Page 19

I paced back and forth, waiting for Will to come back, forcing myself not to run even as part of me screamed to do just that. Because if I didn’t run, that meant going through the portal. And despite the logic, despite understanding exactly where Will was coming from and his point, that didn’t stop my base desire to stay here.

Leaving and abandoning Morgan went against everything I had told myself over the last several years. I knew Will was right, that this was the best course of action, especially after my fuck-up the other night. That didn’t stop that base urge to stay, that urge I had been fighting and arguing with ever since I promised Will I would go.

If I had to be honest with myself, Morgan wasn’t the only reason I was reluctant to go to the portal, even though I knew it was the right thing to do. Even if I struggled to admit it to myself, I didn’t want to leave Will. I liked being around him. He helped calm some of those rash impulses. And he made me feel safe in a way I hadn’t felt in a long time.

I made a noise of disgust. What the hell was I doing? This was the man I had sworn to hate. The man who bought me because it would have jeopardized the mission had he refused. I didn’t care what he said or how noble his intentions were. He had still bought and married me.

So why the hell could I not stop thinking about him?

Part of me wanted to tell him, to just get it off my chest. If he felt the same way, we could figure out what to do once we got out. Maybe all of this could have a happy ending after all.

I closed my eyes, leaning my head against the wall. Even if I did tell him, it wouldn’t matter. He’d just put the mission first, the way he had this entire time. And I’d only end up hurt. It was better to just keep my feelings to myself and hope they passed by the time this was all over.

In a little bit, it would all be over. I’d be through the portal, probably with Nolan or Chris, until they got me to wherever they judged safe. Then all of this would be out of my hands. All I would be able to do was wait and see what happened.

Just the thought made me bristle with rage. I hated the idea of not being able to help. Except I knew it was what I had to do. It went against every inch of my nature, but it was the only way to keep Morgan safe.

Will, too , that annoying voice added.

No. I couldn’t fall for him. Despite the fact that he treated me like a person, despite the fact that he was the first person I trusted in years, despite the way my wolf felt whenever he was around, despite the fact that I admired his tenacity and could see the compassion that lurked behind it. I couldn’t fall for him. It would complicate everything. And none of that changed the fact that he owned me.

A loud knock echoed through the house, snapping me out of my thoughts. My head shot up, and my eyes narrowed as I turned to look down the hall toward the door. After a pause, the banging resumed.

Unease prickled up my spine. Will and the other Gold Wolves wouldn’t need to knock. And no one else would have a need to swing by.

The last time there had been an unsolicited knock, it had been Pierce, demanding a rematch with Will. Not exactly a pleasant visit. Now, my instincts screamed at me to run the other way, to hide. My wolf growled, her tail thrashing in irritation and pent-up nervousness. She sensed the same danger that I could feel crawling up me.

The knocking continued, seeming to grow more insistent every second. My heart beat faster. Any vague hope that one of the Gold Wolves had forgotten their key evaporated.

I stayed silent, backing away from the door and moving deeper into the house even as my eyes remained glued to the door. Maybe if I didn’t make a sound, they would assume no one was home and leave.

The continued pounding on the door told me that it was about as likely as Cain letting Morgan waltz out of his palace.

I turned, planning on running up the stairs to my room. There was a chance I could catch a glimpse of who it was. If worst came to worst, I could probably sneak out that way.

The sound of splintering wood cracked behind me, and a moment later, a loud slamming sound boomed through the house, rattling the foundation. I spun on my heels just in time to see a large, unpleasantly familiar shifter step into the house. Behind him, the door swung feebly, the wood around the lock destroyed.

Ronan grinned when he locked eyes with me as he stomped over the splinters of wood. A chain clanked and rattled as it dangled from one hand, swinging ominously with each step.

My heart lurched into my throat as I stared at the intruder, temporarily petrified and unable to move as he strolled forward. Finally, when I did manage to move, I stumbled backward and tripped over my feet, falling to the ground. He let out a harsh, mocking laugh as I did.

“Making it easy on me, I see,” he jeered.

