I flew into the ring, transforming into my wolf as I slid under the ropes and straight into the champion's space.
He was a pitch-black wolf with startling blue eyes, we circled each other slowly, then I flew at him, he stepped to the left and bit my side.I spun around my teeth sunk into his shoulder.
It was a never-ending faced past dance. We couldn't outdo each other. As soon as one of us gained an advantage others would find one of their own. We swirled around the ring, a mindblowing blur of movement and adrenaline.
My wolf was tiring, I needed to transform. Apparently, the Champion had the exact same idea. We became human as if on cue.
He pulled me underneath him by my sneakered feet and locked me down by my forearms. His hair was the same pitch black as his wolf's fur and his eyes were the same sparkling blue. We stared at each other, panting. I arched toward him slowly and crushed my lips to his.
He responded immediately, his lips moved perfectly against mine. His hands came up to my head, fingers entangling in my hair. It was warm and fast. So fast, he didn't notice my hand becoming a paw, only falling away with a grunt when my claws sunk into his gut. As soon as he was on the floor I flew at him, swiping once again at his stomach.
Then I stepped away, the Champion stayed on the floor. I watched as he hit the ground three times.
A cheer so loud it made the ground shake a little, rose up from around us. Every wolf in the building ended up watching us fight. I wished suddenly the challenge hadn't been so hectic. We drew too much attention.
Then I turned and held my hand out for the ex-champion. For a moment I was afraid he wouldn't take it. Fighting, even if it was friendly, often led to grudges. But his hand clasped mine and I pulled him up. The boy kept his grasp on my hand, then he hoisted it up and another cheer rose vibrant and deafening around us.
Our hands dropped and he turned to me, looking me up and down.
"You're good."
I grinned, clutching at my side, "You too."
Suddenly hands constricted around my waist and the Champion froze. "What the hell is going on here?"
I sighed, "Ben."
He kept his arm around me from behind, his chest on my back. But his eyes were trained on the champion.
"Dante," his voice was a cold, dangerous calm, "why is Carrie bleeding?"
I wiggled angrily, "I challenged him Ben, get off me."
Dante had straightened in respect, but he was smirking slightly, "have I done something wrong alpha?"
"Carrie doesn't fight Dante."
I growled, "you don't speak for me Ben, I can do whatever the hell I like."
The boys ignored me completely, their gazes locked.
"Could've fooled me. She's excellent."
Ben growled and his grip on my waist tightened. "She doesn't fight, Dante."
I snarled loudly, struggling.
"Alpha, she could be an asset to an army."
Ben's grip became so tight it hurt.
"Not an option, this won't be happening again."
I snarled again, my fist flew up into Ben's nose and smiled as I felt cartilage crunch. I ripped Ben's arms off of me and stepped away.
",She is actually here, and she isn't something you can control."
Both boys watched me, blood dripping down to Ben's lip. I shook my head angrily and glanced at Dante.
"Thanks for the fight Dante, you were a challenge."
He smiled and wiggled his eyebrows suggestively, "Believe me, love, it was a pleasure."
I smiled then turned to Ben, "You know what, you were right." I said bitterly, "this was a fucking blast."
Then I slid under the ropes, making my way through wolves patting me on the back, giving me high fives and wanting to know what was going on. I pushed open the side door into the alley. The cold air a biting relief to my overheated skin.
Gravel crunched rhythmically under my worn sneakers as I walked down the alley. I barely made halfway, before a hand gripped my wrist and turned me around.
"What the hell was that about?"
I let out a frustrated groan. "I could ask you the same thing, it was a friendly fight, Ben, you acted like he was trying to kill me."
He pulled me closer so roughly I stumbled a little.
"Look at yourself, Carrie."
I glared at him and he met my gaze, forcing me to look down at myself. Admittedly, it was pretty bad. My crop top had become a deep red colour and the material was in shreds, exposing flashes of my purple lace bra. Bloodstained my skin in huge patches and bites and scratches pulled at my skin. I ran my tongue over my lips, feeling the split of my bottom lip and the extent of the intense swelling.
"Okay, so it was a rough friendly fight, big deal. Dante looked just as bad."
Ben's fists clenched, "you don't fight anymore."
"Only because you won't let me."
He growled angrily, "You shouldn't be fighting at all Carrie."
I rolled my eyes, "Dante and I beg to differ."
His snarl broke through the quiet alley and suddenly my back was against the brick wall. His hands pinned my wrists on either side of my head at eye level.
"You had your side ripped open to prove a point?"He demanded.
I glared at him, ignoring my wolf, who was screeching to close the minuscule gap between us.
"Is that really what you're mad about?" I challenged.
He looked me up and down, "what do you mean?"
"Dante is a really good kisser."
He growled so hard it sent shivers down my spine.
"Stay away from him Carrie."
I scoffed, "Why, because he isn't you?"
Ben's grip tightened around my wrists, "He's a fighter, I don't want him influencing you."
I almost laughed out loud, "influencing me? I'm not a child Ben."
I leaned off the wall toward him, "You can't keep trying to control me, it's never going to work."
