Page 83 of Shadow Bound

I nod once. “You’re welcome.” Through the many windows of the house, I look for Ransom again, but still, he’s nowhere to be found.

“He’s not here,” Ryker answers my unspoken question. “He’s been out looking for you with Ranger. When Pru called, I told him where you’d snuck off to. I think he’s still out in the woods if you want to go find him.” Something about the way he says it, leads me to believe there’s more going on, like he’s in on something.

“Okay…” I agree hesitantly, but walk off in the direction of the trees.

I’m not afraid of the dark shadows, after all, how can I be fearful of something I am one with? The moon is hidden tonight by thick clouds that threaten us with another snowfall. That’s okay though, I don’t need any light to see my way through the trees. My enhanced vision allows me to see in the dark.

It doesn’t matter anyhow, I’m so attuned to Ransom’s scent, I could lead myself to where he is with my eyes closed. There is no doubt in my mind that I’ll always be able to find him now. Like Jax said, blood calls to blood, and his is like a lighthouse in the fog beckoning me to him.

I follow the scent until it leads me into a denser, more secluded part of the forest. His intoxicating smell is so strong in the space I now stand, it doesn’t make sense that he’snothere. Looking behind trees, even looking up into their thick foliage, I search for him, but I can’t find him anywhere.

Unease works itself through me. I knew before I even stepped foot in the woods that something weird was going on. The energy is off. On high alert, I brace myself for an attack. Of course, my mind starts thinking the worst, that somehow Nessa had snatched Ransom up.

Slinking farther into the woods, I continue my search. Ryker said he was out here, and his scent is fresh. I know he’s heresomewhere. If he’s decided now is the time to play a twisted game of hide-and-seek, I’m going to beat his ass. We don’t have time for children’s games.

I make it fifty yards from the spot where his scent is strongest and come to an abrupt stop, my whole body going stiff. The icy wind that flows through the trees is carrying a new scent. Any other time I would find the smell intoxicating and alluring, but now it just fills me with nothing but fear.

Fresh blood.

Not just anyone’s blood either.

Ransom’s blood.

My body springs into action while my head is still busy panicking. Was my fear right? Did Nessa or Noah show up? Did they hurt him or worse—I have to physically shake my head to clear my brain of the thought of Ransom lying out here bleeding.

I move at my fastest speed; my boots barely feel like they hit the ground as I sprint through the trees. My only thought is getting to where Ransom is.

The blood becomes so strong, I can taste it on my tongue. It makes my throat tight and my mouth water. My gums ache as my fangs threaten to descend. Now is not the time to let the bloodlust take over, Ransom needs me.

I fly past a huge tree but skid to a halt a few feet away from it, my boots slide in the dirt and I have to put a hand down to catch myself before I topple over at the abrupt change in momentum. Slowly circling the tree, I look for him again, but Ransom is nowhere to be found.

His blood, however, has been poured over the trunk, painting the rough bark crimson.What the hell?

Warning signs start going off in my head.Trap. This is a trap.

Backpedaling away from the tree, keeping my eyes open and my ears strained, I search for the mastermind behind the cleverly placed bait. I can’t smell anything past the blood, it overpowers everything else. I’m overwhelmed by it. It also has fully awakened the monster inside of me, it beats at the cage I keep it in, desperate for a taste of the enticing blood we’re surrounded by.

The sound of a twig snapping behind me is the only alert I get before I’m abruptly grabbed from behind. At a speed my startled brain struggles to keep up with, I’m turned in their arms before my back is slammed into the rough bark of the tree. The wood bites into my spine through my thin shirt and the back of my head bounces off of it. Gasping, I look at my attacker to find… “What the hell, Ransom?”

“Hello Tink.” He gives me a wolfish grin, his white straight teeth flashing in the darkness. His eyes are in their wolf form, glowing silver orbs look back at me. “I’ve been waiting for you.” His hands skim down my arms before grasping each wrist in a vise-like grip. In a flash, he has my arms pinned above my head on the tree.

“What are you doing?” I fight his hold, but tonight something different is fueling his strength and I can’t break free. I’m also going on two days without eating and I’m weaker than I’d like.

“I’m mad at you.” He ignores my question. Leaning in close, he runs his nose along the side of my face before nipping at my jaw. Even though I’m confused and somewhat nervous as to what the hell is going on, heat pools in my lower belly. His touch instantly making my core clench. “You disobeyed me and you kept secrets from me,” he rumbles against my skin as he continues nibbling across my jaw until he’s just centimeters from my lips. “I’m not fucking okay with either, but I’ll let the fact that you left without telling me go.For now, anyway.I’m more concerned about the secret you’ve been keeping.”

I try to hide the concern that flares in my body.Does he know? Did Winslow tell him too?“I don’t know what you’re referring to,” I attempt to deflect.

He pulls back and looks at me, silver eyes flaring with impatience. “You sure there’s nothing you’d like to tell me?” he tries again.

Pausing, pretending I’m really giving it some thought, I just end up shaking my head. “Yes, there is one thing.” He relaxes a little, like he’s expecting the truth to come from my lips. “Sleeping in the same bed as you is like sharing a bed with a furnace. You also snore,” is what I say instead.

This earns me a displeased growl. “I’m growing impatient, Beau.” His hands tighten around my wrist, his claws dig into the thin skin there. “You have one more chance to be voluntarily honest with me or I’m going to force the truth from that devious mouth of yours.”

I want to tell him, I want to say the words out loud, but the idea of what comes afterward has me clamming up. “Ransom, I…” I trail off, the rest stuck in my throat.

Suddenly his mouth slams into mine and he steals my air and my trapped words. He licks into my mouth, making me moan and try to press closer to him. I want to touch him, but my pinned arms keep me immobile. His kiss isn’t nice or gentle. It’s punishing and rough. Despite that, I don’t back down. I kiss him back with just as much passion, falling into the weird vortex where I’m only aware of him.

I’m so blinded by the intense kiss that I don’t even realize he’s shifted his hands on my wrists. I do, however, come to when cold metal clamps down around them. Eyes flying open, I try to pull my hands away from the metal, but find I can’t move them. Somewhere in the low hanging branches, he’s hidden from view a metal chain with shackles.

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