Page 125 of Awakened
The alpha grabbed either side of the man’s head and twisted violently. The light went out of his eyes, and he crumpled to the floor.
My stomach rolled again, but thankfully, I had nothing left to puke.
“Find her!”
All the wolves and men scattered out of the warehouse, leaving me alone with the alpha and the woman I was tasked with saving.
Turning his gaze to his other captive, his face contorted into a nasty sneer.
Monique Botney, an OBGYN who ran a private clinic in southern Illinois, had contacted the Amazons after meeting her mate because she feared he would retaliate after her rejection. She’d been one hundred percent right.
The Howlers tasked me with bringing her back. Unfortunately, the Hill Pack had a more sophisticated security system than we thought, and my ass got caught.
“Monique, why would you run from Marshall? You were given to him by the Goddess.”
Monique whimpered, the sedatives slowly wearing off. She slurred, “Where am I?” She shook her head, her once shiny black curls barely moving. Angry red marks marred the light brown skin above the ropes tied around her arms as she weakly struggled against their hold.
“Hey, asswipe, focus on me. Leave her alone.”
The look of delight on the alpha’s face made me regret having ever started down this path. Why didn’t I just stay at my desk, going over spreadsheets?
Before I could brace myself, his foot smashed into my ribs. I screamed out in pain, and tears clouded my vision. No more pretenses. I was fucking done for. Another kick, this time to my knee, forcing it backward. The crack was deafening. The pain nearly knocked me out.
He grabbed my hair, his mouth ghosting the shell of my ear as he said, “Goodnight, Celeste Spencer.”
There was a heavy blow to my temple, and everything went black.
I woke up three days later in Marie’s guest bedroom connected to a million machines, with the burner sitting on the bedside table. As if it knew I was awake, it buzzed.
SCD
Welcome back, Les. You had us worried.
Disoriented from the mini coma, I put the phone down. There’d be time to sort out what the hell had happened and how I escaped certain death.
Grabbing the glass of water, I downed it. My throat burned but slowly began to feel more normal. I tried to call for Marie but could only muster out a croak. Pushing through to her mind, I told her I was awake.
One second later, she came crashing through the door with Grandma Rose in tow. Both women kneeled next to the bed, grabbing a hand.
Marie opened and shut her mouth a few times before she finally spoke. “Thank fuck you woke up. Rose and I were planning a raid on the Howlers.”
“Language, Marie.” Grandma Rose’s face held no sternness, only relief. “I could kill every one of them myself. As it is, Marie and I will be making a trip to the Hill Pack.”
I shook my head. “No one else needs to get hurt. We’ll get them in the end. Where’s Monique?”
Both women smiled, and Grandma Rose squeezed my hand. “She’s staying with Taylor for the time being. We have eyes on her 24/7.”
I nodded, relaxing back into the bed. The mission was a success.
The burner buzzed, grabbing all of our attention.
“Those fuckers are lucky they got you out in one piece,” Marie snapped, glaring at the phone.
Grandma Rose only nodded.
“They’re the ones that got me out?” My memory was fuzzy as I searched for any clue as to how that was possible.
“Yes, honey. They left you here at Marie’s. Monique and the alpha’s daughter Madeline never saw a single one of them.”Grandma Rose refilled my water glass and set the pitcher on the side table.
