by Jenika Snow
She was alone in bed now.
Dalia slipped from the bed then grabbed a robe and donned it, covering herself even though she wore a bra and panties. She listened again, wondering what had woken her but still heard nothing. A sense of dread and foreboding washed through her. She knew that feeling all too well. She’d been living with t her entire life.
The only sound that penetrated the darkness was the sound of her beating heart as it pounded through her ears. Something wasn’t right. Dalia didn’t need to have her acute shifter senses to know that. She made her way toward the door and opened it. The first thing she noticed was the frigid temperature in the living room. It pierced through her robe. She gripped the lapels together and peered around the doorframe.
The front door was open, and a light sprinkling of snow blew in through the opening.
The firelight cast shadows throughout the room. She rounded the corner and stopped, her heart jumping to her throat. Someone sat in front of the fire, and a tingle of dread raced up her spine. The light cast shadows, but she didn’t need to see him to know who it was. As if he sensed her presence he stood and turned around.
The expression on Clay’s face was one of concealed amusement, but then he glanced up and down her body and that look was replaced with raw fury.
“I see you wasted no time being another wolf’s whore. Or should I say two wolves, little bitch.”
The sound of his voice was like a bullet to her heart. Fear instantly slammed into her, and she shook. Where were Alric and Sam? Were they okay?
A wicked breeze blew through the doorway, and she shook harder. She looked around the room frantically, praying to the heavens that Clay and his followers hadn’t hurt them. The room had been destroyed. There were several pieces of furniture knocked over, pictures askew on the wall, and broken glass on the floor.
How the hell hadn’t she heard any of this?
Dalia searched her surroundings frantically again, needing to make sure Alric and Sam were safe. But as the moments ticked by more fear filled her that they weren’t.
“Oh, come on, you sweet little thing, you know better than that. I wouldn’t outright kill them.” Clay took a step toward her and she wanted to flee, but fear, and a bit of strength rooted her to the spot. “I want them to watch what I’m going to do to you. It’s been a long time coming, Dalia, especially since you thought you could run from me and take my heir.” He took another step and another and another until he was right before her.
She covered her belly protectively and swallowed. She stared at the cold, hard expression on Clay’s face.
“I thought about waking you, but you looked so peaceful that I didn’t want to ruin it. I mean, you aren’t going to get any more peaceful rests once I take you back with me. You do realize, because of your mistakes, you will be made an example of. I can’t have my pack thinking I let my mate run wild, fucking whomever she feels like.” He lifted his hand.
She flinched away. “You don’t own me.”
He chuckled after she spoke.
He grabbed her chin between his fingers and tilted her head up. “You stupid bitch. I do own you, every part of you.” His voice rose.
“Please, Clay.” She hated begging. “Don’t hurt Sam and Alric. They were only helping me.”
His laugh was deep and sinister. “So, on a first name basis? I guess you’d want to be if you let them inside of you.” He snarled. “If them fucking you is considered helping you out, than I’ve been doing that since you were given to me.” He leaned down until his lips were close to hers.
Clay didn’t move or speak for long seconds, and then he grinned wider and pulled back.
“Nathan. Joshua. Bring in the fuckers who took my mate from me.” Clay inhaled deeply then scowled harder. “You fucking reek of them, Dalia. You stink of their seed.” He shoved her away so hard she stumbled backward and fell on her ass. She scrambled backward, but movement to her right had her looking and watching in horror as two of Clay’s followers dragged in Alric and Sam to the center of the room, both males unconscious.
A sob tore from her, and she covered her mouth with one hand and reached out to them with the other.
“You see, Dalia.” Clay held his hand out, and she followed the movement, seeing the man that had deceived them walk in. “When Jackson came across this cabin he was going to wait the storm out, but you can’t imagine his surprise at seeing the female I had asked him to track standing right before him.”
