Page 2 of Hitched to the Vampire King

When I looked at him now, I felt broken. The stark reality of our situation—caged, weakened, and left to the mercy of our enemies—brought back all those old shadows of doubt and loneliness. I felt like that little girl again, the one who was never quite enough, and always stuck on the outside looking in.

No.

I couldn’t think like that.

Iwasn’tthat same girl anymore. That helpless child had grown into something far stronger. She was fierce, powerful, and capable. I was no longer alone. I had to remember that. I had friends and a family, all of whom were likely searching for us. And I had Gabriel, who neededmenow more than ever.

I could do this. I could save us. I had to.

The dreaded sound of approaching footsteps cut through my thoughts. It didn’t take long—a mere instant—before the stench of fear filled the room. I terrified the human guards, but sadly, that didn’t stop them from doing their job.

I ground my teeth and faced Gabriel’s cage, silently begging him to wake up, as I had every night since this all began. But he hadn’t so much as twitched since he’d gone completely catatonic. I was trying not to focus on that. Trying not to give voice to my fears that he was dead.

“Bitch is in wolf form again,” one guard muttered as they came to a stop before our cages.

I caught his gaze and growled, my hackles raised and teeth fully displayed. With a choked breath, he fell back a step, his eyes wide with terror. I couldn’t grin in this form, but my lips did twitch just the slightest bit. I’d never taken joy in someone else’s fear before, but for these two, I’d definitely make an exception.

The other guard clutched a syringe in his hand, and the sight of it pulled another deep, guttural growl from my chest. I’d long since promised myself that I would make these two suffer. The things I’d fantasized doing to them…. Even now, the imagined crunch of their bones echoed in my head. Hell, I could almost taste their blood in my mouth.

“Does Adrian know she keeps doing this?” a guard asked.

“He knows,” the other replied. “He doesn’t seem too concerned. She’s contained, and she ain’t getting out of that cage any time soon. Werewolf or not, she’ll die alongside her bloodsucking mate.”

A savage snarl exploded past my lips. Both jumped back, their heartbeats kicking into overdrive. Maybe I’d die here. But I would make sure they did too.

“Stupid mutt,” the first guard muttered, before spitting on the floor.

Together, they turned their backs on me and headed for Gabriel’s cage. Maybe it was my rampant exhaustion and unhinged emotions, but the sight of them approaching Gabriel ignited a fresh surge of raw, untamed fury within me. I lunged forward, another furious snarl ripping free of my throat. My massive body slammed into the bars with a force that made the whole thing shudder. The sound echoed through the room, the metal screeching under impact.

One of the guards cried out and jumped back, his hands flailing almost comically in the air. Maybe later, when Gabriel and I were safe, I would look back on this moment and laugh. But right now, I couldn’t focus on anything except breaking down these damn bars.

Again and again, I rammed into the unyielding cage. Pain reverberated through my entire body. I hurt all over, even in places I hadn’t known existed. But I didn’t stop. I couldn’t. Ihadto break free, no matter how futile my attempts seemed. And when I did, I would rip their heads off and laugh as they died.

I wasn’t sure what these bars were made of, but they were certainly strong enough to withstand a werewolf’s strength. Adrian had seen to that. Yet another reason I wanted him dead. I refused to let any of this stop me though.Eventually, the bars would give, right?

Sadly, the cage seemed to enjoy proving me wrong, because yet again, no matter how hard I struck, it held.

“Oi!” a guard yelled, his British accent thickening. “Shut up, will ya? Or did ya forget that I can double his dose? You want that?”

I immediately staggered to a stop, my body aching. Pain blossomed through my shoulder and down my side. I’d broken something. Great. It’d heal, but not as quickly, thanks to my depleted energy.

Heaving for breath, I locked eyes with the guard, memorizing every little detail about him.

He pulled a second, capped syringe out of one of his pockets and shook it at me.

I snarled, unable to restrain myself.

“Be a good little wolf, and I won’t have to do it,” he taunted.

My growl quieted, but I stared him down as he entered Gabriel’s cage. It took every ounce of strength I possessed not to attack the bars again. But I couldn’t risk them doubling his dose. One was bad enough.

One guard crouched next to Gabriel’s still form while the other stood nearby. My fur stood on end as I watched them stick that needle into Gabriel’s neck and administer the holy water. I subconsciously stole a step closer, hoping even for the slightest reaction to tell me he was still fighting.

Nothing, and my heart sank.

The guard rose from Gabriel’s side, and backed out of the cage. I tracked their every step, my gaze burning a hole through them. I couldn’t speak in this form, but I didn’t need to. They knew they were already dead. I just needed the opportunity. And that momentwouldcome. As would Adrian’s. I might even return the favor and pump him full of holy water first. It gave me a perverse satisfaction to imagine that.

The two guards retreated from the room, one walking backward to keep his focus on me. Guess they were worried I’d escape—and they should be. When I got out of here, I’d rain hell down on this place.

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