“What are you doing here?” I asked, staggering to my feet as fear gripped my insides. My eyes kept flicking toward the leash lazily swinging from his fist. I took a few steps back, trying to put as much distance between me and him.

“Coming to collect you, of course,” Ronan said. “Don’t make a scene.”

My mouth went dry. I backed up further, my only thought to stall and hope that someone came back before things got out of hand.

“I was sold off and married, remember?” I glanced around, trying to judge whether I could run around him and get to the door before he could grab me. “You were there. Cain doesn’t own me anymore. He doesn’t have that authority.”

He let out another rough laugh. “Cain considers that deal and the marriage null and void after your former master attacked some of his men,” he said, and the way he said “former” made my skin crawl. “Which means you’re our property again.”

My stomach clenched. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. He didn’t attack anyone.”

That chuckle once again. I wanted to tear him to shreds just for that awful, grating sound.

“See, you and your friends might have made everyone forget,” he said, “But you’ve got to remember we’ve got witches who work with us. Lucas cast a truth spell on your sister, and she told us everything.”

The wind rushed out of me as I gaped, mouth opening and closing like a fish as panic washed over me. I took a step back without realizing it, eyes darting toward the hallway, trying to figure out if I could leave.

“So, like I said, you’re coming with me,” Ronan said. “Do me a favor—make it easier on both of us and just come along. We both know you’re not going to be able to fight.”

“You might want to take that up with Will,” I said. “He’s upstairs right now. Will!”

Ronan humored me, pausing just long enough to tilt his head and cup one ear, making a show of waiting for some sound up ahead.

“Nice try,” he said. “You’re coming with me.”

No. I wasn’t going with him. I wouldn’t let him take me again. But I couldn’t fight him, and I had no way of running outside, not with him blocking the entrance. I was stuck, and we both knew it.

Unsure what else to do, I turned and ran into the kitchen. I heard an exasperated sigh resonate behind me, as if this whole thing was a tedious inconvenience. Then Ronan marched after me at a brisk but casual pace, as if none of this was remotely strenuous for him.

I got to the counter, searching wildly for anything I could use to protect myself. Ronan was already stalking toward me with a snarl. He was almost close enough to grab me.

Without thinking, I pulled a knife from the block just as he reached out to grab me. I raised the knife and plunged it toward his heart.

My hand halted inches from his chest, refusing to move any further as if the knife had hit an invisible wall. My heart sank as I tried to force my way through that barrier. All the while, Ronan just stood there, not even flinching.

He laughed, knocking the knife from my hand and grabbing my wrist, squeezing tight. “You know you can’t hurt me, so why the hell are you even trying?”

I struggled, trying to wrench myself from his grip. My knee shot forward, heading straight for his crotch. Once again, I stopped long before I got anywhere near him.

“Come on, I know you’re not stupid,” Ronan said.

Before I could get away, he reached out and fastened the chain to my collar. The instant it was there, he jerked me forward, holding me in place. I tried to pull away, but he just jerked it again, jostling my head as he pulled my face close to his.

“Right now, your sister and your former master and his friends are unharmed,” he said, jerking the chain taut so I was forced to look at him. “If you come quietly, that will stay the case. If you keep fighting me, however, Cain will put a hit out on the Gold Wolves, and you’ll never see your sister again. Do you understand?”

I stared up at him, fear and anger burning through me. I wanted to fight, even if I couldn’t hurt him. I wanted to try to escape. But then thoughts of Morgan and Will floated to the surface. I couldn’t. Anything I did now would only hurt them. I couldn’t do that. Not again.

I gave a short, slow nod as I glowered up at Ronan. He smirked, nodding in satisfaction.

“Good. At least you’re finally seeing some sense.” He tugged again at the chain. “And stop sulking. I’m sure some nice guy will buy you for a decent price.” He gave a leer. “And you don’t need to worry about your sister anymore. She’s in good hands.”

Rage boiled inside me. I glowered at him, wanting to tear him to shreds and knowing I couldn’t. When I refused to move, he scowled and yanked at the leash, lurching me forward.

“Let’s go,” he ordered. “The longer you dally, the worse it’s going to be for you and everyone else.”

There was nothing I could do. I followed him out without a word.