Page 15 of Scorned

My wolf was distracted, muzzle to the ground, sorting out how best to get out of the space.

“Charlie, it’s okay. You will not be harmed.”

“You’re under our protection.”

I didn’t like the sound of that. I might have been in wolf mode, but I knew I hadn’t agreed to any security, and I definitely hadn’t bent a knee to an alpha.

All the same, I revved back, made it look like I was approaching the two hulking men who watched me with curiosity and maybe a bit of patronizing amusement. I kept my nose to the floor, taking in the scent of sun-kissed skin and a tinge of musky sweat. Their wolves might have been tucked away, but I knew I’d encountered these two before. I punished my brain, banging against the locked memories, searching for some answers. Where had I been before this? What had happened? How had I come to be here?

“Charlie…”

The one with cascading hair, a man I was only starting to vaguely remember, actually crouched, as if I’d let him touch me. I didn’t know what his intentions were, but he was obviously delusional, or perhaps he thought I was a pet. His pet.

A memory burned down to my throat. There had been a collar—a painful, brutal binding against my will.

I shook my head, let my muzzle spray saliva to the ground and gave a warning growl, flashing fang at them both.

The one on the left took a step back like he got it. But the stupid one with the hair? He just kept moving closer, inch by inch.

“Do you remember me, Charlie? I’m a friend.”

I had no friends, least of all wolves. I crouched lower.

He took that as a welcoming gesture.

Moron.

I allowed him to get closer then snapped, pushing my fangs deep into his hand until teeth met bone. He swore. I gave a shake, wrenching his hand toward me before letting go. Then I turned, racing away, heading straight for the wall of windows. I knew what my wolf could endure, and glass was nothing to my tough skin.

I sprang from my haunches, compensating for the smooth floor, launching myself with every muscle I had, my lower back and my legs, propelling me forward. I tucked my muzzle between my forepaws then crashed through the glass. It shattered like sparkling diamonds.

There was a shout behind me, shoes scrambling on marble.

I hit the grass and rolled, shaking bits of glass from my fur as I did. There was stinging along my back and head, tiny cuts that were already healing. I stood, glanced over my shoulder at the two men, who were now standing at the window, their eyes flashing amber and silver. A shadowy memory twinged, but I pushed it away. No time for that. Then I turned and bolted into the forest, determined to put distance between me and them.

“Let her go,” I heard one of them say like an echo in the trees. “Levi is out there tonight. He’ll make sure she doesn’t get far.”

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