"Shouldn't be him protecting her, though," I snarled, jealousy rearing its ugly head. "Should be me." But I knew the truth, that getting close to her would only put her in more danger. My father had a talent for destroying everything I cared about, and for some strange reason I couldn't let that happen to her. Not again. Not after what happened to my mother. I laughed at myself, thinking about a woman who would never even think of me in that way. I mean I kidnapped her, took her away from her fated mate. She could only feel hate for me. But then, maybe, what if there was some outside help, how much would it fuck Anderson up if his fated mate fell in love with me, the operator of his demise?
"God, I'm such a fucking mess," I sighed, slumping onto one of the benches. Make her fall in love with me? What the fuck was wrong with me? Raking my fingers through my hair, I tried to focus on the task at hand but found my thoughts drifting back to her. The way she'd looked at me when we first met, those green eyes filled with defiance and fire. The curve of her lips as she'd laughed at something one of the other patrons had said.
"Stop it," I growled, shaking my head as if that could dislodge the image of her."
I felt the air around me grow colder, a chill settling in my bones that had nothing to do with the weather. Even before I turned around, I knew who was approaching. My father had a way of making his presence known without even saying a word.
"Jasper," he drawled, his voice like ice. I glanced over my shoulder to see him stalking through the garden, his pet sorcerer, Myron, trailing behind like an obedient shadow. I clenched my fists, bracing myself for the brutal, soul-destroying encounter that always seemed to accompany any interaction with my father.
"Enjoying your little flower paradise?" Felix sneered, taking in the garden with contempt. I swore I could see the flowers losing some of their brightness in his presence, as if they too wished to hide from his venomous gaze.
"Better than ruling the pack you so generously handed over to me, right?" I shot back, sarcasm dripping from every word. He hadn't given me anything, not really. He still held the reins to our kingdom, manipulating me like some grotesque puppet through the power he wielded alongside Myron.
"Ah, yes," my father said, a sick smile playing on his lips. "Myron here has been quite useful in that regard." I glared at the sorcerer, feeling my blood boil with rage. That bastard had been a loyal subject of my father since before I was born, and now, I knew he was controlling him with promises of power and that damned prophecy that plagued my life.
"Is this why you came here? To mock me?" I spat, rising from the bench. I refused to give them the satisfaction of seeing me as anything less than the Alpha I was meant to be.
"Hardly," Felix replied, his eyes narrowing in a dangerous manner. "I came to remind you that there are more pressing matters at hand than your pathetic attempts to escape responsibility."
"Fine," I spat, my anger boiling over. "What do you want, then?" Felix sneered at me again, his disdain palpable as he surveyed the sanctuary I had painstakingly rebuilt.
"I'm tired of waiting for you to act, Jasper. Perhaps you're not cut out to be Alpha after all. Maybe I should take it back." His words were like a slap to the face, and I felt my cheeks flush with anger and humiliation. This was a familiar dance between us, but there was something different this time, an edge to his frustration that I didn't recognise.
"Go ahead," I growled, my voice low and dangerous. "But don't expect me to bow down and lick your boots like the rest of them."
"Watch your tongue, boy," Felix warned, his eyes flashing with fury. "I may have given you a taste of power, but I can just as easily take it away."
"Enough!" Myron interjected, clearly sensing that things were about to escalate beyond his control. "Felix, perhaps it would be best if we left Jasper to his… gardening." I growled at him and he sneered at me.
"Jasper, I'm losing my patience. Go deal with the girl or I'll handle her myself," Felix snapped, his icy blue eyes piercing into mine. "And keep your people in line, especially Grant."
"Fine," I spat back, clenching my fists to keep from lashing out. "But what's so fascinating about this girl? Why do you even care?" Felix hesitated for a moment before glancing at Myron. The sorcerer's lips curled into a sly smile, and I felt a shiver of unease ripple through me. My father turned back to me, his expression unreadable.
"Myron believes she's more than just a pawn in our game, Jasper. He senses a significant power coming from her, something that could be useful to us."
"Us?" I scoffed, feeling my anger building again. "Or just you and your pet sorcerer?"
"Watch your tone, boy," Felix warned, his voice low and menacing. "You may be Alpha in name, but remember who still holds the true power here."
“Like you would let me forget it,” I scoffed and then sighed.
"Alright, let's go see her then." I pushed past him, my heart pounding in my chest as I stalked out of my sanctuary, knowing that by giving in to my father's demands, I was allowing him to tighten his grip on me even further. But what choice did I have? Then the thought popped into my mind again and I glanced back at Myron with a grin.
“I might have an idea, anyway.”
Chapter 13
Erica
Icurledupinthe corner of the cell, my body aching and trembling as I tried to grasp the concept of time. How long had I been here? Days? Weeks? Months? It all melted together into an endless stream of torment. The only light came from the sliver that shone under the edge of the metal door, but even that brought fear rather than comfort. I shuddered at the memories of the visits from those cruel guards. Their sneers and the feel of their hands on my body made me sick to my stomach. The pain from the bruises that decorated my skin was a constant reminder of their presence, but it was the emotional scars that cut the deepest. On instinct, I lifted a hand to touch the most recent injury on the side of my face. The pain shot through me like a lance, and I could barely suppress a whimper as I felt the swollen skin and the wetness of tears and something more sinister on my fingertips. I used to be strong, a survivor, but now I was nothing more than a plaything for these monsters. Anger bubbled inside me alongside the fear and self-pity; they were all consuming, leaving no room for hope.
I knew I should be healing faster, but this place was far from ideal for recovery. My eyes traced the small cell in one of those rare moments when light seeped in, revealing a thin, filthy mattress in the corner. Even without my werewolf senses, the stench of blood, urine, and other unmentionables assaulted me. There was no way I'd ever touch that thing. The whole room seemed saturated with the scent of blood and sex, and I doubted any of it had been consensual. The so-called food they provided, if one could call it that, did nothing to aid my healing. It was as if they were deliberately keeping me weak. A mix of fear and self-pity churned within me, and I couldn't help but feel betrayed by my own body when even the slightest hint of arousal flickered through me at memories I wished would stay buried.
"Here's your dinner, mutt," a guard sneered as he slid a tray containing the usual colourless slop through a slot in the door. I didn't bother acknowledging him or the pathetic excuse for a meal; instead, I retreated further into my thoughts, searching for something, anything, that might help me escape this nightmare.
"You think you're too good for our kindness, huh?" the guard spat, his voice dripping with venom. "Well, maybe you'll change your mind after a few more days of starving."
My memories of that first night in the cell were hazy, but I remembered the fear and desperation that had gripped me when I had awoken. I had been disoriented and terrified, my heart pounding so violently it felt as if it would burst from my chest. The darkness was suffocating, pressing down on me and igniting a claustrophobic panic that sent me reeling.
