SYLVIA
“Except for what you need. Someone to love you.” I said as I watched him snarling into my face, more wolf than human.
“I don’t need love, you stupid bitch! Do you see my face? This is what so-called love did to me!” The sudden release on my clothes had me sprawling on the table, my face almost hitting his plate.
“This is how much my father loved us. He ruled us with an iron fist. We feared him and I learnt that fear was much more powerful than love.”
Drake pulled my face up by my hair, my neck bent so far back I could hardly breathe. I grabbed at his hand, trying to release his fingers.
“Then one day he was drunk and high on drugs. He raped my sister while my whore of a mother watched. I killed them, all three of them, ripped them to pieces when I transformed into my wolf. And I liked it.” He laughed, a monstrous sound. “Are you satisfied now, my curious little mouse? Have you heard enough? Are you still feeling sorry for me?”
He lifted me off the table. I gasped for air, holding on to the edge of the table to steady my trembling body.
I didn’t answer. There was no getting through to him while in this rage. He had no control over his wolf.
“I didn’t think so. All you she-wolves are liars. The lot of you. Users.” he sneered at me. “Go back to your room. NOW!”
I jumped when he shouted. Mentally I scolded myself for showing fear. I wanted to be brave, show no fear, but he was right – fear was a powerful emotion. And he knew how to use it.
***
I sat on the hard bed, staring at the door and fearing he would come through it any second. With my heart beating out of my chest I remembered how he used to whip me for my so=called disobedience, my insolence when I said something I shouldn’t have. How could I bear it this time?
Oh, Kira, I need you! Help me! Wake up! Come to me, come to me now! I closed my eyes, concentrating as hard as I could. I hugged my knees to my chest, pulling the T-shirt over them. Please, please, save me. I am not strong enough.
“You are a warrior, Sylvia Deveraux.’’ I heard a soft voice in my ear. I swung around, looking for it. But it was gone like a whisper in the wind. Could it be her?
“Kira?”
No answer. I sighed and fell back on the bed. When will she come back to me? Or was all that happened only a dream? My heart ached for my mate. The shame I felt of what Drake had done to me was devastating and the guilt ate at me for what it was doing to Hunter. I could only imagine, remembering what Marcelle went through with Joffrey being hurt.
Tears welled up in my eyes when I think of them, my friends, my mate and I had no way of knowing if they were alright. And Nina, I missed her so much. The emotions overwhelmed me and the sobs wrenched out of my soul while I clutched the pillow.
I must have fallen asleep because when I opened my eyes the room was shrouded in darkness. Drake was absent, thank the gods. I went to the door, turning the handle - careful not to make a sound. It was locked. Of course. I didn’t sense him at all. I was alone in the cabin. Fumbling in the dark, I found the light switch.
There was no getting out of this room. No window in the bedroom. The window in the bathroom was so small I wouldn’t be able to get my head through it if I stood on the toilet. Frustrated I screamed at the top of my lungs. Maybe someone would hear me. I only succeeded in hurting my throat.
How I hated Drake! He was a monster, a psychotic werewolf. Then why do I feel sorry for him? Am I going mad? What was wrong with me? I loathed him, I feared him and I felt sorry for him. He was mad, cursed.
“He needs to be put down.” I told myself. “For all our sakes.”
“We will destroy him.” I heard a weak, small voice in my mind. Kira!
I shrieked: “Kira, you are alive!”
“Be quiet. He mustn’t know.” Her voice was almost non-existent.
The tears flowed from my eyes. I laughed and cried at the same time. She was alive. I had my wolf. But she was so weak. All this time she was hiding.
“No, not hiding. Hurt. Bad.” She sighed and was silent.
Then it hit me. All those years, the beatings, the abuse – she must have taken most of it so I could survive. My poor Kira! No more, I won’t let him hurt us anymore.
***
“Wake up.” Drake growled in my ear. He held a collar in his hand and my heart sank to the floor. A red LED light flickered on it and I recognized it. He had a remote control in his hand. If he felt like it, he would press it and the collar would send a shock through my body. It sickened me because I remembered how much it hurt.
