Page 134 of Knot my Alphas

“I wish we weren’t taking you with us,” Raiden says, his voice heavy with regret. “It’s not going to be a pretty sight once he starts.”

“I can handle it,” Iris says in a strong voice that makes me love her even more. My wildcat is no weak, cowering woman who’ll be turned off by the sight of a little blood and gore.

A winding staircase leads us into the underground chambers where we hold our prisoners.

Centuries ago, they were basically dungeons. The walls are made of carved stone that doesn’t allow the sun’s light or warmth to penetrate through, keeping the space in permanent darkness. No matter the weather outside, it’s always cold and suffocating to be here.

We’ve modified the dungeons to lessen the slow torture of our prisoners and to suit our needs. The long, narrow corridors are now well-lit and modestly ventilated.

“Who are those people?” Iris whispers as we walk past a row of prison cells.

“We captured them during the attack last month,” I say.

“They’re still looking lively because Damon hasn’t had the time to deal with them yet,” Raiden says in a low, grim tone.

“You know me, Ray,” I say with a dark chuckle. Stopping outside an occupied cell, I peer through the bars. “Hey, little spidies,” I call out in a jovial tone. “Look who we’ve got with us today. The big, bad boss has come to join in the party.”

A stir goes through the men who’d been slumped on the floor.

I shift to his side, giving them a glimpse of Callahan’s limp body.

“Master!” they utter in anguish-filled voices. A few of them come running to the barred gate, calling for him. “What have they done to you? Please, open your eyes and look at us.”

“These men are crazy,” Julian mutters, watching them with a disgusted look on his beautiful face. “They’re calling him master and weeping for him.”

“What have you done to him?” A man screams and reaches through the bars to grab at Raiden.

“Watch out!” Iris shouts, pulling Raiden away just in time.

“Let’s get out of here,” says Julian, shooting a glare at the crazed man. “We don’t have time to be dealing with them now.”

I march forward, leading the way further down the corridor.

Entering an empty prison cell, I stop and balance Callahan against the wall. “Raiden, get the chains,” I say.

Moving forward, he pulls down the thick steel chains that hang from the ceiling. Julian grabs the manacles that dangle from the ends and helps me shackle Callahan’s wrists to them.

Stepping back, I pull at the chains. They make a loud clinking noise that echoes around us as Callahan’s arms are lifted. I stop when his toes are barely touching the ground. He’s practically suspended from the chains, having very little opportunity to balance his body.

Next, I secure chains around his ankles to make sure he doesn’t try to kick one of us.

“Now, what?” Iris whispers, staring at us. “He’s still unconscious.”

“I’ve got a solution for that,” I say, moving toward a shadowy corner.

An old, rusty barbecue grill stands here. Kneeling, I rummage around, finding a bag of charcoal, a can of gas, and a butane flame gun. I fiddle with the torch gun until a plume of blue flame erupts from its protruding steel nozzle.

Perfect.

I drag the grill to the center of the room.

“What are you going to do with that?” Iris whispers anxiously.

“Just watch, Wildcat.”

I take my time to light up the outdoor grill.

When the coals are glowing red, I stick a long skewer into them.

---