Page 74 of Cosmic Power

“Nafet,” he replied, strolling to his side.

Zamorra couldn’t help herself. She couldn’t keep her mouth shut. “What’s that mean? Is that a yes or a no? Come on, don’t leave me in suspense!” She strained forward, but she still couldn’t move a muscle.

“My king, she is violent, disrespectful—”

“Faxon, lower your weapon and retrieve a collar.”

Zamorra stiffened. She wasn’t entirely sure what those collars did, but she knew she wouldn’t like it.

Begrudgingly, Faxon put away his sword and walked off, returning a moment later with a thick metal collar like the ones the werewolves were wearing. All eyes were on her and she felt like a fucking animal in the zoo, on display for all to see.

“Don’t put that thing anywhere near me,” she hissed, glaring hard.

“See? Utterly disrespectful,” Faxon grunted.

“Oh, I’m sorry. Should I welcome that gaudy thing with open arms?”

“You should watch your tongue, if you wish to keep it,” the Gold King threatened.

Faxon took a step toward her and her werewolf roared, pushing for supremacy.

Zamorra gave it to her.

Ancient magic hummed in her veins, lighting up every nerve inside her. Her werewolf tore out of her with powerful force, releasing the Gold King’s hold over her body and making her drop to the ground on her clawed feet.

With a snarl, she gripped Faxon by the throat and tossed him into the air like he weighed nothing at all. One of the bronze-armoured warriors blinked in front of her and she raked her claws down his pretty pristine face.

He screeched—a sound that was like music to her ears—and dropped to his knees, clutching his bleeding face.

Before she could move another inch, her body locked into place, her limbs freezing as they were. Her silver eyes snapped to the Gold King holding his hand in the air and a deep growl ripped from her throat.

“The collar. Now, Faxon,” he commanded, cool as a cucumber.

She fought his hold over her, her body trembling with exertion as she tried to move. She took one slow step forward and he narrowed his eyes. Power hit her head on and sent her flying back into the wall with a crack, leaving a massive indent.

“Which setting, my King?” Faxon asked. He sent a pulse of power from his hand to the ground and he levitated in the air, hovering an inch from her.

“I find her other form amusing. Lock the beast away.”

She roared, dread flooding through her body. She didn’t want to be locked away again. She strained as hard as she could, trying to get loose. More power and strength burst inside her, Zamorra giving every inch she had at her disposal. But it was no use.

She snapped her teeth aggressively when Faxon went to wrap the collar around her thick, furry neck. He yanked his arm back just in time, avoiding her sharp canines.

He flicked his wrist and her head cracked to the side like she’d just been dealt a powerful punch to the face. She snarled, pulling hard against the invisible barrier keeping her frozen in place.

Tucking his arm under her chin to avoid her teeth, he locked the collar tightly around her neck. The light in the middle flared red and a loud, droning beep rang throughout the room.

A strong electrical current flowed from the device and coursed through every inch of her body, making her howl in agony. Her body convulsed, shaking profusely as it continued to flow, burning her from the inside out. It felt like her blood was boiling in her veins.

Smoke billowed in the air, followed closely by the stench of charred flesh and burnt fur.

“Relinquish control and the pain will stop,” the Gold King said, watching with a dark smirk on his lips.

At his words, Zamorra reached for control, but she pushed her down. She would not give up.

She wanted nothing more than to claw that smug look right off his face, but she could barely think as the pain increased tenfold, the electric current growing more and more powerful with each passing second.

She roared; hot, blinding pain searing her skin. Agony. It was pure agony. Worse than anything she had ever felt before.

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