I didn’t respond fast enough. Drake grabbed my wounded shoulder and ripped me off the bed. I cried out and he slapped me.
“You know what this is for, don’t you, little Mouse?” He snapped the collar onto my neck. “Try and run from me and I will press this button.” He waved the control in front of my face. “We’re going for a stroll.” He laughed mockingly, the scar on his face twisted into an ugly grimace.
“You can’t just lay around here. You will get fat and you know how I feel about that.” He grabbed hold of my cheeks with one hand, making my lips pout. “Say thank you Alpha.”
He goaded me. He knew I wouldn’t call him Alpha. I worried about Kira. I couldn’t let her take my pain. She was still too weak. Drake released my face, raising his eyebrows waiting for me to defy him.
“Thank you… Alpha.” I said, cringing inwardly.
“Well, well…” he purred. “Are you scared of me, little Mouse?” He narrowed his red eyes at me, stroking my cheek with one finger.
I looked down. Of course, I was terrified, but how was I supposed to answer that? He would want me to be scared. “Y-yes.” I answered.
“Yes, Alpha! You forget so soon?” he growled, fisting my hair and pulling my face closer so I could feel his breath on my cheek.
“Yes, Alpha.” I gritted my teeth. What game was he playing at?
He placed a rough kiss on my cheek.
“Come.” He pushed me out of the bedroom and we went to the front door of the cabin.
The morning air embraced me when we moved outside, fresh and heavy with the scent of the forest. I took a deep breath. The cabin reeked of Drake and lust. It felt good to be out.
He walked towards the trees and I followed. He was up to something and I feared it bore no good for me. Kira stayed silent in my mind, but I could feel her and it gave me some comfort.
We reached a clearing between the great oaks where he stopped abruptly and I almost bumped into him.
“Let’s play a game.” He grinned like the devil he was and I thought to myself today was the day he was going to kill me.
Looking down at the leaves at my feet, I remembered the strange dream I had at the villa – standing naked in an unknown forest. A shiver snaked up and down my spine. I felt cold.
“How fast can you run, little Mouse? I want to test the range of my device.” He said, his voice creepily cheerful.
I shook my head. “I – I don’t want to run.”
“Tsk. Tsk. As if you have a choice, Sylvia. Run.” He smacked me on my arm. “Tag. You’re it. Now fucking RUN!”
I sprinted away from him, my heart in my throat. “Kira, he’s going to shock us! Don’t you dare take the pain.” I screamed at her in my mind. My legs worked like pistons, carrying me away from Drake as fast as possible.
The jolt was sudden. It stopped me in my tracks as if I had hit a brick wall. My body jerked and spasmed violently on the leaf littered ground. No sound came from my open mouth. It only lasted a few seconds, but every muscle in my body hurt.
Drake stood over me, smirking. “You run fast. But not fast enough. Got you.” He laughed hysterically. “Get up.”
I couldn’t move. Couldn’t speak. He frowned at me.
“Come on. Don’t tell me you give up? Aren’t we having fun?”
Gasping like a fish out of water, I lay there looking up at the smirking bastard. He inclined his head, watching me. His booted foot nudged my ribs. I groaned.
“So weak. No wonder her Majesty doesn’t want you for her son. She practically begged me to come get you.” He mused, stroking his bearded chin.
My eyes popped open. What did he just say? The queen begged him to take me?
“Wha- what?” I managed to croak out. I struggled to get my legs working.
Drake scoffed, “Oh of course, you don’t know.” He lifted me up, dusting me off. “This was all her idea. To kidnap you, not our little game. She had it all planned out. Clever old bitch.”
Was he telling the truth? I couldn’t believe she would do this.
“No, you lie.” My throat hurt to speak.
I gave her a tracking device to put on Hunter’s car. How do you think I knew where you were?” He looked so smug I wished fervently to smack the expression from his hateful face.
