All of Sadie’s feelings for me rushed throughthe pack bond. She was jealous of my relationship with Kai at first. She wantedme to know that she had loved him first, longest. She had always wanted him asher mate, but now that she had Brett, she wouldn’t want it any other way. Sherespected me and wanted Kai and I to be happy together. Now that she had gottento know me, she thought Kai and I were perfect for each other. I pulled awayfrom her embrace as our arms healed.
‘Alpha,’she said, using our newly formed pack bonds tocommunicate, her lips quirked in a smile.
Inodded.‘Second.’I never in a hundred years thought Sadie and I wouldbe head of our own pack. The universe had a funny sense of humor.
Shegave me a wolfish grin and I could feel that she was wolf born and had nospecial gifts.
“What’sgoing on?” the blonde girl who was pregnant said, stepping closer.
Myarm had already healed; the vampires watching the cameras wouldn’t know whatwas going on. It looked like Sadie and I were old friends and shared a longhug.
Ilooked around the room and ever so slightly flicked my eyes to the camera lightin the small air vent. Then I locked eyes with the blonde. “It’s a shame wecan’t communicate together,like a pack.”
Shefrowned, then realization dawned on her face. She nodded and looked at theothers.
“Gorogue,” she whispered. I think I had my third, she was already giving orders.
Oneby one, the girls saw what was happening. They bowed their heads inconcentration and then cried out with the pain of ripping away from their packsby force. Leaving their mates, their beloved Alphas, it hurt, I knew it did,but in the end it was for the better. As a pack we could be stronger, take careof each other and have the upper hand. They looked at me like lost puppies.
Iwent one by one and gave them each a hug bringing them into the pack. I didn’thave time to focus on their thoughts, their rank in the pack or anything yet. Iwanted to bring us all together first in case the vampires caught on and splitus up. I came to the last girl, the wolf who wouldn’t shift. She had beencrouched in the corner watching us the entire time. Eyes yellow, fur standingon end.
Ilowered my voice to barely a whisper, I was pretty sure the camera had amicrophone but it couldn’t be that good, all the way up in the air vent. “Iwon’t force you, but I’d be honored if you would join our pack so we can getthe hell out of here.”
Hereyes flared yellow and then she winced, letting out a little yelp as I assumedshe went rogue from her pack. She panted and then rolled over to show me herbelly. I took that as a yes.
Reachingout, I swiped her lightly, disguising it as a belly rub and brought her intothe pack. The second her energy merged with mine, I jumped back in shock atwhat I felt, what she was showing me.
‘You’rechanged. Your gift, it’s incredible.’
Shelooked at me with big yellow wolf eyes.‘It’s horrible,’her small,submissive voice said.
‘Howdoes it work?’I asked.
‘WhenI touch someone while I’m in human form, I wipe all of their memories. It only workswhen I’m in human form, so I stay a wolf all of the time.’
Mymouth hung open in shock. I could feel her deep loneliness, her longing for amate a best friend, anyone who could touch her. Her madness at staying wolf allthe time; she felt like a dog. I wanted to hug her. That must be a hard life, Irested my hand on her wolf and patted her fur.
‘Canyou target certain memories?’Iasked her. The abilities she possessed were incredible. She could make a drugaddict forget they were addicted, a murderer forget their past, a victim ofabuse forget the abuse.
Sheshook her head.‘No, everything goes. They know how to eat and talk and allof that. They know what an apple is and basic information but their personalityis gone, personal memories, families are forgotten, desires, fears. All gone. Ablank slate.’
Jesus!I frowned. That would be a hard gift to live with but it made a damn goodweapon. What if I could have her take Layla’s memory? Could I trust that Laylawouldn’t turn evil again? That she wouldn’t remember her dark motives. I pushedthose thoughts to the back of my mind for later. I was Alpha now, my packneeded me. We were a small, all female pack who barely knew each other, but Iwas Alpha and this was my new family. Mine to protect.Mine.I couldtalk to any of them without words. I could control them, ease their fears. Ifelt all nine of them, all strong females and I wished I had Tara in the pack,so that I could communicate with her too.
Iturned around and met each woman’s gaze, slowly walking to each one and asking themthe same question.
‘Changedor born?’I asked them.
‘Changed,’one with brown curly hair said.
‘Gift?’I prompted.
Shesmiled.‘I don’t feel pain.’
Myeyes widened in shock as I nodded, making a mental note. She would be next togo into the torture chamber.
Aftergoing around to each girl, I found out in the end that there were only fourchanged females including myself. The memory taker whose name was Karissa, thegirl who didn’t feel pain was Kylee and then Amanda who could heat her hands to400 degrees. I had the makings of a fine escape plan.
Ifelt empty without Kai’s voice here to guide me. His energy was frantic, Icould feel his desperation, but I couldn’t communicate with him, no matter howhard I tried. So, I took a deep breath and tried to focus on getting us out ofhere.
