Page 33 of The Price They Paid

CHAPTER 11

Justice

I COULD FEEL THE FEAR rolling off Maddox in waves, so I knew that Seuss could, too. When we stopped the wheelchair in the middle of the open field I motioned for him to walk away and I followed. I knew Seuss was watching, but if this was going to work I needed Maddox’s head in the game.

“Justice, I’m not sure about this. Men have lost their heads for less.” Maddox spoke before we were out of earshot. I continued walking hoping that he’d follow.

When I thought we’d made enough ground, I turned to him hoping that I could pull him back into the plan. His pack and Alpha were relying on him. I chose my words carefully knowing that there was still a chance that Seuss could still hear us. He was frazzled and not paying attention.

“Maddox.” My voice was low but commanding catching his attention immediately.

I slowed my breathing while looking into his eyes. He was so riled up that it took a second before he began to calm, but when he did I knew that there was a much better chance that my crazy plan would work.

“You’ve got this. He needs a push and I believe …” I looked at him not finishing the sentence. He knew the rest. I’d only seen Seuss’ wolf respond aggressively when …

“What if …” I put my finger to his lips silencing him. I could feel aggression vibrating from Seuss’ end of the bond. He didn’t like the contact between Maddox and I.

“Just remember what you need to do,” I said to him. “I need you safe.”

I caressed the outside of his arm that was visible to Seuss. I knew that if Maddox didn’t initiate contact we were safe, or at least safer. Maddox visibly flinched, but I’m sure that didn’t register to Seuss.

“Just remember not to shift.” He whispered for my ears only.

Shifting would give Seuss’ wolf the power that we needed his human side to have. Maddox explained to me that this power play that I was about to pull was risky, and that the pull to shift and submit to Seuss’ wolf would be strong. I needed to give into the man. Seuss needed the ability to control the wolf and will it as he needed. That’s the way it was supposed to work. The beast of the wild should never be in control because the man would never come back.

I nodded, and we headed back over toward Seuss but not too close. “How far do you think you could jump from that chair?” I asked him.

Seuss studied me closely trying to figure out what game I was playing. Right now, he couldn’t move all that much. His energy was still depreciating rather quickly. I’d come back in the bedroom to find him lying on the bed in a towel and unable to move.

“What game is this, Justice?” His voice held a bit of menace to it, and it excited me.

“Could you jump to where I’m standing?” I asked.

Seuss didn’t respond.

“Normally,” I added.

I could feel the anger rising.

“Yes,” he said through clenched teeth.

I took a few steps back moving Maddox further behind me. “What about here?”

He stretched his neck watching the contact that I’d made with Maddox. “Yes.”

We stepped back a little more. “Now?”

I watched as he calculated the distance unsure if he could right away. That’s when I knew it was perfect. I took another step backward, kicking out my steady foot, and fell against Maddox, catching him somewhat off guard. His protective instincts kicked in, and before I could tumble to the ground he caught me. Seeing the intimate contact, Seuss sprang forward shifting in midair. Fucking beautiful. His wolf pushed forward so hard, fast, and forcefully that his shift was fluid like water.

“Justice!” Maddox yelled.

My feet caught the ground in time to shield Maddox as Seuss went straight for his throat. I should have looked away. I felt it. I was supposed to submit to his will, but he was too glorious in this form to be denied that right. He was too fury driven to realize that I was standing where Maddox once was. There was a chance that he may not sense his own scent marking every inch of my skin. I felt his heat as he drew nearer, and just as he was about to deliver his wrath, I roared back at him.

Recognition dawned in the last second, and we tumbled to the ground. Seuss took the brunt of the fall, but his claw nicked the side of my neck. We rolled until he was on top of me, and I was gazing into the bluest eyes. I roared at him again demanding that he listen. A stubborn wolf, with hair so black that it almost appeared to be purple, stared down at me. He leaned down and shifted my head to the side before licking the wound on my neck. He hummed at the first lick, and I felt the heat from his body grow even hotter, almost scorching my skin.

I maneuvered my head back to stare into his eyes once again. “Seuss, come back to me.”

I stroked the hair of the wolf hoping to sate the beast and appeal to the man. “I’m yours and only yours.”

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