Page 5 of Moonlit Choosing Ritual

When he went to put the collar on, I slapped his hand away. “Stop it!” I snapped.

The door opened and one of the guards standing outside grabbed my hands. Kenzie tightened his lips and forced the collar around my neck. He buckled it and fastened it with a lock, sliding the key through the screen to my “owner.” Fear like I’d never experienced before coursed through my body, paralyzing my will and chilling my bones.

The guard left, closing the door behind me. Kenzie gave me the leash and secured the locks of the car. My eyes went to the leash in my lap. It was as if my owner was putting me on a rein, showing he had absolute control over me and could pull my leash any time. I clenched my fists around the leather, anxiety swarming inside me like a hive of angry bees.

The car rolled out of the parking lot and sped toward the highway. From the side-view mirror, I noticed that two more black sedans were following.

Darkness settled around me as the SUV sped along the lonely highway. The road cut through a forest with dense, towering trees, which stood like sentinels guarding the secrets of the wilderness. The headlights pierced the darkness, casting long shadows that danced amongst the trunks and foliage. Distant animal calls, wolves howling, would sound occasionally, cutting through the hum of the engine.

In order to break the silence, Kenzie put on soft classical music, which I didn’t recognize but I wish I had, because itbrought tears to my eyes. “I have a small request,” I said meekly, glancing at him.

He hadn’t spoken a word since we set off about three hours back. “Sure!” he said, sounding surprised.

“Can you—” I contemplated whether I should ask, but went ahead with my question, nonetheless. “I had my bag packed at home.” I fidgeted with the leash in my lap. “Can you get that for me?”

“Your home?” he asked with amusement in his voice.

I nodded. “Yes, I can give you the address. It contains my books and…” I swallowed the remaining words. The bag contained the money I saved to run away with. It had about $2000 in a hidden pocket.

“And what?” he pushed.

“My clothes and photos,” I lied… partially. Other than a passport-size photo of me, there was nothing else in it. I intended to get my passport because I planned on escaping this country.

“I can’t promise, but we’ll see,” he replied, his shoulder tensing as he took a rough breath.

“Thanks.” I looked out the window and wondered if I could escape before my owner completely destroyed me. An hour later, a plan formed in my head. “How long before we get there?”

“Another two hours.”

“I need to pee.”

Kenzie jerked his head to look at me.

“Urgently,” I added.

He pursed his lips and looked forward, his eyes going weirdly blank for a moment. Several minutes later, he nodded and breathed, “Okay, I’ll stop, but you can’t go very far inside the forest. This place is full of dangerous beasts, especially wolves, who can attack you anytime.”

“I won’t,” I said.

I would. And I would run away.

He pulled the car to the side, and as soon as I opened the door, I was shocked to see him and two other guards already outside it. How did they get round the car in the flash of a second?

“You have five minutes,” Kenzie said.

Five minutes were more than enough. “Please stay here and don’t follow me.”

He chuckled. “Of course, I’ll follow you. But I’ll keep my distance.”

Shit. If he stayed close, how would I carry out my plan?

The two guards next to him gave me fierce looks, sniffing the air as I walked behind a tree. I took the blade out of my shorts, thanking Josh.

Chapter 3

Talon

Bidding for her was the dumbest thing I’d ever done.

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