I couldn’t believe he was askingmethis.
“Yes,” Ireplied.
His face hardened. “Don’t even think about lying to me. I wasyourtop alpha once, as you remember. You should still have a shred of loyalty to me, despiteeverything.”
I tried not to look surprised. Obviously it was just a ploy for me to tell the truth but I couldn’t believe he stooped that low. WhywouldI still be loyal to him after all he did to me? Hell, he wanted tokillme!
“I’m not lying,” I said calmly. “There is a rebellion. Or at least there was. I don’t know what’s going onanymore.”
Gunner eyed me curiously, waiting for me tocontinue.
“A lot of them gave up when they heard the news - thatyouknew about the ambush, I mean,” I went on. At this I glanced over to Colin, who wouldn’t look at me. He knew what he did. I just didn’tknowwhy.
“What are they doing now?” Gunnerpressed.
“Idon’tknow.”
Suddenly Gunner grabbed the front of my shirt and lifted me off the ground. I was so shocked I could only gasp insurprise.
“Don’t lie to me!” he snarled in my face. “Tell me wheretheyare!”
“I swear Idon’tknow!”
My body trembled with fear. I didn’t know how else to prove I was telling the truth. First Virgil and now this - could this night get anyworse?
Instantly I regretted thinking that. Gunner growled and tossed me across the floor. I sprawled a few feet away on the concrete with a groan. I checked myself quickly, making sure I wasn’t hurt. But it wasn’t me I was worried so much about - it wasmybaby.
Thankfully, I seemed fine. But I didn’t know how long thatwouldlast.
Gunner stormed up to me, pushing his alpha guard out of the way. I heard Colin gasp. Gunner roughly picked me up again and raised the back of his hand, ready to strike me. Iwinced.
“Tell me the truth right now!” hesnapped.
He had lost it. His eyes were wild and half-focused, like a rabid wolf. I was suddenly afraid for my life. He could easily break any bone or cartilage in my face if he wanted to - orworse.
I couldn’t keep the tremble from my voice anymore. “I don’t know, I swear! You have tobelieveme!”
The hit came hard and lightning fast. At first the pain didn’t register - only the fact that I was crumpled on the floor again in a pile of limbs. Then the sharp, lip-biting pain set in. A trickle of blood ran down my nose. I didn't know if anything was broken. There was too much adrenaline coursing through my veinstotell.
My heart raced as Gunner towered over me. His eyes were dark with rage. He loomed, furious and unstable, ready to kill anyone who stood inhisway.
And right now -Iwas inhisway.
He raised his hand again. I bracedmyself.
The chaotic sound of wolf snarls and yelps exploded from outside. Gunner’s eyes snapped tothedoor.
Immediately he shouted to the guard, “Hold this one! Don’t let himescape!”
Fuck. Well, whatever’s going on outside, there goesmyplan.
The guard complied. He grabbed my arm fiercely and tugged me along as he joined Gunneroutside.
The sounds grew louder and more intense. Teeth snapped and wolvessnarled.
When the door was thrown back, what I saw made myjawdrop.
A massive ink-blackwolf.
