Page 77 of Arranged Wolf's Nanny
John gestured, and suddenly there were hands restraining her, forcing her arms behind her back. She cried out, trying to wrench free, but the alpha had her firm. She stopped, her hair falling loose about her shoulders, her eyes wild.
“No,” John said softly, “I don’t think you will. Even if you got free, they wouldn’t let you within ten miles of their territory. Not after what you did.”
“I didn’tdoanything!”
John arched a brow, “You keep saying that. Perhaps you need a reminder. Katie?”
Rosalia stiffened, her heart dropping.
No. No, no, no.
The door opened with a soft creak. “Yes, Alpha?”
Rosalia wrenched around, her heart cracking in two as Katie shuffled into the room, her eyes downcast.
“Katie,” Rosalia breathed, her wolf howling within her. “Tell me it’s not true,” she begged. “Tell me you didn’t—”
Katie flinched, hands twisting together. “I’m so sorry. He promised—he promised if I did as he asked, he wouldn’t—”
“Wouldn’t what?” Rosalia demanded, voice sharp as glass.
Katie’s voice cracked. “He brokered a marriage. Between me and Raph.”
Silence slammed down.
Rosalia staggered back, nausea rising. “No…”
Katie’s tears spilled over. “I didn’t want to. But he said if I refused, he’d…he’d…” Her sobs cut off the rest.
Raph’s cold laughter chilled her to her core. “I need a new son, after all.”
Rosalia’s heart fractured. “You were all I had,” she whispered, voice breaking.
Katie wept openly, collapsing into a chair.
John clapped once, sharp. “Enough sentiment. Now is the time, Raph. The Iron Walkers are exposed. Reinhardt’s temper frayed, his plans ruined. We strike while the iron is hot.”
Rosalia’s head snapped up. “No—”
“Lock her away,” John barked, flicking his hand.
The alpha tugged her towards the door, and she fought hard, ignoring the sharp wrenches of pain in her joints. It was no use. His grip was iron.
“Father, don’t—please—”
John leaned close, his breath hot and sour. “You’ll stay put, little girl. I can’t have you running to Reinhardt, can I? No, you’ll sit and watch while we finally drag those bastards into the earth.”
Rosalia thrashed, her wolf snarling within, but the guard dragged her down the hall. Her boots scraped the floorboards, her breath came in ragged gasps.
Behind her, she heard Raph’s laughter, John’s smug voice, Katie’s muffled sobs.
The guards shoved her into a small room, slammed the door, and threw the bolt.
Darkness pressed in.
Rosalia stumbled to her knees, chest heaving, tears burning her eyes.
She pressed her forehead to the cold wall, trembling.
