“Pipe down, Princess. You know where you are because you hauled ass up to our door and tried to take a peek. The question he asked …. Are there more of you out there?” It’s a commanding deep, almost growl like tone, from a serious looking man with a foreboding glare. My inner intimidation returns, as he makes my brave pipe down, and I return to still, cool mannered, and stare directly at him.
He’s a scary one and most definitely wolf. Not that my sense of smell is working either. Tall, broad, physically hunky, and good looking in that boring, typical, dominant wolf way, and unnervingly very Santo. Which in itself is weird. He’s Latino, dark, tanned, handsome, and I swear he almost has Colton’s darkest chocolate eyes, although his have hints of green that lighten them overall and it somehow kills the whole smoldering thing. He has an arrogant look to him, and a slight downturn to his mouth where Colton’s turns up, that gives him a“You can untie her, Doc, she can eat, but she stays confined in here until we decide what should be done with her. I still want a name and pack. I need to know what kind of threat she is, or they pose. I’ll be back soon. I need to contact Alpha. Santo. and get direction concerning our intruder. He’ll want to be informed.”My heart literally stops beating in my chest, and I have to stop myself from gasping out loud at the words that come out of his mouth. My insides self-combust, and my blood freezes in my veins, as my mind comes to a complete standstill on those two little terrifying words.Alpha Santo! Juan! There is no other Santo pack in these parts, and his resemblance isn’t coincidental. Why Colton kept coming to mind is now glaringly obvious. This is Juan’s facility, which can only mean one thing. Deacon is a Santo, it explains the assholes bad attitude and shitty behavior, and possibly, Sierra is not an invading dream because of C
“You’re lying. I don’t know what you’re talking about, or half of what you said, but I know hybrids aren’t a thing.” Terror overtakes me as his words filter in, and my mind refuses to digest what he’s saying, because it’s simply wrong. The wolves pride their bloodlines and purity, it’s a massive part of our being and hierarchy. Mixed breeds don’t exist, because if they did, the pure bloods would destroy them. They don’t want dilution and mongrels among our blood. They’re bad enough when weak DNA like my families infects a pack, and those people become calm land workers with no urge to fight and dominate. It’s why the Whyte pack never had any kind of claim to the mountain as a ruling pack and the Santos own it. Our kind thrives on dominance, we need alphas and purity to survive.The doctor clutches a flat hand to his chest, aghast. Eyes wide, an expression that translates offence.“Lie
“Doc, she’s our prisoner, not a study volunteer. She’s a betrayer of my blood and I’ll handle her as such. The only place this chick is going, is down beside that mindless corpse they keep in bay two, and out of bounds for you and your quack colleagues in the lab. If we’re lucky, she’ll stay as quiet as her new roommate and be gone before she messes up anymore of my week.” Deacon is an asshole for sure. He pulls me with him, not waiting for my legs to catch up and despite my inner desire to not touch this idiot, I have to grab onto him or be dragged along behind him.“Sierra is not mindless. She’s sedated and detained by you thugs and your lack of vision… she’s a work of art, a person with feelings, and thoughts, and if Juan would only allow me to waken her and….”“Enough!!! Shut your mouth!! That’s a dead name…. just like you will be if you talk about her again.” Deaco
Deacon is a brute of the highest order, who probably got his training in Juan’s school of charm for asshats, and half drags me, half lets me walk on my own feeble legs down the corridor to an elevator. Only stopping to bark orders at another guard sat at a desk nearby, before shoving me inside and taking me down to a level that has an air of aircraft hangar. The doors slide open to reveal a large, empty garage like space, in semi darkness, with concrete floors, and strip lighting on the ceiling, which stands a good twenty feet above us. The space is huge and there are three trucks parked at the far end on what looks like a platform, which I’m assuming raises up. It’s dull, definitely many degrees colder, and seems like a part no one frequents all too often.As we walk the lights begin to flick on automatically over our heads, and I note at the semi middle of the wall on the left a low glow is already illuminating from what seems to be an open alcove. From this
Deacon blanks me completely, waves a dismissive hand at me like he has the last word and leaves. Stalking back the way we came, like an arrogant shit head who needs to go choke.I honestly cannot stand that guy and if I could turn, god, he would be first on my hitlist for being air punched across the room. I have enough rage bubbling through my veins to ignite it, but unfortunately, no actual ability in this weird futuristic building. All I need is an ounce of use to link Colton, tell him where his mom is, and bust everyone’s ass in here. I have enough rage that I think I could, maybe. I just wish I’d been bright enough to find and use that gift when they chased me through the damn forest. I only have myself to blame for not being able to harness my own fate given gift.As soon as I watch him storm off into the elevator and completely disappear, I turn my attention back to the room across the floor from me and focus on that lifeless sleeping body. She’s t
“Thank you.” It’s a genuine response because this gown is not exactly great at hiding things, or offering comfort, and maybe eating will help straighten me out a little. In human form I’m suffering from the effects of not eating and probably have a low blood sugar to boot. The female seems interested in me but keeps her distance, and it’s not hard to tell that my kind make her nervous. She pushes the trolley to near him and then turns and walks away without a word.“It’s nothing too adventurous, just a chicken salad and bread. The cook is normally quite wonderful with our hot foods, but you were an in between meal visitor. It won’t be long before lunch is served and it’ll be something hot, like it always is. I believe today is carrot and coriander soup, followed by a delightful steak tartar. Fabulous talented chef and we are most grateful to have one here.“ Despite his overly friendly chatter and enthusiasm over food,
“My dear, I fear I have said too much and inadvertently made your hope of release a less plausible outcome. You must forget what I said, especially about Luna Santo. It’s in your best interest that we never had this conversation, and you do not repeat to anyone that we did.” There’s serious concern etched into his face that deepens the lines around his eyes and he locks a direct gaze right on my eyes, a hint of warning in his tone. He’s closing down our line of communication because he thinks what he’s telling me puts me in danger. A hint that I was right about his character and him being the soft link in this facility. He’s a decent man who cares, and I need to show him that I’m already screwed, so he doesn’t lock me out. “I imprinted on Colton and Juan forbade it…. We’re fated, but he forced him to mark another for the sake of the pack. I’m not getting set free…. I’m probably going to
“I’m sorry… I really am.” He cries it at me, as I slam my hands on the glass in a bid to get the door to open, pressing hard against it so I can see him as he runs off to my left.“I need to know what she said about my mother!!!” I scream it like a feral banshee, my own emotions overwhelming me as so many racing thoughts rush through my head, and I’m consumed with suspicion, and pain, and heartbreak, all weighing down like a house falling on top of me. My breathing erratic and I pound the glass aggressively, in sheer need to follow him. It shudders and quakes but doesn’t budge an inch.I can’t calm down, the craziness of that interaction has me all wired and panting as emotion wracks me and my thoughts spiral crazily with so many possibilities on such little information. The mention of my mother, his reaction…. it’s made me react in ways I never have before and I start pacing, pulling at my hair as I try t