“All people have a price.”
“You think that you can buy me? There’s not enough money in the world that can make me go against Tobias, he’s done everything for me and I wouldn’t betray his trust for anything.”
“I had a feeling you might say something like that and that’s why I never had any intention of offering you money to do this. What I meant by price was how much you’re willing to suffer for him before you cave and agree to what I want.”
“What are you talking about?”
He stroked the cheek that he had slapped in his rage, the action surprisingly gentle before he struck again injuring the already sore cheek. The pain washed over her, rippling outwards as it began to fade. A stinging in her mouth told her she had accidentally bit down when his hand had met her cheek. Dumb Alex. That was really dumb. You’d think you’d have learnt by now when someone gets angry enough to resort to violence bite down hard before the hand hits so you don’t cut your cheek. She admonished before turning her head to the side and spitting the blood in her mouth out onto the floor near his feet.
“You took that hit surprisingly well,” Elijah remarked, his curiosity piqued by her calm reaction to a hit that would normally have gotten him swift compliance.
“Been taking them for years.” She grinned defiantly, anger overcoming the self-preservation instinct she had spent years honing whilst living with Fred. “I’d have to have gotten good by now.”
“So a few simple hits aren’t going agreement from you then?”
“You’re going to have to do a lot better than that if you want me to betray Tobias. He wouldn’t hand me over that quickly.”
“I’m sure he wouldn’t, but there’s something we need to take care of before we proceed any further.” He withdrew a long syringe from his jacket pocket, grabbing her arm hard, her frantic struggles barely registering. “We don’t want those friends of yours coming to your aid now do we?” The needle entered her arm easily, its contents emptied into her body.
“Now I know that all people have a certain tolerance for pain, yours seems to be a little higher than I’d expected, but I’m sure that I’ll be able to locate it soon enough. Now Alex, should we see how much your body can tolerate before you give into what I want?”
Her eyes widened at the fanatical grin now on his face, her body tense as it awaited the blow. The anticipated hit never arrived as he threw her body easily across the room. The air left her lungs in a single breath as her back hit the wall. Hurry Tobias, please hurry, I’m not sure I’ll be able to hold out for long if he’s going to be like this.
Chapter Forty Three
“What’s going on here?” Thomas’ booming voice filled the tense silence as he entered the audience chamber, Yvonne not far behind. The presence of the King seemed to temporarily abate the tense situation as everyone relaxed slightly. “First I find that my estate has been gripped by some sort of madness and then upon further investigation I discover that my son looks as though he’s preparing to fight his Council.” His eyes scanned the room again taking in the blood spattered on the floor as it dripped from the injured guards. “Maybe he’s already fought. I’d like an explanation. Any volunteers?”
“I’d also like to know what exactly is going on here,” Yvonne inserted, her eyes wandering over the bloody frame of her son.
“Your majesties, thank god you’re here,” Samuel gushed, leaving the huddled crowd of council members to make his way to the King’s side. “The Prince is being unreasonable. There is no talking to him and he refuses to see sense.”
“We’re only doing what we think is in the best interests of our people,” Adam added, moving to stand at Samuel’s side.
“Tobias what’s the meaning of this?” Thomas demanded.
Watching the play of emotions on her son’s face run from distant to pained and finally to anger, Yvonne became increasingly concerned for his welfare. The injuries on his body would easily heal, but she was sure there was something more at hand. “Thomas,” she snapped. “Don’t be so hard on him. Can’t you see that something is wrong? Look at his face. The son we raised wouldn’t have started all this over nothing. Look at him Thomas, something is very wrong.”
His father’s booming voice and his mother’s astute observations were a distant concern as he was finally able to reach his mate’s mind. The clear pain in the few words she had spoke to him as she called for his help felt like hot knives to his flesh, crippling in their intensity making him want to howl in response to her pain. Pain blossomed in her body spreading to his and any control he might have had vanished as rage pounded through him. As anger pulsed through him his vision became clouded with red, the desire to kill riding him hard and he did roar then, loud and long to express his grief.
