Page 21 of Curvy Hostage Mate (Gold Wolves Black Ops #4)

I gathered all of the Gold Wolves, and we raced through the woods, heading as fast as we could to the clearing with the portal. With every stride, I prayed that it was still open, that Cain had left it that way. But I wouldn’t know for certain until we got there.

When we arrived, Declan padded forward first. Relief washed over me, and a savage triumph coursed through my wolf when he vanished.

The rest of us charged into the portal. A rational part of me warned that I needed to be careful.

The fact that Cain had allowed the portal to remain open after everything screamed of a trap.

But at this point, I didn’t particularly care one way or the other.

Morgan was in trouble, and I needed to help her.

All my wolf could focus on was how Morgan was in danger, and how desperately I needed to protect her. And our baby.

The second I stepped through the portal, I shifted back to human, not wanting to draw too much attention to myself. As the rest of the group filed out of the portal, two familiar figures emerged from the shadows.

Nolan and Trent. Kendra had found a way through the communication blockade just in time. We had managed to get word to them just in time for them to meet us here.

“Man, am I glad to see you guys,” Nolan said. “It’s been a madhouse.”

Trent nodded. “I’m looking forward to ending this.”

We marched through the streets. Some of the guards gave us strange glances, but none stopped us as we weaved through the crowd of men.

No one stopped us, either, as we reached Cain’s palace.

As if they had been expecting us, not unlike the first time we had been in the Underside.

At the moment, I didn’t care. All my thoughts were on rescuing Morgan.

We entered a massive room with men lining either side, a sort of receiving room.

Cain lounged on his literal throne as he watched us approach, an amused grin on his face.

Kneeling next to the throne, staring straight at me, was Morgan.

A chain ran from the gold collar around her throat to Cain’s hand.

Her mouth was slightly parted in surprise, and something that might have been a mix of relief and fear.

Seeing her there, chained at Cain’s side while he watched, sent new shivers of revulsion and fury running through me.

“You’re earlier than I expected,” he said with a smirk. “And with more company than I expected.”

“Sorry to disappoint,” I said. “Hope we didn’t interrupt anything important.”

“No disappointment at all. In fact, I have to thank you gentlemen,” he drawled as we approached. “Here I thought I was going to have to hunt each of you down to kill you. Never in a million years would I have expected you to waltz in here and do the hard part for me.”

I came to a stop next to Declan. “Hand her over,” I said.

“Who?” Cain glanced around almost theatrically, then looked mildly surprised when he saw Morgan sitting at his feet.

“Morgan? I can see why you would want her, but really, I’m afraid she’s not for sale.

” He wound his hand around the chain, pulling it tighter so she had to lean toward him slightly.

She barely seemed to notice as her gaze remained on me.

“You took her,” I said.

“Took? You’re certainly one to talk, considering you’re the one who kidnapped her.

Besides, she came to me.” He stroked her hair proprietarily, grinning as he kept his eyes locked on me.

“It was honestly rather adorable, if a little pathetic. She tried to kill me. But all relationships have their bumps, eh?”

My fingers had curled into fists. I glared at Cain, wanting to tear out his throat. He surveyed me, his hand still caressing her head almost absentmindedly.

“You seem rather interested in my Morgan, though. Not that I can blame you. She really is enchanting. Part of it is all the insecurities. I just love a woman who doesn’t know their real value.”

I kept still even as my wolf howled and spat, wanting nothing more than to come out right then and there. That overwhelming instinct to protect Morgan surged forward, and it was all I could do to hold it in. I couldn’t react without thinking, not this time.

Cain was still talking. “And then there’s how demure she is. Such a timid little thing.” He grinned. “I can’t tell you all the things you can get timid girls to do. They’re so… pliable.”

His hand fisted in her hair, making her wince slightly, but she kept staring at me. I barely noticed. I was seeing red, and I didn’t know how much longer I could hold back.

“Take your hand off before I rip it off,” I snarled.

He didn’t, but he did pause, his hand cupping the back of her head as he finally seemed to take genuine interest.

“Why did you take her from me in the first place?’ he asked. “Surely it wasn’t just because of her sister. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have been so rash about the whole thing.”

I didn’t answer.

He threw his head back and laughed in delight. “You’re the father, aren’t you?” he jeered.

