Page 1 of Howling With Wolves

Chapter One

~ Emma ~

A whimper of pain escaped my lips as the bulky boot hit my side again. I heard the crack but was beyond the pain, floating somewhere he couldn’t reach. I was too broken to call my wolf. I couldn’t reach her, hadn’t been able to for too long. I had no idea how long I’d been locked in this room. Alone. Without food or water. Without light. With nothing but four walls that acted like a cage I couldn’t break free of.

“Emma, Emma, Emma. Such a disappointment. I expected so much better from you.”

From the proximity of his voice, I assumed my father was squatting beside me. My eyes had swollen shut…yesterday? The day before? I didn’t know. I didn’t know where my brother was, didn’t know what had happened to my mother, didn’t know any of the information my father demanded of me. The only thing I felt certain about was, I would never leave this room. Not alive anyway.

A sigh left my father’s lips. We’d never been close. Once upon a time, I’d bemoaned the fact my father rarely acknowledged my existence. I’d give anything to go back to that now.

“Alpha, there’s a call for you. Says it’s important.”

Hard fingers gripped my hair, ripping several strands free, when he shook me by that tight grip.

“I’ll be back. Think real hard while I’m gone, little girl. I won’t go easy on you next time.”

I didn’t know where my laugh came from, but it bubbled up my throat on a stream of blood, spraying the air in a wheezing exhale.

“Stupid bitch.”

I knew that voice but couldn’t place it. One of my dad’s new enforcers. Someone young, dumb, and easily controlled. That was how he liked them. I was certain the male who’d spoken was the one who’d broke my wrist when he’d refused to release his grip as I was slammed face-first into the wall.

“Want me to rough her up some more? Shake some memories free?”

Another gurgle from my throat. Inside, I was still the sarcastic woman I’d always been. Inside, I laughed at the thought of him doing anything else to me. I couldn’t feel it anyway. Outside, I lay on the floor in a pool of my own blood and piss, waiting to die.

“Leave her. We’ll bring the hose when we come back. She smells.”

I must have passed out at some point. Next thing I knew, I was hallucinating.

“Oh, my baby. What has he done to you?”

“Mom?” I wasn’t sure if the word cleared my lips or not, but tears burned as I felt the soft sweep of her hand along my battered cheek.

“I know you’re hurting, but we’ve got to get you out of here. Quickly. Before he realizes I’m here.”

I whimpered as I felt those hands skim along my sides and try to help me sit up. I was broken in too many places.

“She won’t be able to shift,” Mom whispered to someone. “You’ll have to carry her.”

“And take her where? No one will take her in and protect her from him.”

“I know someone who might.” Sadness wrapped around my mother’s voice. “Just help me get her out of here. I’ll tell you where to take her when we get her to the car.”

Strong arms slid beneath my back, lifting me high against a chest. I focused on the sound of his footsteps, though he moved with the quiet stealth of one of us. I didn’t recognize his voice, but wasn’t that how delusions worked? Why wouldn’t I imagine someone saving me from the hell I was in?

“Oh, God.” My mother’s voice again. “What did he do? My baby.”

“Sam?” I wasn’t sure if I slurred out my brother’s name or not.

“I don’t know where he is. I have to believe he’s somewhere safe. Get her in the back. Gently. Gently. Oh, my baby. I’m so sorry. I never thought your father would hurt you. Never in a million years. I’ll make this right. I swear to you, Emma. I’ll make sure he pays for what he did.

“How the hell are you going to make him pay?” I heard the male with her ask.

“Listen to me. I need you to take her to the James Pack.”

“Why the hell would you send her there? They’re not exactly known for their softness!” The male’s voice was hard, but his touch was gentle.

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