by Anna Edwards
“I think that depends on how you view what she’s going to have to do.” Phillip laughed. The corners of Nuka’s mouth turned up in a grin, which had Emma gulping. They were playing with her and trying to scare her. It’s a game all male shifters in position of power did. Her father was a master of it. She learnt that at a young age. She wasn’t going to let them ruffle her fur, though.
“Please, could we stop with the game, and just tell me what is going on? I’m getting rather bored, and if I am to be released, I want to go for a run.”
Ciaran shuffled some papers on his desk and placed one down. He ran his finger over it, as if trying to memorise the words written on it.
“Mr Bryant allowed the death sentence passed upon you for the death of his father to be commuted on the provision that you are released into his custody.”
“What?”
“You are allowed to walk out of court as a free woman, but you must re-join your birth pack. You brother believes that Glacial Blood is a bad influence on your character, and as such, he wants you to return to your home and a program of retraining in how a proper pack works. What do you say to this?” Phillip interlinked his fingers and cracked his knuckles. She knew exactly what the period of retraining would involve: starvation, beatings, imprisonment.
“I rather chew my own arm off.” She rolled her eyes.
Ciaran banged his fist against the desk.
“This is not a joke, Miss Bryant. This is your future, your life. I can take you out of this room now and string you, if you’d prefer. Your brother has made a concession to you, despite the fact that you are a convicted, cold-blooded killer.”
“Temper, temper. You wouldn’t want to get that spot back would you.” She probably shouldn’t antagonize the druid, but it was just so easy, because he was so stuck up with his own superiority. He flicked his hand and sent her flying with a magical ball of energy. It burnt her dress, and she could also smell scalded skin underneath.
“Enough.” Nuka stood.
“It was just getting fun.” She got to her feet and adjusted her body to distribute the ache running through it. Maybe she should get sensible now. If she was released to her brother, at least she would have a chance of escaping back to Glacial Blood and Scott. “I don’t have much choice in the matter, so if my brother wants to take me on, to correct me, I’ll go with no arguments.”
“Finally.” Phillip jumped to his feet. “Give her the document.”
“What document?” She questioned.
Ciaran handed her a sheet of paper. “It is your release papers. They state that you understand that your release is conditional on you submitting to the rule of the Alpha of the Las Vegas pack, to your brother.”
She scanned over it. There was nothing hidden that she could see. Basically she was signing that she would be happy to be beaten and God knows what else. Ciaran held up a pen, and she reminded herself this was the only way. She needed to agree to her brother’s rule, in the short term, so she could escape and return home. When Kas and the rest of the pack learned that she was free, they would do everything they could to come for her. She took the pen and signed.
“Perfect.” Ciaran took the paper and immediately filed them in a cabinet.
“Mr Bryant, you are free to take your sister and return to Las Vegas. I’m sure you are excited to return home. This unfortunate incident has kept you away from home for so long.”
“It has indeed. I have many a lady who will be looking forward to my return.” Her brother chuckled. She wanted to vomit. “But, there is something I must do first to ensure that my pack is strengthened. We all know there is a fight coming, and I want to be sure that I’m heavily aligned with the party that will win.” Why did her stomach suddenly do a somersault at the way her brother looked at her? “Emma, my first rule as your Alpha is to give your hand in marriage.”
“No.” She shook her head and stepped back. “I agreed to stay with my brother’s pack; I did not agree to this.” If she was married, she would be mated. Another’s scent would cover her body. Scott would not want her anymore. She couldn’t return to Glacial Blood. She was trapped.
“You agreed to your brother’s rule. This is his decision to make for you.” Ciaran replied
“You can’t do this.” She spat out.
“I can do with you whatever I want. You are mine to sell. You are nothing but a chattel to me. Just as all women should be.” Phillip was snarling with venom now.
“You truly are like our father. I thought I saw hope for you, but I see now that you are lost and just as much the devil as he was.”
