Page 23

When Galen races from the kitchen, Nico is hot on his heels. I grab his arms, desperately trying to pull him back into the room.

“No, Mom, let me go! I have to help Dad!”

“Your father would want you to stay here with me, where it’s safe!”

“But he needs help!”

“Help is coming, Nico! The rest of the pack is on their way. The best thing you can do is wait here.”

Nico goes still in my arms, and I relax, sighing with relief. The second I let my guard down, Nico twists free of my hands and bolts out into the yard.

“Nico!” I scream, going after him. I barely make it to the doorway before someone grabs me from behind.

I struggle like crazy, trying to kick and punch, but the person is too strong. With one arm around my waist and the other on my throat, they drag me through the house and out the front door.

As we cross the front garden, I hear howling in the backyard and make a desperate struggle to get free. I feel a sharp blow across the back of my head, then everything goes black.

When I come to, I’m being carried on someone’s shoulder, jiggling up and down as they jog through the woods. My hands are dangling down their back, and the person has a firm hold on my legs to keep me in place.

I gather my strength, then struggle for all I’m worth, trying to grab the guy around the head and claw at his eyes. He grunts and tries to drop me, but I go down kicking, trying to wound him in any way I can.

“Stop it!” he growls, throwing me to the ground. Even though it knocked the wind out of me, I try to get up and launch myself at him. At the last second, I see his big black boot coming at me and manage to throw myself backwards so it doesn’t get me in the face.

I can’t entirely avoid the hit, and his foot slams into my ribs. I roll across the ground, panting and shivering from the pain. When I hear his heavy footsteps behind me, I try to gather myself for another attack, but I can barely breathe, let alone move.

I hear the guy humming softly as he fumbles around, then grabs my hands and ties them together. His jaunty little tune reminds me of how I was humming to myself in the kitchen this morning.

So, a bit of kidnapping and assault is how this guy likes to start his morning on a good note. How can anyone be so casual when they’re treating another human being like this?

He binds my wrists together, the thin rope brutally tight and digging into my flesh. I struggle again, and he completely ignores me, moving to my feet to tie them together.

I examine my kidnapper carefully, recording all the details for later.

Long, dark brown hair, kind of curly. Longish beard. Gray eyes. Dressed like a biker. Not from our pack. He must be one of the drifters.

My heart sinks as I realize Galen should have just run them out of the territory the first day he saw them, or at least questioned them about their motives.

What do they want with me? Is it a good sign that they didn’t kill me?

The burly guy finishes with my ankles and picks me up like a sack of luggage. I thrash some more, finding my voice and screaming, even though it makes my ribs burn.

Probably cracked a few with that last kick. I don’t care—not if it alerts the others to where I am!

The guy drops me in disgust and smacks me across the face. I hear a ripping sound as he tears his shirt, then he binds a filthy gag around my head. As he picks me up, a few drops of blood drop from my nose onto the ground.

That’s all Galen needs to track me!

I go limp in the big guy’s grip, tilting my head down so my blood drips regularly onto the ground. It’s not enough for my kidnapper to notice, but it is more than enough for Galen to track me.

He’s got to be on his way right now. All I have to do is hang on.

After a couple of miles, I begin to wonder how far we’re going and what the plan is. The further we go, the harder it will be for Galen to find me.

And it looks like we are going into neighboring territory. Do they have a safe passage from other wolves?

Finally, my kidnapper begins to slow down, and I hear other men talking. The sounds get louder, and we come into a small clearing where the guy tosses me to the ground like a sack of potatoes. My breath blasts out of me, and the pain streaking through my cracked ribs makes me choke on my gag.

“You got her! Good job.”

I recognize the voice, and sick fear rises in me.

Dan.

The weirdo who showed up in Galen’s yard and who approached me in town, making all sorts of strange comments.

What does he want with me?

“Yeah, it wasn’t easy. Benny and Jace both bit it—they went after the kid.”

Dan lets out a low whistle. “Both dead?”

“Yep.”

“Oh, well. More money for us, then,”

Both of them laugh. Their humor sickens me.

“It’s a shame we didn’t get the kid,” Dan says, crouching down beside me and grabbing my hair to turn my face up. “But this is the one we were told to get, anyway.”

“So, do you want to just kill her now?” the other guy asks.

Fear like nothing I’ve ever known floods through me, ice-cold waves of terror that make me feel sick enough to pass out. As my breathing speeds up and burns my throat, I start shivering violently.

You can’t take me away from Nico!

Dan grins, showing his sharp teeth and glaring at me so hard, I can see the whites of his eyes. Along with the paralyzing terror, I feel a sick and horrible guilt.

I should have trusted my instincts and gone after him that day he ran into me in town. I should have told Galen to check them out and run them from the territory.

Dan yanks my head up further, exposing my throat and making me scream into the gag. Tears flow down my cheeks as all my emotions collide together, leaving me shivering in shock.

Galen, oh my God, Galen, I’m so sorry! I should have told you… I should have told you everything!

Now he’ll never know how much I love him!

“I know that’s what we’re supposed to do, Shawn,” Dan says, answering his friend’s question. “But here’s the thing. We got paid, right?”

“Half the money, yes. The other half comes when we can prove she’s dead—and that the alpha knows it, too.”

“Yeah. And now with Benny and Jace gone, the money looks quite a bit better, doesn’t it?”

“Yeah. But what are you suggesting?”

“I think we should keep the little lady,” Dan says, running his finger up and down my neck. He’s still holding on to my hair, forcing my head back, and the pain is getting so intense, black clouds are crowding into my vision.

“Keep her?” Shawn asks. “Why?”

“Well, this guy paid a nice chunk of change for us to get her, and promised more on proof of her death. But how much do you think the rich alpha would pay to get her back?”

What guy?