Though I was disturbed he’d discovered Morgan’s pregnancy, I didn’t answer; instead just kept my hands folded as I glared up at him.

That seemed to be proof enough for Cain.

“I thought it might be. You seemed so protective of our dear Morgan when I came to visit you that I wondered if you carried a flame for her. Not to worry. I promise I’ll take good care of the baby when it’s born.

Who knows? If it’s a boy, I might even raise him in the family business. ”

Blinding rage surged through me even as I tried to keep my expression neutral.

I stared up at him, jaw tight as I tried to bite back all my words.

I wanted to attack him right then and there, but one wrong move, and I would end up dead.

I couldn’t risk it. I had to get Morgan out of this without him trying to use her as a shield.

This entire time, Morgan had remained mostly impassive, not saying anything or trying to protest. I met her gaze and saw the steel in her eyes. One finger was tapping repeatedly on her right ring finger. She glanced down at her hands, then to the side at Cain, then at me, repeating the gesture.

I stared, still not fully understanding what she was getting at. She glanced to make sure Cain wasn’t looking, then mouthed fake as she tapped her ring finger again while staring down at the ring on Cain’s finger.

Then it hit me. She had replaced Cain’s magic ring. He was vulnerable. I nearly threw my head back and laughed. This incredible, stubborn, tenacious woman.

“This is your last chance, Cain,” I said, trying to keep the triumph off my face. Just because he was no longer entirely invincible didn’t mean he was any less dangerous. I couldn’t give away what I now knew. “Surrender now, and I’ll spare your life.”

He cocked his head like a wolf as that patronizing smirk spread over his face yet again.

“Do you really think you can defeat me?” he sneered.

“Me, along with all of my men in this room?” He gestured around, pointing out the dozen guards surrounding us.

I didn’t need reminding that we were outnumbered two-to-one.

I had clocked that within a couple of minutes of strolling in here.

“You’re arrogant and prone to outbursts that make you reckless and vulnerable,” I said with an even tone, trying not to smirk as I saw my words clearly rankle him. “I’d say I definitely have a shot.”

He glared at me, his hand curling into a tight fist. I waited, preparing, bracing myself to lunge forward at a moment’s notice. After a moment, he snorted, lounging back in his chair as he studied me with wry amusement, the faintest ghost of a grin twitching the edges of his mouth.

“You have some guts, I’ll give you that,” he said. The smirk vanished, replaced by a scowl. “But if you think you’re going to take me on, then you’re a fool.”

“Just shut up and fight so I can go home,” I said.

Cain’s eyes narrowed. He gave a flick of his wrist. The second he made the motion, all hell broke loose. The guards on either side of him charged forward, shifting as they approached.

The Gold Wolves met them, each taking on a guard, except for me. I was watching Cain.

He handed the only guard who hadn’t jumped into the fray Morgan’s chain and came down from his throne to approach me.

“This is a horrible idea,” he said. “I’ll give you one last chance to back out before I kill you.”

“I’ll give you the same offer,” I retorted.

Cain lunged forward, hands mutating to claws as he did. I sidestepped, my own claws outstretched as they sliced across his stomach.

He let out a surprised yelp of pain and came to a halt. I could tell the exact instant he realized that the ring on his finger was a fake. His expression, confused a moment earlier, turned to a mix of fury and horror. His face contorted into a scowl.

“That bitch,” he snarled. If I hadn’t been right in front of him, I think he would have turned and charged Morgan.

I lashed out again, my claws scratching his other cheek, the wound shallower this time as he dodged out of the way.

“Don’t talk about her like that,” I snarled.

With narrowed eyes, Cain shifted, turning into a massive brown wolf. I schooled my expression, trying not to show just how surprised I was. I had only seen a wolf this large a handful of times.

I didn’t give myself time to think about it, because he jumped toward me. I shifted, dodging out of the way just before his front paws would have slammed onto my shoulders. He spun. Fast—too fast for his size.

A moment later, burning pain blossomed down my front leg. My fur matted as blood welled from the wound.

His paw swiped toward me before I could react. How the hell was he this fast? I tried to dodge, but didn’t move in time. His claws raked across my snout. Yelping, I staggered back.

I managed to get a quick blow across his snout, but barely a scratch as he dodged out of the way. He lashed out, this time managing to slice into my flank.