Page 58 of Nightmare Island

The wolves around us go wild, rushing around, howling, growling.

Sten laughs, the sound grating on my skin. “I don’t fucking owe you or anyone anything, you fucking weasel.”

A gasp tears from my throat as Axel falls to his knees, hands clutching his neck. Sten lets out a sharp whistle, and wolves of all sizes and colors emerge from the shadows.

“Have at it,” Sten calls out, grinning. “I don’t want any remains.”

I want to look away but can’t as the wolves descend. The sounds. Oh gods, the sounds—tearing flesh, cracking bones, Axel’s gurgling screams cut short.

My whole body trembles, and I feel the familiar electric tingle in the air as clouds begin gathering overhead, responding to my fear.

But Sten’s back.

“Don’t touch me.”

His hand is back on my chin, squeezing, forcing me to look at him.

“I see you’re calling your storm.” His grin is all teeth, no humanity. “So let’s make this quick.”

And a scream rushes past my mouth as I watch him lift his blade.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

Chapter

Fourteen

HEL

My life flashes before my eyes as Sten lifts the blade, Axel’s blood still dripping from its edge. The metallic scent of it makes my stomach turn, or maybe that’s just the fear I’m trying desperately to swallow down. The rough bark of the tree digs into my back, the ropes cutting into my wrists, and all I can think is how stupid I was to end up here.

“Please.” The word escapes before I can stop it, small and pathetic. “Don’t?—”

My breath hitches in my lungs as a memory crashes over me.

“Please, Jarl, I’m sorry.” The marble floor is cold against my cheek, blood pooling in my mouth. “I didn’t mean to?—”

His boot connects with my ribs. “Fucking weak,” he spits. “Begging like a dog. Is that what you are? A dog?” Another kick, and I scream, clutching at my middle. “Because dogs need to learn their place.”

That was the last time I ever begged. The last time I showed my belly to a predator. If he was going to beat me, then I’d fucking mouth off and tell him what I felt… something that slowly morphed into sarcasm. Jarl loathed it, and why I did itmore and more. I guess, in the end, it’s also why he decided to trade me in for a new Omega.

Sten’s laugh yanks me back to the present, and before I can brace myself, the blade flashes toward me. I scream, expecting death, but instead feel a sharp sting across my arm. Blood wells up from the cut, trickling down my skin, then the sharpness of the pain digs into my arm.

“What the fuck?” I wince.

His hand cracks across my face, the force snapping my head to the side. Stars dance in my vision as he wipes his blade on my shirt, spreading Axel’s blood across the fabric. Above us, thunder rolls across the sky like Thor clearing his throat.

Where’s Ghost?The thought comes desperately. This morning, his scent had been everywhere, wrapped around me like a security blanket. I’d felt safe, protected, knowing he was close. I sensed it deep within me. Now I don’t sense him at all… Does he know I’m gone? Does he sense it too?

“Such a powerful Omega.” Sten runs the back of his knuckles across my cheek. “We don’t see many with such powers, do we? But none of that matters now because you’re mine, and you’re going to become my good little slave.”

“I’d rather die.” I spit at him, satisfaction blooming as it lands on his cheek.

He wipes the spit away slowly. “What I have in store for you is far worse than death, Omega.”

A fat raindrop hits my nose, and I glance up at the roiling clouds. More drops follow, pattering against leaves and dirt. Around us, the wolves close in, their muzzles still wet with Axel’s blood. My stomach lurches at the memory of them tearing him apart, the sounds of flesh ripping and bones cracking.

“Ghost’s coming for you,” I state, but the words ring hollow, even to my own ears. How could he find me when I can’t evensense him anymore? When I have no damn clue where I am on the island.

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