Page 32 of Auctioned Wolf Bride

Just as I was beginning to wonder if I had been wrong, something flew through the window, sending shards of glass flying through the air, slicing across my face. I stumbled backward, hand covering my eyes.

A scream pierced through the air. Thea.

I spun around. Her eyes were locked on the wooden door. A dull thumping sound echoed through the air, the door rattling in its frame as someone tried to break in.

I moved toward Thea. Before I could get more than a few steps, someone leapt through the open window. I spun back just in time to see a snarling wolf jumping toward me, jaws wide as they lunged for my throat.

I threw up a hand, crying out as I fell to the ground, the wolf’s teeth sinking into my forearm. My head slammed against the floor as the breath rushed out of me. At the same time, the sound of cracking, splintering wood reverberated as someone broke the door, bursting into the room.

I shifted, but it was too late, the wolf keeping me in place. I stayed pinned to the floor, so the only thing I could do was watch as a hulking figure sauntered into the safe house.

Viktor’s eyes flicked to me, the shifter’s paw pressing against my throat, then flicked to Thea, still in the middle of the room, her only way of escape blocked by the massive shifter. He smirked.

“Good to see you both,” he said. “We’ve been looking for you.”

Chapter 11 - Thea

My heart pounded as my eyes darted from the blocked doorway to Tannen on the floor to Viktor strutting toward me. He had the same sickening smile on his face that he’d had the first time he’d found me in the woods. My stomach churned, dread and fear running through me. I swallowed, forcing myself to get a grip. Panicking now wasn’t going to do me or Tannen any favors. I had to keep a level head.

Viktor’s smug smile turned into a scowl as he glowered at me. “You two really know how to stir up trouble, don’t you?” he snarled. “Do you wanna know how much those girls getting away cost us?”

I tried to keep the fear out of my expression, even as memories of our first encounter continued to swim in my head. I remembered how weak I’d felt, how pathetic, how afraid I’d been. I pushed those thoughts away. They weren’t going to do me any good.

“Glad to know they got out,” I said evenly. “And trust me, where they’ve gone, you’re never getting near them again.”

He gave a low, menacing growl that I knew was supposed to be threatening, but it washed over me. I’d dealt with enough bullies in my lifetime not to flinch from one, even if I was terrified and knew how easily things could go south. But show any lick of fear, and you’re done for.

Keeping my eyes locked on him, forcing my hand not to tremble even though I knew the odds were stacked against us, I pulled out my knife.

He laughed, his mockery grating. “You really think you can beat me?” he asked. “I beat you once, sweetheart. I can do it again.” He stepped forward. “You’re coming with us. Damienwants a word. After that, we’ll decide what to do with you. But first, we have to deal with your friend over here.”

I snarled, fingers tightening around the knife. Glancing at Tannen, I saw him struggling beneath the other shifter. There was no way in hell I was going to let them do anything to Tannen, not after he had saved me.

I darted forward, narrowly missing him as my knife arced through the air inches from his face. He sidestepped, laughing, hand lashing out for my hair but grabbing air instead, and I was on the other side of him, nothing between me and freedom.

The door was dangling on one hinge. I could make a break for it. There was a chance I could outrun Viktor and get away. I knew I could get to the door first, at the very least. I might be able to escape unscathed.

I looked over at Tannen again. I could tell by his expression that he wanted me to run, to get out and save myself. But I couldn’t do that. It wasn’t in my nature. I may have been an absent, but I wasn’t a coward, and I wasn’t about to let him die for me.

I spun back to face Viktor, who laughed.

“You must be dumber than I thought,” he jeered.

“Thea, run—” Tannen spat, but I barely heard him. I focused on Viktor as he continued to loom nearer. I only had one shot at this.

My hand darted out, knife swiping toward him. Viktor’s hand clamped around my wrist, crushing it as he yanked me toward him.

He jerked my arm behind my back, twisting my wrist until I cried in pain and the knife clattered to the ground. It flew across the floor as he kicked it away. His free hand clampedaround my throat as he pressed me against him, steering me around so we were facing Tannen and the other wolf. His fingers lengthened to claws, pressing into my flesh, making it hard to breathe.

“I want you to watch as my friend rips out his throat,” he hissed. “Once that’s done, you’ll be fair game again, and we’ll sell you off. Get back some of that money you lost us, hmm?”

I squirmed and writhed, trying to break free as the other wolf loomed over Tannen. I struggled, trying to worm out of Viktor’s grasp even as his hold on me tightened. His hand snaked around my waist, jerking me so my body was flush against his.

“Granted, I guess it isn’t a total loss,” Viktor mused. “We got fifty grand from your friend, and when we sell you again, we’ll get some more from you. And it won’t be long until we get some new girls.” His reeking breath brushed against my hair and filled my nostrils as he pinned me against him.

“Go to hell,” I spat as I tried to wriggle away.

He laughed, and there was something in the laugh that made my stomach crawl even more. Just out of the corner of my eye, my stomach crawled as I realized he was looking down my shirt, an amused, hungry look on his face.

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