“Yeah, but just because Earl’s dead, that don’t mean there doesn’t have to be an heir.”
Earl’s dead?I stare at the two of them, eyes widening. Does that mean Wanda expects me to giveClayan alpha child? Does it even work that way between betas and omegas?
Clay rolls his eyes. “But we have time now. Can’t we wait till I’m not stuck with my brother’s leftovers? I’d rather find a mate of my own.”
“You don’t need to take him as a mate to breed him,” she replies as she unlocks the cabinet and swings the doors open.
Inside, there are three rows of metal hooks. The top two rows hold slim silver collars, like the one Taylor wears, and crude, two-inch wide metal bands take up most of the bottom row.
“Any preference?” asks Wanda, gesturing toward the contents of the cabinet.
“Well, I’m not fucking a wolf.” Clay grabs one of the smaller collars and heads in my direction.
I back into the corner of the kennel. If he wants to put that thing on me, he’s going to have to unlock the door and come to get me.
“You lay one finger on me and you’re as good as dead,” I say. “Luke will kill you.”If I don’t manage it first.
Wanda lets out a harsh laugh. “That boy is as good as dead. He might last for a few rounds, but none of them last more than six months.”
“A few rounds of what?”
She smirks. “Fighting other alphas.”
My stomach drops, body going cold. I knew humans had taken Luke, but I assumed they were taking him to the lab, unpleasant but survivable. But Wanda’s talking about…
“A dog fighting ring,” I whisper, horror filling me.
Wanda taps her index finger against the tip of her nose. “Got it in one.”
“Look, Oliver,” says Clay from the other side of the chain link. “You might as well give in and accept your fate. You’re not getting out of here.”
“Fuck you.” I bare my teeth at him. “I’ve already ‘accepted my fate.’ Luke isn’t just my mate, he’s myfatedmate. That means even if you manage to get me pregnant—and I’ll fight you every step of the way—Luke and I are tied together by fate. What do you think happens to me if he dies?”
Clay blinks, clearly confused, then glances at Wanda. “What happens?”
The smug look on Wanda’s face drops away and her nostrils flare as she focuses in on me. “You’re lying.”
“Nope,” I say, straightening my shoulders. “And we completed the bond the night before we came here.”
Her expression darkens, a flare of anger in her eyes. “Then you’re fucking worthless and I might as well just kill you now.” She advances toward the kennel, Clay stepping to the side to get out of her way. “The question is: how much should I make it hurt?”
There’s a loud clatter from somewhere outside, and Wanda’s head swivels toward the noise. Her eyes narrow as she cocks her head to the side. A distant howl fills the air, the sound sending a flare of hope through me. I concentrate on the feeling of the bond, only now realizing that stretched out sensation is gradually lessening.
Luke is coming.
I just have to hold on a little while longer.
Wanda frowns, then glances at Clay. “Make sure our guest doesn’t go anywhere. I need to go check that out.”
Clay gives her a stiff nod as Wanda runs out the door. He waits a beat, then walks over to sit on the bench next to the cabinet, crossing his arms over his chest and leaning against the wall.
No more noises come from outside, not even from Wanda, and I relax slightly against the back of the kennel. The edge of the doggie door presses against my spine and my gaze darts to Clay. He probably couldn’t get over here quick enough to stop me from getting through it, but I doubt I’d be able to avoid running into Wanda outside.
As I debate, the doggie door in the last kennel inches open so slowly that, for a moment, I think the movement is only wishful thinking. Someone peeks inside and catches my gaze.Taylor. He raises his brows in question, and I pointedly look in Clay’s direction. I’m not sure if Clay has a good view of all of the kennels from where he is, but it’s not worth the risk.
The doggie door falls closed again and Taylor disappears. A moment later, I hear Macy’s voice from outside. “Hey, asshole, you might want to check on your mommy. She’s no match for my Alpha.”
Clay lifts his head and scowls. He appears to debate for a second, then he gets to his feet and starts walking toward the doorway. As soon as his back is turned, Taylor peeks through the doggie door again, and I nod.
