Page 83 of Wolf Heart

I kick out with my feet, but he rolls off me, and I scramble to my knees.

We glare at each other, both panting and bloody.

I can't shift. I have to use my bare hands. I have to protect myself.

My fist connects with Casey's jaw, and I punch him over and over again until my knuckles are swollen.

He doesn't even flinch, just grabs my neck. I hit him in the head, over and over again, except he doesn't let go.

"This bitch needs to be tamed." He brings up his knee, smacking me in the nose.

Pain erupts in my skull. Blood squirts out everywhere. I gasp, trying to breathe. My head pounds and I blink, trying to get rid of the blurriness.

He roars, but the sound has nothing to do with pain. He's pissed.

I kick again, but he grabs my ankle and yanks me back. I fall flat on my back and he lands on me.

I scream as he grabs my throat and squeezes. He punches me in the side, and I roll with the blow. His hand sinks into my flesh. I gasp, bubbles of blood choking me as he squeezes my throat.

I can't breathe. My vision starts to dim. The moon above me is darkening to a red color. Must be blood in my eyes making me see it that way. I flail, trying to hit him, to get him off me, but it's no use.

My wolf is howling inside me, begging to be let out, to fight, but I don't know how to free her.

Everything in me hurts.

Casey fumbles with his pants. "This is going to be fun."

I scream and it comes out a choked roar.

He lets out a hesitant chuckle and yanks at my pants. "You should've been shoved into your place. Now I'll do it for you."

"Stop," I hiss, but he just laughs and slaps me.

"You had to be different," he says, ripping at my underwear. "And now you're going to pay."

"STOP!" My scream is high and screeching. I kick and squirm, trying to get away, but it doesn't stop him.

He pins me down, punching my stomach. Pain crushes my ribcage.

"Wrong move, bitch." He hits my side, and I wince.

"NO!" I scream again, feeling my wolf clawing to get free.

The pain is overwhelming; it's all I can feel. My ears are ringing and I can't even hear myself scream.

He punches my stomach and I whimper. I can't move, can barely breathe. My wolf is still trapped in the cage of my mind. I need to help her. I need to let her out.

I have to fight back. This is my last chance.

I try to shift, but it's no use. I'm failing.

He's going to kill me.

He tears at my clothes, ripping them away. His eyes are red, full of rage.

I scream again, kicking out with my leg. I nail him in the knee, but he doesn't let go of my neck. I claw at his hand, but he's too strong.

"I'm going to choke the life out of you." Casey grunts, straddling my waist. "I'm going to fuck you. I'm going to kill you. And then I'm going to keep fucking your body. Again and again."

---