Page 53 of Sold Wolf Slave

The knocking continued, seeming to grow more insistent every second. My heart beat faster. Any vague hope that one of the Gold Wolves had forgotten their key evaporated.

I stayed silent, backing away from the door and moving deeper into the house even as my eyes remained glued to the door. Maybe if I didn’t make a sound, they would assume no one was home and leave.

The continued pounding on the door told me that it was about as likely as Cain letting Morgan waltz out of his palace.

I turned, planning on running up the stairs to my room. There was a chance I could catch a glimpse of who it was. If worst came to worst, I could probably sneak out that way.

The sound of splintering wood cracked behind me, and a moment later, a loud slamming sound boomed through the house, rattling the foundation. I spun on my heels just in time to see a large, unpleasantly familiar shifter step into the house. Behind him, the door swung feebly, the wood around the lock destroyed.

Ronan grinned when he locked eyes with me as he stomped over the splinters of wood. A chain clanked and rattled as it dangled from one hand, swinging ominously with each step.

My heart lurched into my throat as I stared at the intruder, temporarily petrified and unable to move as he strolled forward. Finally, when I did manage to move, I stumbled backward and tripped over my feet, falling to the ground. He let out a harsh, mocking laugh as I did.

“Making it easy on me, I see,” he jeered.

“What are you doing here?” I asked, staggering to my feet as fear gripped my insides. My eyes kept flicking toward the leash lazily swinging from his fist. I took a few steps back, trying to put as much distance between me and him.

“Coming to collect you, of course,” Ronan said. “Don’t make a scene.”

My mouth went dry. I backed up further, my only thought to stall and hope that someone came back before things got out of hand.

“I was sold off and married, remember?” I glanced around, trying to judge whether I could run around him and get to the door before he could grab me. “You were there. Cain doesn’t own me anymore. He doesn’t have that authority.”

He let out another rough laugh. “Cain considers that deal and the marriage null and void after yourformermaster attacked some of his men,” he said, and the way he said “former” made my skin crawl. “Which means you’re our property again.”

My stomach clenched. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. He didn’t attack anyone.”

That chuckle once again. I wanted to tear him to shreds just for that awful, grating sound.

“See, you and your friends might have made everyone forget,” he said, “But you’ve got to remember we’ve got witches who work with us. Lucas cast a truth spell on your sister, and she told us everything.”

The wind rushed out of me as I gaped, mouth opening and closing like a fish as panic washed over me. I took a step back without realizing it, eyes darting toward the hallway, trying to figure out if I could leave.

“So, like I said, you’re coming with me,” Ronan said. “Do me a favor—make it easier on both of us and just come along. We both know you’re not going to be able to fight.”

“You might want to take that up with Will,” I said. “He’s upstairs right now. Will!”

Ronan humored me, pausing just long enough to tilt his head and cup one ear, making a show of waiting for some sound up ahead.

“Nice try,” he said. “You’re coming with me.”

No. I wasn’t going with him. I wouldn’t let him take me again. But I couldn’t fight him, and I had no way of running outside, not with him blocking the entrance. I was stuck, and we both knew it.

Unsure what else to do, I turned and ran into the kitchen. I heard an exasperated sigh resonate behind me, as if this whole thing was a tedious inconvenience. Then Ronan marched after me at a brisk but casual pace, as if none of this was remotely strenuous for him.

I got to the counter, searching wildly for anything I could use to protect myself. Ronan was already stalking toward me with a snarl. He was almost close enough to grab me.

Without thinking, I pulled a knife from the block just as he reached out to grab me. I raised the knife and plunged it toward his heart.

My hand halted inches from his chest, refusing to move any further as if the knife had hit an invisible wall. My heart sank as I tried to force my way through that barrier. All the while, Ronan just stood there, not even flinching.

He laughed, knocking the knife from my hand and grabbing my wrist, squeezing tight. “You know you can’t hurt me, so why the hell are you even trying?”

I struggled, trying to wrench myself from his grip. My knee shot forward, heading straight for his crotch. Once again, I stopped long before I got anywhere near him.

“Come on, I know you’re not stupid,” Ronan said.

Before I could get away, he reached out and fastened the chain to my collar. The instant it was there, he jerked me forward, holding me in place. I tried to pull away, but he just jerked it again, jostling my head as he pulled my face close to his.

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