“Tobias what’s wrong?” Yvonne demanded.
“My mate has been taken, she’s being harmed at this very moment while idiots try to stop me reaching her,” he snarled, glaring at Adam and Samuel as they stood close to his father. “I’m going after her, don’t try to stand in my way, things won’t end well for you,” he growled stepping forward.
“Alexandria has been taken?” Yvonne gasped, shocked at the reason for her son’s anger.
Watching his cousin cautiously as he moved closer to the door, Ryan nodded a response to the Queen’s question.
“And you’ve stopped him from leaving?” Thomas roared at the council members. “Move out of the way, his mate is out there, he should be looking for her!”
“But your majesty, our people will suffer if something were to happen to the Prince. There is no other heir, we can’t simply let him walk into the clutches of the hunters. It’s our responsibility to all the clans to make sure he lives to be King,” Adam responded, his tone adamant.
“My mate hasn’t been taken by hunters,” he screamed, his wolf becoming increasingly agitated with the lack of progress they were making.
We warned them, it snapped. They were prepared and they chose not to listen, they brought this upon themselves. Get rid of them.
“Who exactly has her Tobias?” Yvonne inquired.
One last chance, he counselled himself. “The man who attacked her when she was in England somehow managed to get into the estate, he’s the one who has her. Now move out of the way, I’m going to retrieve my mate.”
“He’s right, you shouldn’t have held him up here when Alexandria was out there in harms way. What would you have done if something were to happen to her? She’s the Princess of our people now, her life is worth just as much as the Prince’s, more even, what sort of King would he be with no mate?” Thomas snapped, stepping closer to the council members as he prepared himself to strike on his son’s behalf.
That’s exactly what I thought father.
“Now you will move.” The guards that filled the room looked anxiously between the council members and Thomas. “I am your King and I gave you an order. Move!” Bodies scattered out of the way as Thomas’ booming voice filled the room.
“Thank you father.” Tobias sped out of the room, his body transforming into its lupine form as he sped down the corridors. His paws pounded against the stone floor as he pushed his body harder needing the speed it could provide. His sensitive nose was bombarded with a wealth of scents in this form and he struggled to filter out the numerous smells trying to focus on finding the one belonging to his mate.
Her scent is so faint. I can barely make it out, he groaned, struggling to follow the weak trail she had left behind. Don’t worry dearest, I’m coming. I hunted across continents to find you, this will be simple in comparison.
*****
The low sound of whispers entering her mind pulled her from the fringes of unconsciousness though, as she became aware of the pain in her body, she wished they had chosen to stay silent. Her eyes remained closed as she took stock of the injuries she had gained during Elijah’s questioning. Bastard, she hissed.
Her fingers curled slowly and pain bloomed in her. Probably broke a few fingers. She
groaned, remembering the malicious look on her tormentors face as he had bent the digits backward until she had screamed in agony. Her toes were next and she smiled as they curled easily without harming her. Her ankles rotated slowly and the smile turned to a grimace as pain returned. Twisted. Bending her legs as the knee she gritted her teeth against the agonising pain that the simple movement brought before letting her legs fall weakly back against the floor. Smart bastard. Made sure I couldn’t run away. Her arms felt heavy as she lifted them from the floor but aside from a slight throbbing they seemed to be in working order and she used them to gently trail over her ribs, wincing as pain again erupted within her. Bruised ribs, maybe one or two cracked ones. I’ll live, her mind muttered defiantly before she opened her eyes noting the red liquid coating her fingers. The blood probably isn’t such a good thing though.
She found herself staring intently at the ceiling before her mind was flooded with the clambering of whispers trying to gain her attention. Could you guys be quiet for a minute, I’m trying to think, she groaned before realisation dawned on her. You’re back. I can hear you again. I thought he drugged me again. What’s going on?