Her mouth was drier than dirt. The revelation was too much, and although she had known there was something wrong with Jackson when she had first seen him, she hadn’t thought he had been connected to Clay. Or maybe she had and she just hadn’t wanted to admit it?
Clay crouched down in front of her, his face mere inches from her own. “When you give me my heir and I’ve had my fill of you, I’m going to make you pay.”
Sick dread swirled around her and she thought she would pass out, but she forced herself to stay conscious. “How—” Her voice cracked, and she couldn’t finish her sentence.
“How did I get your two lovers away from you and in the state they’re in right now?” He tsked at her and walked over to Alric and Sam. She couldn’t see them very well from her position, but she could smell the blood in the air. She hoped they were okay.
“You don’t have to do this, Clay. I’m sorry I left. I’ll go with you now and do as you say. Just leave them alone.”
Clay pulled a cigarette out of his pack and lit it. He inhaled deeply and kept his gaze on hers the whole time. “I have to give these fuckers credit though. They put up one hell of a fight, but they were no match for ten wolves from my pack.”
Dalia closed her eyes. She could only imagine what they’d done.
“That motherfucker.” Clay pointed to Alric, and she moved closer. “You should have seen how crazy he went when we showed up.” Clay laughed, which caused the rest of them to do the same. “The other one came out after we had his buddy tied up. He was about to shift, but when I threatened to kill his friend and then do unspeakable acts to you, he did what I said.” Clay inhaled again, held the smoke in, and then smiled.
She hated him.
“I’m surprised you slept through the whole thing. They must have really fucked you good.” A disgusted expression covered Clay’s face. “Enough talk about what a fucking slut you’ve become. When this asshole saw how bad Joshua had fucked up his friend’s face, he also went crazy.”
Joshua started laughing and gave a kick to Alric then Sam.
Dalia cried harder, feeling rage burn within her. Thank God she could see the rise and fall of their chests.
“As you can see we have the situation under control.”
“You’re a monster.” The words spilt from her mouth before she could censor them. She expected Clay to become furious with her backtalk, but he just stared at the other men and chuckled.
“I see being around these two has given you loose lips.” He flicked ash from his cigarette and gestured her forward. “Come here, sweet thing.”
She hated his pet name for her, but she wisely kept her mouth shut. She knew from experience that to deny Clay anything would just earn her a lot of pain, and if she wanted to get out of this alive she had to play along.
When she was standing beside him he nodded toward a few of his men. They grabbed Sam and Alric under their arms and tossed them onto the couch. Their hands were bound, and now that she saw their faces she cried harder. They were bloody and bruised. All she wanted to do was lash out at Clay for the pain he’d inflicted on the males she had grown to love.
Yes, she loved them.
“Joshua, wake those boys up. I want them to see what they will be missing when I take Dalia away.”
Chapter Thirteen
Alric came to when something hard slammed against his face. He blinked a few times, and the room came into focus. A low growl erupted from his throat. Everything that had happened came to the forefront of his mind. Blood filled his mouth, a
nd he turned his head to the side and spat it out.
His jaw ached, but that was the last thing he would worry about. He sensed Sam beside him, and when he turned his gaze to his mate he saw him already awake and a look of rage focused in front of him. Alric followed his gaze and saw Dalia standing in front of the fire. The only things she wore were her bra and panties.
And then he saw the male that had a hand on her belly and a look of possessiveness on his face. That was the motherfucker Clay.
Alric growled again, which in turn had Sam doing the same.
“Well, well, if it isn’t the wolves who thought they could take my female and heir from me. What did you think you were going to do, raise my young and fuck my mate?” Clay stood and stalked toward them.
No, he wouldn’t sit here and watch as some fucker touched and hurt his mate. Neither of them would.
Clay moved toward them until he stood a few from where they sat. With a snarl Clay slammed his fist into first Alric’s jaw, and then did the same to Sam. Alric stared at Dalia. Fat tears rolled down her cheeks, and she tried to cover herself with her arms. He wanted to make sure she was okay, make sure she knew that they would protect her, that they would put an end to this.
