Page 31 of Queen of Wrath

His vision went black, but the sounds of flesh tearing and hoarse screams echoed in his ears. It did little to deter him, though.

These were the same hopeless cries he’d heard in Facility B countless times before, which these men would torture out of those prisoners down there. They were getting what they deserved.

If I’d known things would end up like this… When Jax opened his eyes, the room was eerily still and quiet. He collapsed to the floor, his fur slick with blood. So much suffering. If only I’d known…

The taste of copper was bitter against his tongue.

The room was no longer regal.

The white carpets were soaked beyond repair, strewn with pieces of furniture and ornaments.

The walls were stained and clawed clean through.

The only thing still left was the catastrophe that was him.

I’m done being a pawn in my uncle’s plan. He won’t take anything else from me…

Jax sank into himself and reverted to his human form, sore and jittery from the high of letting his wolf out.

The door to his office opened, and the horrified looks of his men said it all.

One of them even ran out, and the sounds of vomiting echoed through the halls shortly after.

“Get the cleaners in here, keep everyone away from this area, and bring me fresh clothes.” Jax brought himself to his feet, and his men nodded in submission.

“Yes, sir.”

An uneasy feeling crept into Jax’s chest, constricting his breathing. As remorseless as he’d been just now, he couldn’t keep the shame and regret from oozing through the cracks.

Emma’s long lashes fluttered, making him wonder what kind of dream she was having. She had been asleep for nearly the whole day.

Jax was glad for that. She was going to be sore as hell the moment she woke. Those fucking bastards had done more than “question” her…

The rage swelled anew within Jax's chest. If he could kill them twice, he would have.

Jax gently ran his fingers over her cheekbone, pushing her silky hair back from her face. He felt drawn in by her, and he didn't know why.

There was something about her that was so familiar, yet he couldn't pinpoint it. All he knew was that there was some kind of bond between them. Why else would he kill to protect her?

“Who are you really, Uremma Mirth?” he murmured to her, though her only response was a delicate sigh through her slightly parted lips. “And what is it about you that’s consumed me so completely?”

The voice inside his head seemed to know something. “It’s because she reminds you of her…”

Lea.

Not that anything could ever reconcile what had already been done—especially not since she was dead and forever gone now—but he couldn’t help but think he could make things play out differently for Emma.

He’d be damned if he abandoned her to the same fate as Lea?—

Jax's marking began to burn with an unexpected ferocity.

He reached over, digging his nails into his flesh as if that would make the pain subside.

Suddenly, Emma jumped up and hissed, grabbing her shoulder as well. Her eyes trailed up to his in horror. “Jax?!”

Jax’s mind was running too fast for him to catch even a single thought. Could it be? Was Emma actually…? He stared at the bruised and confused woman before him, almost overcome with wonder, but only until reason caught up with him.

No. Those animals had beaten her to a pulp barely a day ago, of course she’d be in pain. It was only a coincidence…

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