Page 35 of Wolf Hunted (Rejected Moons 1)

Chapter 23

EMLYN

I’mawakenedbyahand on my arm, dragging me to my feet.

“Get up!” a voice barks. “Get the blindfold on her, quick, before she fights back.”

I don’t know who I’m dealing with. The voices are familiar, but before I can place them, a cloth is lowered over my eyes and cinched tightly at the back of my head. Cold metal is wrapped around my wrists.

“Don’t even think about trying anything, bitch,” a voice hisses. “Those are iron chains. Your Moon Caster magic won’t work while you’re in iron.”

It’s Bruce. I recognize his voice now. Bruce, who has been like a father to me. Bruce, who was my alpha all my life. He’s the one who’s chaining me like an animal, calling me a bitch, treating me like I’m scum.

But this is how Bruce has always been toward Moon Casters. He’s always treated them—us?—as less than human. Not just as enemies, but as beasts, unworthy of any dignity or respect.

And for most of my life, I’ve agreed with that.

It’s only in the past few days that I’ve started to wonder.

If my mind can be changed, maybe his can too. “Bruce,” I say. “Let’s just talk.”

“I’m not going to let you do magic on me,” he says.

“You know I can’t,” I tell him. “Iron chains neutralize Moon Casters. You know this.”

“So youarea Moon Caster? You admit it?”

“I don’t know what I am,” I say. “I’m as confused as you. But we’re packmates. We should talk about it at least.”

“Don’t let her talk, Bruce,” someone says. I don’t recognize the second voice. “She’s a witch. She might not be able to use her magic on you, but she convinced us all that she was one of us for twenty-three years. She’s got the power to trick you into all kinds of shit.”

“Grab her,” Bruce says. “We’ll take her back to Victor. He’s got the right to be the one to do the deed.”

Victor.

I hate how my gut fills with hope at just the sound of the name. It’s not hope that he’ll save me—I know he won’t. I just want to see him. I want to be near him. I know that as soon as we’re together, I’m going to feel a rush of relief, and Iwantit.

And I kind of hate myself for that.

At the moment, having my hands bound is a bigger problem than the fact that Bruce used iron chains. I wouldn’t have fought him using magic anyway. But the way I’m tied is preventing me from shifting—I’d dislocate my shoulders if I tried, and then I’d be in a much worse fix. And it’s not like I can punch my way out of this situation, or even try running—not with a blindfold on.

Still, I’m not giving up without a fight. I pivot on my left foot and lash out with my right, aiming for the voice of the person who isn’t Bruce.

My foot connects with something solid and meaty, and I hear anoof!Behind me, there’s the thump of something falling to the ground.

I turn and start to run in that direction.

Bruce’s hands are on me almost instantly. “You don’t really think you can run, do you?” he hisses, his breath hot against my cheek. “With a blindfold on? With your hands bound like that?”

Still, I’m not giving up. I don’t know how badly the person behind me is hurt. Maybe he’s down for the count. And if Bruce is the only one I’m facing now…

I struggle toward the water. I can smell it. I can hear it lapping on the shore. I’m a strong swimmer, and Bruce is twice my age. If I can get him in the water and gain the upper hand somehow, maybe I’ll have a chance.

He laughs meanly. Something grabs hold of me by the chain that binds my wrists, and I feel myself pitched to the ground.

I land face-first in the sand. It’s in my mouth. I spit it out and struggle back to my feet.

“I don’t know why you’re fighting,” Bruce murmurs. “I know you want to see Victor again.”

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