"We're going to have so much fun."
My breathing hitched as his fingers snaked their way past the fragile barrier of fabric and invaded me. My body betrayed me, tears falling from my eyes in a silent testament to the assault.
"Fuck you," I hissed, barely able to choke out the words. His chuckle was dark and sinister, like a shadow creeping along the ground, swallowing everything it touched.
"That's the plan, whore." The guard pushed his body against mine, pressing his hard erection against my thigh, leaving no room for doubt about his intentions.
A low growl echoed through the cell, making my head snap up. Christian stood in the doorway, his face contorted with fury. For a split second, relief washed over me, but the twisted reality of my situation quickly swallowed it whole.
"WHAT THE FUCK!" Christian roared, charging at the guard. He yanked him away from me and hurled him across the room. The guard crashed into the wall, his screams filling the air as he crumpled to the floor. From where I hung, it was clear that one of his arms had been mangled at a gruesome angle.
"Erica," Christian's voice softened as he turned to face me. "Are you okay? I got held up... I would've been here sooner." His concern only fuelled the rage that simmered beneath the surface of my fragile composure.
"Get the fuck away from me, you bastard!" I screamed, feeling the hot sting of tears in my eyes.
"Erica, please," Christian pleaded, his voice cracking. "I never meant to leave you alone so long, but I was on my way back down when that bitch Heidi cornered me." Was he really trying to justify some shit excuse?
"Never meant to leave me alone?" My voice was a venomous snarl. "You fucking kidnapped me, you spineless piece of shit!"
"Erica," he said, confusion etched on his face, "I told you that you were in danger. This way, I can protect you fully."
"PROTECT ME!" The words left my lips like a whip, lashing out at him with all the anger and fear that had been building inside of me.
"I am chained to a fucking wall by guards who are trying to rape me, how is that protection you fucking psychopath?" Even as I spat the words, I could still feel the guard's fingers on my body, rough, invasive, violating. The memory made me shudder, bile rising in my throat at the thought of what might have happened if Christian hadn't arrived when he did.
A dark chuckle that filled the room snapped me out of my rage momentarily, and I looked up to see Jasper Blackwood in the doorway. His charming smile was a stark contrast to the tense atmosphere. He seemed so amused by the situation as he stepped into the room; it was almost sickening.
"Ah, what do we have here?" he mused, his eyes flicking between Christian and me. Jasper glanced at the whimpering guard and let out another laugh before turning to Christian with a disapproving look. "Really, Christian? This is how you treat our warriors?" Christian's expression was unreadable, but he shrugged in response. I could feel the anger boiling within me again, but now mixed with a growing sense of dread. If Jasper was here, I had a feeling that things were about to get much worse. My heart raced as he stopped in front of me, grinning widely.
"It's very nice to see you again, Erica." My breathing grew shallow at his proximity, but I refused to let him see how much he affected me.
"Yeah, well, can't say the feeling's mutual." His grin only widened, and he let out a soft chuckle.
"Oh, and I hear a happy birthday is in order." The mention of my birthday sent a shiver down my spine, I had been here almost a week. It felt both too long and not enough time for the hell that I had been through. With a swift movement, Jasper pulled out a silver knife, its blade glinting menacingly under the dim light. My heart leaped into my throat as his eyes darkened, and he stared at me with a sinister grin.
"Although I'm not sure how happy it's going to be."
Chapter 15
Erica
Thecoldstonewallpressed against my cheek, the chill seeping into my bones. It was my birthday, a day that should have been filled with laughter and love, but instead, I found myself locked in this godforsaken cell for six days straight. My own heartache echoed through the small space, and I wondered if my friends even knew what had happened to me. Did they care? Or were they too busy with their own lives to even notice my disappearance? My thoughts drifted to Liam, and a bitter taste filled my mouth. He probably didn't care either. In fact, he might even be relieved; now he wouldn't have to reject me after all. If I ended up dead in this hellhole, it would save him the trouble.
"Happy fucking birthday, Erica," I muttered under my breath, tears prickling at the corners of my eyes. The heavy iron chains around my wrists chafed painfully against my skin, a constant reminder of my captivity.
Lost in my own misery, I barely noticed the guard bringing a chair into the cell. He placed it directly across from me and retreated to his post. It was then that I saw Jasper step back to the chair, looking every bit the villain he was. Dressed in black from head to toe, his blond hair immaculately styled, he radiated danger and arrogance. My gaze flickered briefly to the silver knife in his hand, a stark reminder of our vulnerability as werewolves; silver was lethal to us and had the power to slow our healing process.
"Happy birthday, Erica," Jasper sneered, settling into the chair with a smug grin. I fought back a shiver at the sound of his voice, keeping my eyes fixed on him despite my mounting dread. Before I could respond, Heidi slinked into the room, her voluptuous figure barely contained by a short, red dress that left little to the imagination. She crossed the room with an air of entitlement, wrapping her arms around Jasper from behind. His face momentarily twisted with irritation before shifting into a seductive smile. As Heidi leaned in to kiss him, their tongues entwining hungrily, I couldn't help but mimic a gagging motion. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Christian smirking, clearly amused by my reaction.
"Can we get this over with?" I spat, my anger bubbling up once more. "Or are you two going to keep putting on this disgusting display?" Jasper's blue eyes flashed with annoyance, but he didn't rise to my bait. Instead, he leaned back in his chair, one arm draped possessively around Heidi. "You're just jealous, sweetheart," he drawled, his tone dripping with condescension. "I can see it in your pretty green eyes."
"Really, Heidi? Why are you here?" Jasper asked. "Wouldn't you rather be out shopping for dresses or whatever it is that you do?" Heidi turned her gaze to me, an evil smirk playing on her lips.
"I wouldn't miss this for the world, Jasper. I just want to see the look on this bitch's face when you end her." Jasper heaved an exaggerated sigh, making it clear he shared my disdain for the woman clinging to him. His frustration was palpable as Heidi refused to take the hint. Finally, he said, "Very well, let's get on with it." My heart raced at his words and I couldn't help but think of Liam and how relieved he might feel if I were dead. The self-pitying thought made me feel sick, but I knew I had to focus on the present moment. I looked at Christian, whose emotions flickered between anger and concern.
Jasper's smug eyes raked over me, his gaze lingering on my exposed skin.
"You've been quite the handful since you arrived at the Shadow Night pack, Erica," he remarked, an arrogant smile playing on his lips.
