Page 82 of Wolf Heart

"Tell me where they are."

I take a deep breath, trying not to get sick.

He backhands me, smashing my head against the dirt. It knocks me senseless for a second, but my wolf is raging. She wants to come out and tear his throat out, but she can't; she's not strong enough. And something is holding her back. Is it the spell my mom put on me?

I know I'm probably just a burden to her, but I've got to get her to let my wolf free.

"I'm not going to shift for you." I spit the words out, but they don't seem to faze him as though he knows I'm bluffing.

He grabs me by the neck and squeezes. I gasp, trying to suck in air, but it feels like he's crushing my windpipe.

"I don't need you to shift for me, you stupid bitch." He grunts.

My fist connects with his jaw. He ignores my attack, his gaze darkening. "You're going to die like you should have."

I kick at him, but he just laughs and punches me in the stomach. I double over onto my knees, gasping for air.

He yanks me back by my legs, dragging me into the woods. I dig my claws into the ground, but it's no use. He's too strong.

"No," I shriek, twisting and kicking as he pulls me into the middle of the clearing.

"I'm going to enjoy making you bleed, bitch," he says, shoving his knee into my back. Dirt and leaves cover my face.

I struggle, but he's so strong.

"No!” I scream again. I don't want to die.

Tears stream down my face, hot and bitter.

I don't want to die. I want my dad back. I want Aspen and Dex too. And I want Raven. I want my wolf.

But I'm alone and I don't think anyone is coming.

I sob, trying to curl into a ball, but I can't get my knees to bend enough with Casey shoving me down to keep me in place.

"No," I scream. "Please don't." I twist, but he keeps on shoving me until I'm on my hands and knees.

"From the moment I saw you, I knew you were special," Casey whispers in my ear. "The way you looked at me with such hatred in your eyes. Like you thought you were so goddamn special. And the way you made the other Beta's skittish and scared." He laughs. "You're going to be an amazing addition to my pack."

He grabs my hair and forces me to arch my back. My body is shaking, my wolf clawing to get free.

"No," I plead. "Please."

I shut my eyes and I hope Aspen and Dex are close.

"Please, someone help me," I beg.

"No one’s going to save you." Casey sneers. "Your assholes have fallen into a witches' trap."

"Argh," I groan, trying not to breathe in the dirt.

Casey's fist slams into my kidney, and I scream, not even able to move.

I've never felt pain like this before.

Fear chokes me.

His boot comes down on my hand. I scream and roll onto my back, clawing at his face. He grunts when I rake my nails down his cheek.

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