“Kezia?”
Cannon’s arms surrounded me. I was safe in the warm cocoon he provided me. Sleep tugged at my awareness, bringing me back down to the warm slumber I had been in, with my mate curled around me.
“Kezia! Will you stop moaning and wake up?”
“Mm-hmmm…Cannon, shhh.”
“Oh for fuck’s sake, Kezia. This is your own fault.”
The sharp sting of water washed over me as I jumped up, confused and disoriented but awake. The blue eyes of my captor watched me warily as I took a step back from him. Glancing over my shoulder, I saw the bed I was lying in was empty; Cannon wasn’t there.
I’d been dreaming, and now I was faced with the ugly reality that I’d been betrayed by one of my oldest friends.
Taking in the room, I didn’t recognize it. This wasn’t where I had been when I woke up the first time, they’d moved me? “Where am I?”
“Home.” The glare I sent Landon’s way made him take a step back.
“You kidnapped me.”
He rolled his eyes. “You came to me.”
“You drugged me.
Landon let out a long sigh. “After you came to me. Willingly.”
“You threatened my family, you sociopath!” As I lunged forward, a sharp yank on my arm halted my progress, and I looked down at the handcuff around my wrist and the chain that led from it to the nail in the wall. “What the fuck is this?” I growled, yanking on the chain, hissing in pain as it dug into me.
“It’s a precaution.”
My head snapped so quickly to the sound of the other voice in the room, that I hurt myself. “Bastard!”
Bale was leaning against the wall, his arms folded, his dark stare fixed on me. “‘Pack Leader Bale’ is how you will address me.”
“You’re right, bastard is too good for you.” Looking him over with disgust, I sneered. “‘Fucking asshole’ is much better.” My attention flicked to Landon. “Where’s Kris?”
“It’s unfortunate, but Beta Kris is indisposed,” Bale answered calmly.
“If you’ve hurt him, I’ll?—”
“You’ll what?” Bale looked me over once, much as I had done him only moments before. His smile was cold and chilling. He straightened, his arms relaxed, one slipping into his pocket while he walked towards me. “You’ll glare at me some more?” Hate filled his eyes. “Call me more names?” he mocked. Leaning forward, his face inches from mine, he laughed. “You will do nothing. You are nothing. You live because I say you can.” He lost his smile, his face cold and emotionless once more. “You’re mine now, bitch.”
“Dad.”
I’d forgotten Landon was in the room, but I dared not break eye contact with the pack leader in front of me.
I saw the sneer on Bale’s face when Landon spoke, but it was gone when he turned to look at him. “Yes, I know, you want her.” He glanced back at me. “Fuck her and be done with it.”
Landon moved into my line of sight as he spoke to his father. “Dad, you said you would think about allowing the marriage.”
“No. She’s rabid.”
Speak for yourself, psycho.
Bale glowered at me. “She’s like her mother,” he spat. “Her mother was a whore as well.”
I bit my tongue so hard it bled. Landon’s head was lowered, his face pale, but I saw the tight clench of his fist at his side. “She can be taught.”
Bale threw his head back and laughed. A sound with no joy. “That?” He pointed at me. “That cannot be taught. You cannot teach a feral wolf, son. Use her how you want, then make her disappear.”