I can practically feel the rage coming from Jett right now, like a heavy, putrid, disgusting blanket. He’s furious. So furious, I’m terrified he’s going to kill Rowan.
“You just had to go and fuck up my plans by actually beinggoodat training a fucking dog? Are you kidding me right now?” Jett yells, leaning down over Rowan, who’s pinned underneath him. “You spent your entire life being a pathetic beta cuck loser, andnowyou decide you want to make something of yourself?”
There’s another violent crack of fist against flesh, but Rowan lets out a groan of pain. I think it’s a representation of how terrible this situation is that I find that relieving. At least he’s not being choked to death.
Not yet, at least.
“You always shit on me for not participating in the family business,” Rowan croaks. “Well, now I’m participating.”
Another thwack before Jett hauls Rowan up by the collar of his shirt. Rowan’s head lolls to the side as he’s dragged upwards.
“Yeah, and you’re ruining myfucking plans,” Jett spits. “That omega was supposed to bemine!And now you have Dad saying that if you prove yourself, I’ll have to leave you two alone!”
He shoves Rowan’s limp body to the floor and kicks him in the stomach. There’s another sickeningly audible crunch as something inside his body breaks.
I can’t keep the quiet sob from escaping my lips at the sight of Rowan, blood dripping from his face, curled in a ball on the floor.
Jett straightens, and I instantly know he’s heard the sound.
“You’ve made a mistake, shitstain,” Jett sneers. “When you gave that little demonstration of yours earlier, you didn’t makesure Daddy Dearest was there, meaning he’s not gonna hear about it for a while, if I have anything to say about it. Which means...”
“No, don’t—“ Rowan croaks out, earning him another kick to the ribs.
“Come out, come out wherever you are, you stupid bitch, or else I’m gonna stomp his face in!” Jett calls, cutting his gaze towards where I’m hiding behind Rowan’s bedroom door.
I instantly shove it open and hurry out, my hands fisting the hem of the new t-shirt Rowan gave me after my shower.
“No one’s gonna ask about where you are ’til tomorrow,” Jett says, his lips curling up in a sneer.
Terror claws its way up my throat. I don’t like the implications of his words.
“You’ll be getting a crash course on the other two dogs we’ve got. I’m sure you’ll find them a lot less... accommodating than the new guy.”
“Don’t—“ Rowan wheezes.
Jett just rolls his eyes before his hand comes out and grabs my arm.
I’m quick to follow him. I don’t want to be dragged around again this time if I can help it. Since it’s dark out, it’ll be even harder to find my footing if I slip.
The lights from an ATV shine, illuminating the eerie-looking rows of trailers. Bile fills the back of my throat when I see it’s one of the ATVs with a cage attached to the trailer.
“Get in,” he snaps, hauling the heavy, thick metal door open.
He doesn’t even give me a chance to follow his instructions before he’s shoving me inside. A whine leaves my throat as he slams the door shut, the clang echoing through the cage.
My nostrils fill with the faint scent of something so raw and overwhelming that it has my heart pounding in my chest. It’s faint, but present enough to make me think that the previous occupant of this transport cage was here recently.
Charred sage.
Is this what another one of the fighters smells like?
I don’t have the time to think about it any longer before Jett stalks his way back into Rowan’s trailer.
“Wait! Where are you going?” I call out, gripping the thick metal bars.
“Making sure the little shitstain doesn’t wake up before I’m done with my plans,” he calls over his shoulder, not even bothering to look at me.
“No! Stop! Please!”
