Untamed Beast
A Shifter Novel #13
by Jaden Sinclair
Published by
Melange Books, LLC
White Bear Lake, MN 55110
www.melange-books.com
Untamed Beast, Copyright 2015 Jaden Sinclair
ISBN: 978-1-68046-066-7
Names, characters, and incidents depicted in this book are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author or the publisher. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Published in the United States of America.
Cover Design by Caroline Andrus
Table of Contents
“Untamed Beast”
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
About the Author
Previews
Dedication:
To my brother, Kelly. You gave me a very nice line for the book and it seemed to just fit perfectly. Thank you.
UNTAMED BEAST
by Jaden Sinclair
Enemy—turned lover—turned mate?
Thorn has always been a loner. He likes it that way. Likes what he does for his race and has no regrets about anything. He’s never looked back once he’s put something behind him, yet one thing from his past just won’t let him go. The night he was taken and used. That one night seemed to change him, but for the good or bad he doesn’t know. Now face to face with one of his demons he fights with the urge to not only protect but to mate.
Katrina Scotts never expected her life to take the turn it did. Also never thought that her mother would turn on her the way she did or that she’d be once more in the hands of the animal she was forced to use one night. Now surrounded with shifters she discovers secrets, discovers loyalty, and what it means to be accepted for who you are, not for where you came from or your past.
Chapter One
Thorn slowly pulled up to the building. It had taken him months, long months to find the information on who owned it and what might be going on inside. Luck had finally landed in his lap and he got the information he had been searching for all this time. The bitch was here, and she had a guest for whom he’d been searching.
Turning his lights off, he looked up at the building. He couldn’t stop wondering about what could make a mother turn on her own flesh and blood. He knew she had. That bitch was unstable too, and if what Logan’s father had told him about Katrina helping to free him was correct, then the bitch sure as shit had turned on her daughter. He only wondered what she had done to her.
On the seat, next to him sat a small box. He opened it and firearms came into view. Picking up his favorite gun, he checked the clip. After further thought, he took a few more clips and added a silencer. Getting out of his car, he started walking up to the house and stopped beside a side door, as he screwed the silencer on.
He had made a promise to Dannie, one that he intended to keep. Find Katrina. It had been a big mistake for the girl to go back to her mother. Thorn knew the crazy bitch would do something to her. He wouldn’t put it past her to blame the girl for her, Logan, and Stray getting away. And if she didn’t blame her for that, well then she had Patrick to blame on Katrina. He just hoped like hell that he wasn’t too late. He’d hate to have to go back and look Dannie in the eye if her sister was dead. Only his gut told him she wasn’t, but that he wasn’t going to be happy either with what he was about to find.
At the door, he sniffed. Two humans were right on the other side. Another sniff and he picked up the faint scent of gunpowder. So they were armed. At least it could be somewhat of a fair fight then.
Gun in one hand, he took hold of the knob of the door with the other. He turned it slowly, then with all his animal might he shoved the door open, crushing one guy with it, then shooting the other before he could point his gun at Thorn.
Thorn let his animal out some. He saw everything in red, which meant his eyes no doubt would be red also.
He sniffed the air, trying to pick up her scent but all he picked up was men and guns. That meant he would need to find someone to ask for help. Not a problem.
Thorn began walking down dark hallways. He would look around the corners to make sure no one was waiting to come out from the darkness. Lucky for him however he could smell each one first.
Stopping at some wrought iron steps, he looked up then decided to climb them. Might give him a better vantage point being higher. It did. Up on the second floor he saw at least five men keeping guard. Quickly, Thorn headed for the first one. He took aim and shot the guy in the back before he even knew Thorn was there. He caught the guy before he fell, making sure to keep everything as quiet as he could.
Number two went down, then three, and four. He decided to ask some questions of the fifth man and made sure to be extra quiet when going up to him. Tapping him on the shoulder, the guy turned and Thorn punched him hard in the face. The guy went down, Thorn bent over and grabbed hold of him by the throat, helping the poor bastard back up on his feet. He grabbed Thorn’s wrists. The action did little to ease the pressure on his throat.
“It seems I might need some help,” Thorn said. “Where’s the girl?” The guy shook his head, so Thorn picked him up by the throat. “Keep in mind I do have my hand around your throat and if you piss me off then I’m going to squeeze your throat until your damn head pops off. Now where is the girl,” he finished with a growl.
“B—below!” the guy struggled to get out. “Basement.”
Thorn put him back down on his feet and smiled. “Was that so hard?” Instead of letting him go, he jerked him close and placed the guy in front of his body to use him like a shield.
“Wha— what are you doing?” the guy asked.
“Insurance, asshole.”
