her behind him, going at Caym with his own claws. Ellie growled and waited for another attack, not knowing if Caym was alone.

  She’d only be in the way if she attacked Caym. North and Maddox moved like a team, twins born with a bond so close that it would fracture like a thousand pieces of glass when it broke.

  Caym might have been faster than either of them, but Maddox and North could still fight on their own, using each other to distract the demon as they attacked. Ellie looked around, pushing out her senses, trying to feel for another enemy. She knew Caym was strong on his own, but it made no sense that he’d come alone when he had an army in his grasp.

  She heard the growl before the wolf attacked, and she turned to get out of the way. Two wolves jumped out of the shadows, their teeth bared, and their sickly sweet scent that had been tainted by Caym’s evil was cloying.

  They came at her at once, and she struck out, using her claws to take them down. They were weaker than her, not only in the sense of hierarchy, but in strength, as well. She ducked and rolled as one of them came at her throat, and the wolf hit the ground with a yelp. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Maddox and North in their battle with Caym. She couldn’t tell if the demon was just waiting for his turn to kill them or if the twins were actually gaining some advantage.

  Caym laughed, distracting her, and the other wolf jumped on her, bringing her to the ground. She struggled beneath its weight, turning side to side to avoid its teeth. She kicked and connected with the other wolf that had joined his friend, causing the bastard to yelp in pain.

  She heard a growl as the wolf was pulled from her body, and she rolled to her feet, ready to fight. Caym was nowhere to be seen, and North was in the process of killing the wolf she’d kicked.

  Maddox yelled as the wolf that had been on top of her slashed his shoulder with its
claws. Ellie ran toward them and wrapped her arms around the wolf’s neck, squeezing as hard as she could. The wolf struggled against her, and Maddox grabbed the wolf’s jaws, pulling them apart until Ellie heard a crack and a snap.

  The wolf fell limp in her hold, and she dropped the body to the ground.

  Her chest heaved as she looked at Maddox. Blood ran down his shoulder, and she leaned to pull him into a hug. She didn’t care if he didn’t want it. She needed it, and it was about time she did something for herself.

  Maddox wrapped his good arm around her, and she inhaled his scent, needing it to wash over her and make sure he was all right.

  “We need to take care of that wound, Maddox,” she said against his chest, not wanting to let go. “Where did Caym go?”

  North walked to their side and shook his head. “Bastard left when you hit the ground. He was just toying with us. I need to make sure there aren’t other wolves around. I’m going to leave you two here. Ellie, make sure that wound is cleaned, and I’ll take care of it when I get back.” North loped off toward the shadows, leaving her in Maddox’s arms, the scent of his blood filling her nose.

  “Come on, let me take a look at that,” she said as she pulled him to a nearby tree.

  “I’m fine,” he grumbled, and she shook her head.

  “No, you’re not. You will be, but I want to make sure it’s at least clean. We don’t know what those guys have under their claws.”

  Maddox mumbled something she couldn’t hear, but he followed her lead. She pushed down on his good shoulder, and he sat on the ground so she could see his wound better.

  She held back a wince at the angry, bleeding gashes. There were only two deep ones and one shallow one, and Ellie knew it could have been worse, but that didn’t make these any less dangerous.

  She rummaged through her bag and found the first aid kit so she could clean them out. Without meeting his gaze, wordlessly, she cleaned out the wound and put a bandage on it. North might have done more or put in stiches, but they didn’t have time, and she didn’t have the skill.

  “How does that feel?”

  Maddox groaned, and she met his gaze, afraid she’d hurt him. Instead, she found his gold-rimmed eyes filled with something close to pain, but she didn’t think it was from the wound.

  “What is it?” she asked.

  “Nothing,” he whispered.

  She risked her heart and placed her palm on his scarred cheek. He pulled away as if she’d scalded him but then leaned into her touch.

  Her heart leapt into her throat at the touch that she knew meant more than any other casual graze he’d given her before.

  “Thank you for saving my life,” she whispered, her hand still on his cheek. Goddess, she never wanted to leave his touch.

  Maddox closed his eyes and swallowed hard. “Anything, Ellie. Anything for you.”

  She sat stunned, not knowing what to say. She ran her hand along his cheek again, feeling every ridge and gash of his scar.

  The pain that he held resulting from the scar was more than skin deep, and she didn’t know how he’d received it and why it hadn’t healed.

  Whatever the story was, it had to have been painful, something he’d never shared.

  Maybe one day he’d share with her.

  Maybe one day.

  Chapter 5

  Over Sixty Years Ago.

  Maddox washed off the last of the shaving cream from his face and grinned in the mirror. Today was going to be a great day; he could already feel it. His family would be celebrating his and North’s birthday that night so he’d get to party with them and still enjoy himself. Yeah, the happiness might be too much for him sometimes, but he’d get over it.

  There were things worth the overwhelming feelings in life—like watching his twin laugh when one of his brothers did something to them to make them feel like idiots.

  He and North looked alike in every way, even though they were completely different. They each smiled and laughed with the others, but he knew they both had darker sides.

  It was the twin thing he guessed.