“Took my time and then you came walking right into my arms. So to speak.” He laughed again, reminding me of a loon. “I feel like another round of tag. What do you say, little Mouse?”
“Please, I can’t run anymore.” I hated to beg, but my muscles were spasming.
“Oh well, if you can’t run, then I’ll have to find another way to entertain myself.” He growled and the flickering in his eyes made my stomach churn. I knew what he wanted.
“No, I – I will try to run.” I moved away from him. Falling over my own feet I landed on the ground again. I tried to crawl away from him. Anything, I would do anything not to let him rape me again.
He stood, shaking his head as he watched me. “Pathetic. You are such a pathetic little mouse. I could squash you with one of my feet.”
“Then why the fuck don’t you?” I screamed at him. “Put me out of my misery!” I was reckless, I didn’t care anymore. I wished he would kill me. It was enough. I’ve had enough.
Drake howl-laughed as he came towards me, grabbing hold of my legs and pulled me over the ground. The T-shirt shifted up, leaving me completely exposed to him.
“Your misery is what I live for, why would I kill you?”
I heard him pulling his pants down.
“No! I will not let you do this to me.” I kicked him hard. But it was like kicking a stone. He didn’t feel a thing.
I scratched, clawed at his face, trying to bite him. All the while he laughed.
“Tell me you love me, little Mouse. Tell me you feel sorry for me.” Drake lifted my hips towards him, he was fully erect. I screamed as if possessed.
He pressed the button again while he entered me. My body belonged to someone else. That body bucked and writhed like a puppet on a string. It wasn’t mine.
HUNTER“Tell me about this person you love.” I asked Frigg. She sat down next to me and we both stared at the lake. The water shone silver in the dappled moonlight. I threw a stone in the water, making ripples and disturbing a sleeping loon. It flew off, cursing, into the night.Frigg sighed, tucking her flaxen hair back over her shoulder. “He’s one of my father’s bodyguards. His name is Gunnor.”“Are you fated mates?” I asked.“Yes, and my father knows that. But he forbade our union. Because he is not of royal blood. I hate this, Hunter!” Her wolf shone through her blue eyes, fierce and proud. “I want to honor my father, but this tradition is so outdated.”I couldn’t agree more. “True. It is up to our generation to change this. That is why I have to choose you.” I said and turned to her.Frigg jumped up as if stung. “No, y
“Tell me you love me. Tell me you feel sorry for me.”Those words kept echoing through my mind as I hovered in the twilight between consciousness and oblivion. This was it. I was dying. This time it went too far. Too late. Too late.“You can’t give up now, Sylvia. Hunter is coming for us.” Kira’s whispered words did little to convince me not to give in to the darkness. I wanted it. Needed the nothingness to embrace me. Tired, so tired of being in pain, being broken over and over.“Let me help you. Let me heal you. I am strong. Give in to me, stop fighting me for control, Sylvia.” Kira insisted.“There’s no hope for us. He’s won.” I sighed.She growled, deep and guttural, it vibrated through my bones. “He will never win. Never. You have fed me your anger and your hate for Drake. It made me strong, you have no idea. The Moon Goddess gifted me with a new body. You are
HUNTERWe arrived about a mile from Drake pack’s border. It was well past midnight but visibility was no problem for us, werewolves have excellent night vision. I mind linked Kane to access his whereabouts. He stationed himself at the top of a ledge overlooking the pack ground. The area was surrounded by mountains on two sides. Joffrey and I joined Kane on his perch.“He hasn’t made an appearance yet.” Kane said. “Everything seems pretty normal down there. Nothing much going on. I don’t think she’s here.”“He’s got to come back. He won’t leave his pack alone for too long.” I took the binoculars from Kane to peer down at the pack house. Nothing stirred. “And when he does, we follow him.”Joffrey yawned loudly.“Sorry, I don’t get much sleep between Marcelle throwing up and Nina crying half the night.”I felt bad
