Page 2 of Marigold Run

“Lost?” Ponytail snorts. “Did you hear that, Cardis?” He smirks at the other alpha. “This sweet creature is worried we might be lost.”

Cardis chuckles as he steps up next to his brother. “We’re not lost, sweetheart.” He crosses his arms, dropping his gaze from my face, down my dirty shirt and mud-crusted pants. He licks his lips, and I notice the tip of his dick sticking out of his waistband.

“How about this?” I take a careful step toward them. My body screams for me to turn and run, but my determination keeps me in place. “How about the three of us head over to the clearing.” I look past them at the way we came. “We can have some fun.”

“The three of us?” Ponytail’s brows jut upward. “I think you’re missing someone.” His hungry gaze drifts to Stefan behind me.

“He’s sick,” I say, panic seeping into my strained voice. “Caught some kind of virus that gave him a bubbling rash all along his chest and?—”

“Mari!” Stefan’s breath is still coming out in harsh pants. “Don’t?—”

“Shut up!” I snap, not daring to look back at him. I know if I do, I’ll burst into tears, and the last thing I want to do right now is cry in front of these assholes. “How about it?” I look between the two alphas.

“Bubbling rash?” Cardis’s upper lip curls in disgust.

“She’s lying,” Ponytail says. “She doesn’t want us to touch him.” Cardis’s eyes go wide. It’s obvious the idiot didn’t even consider that. “Are you untouched?” Ponytail says loudly to Stefan. “Do you have a virgin ass?”

“He’s a child,” I snap as my nerves stretch tighter. “He’s underage and sick.”

Stefan isn’t underage.At least I don't think he is.

It’s impossible to keep track of the days out here. The only thing I know for sure is that we’ve seen two winters since we ran away. Stefan should be eighteen, or he will be soon. But it doesn’t really matter.

All I want is for him to be able to see tomorrow morning.

“I’ve never fucked a virgin before,” Cardis’s gravelly voice makes my whole body tense.

“Pure omegas catch more money. And since he’s a male, that’ll actually make him worth something,” Ponytail says to his brother. “Donovan won’t be too pleased if you destroy his inventory.”

Cardis’s eyes narrow as he thinks it over. “You know that bringing in two used omegas will still catch Don a decent amount of money. Someone will want to play with that boy no matter what condition he’s in.” His hungry gaze cuts to me. He licks his lips before looking back at his brother. “And the girl is young and attractive. She’ll make plenty of money for the both of them, and you know it.”

Ponytail tilts his head to one side as he considers that. “I guess that’s true.”

“Come on,” Cardis prods his brother. “We deserve to indulge every now and then. Let loose.” His voice slips into a husky growl. “You can’t put a price on getting to enjoy virgin slick.”

Cold fear cuts through my veins, and I inch backward, closer to Stefan.

Ponytail snorts, then his face contorts into an evil grin. “I guess it’s not like Donovan will know.” The pair throw their heads back, filling the quiet trees with their booming laughs.

“Don’t you fucking dare,” I growl, flashing my teeth.

Ponytail laughs even harder and his brother does the same. “You’ve got fire.” He takes a step over a twisted root toward me, and terror tightens my throat. “I bet you’ll be fun to break in.” He grabs his cock through his pants, squeezing it.

“Run!” I scream, then rush Ponytail, slamming into his rock-hard chest. His heels catch on the root, and his arms flail as he falls flat on his ass. “Run!” I turn my attention to Cardis,slapping at his face and arms. The alpha hisses as I scratch the skin next to one eye.

“You fucking bitch!” Cardis’s fist plows into my stomach, making my body curl and my knees buckle.

I heave and gag, every muscle in my body pulling tight as I suck in ragged breaths.

“Don’t let go of him!” Cardis yells at his brother as he takes a few steps past me.

Fear for my sweet baby brother burns through me, and I force myself onto my feet.

Stefan lets out a pained yip and I jump onto Cardis’s back. Frantic, I punch and slap and hit and scream, pouring all my rage and frustration out on the back of the alpha’s head. He lets out a vicious growl, stumbling toward the edge of the cliff.

I eye the sudden drop, taking note of a few thin roots jutting out along the ledge. If I can get this asshole a little closer, I can shove him off. I don’t think the roots would be strong enough to hold the alpha's weight, should he try to climb back up.I hope.

“Careful!” Ponytail yells right as Cardis’s whole body jerks.

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