Unable to stop herself, Narae raced toward the destruction, knowing there was nothing to be done for Dameon’s home. Herheart constricted painfully at his loss. Absently, she wondered if he’d blame her and Jury for this. How could he not?
Three figures stood in front of the cabin. Feet splayed wide, arms crossed over chests, the flames licking skyward with destruction behind them. They were posing, and it made Narae want to retch. It wasn’t just that Lionel, Sid, Bragga, and Komp had destroyed something to make them look tough. It was the absolute stupidity of it. What was the point of separating his pack and attempting an ambush just to light a beacon and call the Allegiance Pack to you?
Fucking brain-dead morons!
When she got close enough, she could see that the three men standing there were Lionel, Sid, and Komp. No Bragga. Big surprise. He’d be hiding to the very end, showing himself just in time to claim triumph. Well, not today. Today, Narae wasn’t going to let that happen.
Slowing her run, Narae stopped just long enough to shift back to her human form before she stalked forward, chin up with aconfidence borne of rage. “Where is he?” she demanded, stopping twenty feet from the Biter Beta, Sid, and his Enforcers.
Sid snorted and uncrossed his arms. “Time to come home, little lamb.”
Pissed that they thought she was going anywhere with them, Narae snarled, “Not fucking happening.”
Lionel stepped forward, but Sid slapped a hand on his chest and held him back. “Wait.” Sid’s ugly face cracked into a toothy smile. “Let me tell her first.”
Dread pitted in Narae’s belly like a frozen stone.
“Bragga’s finally sick of your shit,” Sid informed. “He’s agreed to give you to Lionel. After tonight, we’ll need to increase our numbers, and you’ve been flaunting that body in front of us for long enough. It’s time one of us gets a taste and turns you into a proper breeder.” He jerked his head toward Lionel. “He gets the job. So, congrats. Bragga’s done protecting you. You’re mated.”
“The fuck I am!” Narae snarled, eyes searching for Bragga as she was assaulted by a volley of emotions. There was disbelief at them thinking Bragga had ever protected her. Rage at Bragga’sgall in thinking he could gift her to anyone. Disgust at the look on Lionel’s sleazy face. And fear at standing here facing these particular males alone.
Sid continued, “The bad news is that neither Komp nor I will get to fuck you. The good news is that Lionel has offered to claim you here, so at least we get to watch. And, when your protectors get here, they’ll scent what was done. Once you're claimed, they can’t come for you again. You’ll belong to Lionel.”
Narae lowered her chin, glaring at Sid from beneath speared brows. “Too late, assholes!” She gripped the collar of her shirt and ripped it down. “I’m already claimed!”
Lionel’s eyes went to the mark of her throat and his grin vanished, replaced by clear fury. Confusion had the Biters looking at each other before Sid glared at her and lifted his head, nostrils flaring. “Lie!” he seethed, then smiled again. “You haven’t been claimed. You’re only marked.”
Narae knew they wouldn’t be able to scent any deceit from her, so she lied. “Scent again, fuck-tard! I’m marked, bound, and claimed.” She lifted her chin haughtily. “I’m mated to theAllegiance pack’s lead enforcer, Daemon Knight.” And she meant it. She meant the words with every fiber of her being. ShewasDaemon’s, she wanted to be his, and she couldn’t wait to give herself to him. If she survived. “I’m his!” she shouted. She let her angry gaze slide to Lionel. “Not yours, asshole! Never yours.”
“There’s no point in trying to tame her.”
Narae’s head snapped to the side. Bragga came around Daemon’s still burning house, disgust twisting his features. “I’m bored of trying to fix her. Just kill her.” He turned his back and started to walk away.
“Bragga!” Narae called, but he kept walking. She tried again, more loudly. “Bragga!” When he still didn’t look at her, she screamed, “Dad!”
That word stopped him in his tracks, but he only turned his head, eyeing her over his shoulder. “I told you never to call me that.”
“You forgot to ask about Jury.” She was fumbling now, trying to buy time because there was no way she’d survive fightingoff Sid, Lionel, and Komp. Hell, she’d have a hard time fighting off just one of them.
Bragga huffed, “Like I fucking care.”
But she knew he did. It would piss him off to know Jury had survived his assault. It would make him look weak.Make him look weak. She turned her attention to Sid, Lionel, and Komp. “Did you know he tried to kill Jury and failed? He couldn’t even kill a small female, and she was alone. It was one-on-one.”
That had Bragga turning to fully face her. “I killed the little bitch.”
“Wrong!” She glared at him. “She’s alive. She’s here. And she’s mated to Koe.” She looked at Sid, Lionel, and Komp. “The Alpha.”
“Enough!” Bragga roared, face gone red. “I said to fucking kill her! Do it now!”
Sid, Lionel, and Komp shifted in unison. A beat behind, Narae shifted too and spun. Her only hope was her speed. She’d have to outrun them to survive, so she ran for her life.
Chapter 32
Koe couldn’t shake the dread that was plaguing him as he ran toward the manor. He knew Koe and his pack could handle the Biters in the north field, but where was Bragga? He was open and awaiting transmission through pack ties, but none came through. Afraid to get too far from Daemon and the others in case they needed him, he wasn’t running at full speed, just a trot. When he knew he was within contact distance of the manor, he reached out to Thrall through their pack ties.
“Thrall, is everything alright? Are Jury and Narae okay?”
He waited a beat, and when no response came, he tried again, heart rate slowly hiking. He knew he was close enough to reach ThrallifThrall was at the manor, which he should have been. When Thrall didn’t answer a second time, Koe reached out to Daemon and the others in the south field.“Finish that shit, something’s off at the house.”And then he broke into a dead run, Daemon’s one-word response echoing in his head like a gunshot blast,“Fuck!” Koe felt that sentiment to his marrow. Fear, rage, regret all searing him at once.