SYLVIAI dreamt of Hunter, of him holding me, kissing me, making love to me. So clearly, so vividly. Then it turned into a nightmare. It wasn’t Hunter but Drake who was caressing me, Drake whose lips and hands were everywhere on my body. I screamed myself awake.Bathed in sweat I tried to sit up on the bed only to find that my hands were cuffed to the steel headboard.“Damn you, Drake!” I yelled out my frustration, straining on the cuffs, but it was useless. I wasn’t strong enough.“Finally. I thought you were never going to wake up. We have to move, unfortunately. Your little Prince is being troublesome. In fact, he’s getting to be a real pain in the ass.” Drake stood in the doorway, holding something in his hands I couldn’t make out.Hunter searched for me. Hope surged through me. If I could just mind link him, but Kira was still out of it from the wolfsbane and I doubted if
SYLVIA“Here.” He threw the half-eaten carcass at me. I was starving. It didn’t even matter that he treated me like a dog, I caught it and began devouring it like I have never eaten in months.“I’m leaving, but I will be back tomorrow.” He said, wiping his hands on his jeans.I blinked, staring up at him. “You’re leaving me here alone?”He nodded. “I have business that I need to see to.”My mind was racing, maybe with him gone I can escape. Even though I had no idea where we were, any place away from him was better.He narrowed his eyes at me and I didn’t like the smirk that formed on his mouth. “I want you to shift.”“Why?” I had no reason to trust him.“Do it! Shift!” he yelled, using his Alpha voice.Reluctantly I got on my hands and knees, preparing to shift. Kira resisted, but I pushed
SYLVIAI peered into the darkness, but all I could see were shadows. The wind whipped my hair into my face as I leaned on my hands and knees to see over the edge of the ledge. My heart raced from fear, as much as I hated the dark, I feared heights even more.“Hunter?” I tried linking with him, but now there was just silence. Worry gnawed at my insides. Something happened to him, I just know it.“Don’t say that! He is strong. He is coming for us.” Kira piped up. She was super excited and running around in my mind. I knew she would love to shift and go and look for Hunter but thanks to Drake’s torture device we couldn’t. We needed to find a way to remove it. Maybe if I tried shapeshifting again. I could snap the collar.“No,” Kira shook her head, “don’t try that again. We couldn’t afford to get hurt now.”I shivered from the icy wind licking at my ba
SYLVIAI felt horrible telling Hunter now, but he needed to know the truth. No matter how much it hurt. Would he look at me differently now? Would he still love me? There was no time obsessing about that, because I heard Drake growling outside.“I can smell you, Hunter. Come out, come out wherever you are!” his voice resounded through the hollow cavern.Hunter grabbed my hand, his face serious. “We have to get Nina away from him. I’ll link Kane to help.”I looked up at the hole in the ceiling of the cave. “Do you think he could reach down from there for her?”“It’s worth a try.” His eyes went opaque as he linked Kane.I watched as Drake’s menacing bulk filled the entrance. Taking a deep breath to ready myself for what was to come. Then I saw Nina.“Mama!” she squealed in delight. She wriggled to free herself from Drake’s grasp,
SYLVIAWe met Alpha Damien and the rest of his warriors at the foot of the mountain. The descent wasn’t as scary as I thought it would be. Hunter helped me where the going was treacherous and I kept my focus on him and not on the yawning abyss. Kane joined us with Nina. He gave Hunter a bundle of clothes which he quickly put on.Nina ran to me when he put her down, but stopped in front of me, her eyes wide.“Mama, blood!” she pointed at my hand. Dried blood covered my hand up to my elbow and my face and T-shirt were also blood-spattered.“It’s okay, Baby. Don’t be scared.” I bent down to her. “See, I’m fine. I just really need a shower.” I laughed, trying to make light of the situation.She frowned; her little face scrunched up. “Where is Daddy?”I looked at Hunter, unsure of how to tell her that I killed her father. He turned Nina to look at him.