  Before their party, however, he had to go outside the den to help a fellow Pack mate with something. Henry was opening a new store out in the human world and was a little anxious about it. Usually things like that fell under Jasper’s job as the Beta, but Maddox thought this might be better suited for it as the Omega. Henry had all the details taken care of, and Jasper had even helped with some of them, but the anxiety of stepping out on his own and dealing with humans on a daily basis fell under Maddox’s domain.

  He’d help his friend get situated then come back to the den and enjoy time with his family.

  Yes, today would be a good day.

  He made his way to his car and drove outside the den walls. The trees reached up to the sky, the forest scents infusing him with strength. He loved being a wolf, even if being the Omega was a little too much sometimes. As he aged, so did his powers, meaning with each year, he’d be able to feel more and more. He only hoped he’d be able to handle it all later.

  He’d just driven past another checkpoint when he came upon a fallen tree in the middle of the road. He pulled over to the side and got out, trying to figure out what to do. He could go back and get one of his brothers or the enforcers to help him move it, or he could try to do it by himself.

  What he didn’t know was why the tree fell down in the first place. There hadn’t been a storm recently, and as far as he knew, there hadn’t been any fights or anything that could have caused it. Cautiously, he walked to the end of the tree to look at its roots and cursed.

  Someone had cut it down, blocking the road.

  But why?

  He heard a branch crack under a footstep, and he turned, ready to fight.

  Something hit him on the back of the head, and darkness overcame him before he could lash out.

  Hell, it was supposed to be a good day.

  He awoke to someone standing over him in a mostly darkened room, illuminated by only a bare bulb.

  “Are you sure this is North?” the man above him spat. “How the fuck are you supposed to tell?”

  Another man walked to his side. He looked like the other man, and from their power signatures, Maddox had a pretty good idea who they were.

  Hector and Corbin, Alpha and Heir to the Central Pack.

  Why the hell did they want him?

  No, not him. They wanted his twin, North. He and North looked so much alike that even their parents had a tough time telling them apart without sensing their wolves.

  “I don’t know,” the older one, Hector, said. “My contacts said the doctor would be leaving the den to check on a patient. This one must be him. Tell me, boy, I know you’re awake, are you North? Or are you the useless one, Maddox?”

  Maddox bit back the angry retort. He wasn’t useless, but he wasn’t about to get in a fighting match with these wolves. They had him at a disadvantage. Not only were there two of them, plus countless others in their Pack if they were indeed in the Central’s den, but they’d also chained him to a table with chains strong enough to hold a werewolf in.

  Fear crept up his belly, but he didn’t show it—couldn’t show it.

  “I’m North,” he lied. There was no way he’d let them know they’d gotten the wrong twin. Yeah, they’d probably kill him anyway, but he wouldn’t let North get hurt. He’d protect his twin at all costs.

  Corbin grinned. “Finally, something good.”

  “Why did you take me?” Maddox wasn’t sure they’d answer him, but if he got out—no, when—he needed to make sure his family was safe.

  They were all that mattered.

  “You, North, will be an issue later, so we’re going to make sure that doesn’t happen,” Hector drawled as he walked to the door. “Our elder is a seer and had a vision that you’d be the one to end my boy here.” Hector narrowed his eyes. “There’s no way I’ll let that happen, you see. Corbin is the Heir to this Pack and will not be killed by a fucking Jamenson. You’re
going to die today, son, but first Corbin is going to make sure it hurts. My son is special that way.”

  Hector left the room, locking the door behind him, and Maddox growled.

  “You kill me and you’re starting a war.” Maddox fought at his restraints, knowing it might be useless. His wolf growled and clawed at him, hating being weak.

  “They’ll never know it was me. Those wolves that took you weren’t ours. We hired them, and now, they’re dead. There’s no trail.”

  Maddox narrowed his eyes. There was always a trail, and one of his brothers would find it.

  Corbin grinned again, sending a shudder down Maddox’s spine. He’d deal with anything the bastard brought as long as it meant North was safe.

  He had to find a way out of the room, but he knew that wouldn’t happen with Corbin by his side. Maybe once the other wolf took a break, Maddox would find a way.

  Corbin turned to pick something up from a tray, and Maddox closed his eyes, knowing what was to come would hurt like nothing he’d ever felt.

  Corbin cut deep into Maddox’s legs, side, and arms using a small knife, and laughing as he did it. Maddox felt fiery agony rip up his body, but he didn’t scream out. There was no way he’d give Corbin the satisfaction.

  “You’re not screaming,” Corbin complained with a frown. “I suppose I’ll have to use a different knife.” He pulled a new one out, and Maddox bit back a groan. “This one was dipped using a special spell, so it will hurt more. It’s one of my favorites, so I hope you don’t disappoint me. I hate to be disappointed. First, though, I’m going to have you turned over so I can get to your back.”

  Corbin moved to the door and brought two men in before Maddox had a chance to move and test the restraints. His cuts bled, and the trails of red stained his clothes and the floor from what he could see, but there was nothing he could do.

  He was helpless.

  The two wolves, both of whom were built like tanks, moved him to his stomach, and he fought against their hold because they’d loosened the chains to do so. They squeezed his arms, digging into his cuts, and he grunted, trying to break free.