They went back down the steps to the floor where he’d entered. The guy pointed to where Thorn needed to go, and they walked in that direction. Others came out then, and Thorn didn’t hesitate in shooting each and every one of them. A couple took a shot at them, one managed to hit his shield in the arm.
They came to a door and the guy acted like he might start to get brave again. “Don’t be stupid, asshole,” Thorn growled, squeezing his throat. “Haven’t let go yet, have I?”
The door unlocked and Thorn pushed him forward. Down more steps they went and out came two more guards, this time with bigger guns. Before they reached the lower steps, Thorn pushed the guy as hard as he could. The man went tumbling down the steps. Thorn took out another gun and started shooting. He managed to get one before he ran out of bullets. Guy number two ran out also and rushed towards Thorn with a knife. The animal inside him came forth more and caught the guy by the throat. He snarled before ripping the bastard’s throat right out.
Looking around, making sure no others were close, Thorn started to walk in the direction of the scent he had been looking for, only he stilled when he heard moaning. Turning his head, he saw the guard whom he had brought down with him. The guy was still alive and trying to crawl away. Thorn went up to him, knelt down and in one swift motion snapped his neck.
“Thanks for your help,” he said and patted him on the back, stood up and followed his nose down to
a cage behind some crates.
He stilled right in front of the crates, his stomach dropping. The smell he had picked up with her scent made him not in any hurry to see what they might have done to her. What her own mother had done. He knew it was going to be bad, and hoped that she had not been raped.
Slowly he walked closer, rounded the big crate and wanted to drop to his knees. Tears came to his eyes at the sight of Katrina lying on the concrete floor, bloody back in full view. She had been whipped within an inch of her life. The shirt on her back had been ripped down the back and so many crisscross bloody marks covered her flesh. Hell, so many whip marks that he really didn’t see much flesh that had not been touched.
“What have they done to you?” he whispered.
Getting himself under control, Thorn went up to the cage and with all his animal strength yanked the cage door open. He went inside, knelt down next to her and touched the side of her throat, seeking a pulse, to see if she was still alive. He prayed she was and breathed out a small sigh of relief when he felt her pulse. A pulse that wasn’t very strong. However, she was out cold and that would make moving her somewhat easier, he hoped. He’d hate to have to do all of this with her awake. He wasn’t looking forward to when she did wake up. The pain, he just couldn’t begin to imagine.
Dropping the empty clips first, and then reloading both of his guns, Thorn moved around Katrina so he could look at her face. It appeared to be untouched, meaning the whipping was the only form of torture they had used on her, or he at least hoped so. Taking hold of her arms, he half slung her over his shoulder then stood up, holding her as close as he could while being extra careful not to touch her back. Not a single sound came out of her.
He left the room the same way he entered, gun in hand, all senses on high alert. He looked around and smelled everything. Back up the dark steps to the main level, stopping at the door to make sure no others were coming down to join the party. His sense of smell did not pick up anything to cause him concern. Easing open the door, he walked out. Again, he took the time to look all around, even turning from side to side, as he walked, to make double sure no one could jump out and try to play the hero.
Right before he reached the door, which would take him back outside, Katrina moved and then woke up just as men came running towards him. She cried out as he swung around and opened fire. He took two men down and then he kicked the door open and rushed outside. Katrina cried out with every step he took, because she was bouncing around as he ran towards his car. Thorn winced for her with each step he took knowing there was no way he could prevent causing her pain.
When he reached his car, Thorn stopped before he put her in the back seat. Slowly he turned around and looked up. On the very top floor he saw a woman staring out at him. A woman whom he could never forget, even if he wanted to. What he wanted to do was go back in there and put his hand around her neck and squeeze. But what he had in his arms right now was very precious to him and she was his number one priority. The bitch would have to wait—for now.
“Please put me down,” Katrina moaned softly.
Thorn tore his eyes away from the bitch, and opened the back door so he could put Katrina inside on her stomach. Before he got behind the wheel himself, he opened the passenger side door and brought out a small grenade. Pulling the pin he threw it towards the door and waited for it to go off, sealing what might be left of her men in so he could drive away. Looking up at her once more, Thorn gave a salute, then got into his car, started it up, and peeled away.
He drove as fast as he could, not even looking in the back seat to see how she was, he needed to focus on the road and put as many miles between her and her mother as he could. However, he didn’t have to see her to hear her softly crying. It did something to him that he didn’t like. It affected him. He had never really been affected by anyone the way her cries of pain were affecting him now. He wanted nothing more than to pull over and tend to her but he couldn’t. All the supplies he would need were with Logan and Dannie and he hoped like hell they had been able to find everything he had told them to get.
The drive lasted over an hour before he reached the edge of a small town where he had told Logan to meet him. A town where he knew none of the bitch’s men would be able to find them. It wasn’t a shifter haven, but close to a second hide-out for shifters on the run.
