Page 47

Chapter

Forty-Six

D ANNY

Rex parked the car outside a small cabin with corrugated iron cladding and a sloped roof, swearing when the wind buffeted the vehicle.

“Get out,” he ordered.

I didn’t move. No way in hell was I leaving this car. If I did, Rex would have me one step closer to being locked away inside his cabin prison, and I had the most awful feeling that I’d never leave again.

I wanted to live, and that meant fighting him with everything I had.

Growling with frustration, he got out of the car, slammed his door, and unlocked the back. As he reached inside, I scooted away, doing my best to evade him. Summoning all of my shifter strength, I yanked my wrists apart, snapping the zip tie. He grabbed one of my ankles and dragged me toward the open door.

Gripping the front passenger seat, I held onto it for all I was worth. If only I could partially shift, then I’d be able to sink my claws into it and really dig in, but as it was, my human fingers were useless against Rex’s alpha shifter strength.

He yanked me out, pain crashing through me as my knees bashed against the bottom of the doorframe. I landed hard on the snow-covered ground. The wind whipped around us, stinging my cheeks as Rex grabbed the back of my collar and dragged me toward the cabin. I stumbled, my legs so weak from fear that I struggled to keep up with him.

I tripped. The wind captured my cry and carried it away.

That gave me an idea.

Midway between the car and the cabin, I closed my eyes and forced my muscles to go slack.

I dropped to the ground, a deadweight.

Rex paused, perhaps to listen to my pulse to check whether I was faking unconsciousness. Fortunately for me, I doubted he’d be able to tell over the roaring of the wind, which was gathering strength with every passing second.

He huffed, and bent over me. Quick as I could, I whipped up and drove my fist into his balls. He shouted and curled over, covering himself protectively. I scrambled past him, lurched to my feet and sprinted away from him and the cabin.

Ahead of me, twin headlights pierced the gray of dusk. I waved my arms frantically, shouting in the hopes that whoever it was would see me and stop. The car skidded onto the side of the road and the passenger door was thrown open.

Knox stepped out.

A sob caught in my throat and I threw myself into his arms. He pulled me against his broad chest and I buried my face there and breathed him in.

Zander and Everett spilled from the car behind him and circled around to grab Rex. I clutched Knox, refusing to let him go even as I heard Zander inform Rex of his rights. Bitter coldness stung my cheeks and the sensitive skin beneath my nose.

I was crying, the tears freezing on my skin.

“You’re here,” I gasped, trying to climb Knox, relieved when he hooked his arms beneath my thighs and hoisted me up so I could wrap my legs around him and cling like a koala. He smelled of sweat and blood, but the salty, metallic combination didn’t bother me because I could tell he wasn’t injured. The blood wasn’t his, or if it was, he’d healed.

“You did good.” He nuzzled the side of my neck. “You’re safe now, baby. You got away.”

My eyes flew open and I looked at him in wonderment. “I did?”

“Yeah.” His forehead creased, and his gaze burned into me. “I’m proud of you, and I’m so fucking happy you’re okay.”

I escaped.

All on my own.

Perhaps Rex would have caught me if my family hadn’t shown up or perhaps he wouldn’t, but either way, I hadn’t rolled over and accepted my fate. I’d fought him, and I’d won.

I wasn’t weak, like he’d said.

I was strong.

Not a victim, or a coward, but a strong omega with a loyal and trustworthy mate who’d fought our enemies to find me when I’d been taken from him.

My heart battered against my ribcage, bruised and weary but so full it could burst.

“I love you,” I told him.

His eyes lit up, glowing green. “You do? ”

I grinned and nodded, but then winced, my head throbbing. “So much.”

He kissed me gently, tenderly, drawing back when the wind rocked us. “I love you too. I was so scared when I realized you’d been taken. I’m sorry for not protecting you better. I shouldn’t have left your side.”

I cupped his face between my hands. “You came for me, just like I knew you would. I just wish…”

“What, baby?” He searched my eyes. “I’ll give you anything you want.”

I had no doubt that was true.

“When they had me, I wished I had a proper connection to you.” I rubbed my chest. “One that I could feel in here, and that they couldn’t take away.”

His muscles tensed. “You did?”

“Yeah.” I nibbled on my lower lip, my heart still going crazy. “Will you mate me tonight?”

His breath stuttered. “Of course, but aren’t you scared? I’d understand if you need to wait for a while.”

I started to shake my head, then remembered that it was sore. “I’ve waited for long enough.”

He looked torn. “You’re injured.”

“I’m healing.” Already, my back no longer ached. My head still did, but if I shifted, the worst of that would fade.

“Danny?”

Zander walked toward us slowly, caution lining his face. “Rex is in the car. We’ll take him straight to the station and keep him under lock and key until he’s transferred to another facility. I promise, he won’t get near you again.”

“Good.” I glanced at the car, only now realizing that if I were to get a ride back, I’d either have to drive in Rex’s car or in the police cruiser alongside him.

Seeming to recognize my distress, Knox tilted my face away from the vehicle. “Why don’t you and I shift and run home together?”

I stiffened. “They gave me a drug. It stopped me from shifting. And there are other omegas, at a house in Moonlight Cove. We have to help them.”

Everett kissed the tip of my nose affectionately. “We’ve already freed them. We only found you because one of the wolves was willing to talk in exchange for Zander telling his bosses that he’d been cooperative. Before we left, Jessie was able to shift. The drug wears off. She was dosed earlier than you, but with my help, we should be able to guide you through it.”

He looked so calm, so sure.

“Can you guys wait until we’ve figured out if it will work?” I asked Zander.

My brother nodded. “Take your time, Danny. I’ll get Everett to drive Rex around the corner so he can’t see you.”

I closed my eyes and focused on the connection between me and my bear.

Come on. Wake up.