The scent of aggression filled the room, and Alric searched his surroundings, getting a good grasp of what he was up against. Five males stood along the right side of the wall, their stances hard and determined. They were waiting for their leader to make a call. Alric surmised that these assholes were nothing more than pawns that couldn’t make a move without the go-ahead. Three other males stood by the front door, and two more on the left side of Clay. Jackson stood beside Dalia, a smirk on his face. Alric wanted to tear that look off, wanted to rip the tracker’s limbs from his body and make him watch while he did it.
“I had planned on just taking her back with me, but I think I want to make an example of this situation so you know the consequences for taking another’s property. You had your fucking hands all over her, tainted her with your scents, and now you’re going to watch while I fuck what’s mine and mark her.”
Alric’s heart stuttered, and he felt Sam stiffen beside him. “If you touch her I’ll make your death slow and agonizing,” Alric growled the words out. Hell, he was going to do that anyway for all the pain he’d put Dalia through. He needed to get rid of Clay’s pack members first, and then he could focus on really drawing out his death.
Clay threw his head back and barked out a strong of laughter. “Funny, seeing as you’re at my mercy. Do you really think you can stop me from taking my mate?”
“She isn’t your mate,” Alric and Sam ground out at the same time. Alric strained against his bonds, but the knots only tightened with his movements.
“If you’re itching for a fight then untie me and let’s fight like worthy males, hand to hand. Don’t be a coward.”
Alric grinned at Sam’s words. His fierce mate had beaten him to saying it, and he was proud. He could see Clay’s jaw work and knew what he was about to do before he did it. Alric strained against his ties again and roared out when Clay struck Sam with enough force that his head jerked to the side. The smell of his mate’s blood filled the room, and he felt himself on the verge of shifting. He needed to stay calm and controlled if he planned on getting his mates out of this alive.
“That one has a mouth on him, doesn’t he?” Clay brought his bloodied knuckles to his mouth and licked them clean. “So you think you can have not only one mate, but two?” Clay walked toward Dalia.
“You keep the fuck away from her.” Alric’s voice had dropped to a deadly growl. Clay stopped and looked over his shoulder, one eyebrow raised in question and amusement.
“You can’t decide if you like males or females, huh? Just think you’re going to have one of each in your bed?” He ran his finger over the swell of Dalia’s breast, and Sam lunged forward. The movement caused the males to jump into action. They surrounded Sam and tackled him to the ground.
“Don’t you fucking touch her,” Sam growled low, even though he was on his stomach.
“I’m going to fucking kill you if you touch her.” Alric stared at Clay with red in his vision.
“What, you mean like this?” Clay covered the mound of her breast with his hand and grinned.
Alric seethed at the fact that his mates were being touched against their will. He looked at Dalia, and saw her gaze on him. Her fear was strong and heart wrenching, but there was something else that lay beneath the surface. And that’s when he noticed the poker she held. If she were going to do what he thought she was going to do, he would have to act fast. With the males trying to keep Sam subdued and Clay’s attention on Dalia, Alric needed to take control of the situation, now.
Sam continued to struggle, and Alric watched Dalia grip the poker and swing it toward Clay’s head. Alric let his animal free, his inner beast clawing and roaring out in triumph as the room crackled and sparked with electricity. His transformation was quick, and with everyone occupied no one was able to subdue him before he was fully changed.
Snapping and growling, he lunged for the first male he saw. He needed to get to Dalia, but he needed to get the males away from Sam first so his mate could help. There were too many of them for him to take on his own.
He was able to snap the necks of four of the males before they started shifting, but by then Sam had shifted as well and he took out another three. Blood filled Alric’s mouth, but it was a flavor he relished. He would kill anything that stood in the way of protecting what was theirs.
The cost didn’t matter.