SYLVIA Home at last. Safe in my own bed with my handsome mate and my pups. All four of us cuddling together. Magnus held onto Hunter’s finger while sleeping at my breast and Nina lay in my free arm, snoring softly like a cat.“This is heaven.” Hunter smiled at me, his amber eyes glowing with a soft light. “I couldn’t ask for anything more than this, my Angel.”I couldn’t agree with him more, this was more than I ever wanted, my own family with the one I loved. I felt complete. He kissed me gently, careful not to disturb his sleeping son.“Don’t ever leave me again, Love.” I whispered to him. “I couldn’t live without you, you know. Promise me we would die together.” I thought about Marcelle and how Joffrey’s life ended. The horrible sight was never far from my mind.Hunter tapped me on the nose. “Stop it. We’re going to grow old together and fill this castle with our offspring.” He winked, “And we do have a lot of rooms.”I laughed softly. “That’s what you say now. Remember how much t
SYLVIA“Let’s go.” I said, running toward the open mausoleum. Hunter grabbed my arm and pulled me back.“I go first.” He was taking no arguments.“Wait!” Selena snapped. “You need protection.”Rebecca held her hands out in front of her and a shimmering light shot out from her fingertips and surrounded Hunter and me. It formed a bubble around us. I touched it and it moved with my hand without bursting. It was cold to the touch.“That ought to last a while. It will hide you from them. Be quick.” Rebecca urged us on.“She probably knows we’re here already. Do you have the wand?” I heard him ask Selena as we moved towards the gate.“Yes.” Selena said.I didn’t look back. Hunter held my hand, and we went inside. The stench of death and decay made me gag. We walked in silence down the narrow passage. Debris and old broken coffins lay strewn about, the bones long gone. A large stone sarcophagus stood in the middle of the crypt.“Look there’s something underneath it.” Hunter said and he moved
SYLVIAHis crib was empty. I could still smell his newborn scent. I ran from the room down the passage, colliding with Tasha.“Luna Sylvia, what is it? You shouldn’t be running around like this.”I grabbed her by the shoulders. “She took Magnus! She took my baby!”“Who?”“Aldine! We must find them, Tasha. She’s taken him to Joffrey.” I was in such a state I couldn’t think properly.“I’ll alert the castle guards.” I watched Tasha’s eyes turn opaque while she sent a mind link to the guards.I rushed to King Lucien’s rooms, not caring that I wasn’t properly dressed, and it was not proper for me to go to another male’s room in the middle of the night.King Lucien opened the door to my insistent hammering. I fell into his arms, babbling incoherently and crying.“Gods, Sylvia! Whatever has gotten you into such a state?” He pulled me away from him and held me at arm’s length. I didn’t even notice Tasha had followed me. She stood in the doorway.“She took him, Father. They took my son to the
HUNTER As soon as the alpha wolf submitted, the whole pack followed. It was not my intention to take over the pack, but I had no choice. They accepted us, welcoming us into the pack with whines, displays of submissions and licking our faces.“This is so gross, but so awesome.” Teo said through our mind link.“There’s no telling how they would react if we should return to our human form.” I was worried about the young alpha. He would have to take his pack back when we leave, and it won’t be easy for him.“What would King Thorin do when we arrive at his village with a real wolf pack?” Teo laughed.I didn’t think the wolves would go that far though it may be out of their territory. The pack moved higher up the mountain and we followed. They led us to their den, a large opening between two rocks – it could hardly be called a cave. There were a few cubs and omegas, the lower ranks looked after the pups. At first, they were wary of us, but soon welcomed us and the pups sniffed at us, being