“Don’t you dare mention his name.” Phillip stepped forward and slapped her hard around the face. He grabbed hold of her hair and flung her onto the floor before preparing his foot ready to kick her.
“No.” Nuka ordered
“She’s not yours yet.” Phillip responded before kicking her hard in the ribs.
Next thing she knew, he was flying backwards and suspended in mid-air. Ciaran held his hands up controlling the movement.
“I said no.” Nuka bent over and helped her to her feet. “She is not to be harmed. I need her in full health to carry my heirs.” The malevolent grin that spread over his face told her who her future husband was to be.
“Ciaran, let Mr Bryant down and transport us home. I have a wedding to prepare for.”
She was to be married to Nuka Lincoln, mated with him to carry his children. She should have chosen death.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Emma stood in front of the full-length mirror. This wasn't how she'd visualized her wedding day going, when she was a little girl. Mind you, she hadn't forecast having a wedding day, not until Scott entered her life. She stroked her hand down the silk gown, which now shrouded her muscular body. It was hand embroidered with pearls and fitted to her curves like a second skin. She had bathed and had washed her hair. She looked beautiful. That wasn't the problem here. The man she was marrying was Nuka Lincoln. He was insane, at best. At worst, he was a frightful dictator to rival the more famous names. Her hands were shaking, the breath tight in her chest. He was going to use her body to build an army. An army that he will use to gain his revenge on the Council. Why couldn't they see this? Why didn't they stop him? Her breath was getting faster and faster. She was panicking. She needed to be level headed. It was the dress. Lowering the zip, she dropped the dress to the floor and stepped out of it. As well as providing her with a wedding dress, Nuka also set her up with a wardrobe he deemed suitable for the wife of the Alpha. She was a jeans or sports pants sort of girl. The outfits he’d given her were all form fitting dresses. The underwear ostentatious thongs and bras. She grabbed the most casual looking dress she could find and slipped it over her head. She needed to get out of here before the wedding. If she could just make it to Glacial Blood land, Kas could make her disappear. She would be safe from Nuka. She looked at the shoes. All heels. Damn it. She would have to go bare foot. As soon as she was safe enough away, she would shift and run.
She tried the door knob. It wasn’t locked. Silently, she opened it and looked around. She expected a guard who she’d need to knock out, but there was no one. Nuka was far too trusting. He would regret that. She slipped out into the corridor and pressed herself against the wall. On their way in, she had come from the left, up the stairs and into the hallway. That would be the quickest way out. She listened to see if she could hear any noise, but it was silent. She made a run for it. At speed, she took the stairs. Her heart was almost beating out of her chest. She reached the bottom, freedom so close she could taste it. But it was to be denied. Nuka stepped out from the shadows and barred the way to the door.
“Going somewhere?” He smirked,
She slammed to a halt just before him.
“I…I wanted to explore the house.” The lie tumbled easily from her lips.
“I somehow doubt that. I have a gravel driveway. You would tear your feet apart on it.” He motioned for her to turn around. She stood steadfast.
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“As I’m supposed to be lady of the manor, shouldn’t I know a bit more about it?”
The polar bear gave off a malevolent grin.
“You seem to think you’ll have a role here other than being flat on your back, pushing out my children.”
“And you seem to think that this marriage is a forgone conclusion. Even if you tie me up, I’ll look for every way I can to escape back to Glacial Blood.” She folded her arms over her chest.
“You will never set foot on those lands again.” Nuka took a menacing step towards her and slammed his hand around her throat. “If you do, you doom the entire pack. You signed a contract. If they help you escape, I’ll have them all arrested for aiding and abetting a criminal. They’ll be destroyed. Kas will lose everything.”
“You can’t do that.” She whimpered through her restricted breathing.
“I can and I will. Make your choice now Emma.” Nuka let go of her throat and stepped away from the door. He was letting her run, but if she did, he would destroy her family.
