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I close my eyes tight to avoid crying, but the pain comes back. I wish it would stop; I have more important things to concern myself with now. I need to know what they plan to do with me and my family. My hands push against my thighs and my shoulders hunch forward. I try to relax my body to loosen the pain, but in this position it’s so hard to get comfortable.
“We’re almost there.” His words are meant to be reassuring based on his tone, but all they do is terrify me. I’ve been taken by my mate’s enemy, and I have no clue how I’m going to get out of this. My mantra rings in my head, one day at a time, but I don’t want to think like that. Not when Addy and Reece are involved.
“What are you going to do to us?” My breath stalls as I ask; I need to know. I need to know they’ll be all right no matter what plans they have for me.
His silver eyes finally meet mine, but I can’t keep his gaze. I’m terrified that they’re going to use us against Shadow, or worse, send us back. I hear him swallow before answering, “I’m keeping you. You belong to me.”
A numbing heat washes over me as fear settles in my bones.
I’ve merely changed hands of captors.
With staggered breathing, I attempt to remain calm. I nod stiffly, acknowledging his words, as tears slip down my cheeks.
“What about Addy and Reece?” I swallow thickly, praying that he’ll show me kindness.
“They’ll stay with us.” He turns the wheel and immediately the car starts rocking unsteadily as we drive down a gravel road. I close my eyes and try to even my breathing. As long as my family is safe, we’ll get through this. I don’t have any other choice but to do my best to survive. I will survive.
Before I’ve had a moment to really pull myself together, the car slows and comes to a stop. I open my eyes to see an enormous house in front of us. The driveway is a semicircle that leads to a stone path and large entry. I’ve never seen such a beautiful home. Jude’s hand grabs mine and he squeezes. “I promise you’ll be all right. I’ll take care of you.” His voice is soft and comforting and I find myself believing him, but then a flash of Shadow comes to the forefront of my mind. My body stiffens. He said the same words. He said he’d take care of me. I look back up at the house and it no longer holds its appeal. It’s merely a gilded cage. I won’t let myself be conned with fantasies. Not again. I won’t let it happen again.
I lower my head in shame for hoping for more than what this reality is. I’ve been taken by the enemy of my mate and given to one of his pack members. I look into Jude’s silver gaze and bite the inside of my cheek, thinking maybe he’ll treat me better.
But why would he? Just as the thought strikes me another wave of pain grows in my back and moves slowly to my front and down my thighs.
“I’ll get the pups, we have plenty of room.”
Before I can answer, Jude’s already gotten up and out of his seat and shut the car door. He moves to the back seat to get the pups and I know I should do the same. I move through the pain, breathing slow deliberate breaths out of my mouth in through my nose as I open the door and scramble out. I lean against the back of the car as I hear him shut the opposite door. With the soft click of the door closing, I look up to see him carrying both sleeping pups. Part of me is relieved that I won’t have to carry them, I’m exhausted and just want to rest; but the other part of me is ashamed that I can’t take care of my only remaining family.
I watch him as he makes his way around the car with Addison sleeping on his right shoulder, open mouthed and drooling; and Reece asleep on his left, reminiscent of a peaceful little angel. I’m all too aware that I shouldn’t feel this sense of calm without knowing what’s to come. It’s short lived anyway; the air is knocked out of me as my little pup kicks me again. I grunt and close my eyes. My strong little wolf.
“Do you need a healer?” I open my eyes slowly to see an enormous, muscular wolf in front of me. His face is all sharp edges, and waves of dominance and power wash off him. The Alpha, Devin. I feel an urge to bow to him, but his hand reaches out and braces my elbow. “You don’t look well.” His voice is strong and emotionless. He’s merely stating a fact.
Anxiousness creeps through me.
“Yes, she needs a healer.” Jude answers for me and I hunch my shoulders forward realizing I’m not needed to speak. I nod my head slightly and walk with the men up the steps to the house.
“Do you think they’ll follow you here?” Devin speaks over me to Jude.
“It would be easier, but I don’t think they will. We’ll have to go to them.” I part my lips in shock as the air leaves my lungs. They’re going after Shadow’s pack.
The echoes of our footsteps are hollow as the beautifully carved front door opens and we enter the estate.
“They’re here!” A feminine squeal draws my eyes across the spacious entry to a large and modern kitchen. My jaw nearly drops at the luxury. It’s been years since I’ve even seen a kitchen, and it wasn’t even close to being this nice.
“Hush, the children are sleeping.” Hearing those words from the Alpha is odd, but even more strange is watching a small human walk past him and straight to me. I almost back away, but she wraps her arms around me. She smells wonderful and I immediately feel sickened at my appearance in comparison, but she doesn’t seem to notice. If she does, she doesn’t let on.
A human and a wolf, the connection between them is as obvious as it is confusing. She cannot be the Alpha mate, can she?
The dirt from my clothing clings to the human’s clothes when she releases me. “Welcome to the pack.” A bright smile lights her face as she whispers in a hushed tone.
“Aw look at them sleeping.” A low, sing-song voice whispers from a tall blonde to my right, another human. I should be grateful that the confusion and shock replace the uncertainty and fear. She places a hand over her heart and a small smile grows on her face as she watches Jude carry Addy and Reece into a room opposite the kitchen. I instantly follow, my heart racing and my head filled with questions. I need to know exactly where he’s taking them. I’m grateful for their kindness, but I don’t trust it.
He lays them down so gently on the sofa, carefully so they remain asleep. I can barely breathe watching the Alpha rest a blanket over them before looking back at Jude, not saying a word out loud, but it’s more than obvious they’re speaking through the bond.
“We’re converting the guest wing for the kids.” The blonde whispers and I’m not quite sure who she’s talking to.
“Yeah we don’t need it. I just cleared out the last of my things.” I barely hear the brunette talk behind me as I watch Jude take a step back and give the pups space to sleep. His eyes peer into mine as he murmurs “they’ll be all right” and motions for us to back slowly away. Cautiously, I do. I follow them.
“We have so much to buy for them. If you’d called us, we would’ve had everything ready.” Jude huffs at the blonde’s joking admonishment. It dawns on me that they must’ve been talking through their pack bond while we were driving. “The guys are gonna watch the pups until we get back. Do you want anything in particular or can I have free rein to shop?” It takes me a moment to realize the question was directed at me. The perky blonde stares at me expectantly. I can’t help my blank stare. I don’t know what I expected, but this wasn’t it. I’m so out of my element and I don’t know what’s expected of me. I’m afraid if I say the wrong thing, I’ll be punished.
