Page 30

Through the darkening forest, I see the guys coming toward the car so I unlock the doors and hop out. Their arms are loaded with weapons. Kyle approaches first, nods, throws down a blanket, and the rest empty their arms of the weapons. They all glance behind them into the black forest. Even I can tell they’re nervous about Larc. The man is massive, but taking on five men at once aren’t the best odds.

I bite my lower lip and ask.

“Did you get all the weapons?”

Tibald responds.

“We think we did. We even checked the basement.”

The basement. I suffered so many painful days, weeks, along with other women. Ben and his friends loved bringing us here where no one could hear our screams. Everything in the basement is for his and his friends’ sick kinks and pleasures. An abundance of pain. He even had drains put in part of the floors to flush away blood and fluids. This has me swallowing down bile. Now these guys have seen what Ben enjoyed, and they probably figured out just how much I suffered.

“Were…Was Ben and all of them there? Awake?”

“No. There were a few men downstairs, but they’re pretty drunk, which is to Larc’s advantage.”

We all stand around waiting to hear or see Larc, and it’s killing me. The unknown. The possibility I can lose this man I love with all my soul. He’s breathed life into me, and if something should happen to him, I’ll suffocate. Of all the people in this world, I fell in love with a werewolf, an Alpha to be exact, and it’s been nothing short of wonderful.

The guys are looking at each other, nodding, which tells me they’re mind-linking. I hate when they do it around me, because it’s always to hide something or leave out information.

I stop it by saying.

“Hey, I can tell you’re talking to each other. What’s going on?”

Kyle folds his arms. I’m learning he does so as an intimidation tactic, but it doesn’t have that effect on me.

“Larc told us we can come to the cabin.”

I take a step forward, and Kyle adds.

“Not you. You’ll stay here with Felix.”

“The hell I will, Kyle.”

I point into the forest.

“My man is in there along with the savages who hurt me. I’m not staying behind.”

“Larc commanded you to remain here.”

I refuse to argue about it, so I walk toward the forest with Kyle cursing behind me. The rest of the guys fall into step behind Kyle. They’re pissed because Larc will be pissed. By now, you’d think they’d know I won’t stay put. This is another pivotal moment in our relationship, and I’m not about to wait on the sidelines.

We approach the cabin. There’s a small bonfire burning to shed some light on the area. The size of the place is more like a house than a cabin. Ben spared no cost when it came to his luxuries. This place was his sanctuary. I shiver from the memories, hugging my arms.

Light pours out from the partly-opened door and Larc steps into it, half-human and half-wolf, covered in blood. It’s dripping and pooling at his foot. I hope none of it’s his blood. I press my trembling fingers to my mouth. He’s heaving in air, amber eyes blazing as he growls. His foot widens the door, and in two full steps, he’s standing in front of me. In his claws, he’s gripping five heads by the hair. Their faces are distorted by loss of blood, but I recognize Ben’s.

I turn to the side and vomit. The stench of blood and the violence standing before me forces more retching. I’ve only known a kind and caring Larc. A gentle soul who speaks to mine. Even meeting his wolf was a beautiful moment. Never in my wildest dreams could I have pictured this scene. The viciousness of strength and revenge, merging to deliver a slaughterhouse. My wolf-charmer just reminded me he’s not all human. He has a primal instinct to kill. Except I know better. Larc doesn’t kill for pleasure like those in the skin trade. He kills to defend. And this time, he killed for revenge. For me. The heads drop to the ground, and I sob into my hand.

Larc’s claws retract, and he snarls.

“Why is she here?”

Kyle scoffs at his question.

“Do you think we could keep her away? Especially without touching her?”

I rise, still holding my hand over my mouth, and my eyes meet Larc’s. His lips press together as if realizing no words can explain what I’ve just encountered. Blood drips into his eyes, slides over his mouth, and trickles down his chin. Instinctively, his tongue comes out, sweeping over his lips, and this causes me to gag. Then he takes off into the woods, and not long after I hear a splash in the nearby creek.

I shuffle away from the heads and Kyle glares at me.

“This is why he didn’t want you here.”

Too upset to respond, I turn around and slowly walk to a nearby tree, pressing my back to it and sliding down. I hang my head between my bent legs and grip my shins. This is overwhelming. I’ve seen blood and violence. Ben and his friends introduced me to it. Yet what happened here is pure savagery. Larc went so far as to decapitate them like his wolf was offering them as a gift.

No matter how barbaric, he did it for me. He promised, They’ll pay. Every single one of them will pay. You have my word. Larc stuck to his word. Ben paid with his life. How is it I’m relieved and sick to my stomach at the same time? Because Larc popped this sweet bubble I had him in? Or maybe forgetting he’s a werewolf somehow brought everything to the surface.

Two bare feet land on each side of my shoes. My head lifts to meet his gaze. The blood has washed away but not the memory. Every muscle of his is taut, including his jaw. His fists pump at his sides. Larc’s waiting for a sign from me. I get it. He wants some reassurance or understanding as to how I feel. As Kyle admitted, Larc didn’t want me here, so I can blame myself for witnessing the carnage.

I should be repulsed. Afraid.

My hand reaches for his fist, and Larc opens it, palm upward to receive mine. He helps me to my feet, smoothing down my hair on the sides. There’s no anger or happiness in his expression. It’s twisted into concern and worry.

“Why did you come here, Ivy?”

“Because I was worried about you.”

“I’m Alpha. When I tell you to stay put, you stay put until I call for you.”

A tear escapes and I turn my head.

“Now you sound like Ben.”

He rumbles out a sigh.

“Don’t compare me to him.”

Looking back, I counter.

“Then don’t command me to do things when it comes to your well-being.”

His lips rest against mine, and I pull back.

“The blood.”

He steps back and nods.

“We have to do cleanup before we go.”

“What does it entail?”

“Burning the place down.”

With the toe of my shoe, I watch as I make a semi-circle in the dirt.

“Did you see the basement?”

I squeal when he lifts me into his arms and says.

“Don’t need to. That sick fuck and his friends are no longer threats. For the rest of your life, you’ll never see another basement.”

I whimper into his shoulder.

“Please don’t ever fear me, Ivy. What you saw, you shouldn’t have, because it’s not the Larc you’re accustom too. And believe me, this Larc and my wolf only come out in this manner when it comes to missions.”

I whisper I know.

“The werewolves love all of the humans who have come into our community. Most of all, I love you down to my core. You’re the marrow in my bones. The beat of my heart. I will never hurt you physically or emotionally.”

My arms wrap him in a tight hug.

“I know all of this. It was just a shock.”

Larc gives me a soft kiss on the temple.

“Please go back to the car with Felix while we clean up.”

I nod and he puts me down. Kyle tosses him clothes, and while he’s dressing, he juts his chin toward Felix. In silence, we return to the car, and wait until the flames from the cabin die down and the rest of them join us.