SYLVIANo, this can’t be happening now. The baby was coming, and Hunter wasn’t here. I was not ready!“Just breathe, Sylvia. Breathe.” Selena grabbed hold of my hands.“I can’t… give birth now…” I panted and cried out when the contractions racked my body.“You have no choice! This pup wants out. Work with me, Sylvia. Breathe.” Selena turned to Arno. “Call the King. Now.”Arno rushed from the room.“Why?” I asked. Why did she call for King Lucien. I needed my mate. Then I remembered the horrible vision. He was in danger far from here.“Be strong, Sylvia. For your child’s sake. Now push!” she demanded.I howled in pain as another contraction made me bend backwards. The door burst open, and I sensed King Lucien, followed closely by Tasha and Aldine.King Lucien grabbed my hand. “You’re doing fine, my child. We’re here for you.”Pressing down on his strong hand I looked up into his blazing blue eyes. He smiled down at me, wiping my sweat drenched hair from my face.“Father, Hunter is in d
HUNTERI was bored out of my mind. Will this day never end? Gods! Some of these Alpha’s were like old women, carrying on and on about things and not coming to a point. Teo fell asleep at some stage, head thrown back and mouth agape, snoring softly. He had partied himself to exhaustion with the unmated she-wolves. Lucky bastard.Feeling spiteful, I kicked the chair from under him and he crashed to ground amidst raucous laughter. Blushing a deep red, he picked himself up, righted the chair and mumbled an apology.King Thorin chuckled. “Looks like our she-wolves kept you up all night, young Teo. I thought the Blood Fang pack’s warriors had more stamina?”Teo for once was tongue-tied.“He needs more practice.” I said, winking at the king.Teo smiled sheepishly, scratching the back of his neck with one hand.***The meeting went well, new alliances were formed, and some old issues were resolved. Kane pulled me to the side while the others went back to the feast.“I hope you don’t mind, Hun
SYLVIA I received countless messages and photos from Hunter, saying he was so bored, but it looked like he was having a great time. The photos he sent were of people dancing, tables laden with all sorts of food and drink. They were busy wrapping up the Alpha Meeting, but the party was still going on until the end of December.My phone rang in the middle of the night. It was him.“Hunter?” I breathed, half asleep.“I miss you.” His voice slurred.“Are you drunk?” I asked laughing.“Maybe.”Werewolves don’t get drunk easily.“They have no end. These people are in party mood, and they don’t take prisoners,” he groaned.I giggled; I can’t imagine him being drunk. I’ve seen him slightly tipsy when he drank too much Absinthe and then he was horny as hell.“Are you alone?” I asked, a little apprehensively. There better not be another she-wolf after him.He laughed softly, “Of course, Angel. Teo is having a blast here. He’s proving to be a huge hit with the she-wolves here. So funny.” His
HUNTERGetting on that plane was one of the hardest things I had to do. This annual Alpha meeting couldn’t have come at the worst time. At least I get to see Kane. But leaving my angel behind especially with everything we went through drove a knife in my heart.I will make it up to her, I promised myself. At least Father was there, and I had more confidence in the witches to protect her. Selena assured me the castle grounds were well protected that no supernatural force was going to break through. I believed her because I saw how powerful they were. It helped assuage the guilt I felt for leaving.Teo babbled non-stop on about the gods knew what. I tuned him out, lost in my own thoughts. Thinking about Sylvia clinging to me and crying like she was never going to see me again. I was worried about her. Could be the effects of what happened, I tried to reason her behavior away. Or maybe just the pregnancy hormones affecting her. I sent a text to Selena to keep an eye on her and maybe give
SYLVIAWinter was upon us. The days were colder and grey as December drew near. Not that cold ever bothered us. I watched from my windows as the clouds rolled in low over the grounds. Winter always made me restless, and I longed to be out there with the wind in my hair and the scents of forest around me.“Will it snow, Mama?” Nina danced around the room. She spent a lot of time with me here in the castle as Hunter refused to let me go out.“I don’t know, Nina.” I smiled at my little princess who seemed to be growing up way too fast. She was turning into a formidable little fighter as well, according to Tasha who trained her diligently. Tasha adored Nina and Nina adored her right back.“I hope it will. I love snow.” She announced, spinning dizzyingly around and around until she fell at my feet, giggling and out of breath.“Oh, you do? Well, let’s hope it does so we can build a snowman.” I knew it probably won’t snow, but you never know…Hunter came to check up on me. He kissed me deepl