You’re hurt.
Yes, I ache all over.
We couldn’t hear you.
I know, I couldn’t hear you either. I was drugged. The image of Elijah tearing Sean’s heart from his chest flitted though her mind and she fought the urge to throw up. Can you help me?
Yes, yes, we’ll take care of those who hurt you, the voices chanted.
No, I don’t need him taken care of I just need to get out of here, the drugs might just have worn off but if he manages to inject me again, I’ll be defenceless. I know Tobias is on his way. I’ve just got to get out of here. Preferably without being seen so it’ll be longer before Elijah comes looking for me.
Do you want us to heal you?
She pondered the question remembering all the other occasions she had been healed using her ability. No, if you try to heal me then I’ll have to be unconscious and that’ll mean I’m vulnerable. If he comes back and sees it he could just inject me again and he’ll probably keep a closer eye on me. This is our only chance. I’ve got to get away before he comes back.
We understand. Escape is the top priority.
Yes, now lets see what we’ve got here. Closing her eyes she allowed the whispers to flood her mind, giving them full rein. A moment passed before she could get a sense of her surroundings with the plants that surrounded the large building. Though smaller than the royal estate, her prison was still much bigger than the houses she was used to. Stupid bastard brought me somewhere surrounded by trees. You have got to love that these wolves like to be surrounded by forests, especially when you’re trying to escape. The ivy that grew up the walls of the building told her that there were bars on her window, while the grass that grew around the building whispered that there was no one outside who would try to stop her escape.
Get rid of the bars on the windows. Quietly, she commanded.
The ivy surrounding the window spread its roots deeper into the stone, weaving an intricate web to crumble the mortar and stone. A thick tree branch caught the falling frame as it tumbled from the wall leaving a hole large enough for her to fit through. Rolling herself onto her side she winced as the pain in her ribs exploded but pressed on, dragging her body across the cold stone. Another thick branch entered the hole in the wall, easily lifting her from the ground, wrapping itself around her midsection before carrying her high in the air. The pain in her ribs exploded at the contact but refusing to miss the chance to escape she allowed the tree to continue to hold her.
Freedom, she whispered, breathing in deeply. Take me home.
You’re hurt. You should heal.
I told you that I can’t risk it, unless you’re telling me that you can heal me when I’m awake then we’ve got to head back for the estate.
The healing requires that you sleep.
Then like I told you, we head home.
It’s far from here, you’re bleeding and may lose consciousness before we get there. If that happens then we won’t be able to help you as much as you might need. If you aren’t awake then we can’t maintain this growth. We’ll go back to normal size.
Well if that’s the case then just take me as close as you can to the estate. If I start to feel light headed then you’ll be the first to know.
If that’s what you want.
It is, now let’s stop wasting time. I don’t know when he’ll be back so we need to get as far away from here as possible. The branch around her middle moved, stretching further than she would have though possible before another tree caught her in its grip, wrapping itself around her before passing her on to the next tree. If we keep moving like this then I’m sure we’ll be home soon. She smiled trusting the trees around her to take her far away from Elijah and his madness.
Hours later Elijah found himself frowning as he walked along the corridor to the room he had locked Alex in, marvelling at her resilience. She’s a lot tougher than I would have thought. Either that or she’s more loyal to my cousin that I believed possible. I thought she would have given in by now but she still refuses to agree to what I want. I hope she’s recovered enough for another session. She’s no use to me dead but she’s no use to me as she is either.
Scowling he placed the key in the door lock and turned the handle, closing the door behind himself. His frown deepened as he took in the empty room, his eyes darting wildly from corner to corner before coming upon the empty space where the window should have been. Striding forth he scanned the area a low growl rising in his throat at the sight of overly large leaves, before he looked out of the window, roaring at the rioting ivy that covered the walls.
