Page 124 of Break The Ice

I catch a scent of hay, and my panic explodes, but I’m just dragged along until I find my feet again. The mystery assailant drags me into the shadows and swiftly starts marching me away from the stadium. I pull and try to yank free, opening my mouth to scream, but the alpha turns and barks at me. I fall silent, moving without protest after him.

I know who this is. He’s my worst nightmare. All my fears. The one person who I can never escape from. I still have scars on my body that he gave me.

Our history goes too deep to ever think I could escape Freddie Sanders.

My head feels sluggish, and fear is just about all I know. I’m only just aware of where I am, but I can’t think of what to do to get free.

I can barely breathe.

“Did you think you could get away from me? We’ve got a past, you and I. Coming out here acting all uppity and better than me. It’s not fair. You don’t deserve it.”

“Freddie,” I whisper. “Let me go.”

“Not until I teach you a damn lesson.” He holds up Raider’s phone and then drops it to the ground and crushes it beneath his shoe.

Panic turns the edges of my vision black. I could open the bonds, but we discussed it. We didn’t want to burden Ryann with our fear, and Raider is hurt. She would feel everything. Me, Raider, and Callan, all our emotional mess would be poured into her.

“I’m sorry, Freddie,” I say out of habit.

“Not yet, but you’re going to be.”

“Why do you hate me so much?” I shout. Not that it matters, there’s no one around to hear.

“Cause you’re unnatural. Weird. Small and weak. Girly. Why do I need a damn reason? You just aren’t right. It’s our job to separate the weak from the herd and make it so they know their place.”

This toxic bullshit is the same shit I heard his father preach. It sounds more sinister coming out of his son’s mouth.

I finally get a look at his face. He looks awful. His skin is sallow and pockmarked, he’s got thick, patchy stubble on his face, and his mud brown eyes are cold and lifeless.

He looks like the monster he was on the way to becoming.

Is there any way to reason with such vile hatred? Can it be talked through? Can it be untaught? Is there any mercy left in him?

Why am I so afraid?

Because he hurts me. Because he’s done it most of my life. One day, he will go too far and kill me.

I feel numb and glance back at the stadium, getting further and further away from the pack that needs me.

No! Ryann!

I pull against him, but he whirls and hits me with a closed fist.

I fall to the ground, staring up at him. Nothing’s changed. I’m still the weak Kit, and he’s still my nightmare.

Nothing has fucking changed.

Chapter thirty-five

Ryann

The crowd around meis noisy and restless. It’s so loud sitting here in the stands, but this place where I’ve always felt comfortable is now leaving me feeling exposed. I shift my weight and look left and right. The woman sitting two seats over has green paint on her face and is wearing plastic horns that light up. She could be anyone.

A wave of irrational fear hits me.

Where are Callan and Kit? They should have been back by now. I glance down at my phone, but there’s no missed calls or messages.

Even the game isn’t holding my attention. Every time I look at the ice, I’m reminded that Raider is hurt and Wren left last night.

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