Random moments connect in my mind, bringing me to a sick conclusion.

Kit… it has to be Kit!

“Yeah, right, Dan!” Shawn scoffs. “He’ll just fucking kill us! We’re two men down now as well. This is too risky.”

“I think we can persuade him,” Dan says, looking into my eyes. His finger slides down my throat, across my chest, and down to the neckline of my dress. “Besides, she’s a lot cuter than I thought she’d be. Seems a shame to waste a cutie like this. I’d like to have a little fun with her before we make any hard decisions.”

“You’re out of your fucking mind, Dan!” Shawn snaps. “Let’s just waste the bitch, go to the meetup point, and have our cash wired over. This job was a quick in-and-out, and now two of us are dead, and the fucking alpha is on our tail—and he’s pissed!”

“It’s a real shame you couldn’t get the kid,” Dan says, letting me go and standing up. “We could have jammed him up properly, then. He’d pay anything to get his son back—or the crusty old matriarch would, at least. They’re loaded, Shawn. We could make twice the dough here. It would compensate for the loss of Benny and Jace.”

“That alpha is coming right now,” Shawn warns. “It won’t be that hard to track us, and he’ll have the whole pack with him. They’ll tear us to shreds.”

“My guy on the inside tells me that the whole pack won’t follow,” Dan argues. “Not to save a half-breed bitch, anyway. The alpha may be coming, but no one’s going to fight for her. I say we have a little fun with her, then hold her hostage until the alpha hands over some real cash. If I’ve got a knife to her throat when he gets here, he’ll tread carefully. I promise.”

“You’re crazy!” Shawn says. “The only reason I’m still standing here is because I thought I could talk some sense into you, but you’re insane. I’m getting out of here.”

“They’ll get you,” Dan says with satisfaction. “I’m holding all the cards. If they find you in the forest, they’ll hunt you down. The only place you’ll be safe is standing behind me—while I’ve got a knife to this bitch’s throat.”

“Fuck!” Shawn cries, shaking his head. “You’re right, you fucking weasel! Please, I’m begging you, just slit her fucking throat right now, and let’s go.”

“Oh, I don’t think so,” Dan considers, kneeling down beside me again. “I want to have some fun with her first. It’s such a shame we have to leave that gag on, pretty thing, because I’d love to hear you scream.”

Dan slides his hand into the top of my dress, reaching for my breasts. I struggle against the ground, but he slams his other hand down on my thigh and pins me. As his hard hand grips my leg and slides towards my pussy, I thrash desperately, trying to scream.

“I like that,” Dan mutters. “Are you gonna move like that when I’m on top of you, pretty thing?”

I sob into the gag, tears pouring down my face. My heart is breaking at the thought of never seeing Nico again, and the pain he’ll go through if I can’t make it back to him.

And Galen… my love. How stupid I’ve been. All I had to do was tell you the truth… and now you’ll never know it.

Dan grabs me, tugging me towards him and groping me hard. Before I can struggle again, Shawn stiffens and looks into the trees.

“We’ve got company,” he mutters.

“Fuck,” Dan curses, pulling a long knife out of his boot. “Talk about timing. Help me get her up—”

Wolves begin to howl all around us. It’s obvious that the boys are surrounded, and there’s no escape.

“Come on,” Dan hisses, yanking me to my feet. He wraps one arm around me to keep me upright, pressing the knife into my neck.

“I’ll kill her!” he yells, looking around the clearing. “I can slit her throat before any of you can fucking move, so think carefully about what you’re doing!”

“I am,” Galen says, stepping out of the trees. He holds his hands out to the sides, palms up as he walks slowly towards us.

“Stop right there!” Dan screams, digging the knife into my jaw until blood runs down my neck.

“Okay,” Galen says, stopping. “Just calm down, and let’s talk about this. What do you want? Release my mate, and I’ll give you anything you want.”

“You’re a fool!” Dan yells. “You don’t even know that your own pack won’t follow you. You can’t threaten me.”

“I am a fool,” Galen agrees. “I should have killed you the second I saw you.”

“Yeah, you should have,” Dan laughs, shaking me. “You’re too trusting. A bleeding-heart little weenie.”

“As fun as this is, we’re going to need to wrap up,” Galen says. “I want to take my wife home—she’s had a terrible day. Just tell me what you want, and both of us can be on our way.”

Dan laughs, shaking me. “Maybe I want her! Did you think of that?”

“I’m afraid that deal won’t work for me,” Galen says flatly. “I’m trying very hard to be reasonable, but you’re making it difficult.”

“Okay, okay,” Dan says, laughing. “Let’s make a deal, then. How about—”

Dan never gets to finish his sentence. Suddenly, his hands disappear, and I’m falling forward, about to smash into the ground face-first. Just before I smack into the dirt, Galen catches me, carefully turning me over to lie on my back.

Behind me, there is nothing but carnage. Splashes of blood are all over the ground and surrounding trees, with scraps of flesh and bone from both Dan and Shawn scattered around in small clumps. Pack members stalk back and forth, checking the tree line. All of them are soaked in blood.

Galen was just distracting them while the others got into place!

“Oh my God, baby, are you okay?” Galen asks, tugging the gag off my face.

I nod, tears starting to streak down my cheeks. Galen goes to work on the ropes immediately, and within seconds, he has me free.

“Oh, Galen,” I moan, reaching for him. He wraps his arms around me and pulls me into his lap, rocking me back and forth as he strokes my hair.

“Are you alright?” he asks.

I shake my head. “No. I mean, yes. I mean—”

“It’s okay,” Galen says, hugging me to his chest again. “We’ll get the doc to check you out as soon as I get you back into town.”

I nod helplessly, clinging to him. Galen wraps his arms around me even more tightly, and I know now, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that this is the safest place on earth.