How did she get out? That man said she would be unable to use her power when injected with the drug. He paused as a thought occurred to him. Maybe he was telling the truth when he said that he was necessary. He mused recalling Sean’s last words. There’s no escaping me Alex and I’m coming for you. The transformation washed over him, changing his body into that of a large brown wolf. He howled loudly, before his body sped off, intent on bringing his prize back to him.
Chapter Forty Four
The long journey had finally begun to take its toll on her worn out and battered body as spots appeared before Alex’s eyes and her mind weaved in and out of focus. How far are we from the estate?
We won’t make it there before you lose consciousness.
Are you sure?
Yes.
Have we managed to get a fair distance away from Elijah? she inquired, concerned that the wolf would be able to reach her should she stop.
We have travelled a good distance. Will you let your body heal now?
On one condition.
What is it? The whispers pressed; increasingly concerned that Alex would faint before they reached a place where she could be put down safely.
If anyone comes close, even if I’m not healed completely you need to wake me. As long as I’m awake I can run. Will you do it?
Yes, the instant someone approaches you we will wake you from the healing sleep. Now will you heal?
Yes, she conceded. The whispers sighed in relief, the tree branch that had been carrying her lowering her small body to the cool grass of a forest floor. Lying back against the thick trunk, she sighed in relief as her mind lost touch with consciousness as she was encased in a leafy cocoon.
Her scent grew stronger the longer he ran, his body surpassing its normal limits as it sped headlong in the direction her unique fragrance seemed to be coming from. His surroundings were a blur, nothing registering outside of his increasingly narrow field of vision. Got to get to her, he chanted in his mind, lowering his muzzle as he pushed himself faster, his large paws pounding hard against the ground beneath him. She’s got to be close now, been running so long, she has to be around here somewhere. His breakneck pace halted abruptly as her scent hit his senses strong and hard. He spun wildly round in circles until he found the
direction it was strongest. Xandria, I’m coming. He sped off again, coming into a small clearing his sharp vision spotting an odd green bubble in the distance. Xandria, he sighed relieved before remembering the last time he had seen her in the cocoon and the extent of her injuries. No, she’s been hurt. Running towards the odd greenery he easily covered the distance between him and his mate.
Upon approach, his body began to transform while he ran, returning to its human form. The vines that were wrapped around her body began to recede, withdrawing back into the earth that they had sprung from. Eager to have his mate back in his arms, he tore wildly at the foliage with his claws until she was free from its confines. Dragging her from the remnants of her protective bubble, he pulled her close to his chest hugging her tightly as he breathed in her fragrant scent. A low groan passed her lips as he held her and he frowned at the pain that simple sound showed. Laying her against the grass he began examining her small frame, a growl rising in his throat as he took in the extent of her injuries. Her skin was covered in dark bruises, slashes cutting her flesh sporadically. Running a hand over her limbs and torso the scowl he had worn deepened as he took in the cracked ribs, thankful that more weren’t injured. I’ve got to get her back to the estate, he decided.
Then we’ve got to come back and find out who did this to our mate and make them suffer, his wolf added.
They won’t just suffer; the person who did this to our Xandria deserves death. Nothing will satisfy me but that.
I was beginning to think that you didn’t have it in you.
Well we’ve both just found out that I can be just as violent as you, are you satisfied?
No. I didn’t want our mate to have to suffer for you to realise that sometimes death really is the only option.
While the plants had released her as she had requested it took longer than she would have thought to come back to her senses, as she struggled against the healing sleep that her body so desperately needed. Hands caressed her body and she wished she had the strength to open her eyes as terror consumed her mind. Elijah caught up with me already. I was so close. Her mind raced. No, I can still hear the whispers so he hasn’t injected me with that power-stealing drug. I can take him on. I defeated Lucinda and I can beat him too. Her body still sluggish and unresponsive to her demands, she began to allow the whispers to fill her mind, preparing to attack as soon as her body was able to move.
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