Chapter Fourteen
When Dalia swung the poker with all her strength the sound of it cracking against Clay’s skull made bile rise in her throat. She hadn’t thought she would ever have the strength to face off against Clay, but survival and the need to be happy and have her own life were strong in her.
As she looked at Alric and Sam then down at her belly, Dalia felt love for them course through her. She was stunned to realize that when it came to wanting to protect what she held most dear, and what she wanted in her life above all else, anything was possible. Clay would not win, because if he did then everything that she had learned in the short time she’d spent with Sam and Alric would be for nothing.
They’d taught her to be herself, even if they didn’t know it. She didn’t need to fear anyone or anything. Alric and Sam loved her and her baby despite everything to the contrary.
How could she not fight for them?
Clay fell to the ground, and a tortured groan left him. Everything else around her was chaos. Things seemed to go in slow motion, and she turned to see Alric shift into his wolf form. He didn’t hesitate as he attacked and killed four men as if the act were nothing. And then Sam shifted and killed others.
There had been twelve males in all, including Jackson and Clay. With seven already down and Clay incapacitated for the moment, Alric and Sam faced off against the other males, all of them already shifted. Jackson stood in front and lunged forward, snapping and growling. And then they all attacked, the room filling with roaring wolves, and the scent of blood strong.
Clay moaned right before she felt him grab her around the ankle. He wrapped his hand tightly around her and gave a sharp tug, successfully making her lose her footing and fall backward. She landed on her ass, the air leaving her in a whoosh, and sharp pain filling her. Blood trickled from Clay’s hairline, and his face was a mask of fury. He was injured, so his wolf and human form wavered between each other. The poker had fallen from her grasp when she fell, and she blindly searched for it with her hand, her fear mounting when her grasp continued to come up empty.
“You stupid fucking cunt.” Spittle and blood spewed from his mouth as he climbed over her, rage evident on his face.
She kicked out, trying to get loose from his grasp, but even though he was weakened he was stronger than she was.
“I’m going to keep you chained up in my room until you push my son out, and then I’m going to rip your fu
cking throat out.” He snapped his mouth shut and growled low.
His touch was like acid on her flesh, and when he gripped her throat, cutting off her airway, she knew she couldn’t go out like this. She had to protect herself and her unborn child, and she had to be strong for Alric and Sam.
I want a life with them.
He loosened his grip for only a second as he adjusted himself above her, and she sucked in a lungful of air.
The fights continued all around them. She wanted to look and see if Alric and Sam were okay, but she couldn’t turn her head with Clay’s grasp still on her.
“This is only the beginning,” Clay whispered, his mouth right by hers, his hot breath brushing across her face. Tears fell down her cheeks, but they were ones of anger.
This was happening because of her. The baby growing inside her would never have a happy life, and Alric and Sam would be killed because of her foolishness in thinking she could just run from her life.
Renewed strength filled her, and she clawed at his hand. With her other free hand Dalia continued to search for the poker. And then she felt the cold metal, curled her hand around it, and told herself to end this.
Dalia clenched her hand around it and swung it forward with all her might. It slammed against the side of Clay’s head, and the sound of something cracking filled her head. He widened his eyes for a second, time seeming to stand still. And then she saw blood fall from his head in a great rush.
His grip had loosened, and she didn’t wait for another opportunity. Dalia swung the poker again. Over and over she hit him, the sound of metal meeting flesh filling her ears and drowning everything else out. It was as if her animal had taken over, her inner self realizing he would always come after her. She screamed out in fury, tears blurring her vision, but never stopping from hitting Clay on the head.
Blood covered her face and chest, filled her mouth as she roared out, crying, angry, and sad from everything that had been her life.
“Never again,” she screamed at him. It was then she realized she was the one on top of Clay now. Dalia cried out through her tears and lifted the poker to bring it down on Clay’s unmoving body. Before she could strike again, someone took the poker from her, lifted her off of Clay, and pulled her into an embrace.