Page 104 of A Wolf's Wound
“I’ll take my chances,” Ryder says.
I don’t answer, because now I know what Brian means.I know why we’re here, and what he’s planned.
This is his “gift” to Ryder.Seeing how Ryder responds to the scent, seeing if I survive the bite.Brian’s devised a way to prove whether Ryder and I should be together.If it weren’t so diabolical, it could almost be admirable.
But because it is diabolical, and because it will likely result in my death, I’m filled with cold fear.“Brian, you don’t have to do this,” I say hoarsely.“I can just leave Stonehaven.We don’t need to find this out.”
“But we do,” Brian insists as Ryder looks at me.I can see the realization dawning in his eyes.
“No, we don’t,” Ryder says just as firmly.“Brian, you’ve proved that you created something truly revolutionary.We can just leave it at that.”
“Look at her,” Brian tells Ryder, gesturing at me.“Isn’t she a lovely gift?Could you ask for a better present?”
“Brian,” I whisper.
“She’s not a gift,” Ryder protests.“She’s a human, not an object.”
“But you want her for yourself,” Brian says.“And she wants you.I’ve been observing you two, so don’t try to lie to me anymore.”
“Okay,” Ryder says softly.“Yes, I want Hannah.”
“And I want Ryder,” I say just as quietly.
Brian grins again.“Thank you for being honest.But if Hannah expects to be worthy of a shifter like you, Ryder, she’ll have to prove herself worthy too.”
Chapter 59
Ryder
BeforeeitherHannahorI can respond, Brian pulls a small vial out of his pocket.“Brian!”I yell as he twists off the cap.
The scent hits me like a punch in the face.I sink to my knees, overcome.I clamp my hands over my nose and mouth but it’s too late.The scent is inside me, rushing through my body.I can’t stop it.And with the scent comes the desire to bite Hannah.
My brain is telling me to stay down, to not look around.And especially not to look at Hannah.But even as I think that, I realize that I’m standing up and moving toward her.I can feel her flesh in my mouth.
I dimly hear Brian laughing behind me.I want to turn around and punch him, but even more than that, I’m drawn to Hannah.She stands before me, looking terrified.Tears are running down her face.
“Ryder, please don’t,” Hannah pleads.
It takes all of my strength to look away.I have to fight this!I can’t hurt Hannah!
But it’s no use.I know exactly how she’ll taste.The desire to bite her is so intense that I can feel my hands shaking in anticipation.And the scent is too overwhelming.I can’t avert my eyes from Hannah for long.
When I look back at her, she’s stopped crying.Her face is pale but resolute.I can tell that she’s accepted what is about to happen.She looks so brave and resigned.
“Hannah,” I growl, moving toward her.My hands are reaching out as if of their own volition.I touch her skin and a deep shiver of pleasure pierces me to my core.I run my hands through her hair, pulling her close to me.
I hear Hannah gasp and realize I’m tugging her hair.I can’t let go, though.It’s like I am possessed.
No—notlikeI’m possessed.I am.I’m possessed by the need to claim her, to make her mine.I move my hands from her hair down to her shoulders and then her back.I feel the heat of her body pressed against me and lean down closer to her.The instinct to bite is as strong as I’ve ever felt it.
I close my eyes, trying to summon the willpower to release her.That’s what the small, insistent voice deep in my brain is telling me to do.Push Hannah away, break the vial, destroy Brian—those are the actions I should be taking.
But that scent!It’s taking over my brain, controlling all of my movements.It’s drowning out almost everything around me.I can’t help but inhale.It smells so good, containing within it all of my deepest desires.The already-soft, logical voice inside me gets even quieter.
The voice whispers that I shouldn’t react like this.I’m a pawn in Brian’s sick game.I hear the truth in those words but I’m powerless to stop myself.
In my mind’s eye I can see what Brian is seeing: me looming over Hannah, about to do something that could very well kill her.That probably will kill her, in fact.The image burns itself into me but instead of the revulsion I know I should feel, it ignites an even wilder excitement within me.I can’t resist much longer.