I let out a breath and fell back against the bricks. "God, I wouldn't even be here if it weren't for you."
Ben's entire body tensed, and his eyes darkened, becoming piercing and animalistic. I felt my chest tighten in anticipation. Fleeting panic filled me, and for the first time, a small voice at the back of my head called me an idiot for defying an alpha.
His voice made my insides shake, my heart racing out of control. "Do not forget who you are talking to Carrie. I don't take orders."
He stepped closer, anger bleeding into his words, "as my mate and a member of my pack you are mine to protect. That's not going to change."
His lips skimmed mine as he leaned in, "Live with it."
My breath caught without my permission and he watched me intently.
"And you can stop pretending you didn't enjoy feeling part of the pack."
Iopened my mouth to protest but he cut me off, leaning in a tiny bit more. "You loved it, Carrie."
My heart thrummed so hard and my wolf screamed so loud I almost expected Ben to cover his ears. Instead, he pulled away from me and with steady and silent authority began walking me home.
Iwas absolutely furious, my body was shaking I was fuming so hard. I knew Ben could sense my anger, it was taking everything in me to keep it in. Impulsiveness and action tended to take preference for me. I've never been very good at keeping the surface calm and polished, rationality. That was all Megan. My body's energy slowly began draining as we walked. The fight left me exhausted and Ben left me drained. It was almost ten o clock when we reached home.
I quietly entered the house from the back door, avoiding detection in my current state. Ben waited until he heard the lock click behind me before leaving for the packhouse. I trudged up the stairs, in desperate need of a shower. I let the water relax my aching muscles and wash away the blood before crashing in cotton pyjamas onto my bed. One thing was very clear in my mind. I had to get away, I had to break the spell and get a way.
Ben had me trapped, branded so I couldn't escape, and tortured by urges I couldn't control but had to resist. My mind was made, this wasn't something I could handle much longer.
He was evil...awful...controlling every minor detail in my life, I hated him.
The problem was, I forgot every single one of those facts the minute we stood inches apart.
That morning was overcast and cool, whether I had always loved.Quickly, I pulled on my skinning jeans, boots and a light grey jersey. Then I brushed my hair into a high pony and wrapped a scarf around my neck for good measure. Armed with a scribbled note, reading a vague excuse, I left the house, leaving the note on the dining room table for Meg to see.The aim of today and the aim of many days to come was to avoid Ben. Hopefully, Meg's wedding plans would keep him occupied for most of the morning. That particular thought brought a sharp pain to my chest and my wolf howled mournfully. I shushed her and buried the feeling, increasing my pace as I walked along the pavement.By seven I was swaying as the bus rumbled beneath me. Eventually, we screeched to a stop and I stepped out, breathing in the slightly salty air. A small wooden sign read, "Welcome to Rosaline."I smiled, I had missed this place. I used to come here with my dad when I was small. Meg used
I began walking through the woods, still feeling irritated and confused. My wolf ached to stretch her paws and I rolled my shoulders, ready to let her take over.Within seconds I was running at super speeds, my paws hitting the ground in a warm heavy rhythm."Carrie?"I spun around but there was nothing."Carrie? Where are you?"I looked all around me but the familiar voice had nobody."Ben?""I'm in your head Carrie, it's a mind link."I growled angrily, "Is this another spell?""It comes with being apart from a pack."I snarled, frustrated that he wasn't there to glare at."Get out of my head asshat.""Where are you, Carrie? Are you safe? Is everything okay?"I rolled my eyes, "that's none of your business.""Stop being difficult, where are you?"Indignance filled me, hot and burning for justice."Leave me alone Ben."He snarled, "Where. Are. You?"
I was still pacing. It had been over an hour now, Ben was talking intently to someone over the phone in the kitchen. I heard him hang up and walk into the lounge. My stride didn't falter and I didn't glance his way."Carrie."I didn't reply."Carrie."I kept going, trying to block his voice out, frantically trying to plan as I paced."Carrie!"His hands were heavy on my shoulders, keeping me in place and forcing me to acknowledge him."What!?" I demanded."Calm down."