When the small cabin came into view, Thorn looked over his shoulder to check on Katrina. She was awake, looking back at him. The pain in her eyes tore at him, and he knew she was in pain because she was biting her lower lip and tears were falling down her cheeks. He just wanted to hold her and take away the pain, but couldn’t right now.
“It’s okay,” he said, turning back around and skidding to a stop in front of the small cabin. “Everything’s going to be okay.”
He was out in a flash, opening the back door and with as much tenderness as he could he lifted her out. Katrina cried out when Thorn put her gently up over his shoulder and jogged into the cabin.
“Logan!” he yelled as soon as he had kicked the door open.
“Shit, you found her,” Logan said, as he rushed in from the bedroom.
“Katrina!” Dannie cried out.
Thorn went up to the bar and cleaned it off with one swipe of his arm. He put Katrina stomach-down on it and finished ripping off her shirt. “Get the kit.”
“What did she do to you?” Dannie whispered, touching Katrina’s face and brushing her hair back.
“I—I’m sorry,” Katrina whispered.
“Dannie!” Thorn snapped, causing the girl to jump. “Get towels from the bathroom and soak them in some alcohol.”
“Here,” Logan handed him the kit, which Thorn had told him to put together just in case they might need it. “Damn man, some of these look like they were done with copper.”
Copper happened to be the one natural substance all shifters were highly allergic to, not silver as portrayed in the movies and in books. If they got shot with a copper bullet but didn’t get it out in time, no matter where the bullet had wounded them, it didn’t mean a damn thing. The exposure to the copper itself was enough to kill them if it remained inside. To see Katrina being whipped with the stuff wasn’t good enough either for her bitch of a mother, she had given her the beating, which kept on giving pain. It meant poor Katrina would have to endure even more pain as they made sure to clean every inch of her back to make sure nothing of the stuff remained or got into her blood stream.
“Where is the damn morphine?” Thorn asked, digging through the box.
Katrina began crying. She was grabbing onto Dannie in a panic. “I’m sorry!” she sobbed at Dannie. “I’m sorry.”
“Shhhh,” Dannie tried to soothe her. “It’s okay. You’re here now. It’s all going to be okay.”
“Please don’t hate me,” Katrina went on. “I—I didn’t—I—”
“Shhhh,” Dannie glanced up at Thorn, tears filling up her eyes and blinding her.
He kept still for a few seconds, looking back at her, not knowing what to say. With a small nod to her, he looked into the box for the morphine. “Got it.”
Thorn brought out a syringe and a small bottle. He put the syringe into the bottle and filled it about halfway up then grabbed the back of Katrina’s arm and stuck her with it, pushing the contents in.
Thorn touched Katrina on the top of her head, and bent down to speak close to her ear. “No more pain.”
Tears slipped free from Dannie’s eyes when she looked up at him. She sniffed them back and took a deep breath as Katrina’s eyes started to drift closed. He waited a few more minutes to make sure she was really out before standing back up.
“Okay, let’s get to work.”
Thorn took the towels from Logan, which Dannie had soaked in alcohol, one at a time and spread them out across Katrina’s back. He wasn’t at all surprised when some steam came off her back, but Dannie was.
“It’s okay, it’s the copper,” Thorn told her. “The alcohol flushes it out. I need it
all gone before I can sew some of the wounds up.”
“And she has to be out for it,” Logan added. “It’s very painful.”
Dannie nodded and started cleaning up the rest of Katrina where Thorn wasn’t touching. She took the torn shirt off then pulled the dirty jeans off her sister’s body. She tried to stay out of Thorn’s way, as she washed Katrina’s body, covering her rear end with another towel before removing the rest of her clothes. She washed her legs, arms and then moved to her face to clean it as well before she washed and braided her hair. The whole time she was running the cloth up and down, Thorn kept washing the wounds on her back in alcohol until the steaming stopped. It wasn’t too long before Dannie had her sister all cleaned up with a set of boxers which looked like they might have belonged to Logan covering her up. The sight of Katrina in Logan’s clothes sort of bothered Thorn, but he pushed it away in order to get to work on her back.
He spent hours stitching up the wounds on her back—many were very deep and would leave scars. There was only one that needed bandages only, the rest required stitches and it sickened him to see what a mother had done to her child. In their world, mothers protected and cherished their children.
It had been late in the afternoon when Thorn came back with her and started working to fix her up. It was now three in the morning. He was finished and satisfied that he had it all cleaned and sewn up. With the dose of morphine he had given her, Thorn figured she wouldn’t wake up until the next day, which was a good thing. She didn’t need to wake up now and get hit with all the pain from the cleaning and stitching of the large number of wounds left by the whip.
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