She turned away and looked at the ground. There was no choice but to stay. Kas needed to win this war. When he did, she would be free. Until then, she would have to live as Nuka’s wife.
“Good girl. I suggest that you return to your room and get ready. We will be married by sunset.”
She felt his eyes watch her all the way back to the bedroom. Their foul sliminess causing her to shudder. When she reached her room, she slammed the door shut behind her. This would have to be sanctuary, her place for hiding from the reality of her life. Her thoughts drifted back to Scott. He’d probably know that she’d been released by now. She wondered if he knew that she was to be married to Nuka. Would he come for her? If he did, he would die. She had to stop it. As if in instinct, she placed her hand on her stomach. Jessica. She needed the witch’s help. Kas had told them once that Jessica was in tune to all of them. If they needed her, they just had to call her. She would hear it and come. It was a unique power that she had as a witch.
“Jessica.” She called quietly. Did she have to call in some particular way? “Jessica.” She repeated but nothing happened. That’s when she broke, the strength she had kept within her, for so long, was there no more. She slumped down against the door. Tears tumbled down her face. “Jessica, please, I need you.” She whispered, the words barely audible before she placed her head on her knees and sobbed for the life she would never have. The hairs on the back of her neck stood up. The room crackled with energy. Emma looked up to see Jessica standing before her.
“Emma.” Jessica surrounded her with a loving embrace. She melted into it, needing the comfort. The tears continued to fall.
“I need your help.” She sobbed.
“What’s going on?” Jessica looked around. “This is Nuka’s mansion. Why are you here?”
“I’m…I’m to be his wife.” Her eyes squeezed tightly shut when she spoke. They were trying to block out the terrifying thought.
Jessica let go of her and sat back, her whole body dropping down onto the floor in disbelief. “We need to get you out of here.” The witch grabbed her hand. “Hold tight.”
“No.” Emma screamed.
“What?”
“I can’t leave.”
“Emma, I’m not leaving you here to be married to Nuka. I don’t know how this came about, but it’s not going to happen. We’ll get you back to Glacial Blood, and then, Kas can sort it out there.” Jessica pursed her lips together, adamant in what would happen next.
“If I leave here, it will give Nuka enough to take Kas down. He will lose everything.” She implored her friend to listen to her.
“Kas will sort it. Have faith in him.”
“It’s not a risk I can take. Please. I called you here because I need you to do two things for me. First, get Kas to stop Scott coming here. Nuka will kill him.”
“Emma, Scott isn’t…” The witch paused.
“Scott isn’t?” She asked.
“He isn’t able to come here.” Jessica looked down to the ground.
“What’s happened to him?” Her hands felt clammy. Had something happened to the man she loved?
“He’s locked in the dungeon at the mansion.” The corner of Jessica’s eye ticked when she answered. The witch obviously didn’t like what was happening to the male lion.
“Make sure Kas keeps him there. It’s the safest place, until this is over.”
“I will.” The confidence was back in her friend’s stance again. “But I can’t let Nuka have you this way. He’ll just use you for breeding.”
“That is other reason I called you.” She patted her stomach. “I want you to remove my womb.”
“What?” Jessica got to her feet and stumbled over to the bed to sit down. “No, I can’t do that.”
“Can’t or won’t?”
There was a pause in the conversation, thick silence filled the room.
“Won’t.”
“Jessica please. It’s the only way.”
“No it isn’t. I can bind your fertility.” Jessica offered.
“Ciaran will discover that and remove the spell. This is the only way. He can’t put a womb back in me.” Emma came over to kneel down in front of the witch. She took both her hands and squeezed them.
“I can’t either. What about when you get out of here? You won’t ever be able to have children. Scott...you’ll never be able to give him a cub.”
“And I can’t risk falling for Nuka’s child. He will use any children we have in his plans for world domination.” Emma sat back on her heels and let Jessica’s hands go. Her voice was breaking again. “Scott and I will never be. Nuka will mark me as his mate. I will forever carry his scent. If I escape this, there is no future for Scott and me.”