"Dante? How could it possibly be Dante?" I demanded.Ben began pacing in front of us,"It makes sense Carrie. Dante wasn't born into the Gliddian pack. His original pack kicked him out, and he was a rouge until my mother took him in."Ben looked away, his eyes dull as his memory played out in his head."We were twelve at the time."My eyes widened as listened, but thinking back to the fight. It made sense. Dante had been respectful of Ben, but he was far more comfortable around him than the others. Like a brother."As far as I know they kicked him out after his father died. But, but the name of his original pack,"
My tea was tasteless in my mouth, the heavy thoughts racing through my mind seemed to have numbed my taste buds. The boys had been talking for ages about where the pack that had Meg was. The pack was big, the second biggest in England. Their head of security is the best in England full stop."So there's nothing we can do."The boys stopped talking and turned to me."That's not what we're saying, Carrie."I set my mug down and stepped forward. "But you might as well be! Megan is stuck in some hell hole, god knows if she's even alive."I shook my head and ran a hand through my hair "and we've wasted enough time."Ben stepped toward me, "No, I know that look, Carrie. You're going to
I had insisted that only Dante, Ben and I head into their territory. I wasn't even that comfortable giving them Dante, and I knew Ben wasn't going to let me do this on my own. The idea of wolves risking their lives for my sister and I felt unjust. But now, surrounded by wolves of all shapes and sizes I was beginning to regret my own demands."We have come to see you're alpha, we have no violent intentions. Please, bring us to him."The wolves around us growled, showing their disease. Until one particularly big wolf with a blind eye stepped forward. He transformed in front of us and Ben stepped slightly in front of me, I bit my tongue to keep from growling. Protection isn't something I want, or need, especially if we're currently facing an enemy."You're from the Gilddian pack?" We nodded and the man smirked,"The great future Gliddian alpha brought with him only one fighter, and a girl for protection."I snarled and stepped in front of Ben.
The alpha gave us no time to talk, he had Dante uncuffed and the wolf who had brought us in, lead him and Ben away. Then he sent Megan back to her room, and I turned to follow her."I've been alive a long time Carrie."I froze in the doorway and looked back at him."In that time, I've made a small observation."I smiled politely, "is this small observation your tiny brain capacity?"The alpha grinned easily at my insult. "No, it's the protectiveness of a male over his mate."I rolled my eyes and gave him a slow sarcastic clap. "How genius of you."The alpha smiled and shook his head. "Clap all you want Carrie, the fact remains, you're the one that strangled me, not Ben."My hands tightened against the doorframe, "what's your point?"He raised an eyebrow, "your sister's fiance wasn't passionate enough to attack me for her, but he put a bomb in his neck the minute you were at risk."The alpha grinned and prete
"You're an idiot.""Dante,""A bloody idiot Carrie."I growled and Dante snarled, he flew at me, pummelling me into the bookshelf. He was painfully close, and he spoke his words into the crook of my neck."We had a plan, Carrie. I get the cup, then we find a way to make a replica. When did we agree on you throwing yourself into the mission?"I breathed hard against him, gripping his shoulders."I'm not sorry. I wasn't going to let you do this alone."His grip tightened and he glared at me."Look, I've already gotten this from Ben. The facts remain, I'm coming with you, I'm not sorry and it isn't going to change."He searched my face then slowly pulled away, "You're one stubborn girl Carrie Stewart."I smiled bitterly, "so I've been told."He shook his head watching me, and I smiled as his tense musc
I sat on the edge of my bed, trying hard to focus my mind. While both boys were barely on speaking terms, they were both in firm agreement that they would find a way for me to back out of the tournament. I wasn't optimistic.My mind was still racing, it made no sense, what was the queen gaining with me as a competitor? I had a feeling, a gut feeling, this Tornment would end up being a lot more than just a competition. Something darker, deeper and far more important was going on. And I intended to find out what.
For the next half hour, we were too busy sorting through what's been happening, for Ben to yell at Dante and me for making contact. I knew it would come later though. Right now, both boys were furious at mefor keeping the recent attacks on me a secret.Ben called for a handmaiden, and under his orders she got off every scrap of makeup on my body, revealing dozens of nasty wounds, scrapes, and bruises.
I woke up in the bedroom Ben had offered me the day he put the crest on my palm."Bet you never thought you'd sleep in that bed."My eyes snap to my left, Ben is watching rain patter onto the balcony through the glass window in the french doors.
BEN'S POV!!!!!!"This is ridiculous.""I don't care.""Ben!"
I fell onto my bed, gripping my bleeding side. Goblins. They had attacked the house, and they weren't the first. Someone had leaked my location, all kinds of creatures were attacking throughout the week, trying to recapture the "Future Valderian Queen."Rent had called, he still hadn't gotten a confession from his guards. The mole on our team was still unknown.
The alpha gave me the prophecy, but I knew the others were waiting. So I stuffed it into my pocket, and stumbled out to the car, knowing my face was as white as a sheet. Everyone bustled, saying goodbye, and getting into the right cars. I came face to face with Rent, and immediately my eyes welled with tears."Oh Carrie," he breathed fondly, pulling me warmly into his arms, "
BEN'S POVEverything began to happen very quickly. It took us another night and another day before we reached the border.Carrie kept a space between us that was way too big to be natural. Her face was a constant flat stone plate. Her usually sparking eyes, dull and walled over. I'd never seen t
CARRIE'S POVI cried until pale light splattered across the dark sky. I knew Ben wasn't going to change his mind about this. It was over. My sister had lost her fiance, and it was my fault.Ben set out a breakfast of pheasant cooked for my benefit on a small fire. He said nothing, I didn't touch the food, he didn't push me to, and we ignored my red-rimmed eyes.
BEN'S POVTwo days. Two days of walking and camping. But I barely noticed. Time melted, waving around us like soft silk.Carrie's link was still open, her contentment warmed my body, her happiness swirling in my chest.Her chocolate hair was thrown up into a