“There is.”
“No, there cannot be.”
“I can’t do this Emma. What you’re asking of me is too much. Let me go back to Kas and talk to him. See what he says.” Her friend was as white as a sheet. She knew as well as Emma that it was the only way.
“There isn’t time. Nuka will come for me soon. Nuka will get Ciaran to do something to me so that I conceive the first time he takes me. The baby will be protected by magic. It will not be possible to do anything, then.”
“I’ll break Ciaran’s magic. Mine is getting stronger every day. With Selene’s help we can stop it all.” This was the last-ditch attempt of someone so devoid of hope.
“Please. This is my choice. I absolve you of all blame for this. It has to happen.”
A tear tumbled down the witch’s cheek.
“There has to be another way?”
Emma shook her head. Jessica swallowed deeply.
“Stand up. This will hurt at times. I’ll try to keep it to a minimum.” They both raised to their feet. “Ciaran will not be able to tell that you ever had a womb. As far as he will know, it was taken when you were young. That should save you from any problems.”
“What about the magic as it happens? Will he not sense it?”
Jessica held her hands up together. She let her head fall back.
“Arcendum malum. Arcendum malum,
Watch over us in silence,
Hide magic from the world,
Arcendum malum, arcedum malum.”
A translucent ball appeared around them. Emma reach her hand out to touch it. It was smooth like the silk of the wedding dress.
“It’ll protect us until I’ve done the spell. I’ll need to leave as soon as I have your womb. Take all the magic with me. I’ll leave a cleanse spell in my path as well. Ciaran will never know I’ve been here.”
Now that it was actually happening, she had started shaking. Her knees were weak. In a minute, her ability to be a mother would be gone.
“I don’t have to do it. I can go get Kas.”
“No, do it.”
“I need you to remove your dress.”
“Alright.” She pulled the dress over her head and threw it on the floor. She wanted to spit on it, given
as it was from Nuka.
“Shut your eyes.”
She did so. Her legs felt like they would give way at any moment. Jessica placed her hand on her stomach. The feminine touch vastly different to Scott’s. The witch’s hand was cold. Emma breathed in to try and escape the chill that ran through her body. When Scott’s hands were on her body, they scorched it, burnt the skin with the desire he felt for her. There was nothing romantic about what was happening. That’s why she felt as if she were freezing. Emma calmed her mind. This would leave her capable of getting through her imminent future. Kas would win the war, and she’d be free. She could go and live up in the mountain with Molly. Spending most of her time as a lioness sounded bliss. It’d been so long since she’d shifted. Her bones ached for the change, the animal inside her calling to be allowed to run wild. Her lioness hated being caged. It reminded her of a time down in the Florida Keys. She’d gone on holiday with Katia for a few days. They’d been the guests of a friend of Kas’. She and Katia had gone out early one morning to catch deer. Katia was sunbathing on the side of a lake while she stalked the animal. It’d ambled down to the other side of the river, and she’d followed it. She crouched low and pounced. One bite to the neck and dinner was caught. Well, That’s what she thought. A massive crocodile rose out of the water and tugged on the other side of the dead animal. A fight ensued; it was one that she lost when the crocodile pulled the deer into the water. She wasn’t going to give up that easily. She jumped in after it. Big mistake. Lots of crocs in the water. By the time they got her out, she was badly injured. She hadn’t been able to shift for three weeks. Her lioness almost went mad. Ever since when they encounter crocodiles, both of them shied away. It was her biggest fear, because it was something that stopped her from shifting.
A gasp from Jessica drew her out of her reflection. Was it done? She hadn’t felt any pain. That was good. She opened her eyes. Jessica held her hands up. They were empty.
“You didn’t do it.” Emma questioned.
“I can’t.”
“Jessica, it’s the only way.” Her friend couldn’t let her down now.