Page 59 of Dark Revolution

Chapter 21

Annora

Blinding lights scald my eyes,forcing me to blink as the glare renders me unable to see. Though my vision is temporarily impaired, I can hear and smell Caulder as he circles me. I’m strapped to something like a cot but upright, so I can stand. His fetid stench washes over me as he slides close, hands fiddling with the restraints.

“I now have you, my little omega.” Before releasing me fully, he slides his nose along my neck, inhaling deep. “Still not in heat, I see. No matter. I’ll breed you day and night until you’re so full of my cum that you’ll be leaking every time you walk. Though don’t worry. You’ll only be allowed your bed and the bathroom. Perhaps I’ll provide you a nest once your body decides to quit being dramatic and go into heat.”

His words pierce my heart, striking me at my core. Again, I reach out for Jaxxon, needing his strength to keep me strong. I don’t fear that I’ll be unfaithful; nothing about Caulder speaks to me. It’s more the fact that I know he’s going to force himself on me, and I need something, anything, from Jaxxon to survive.

He can’t be dead. I’d know it. Deep down, I’d know it. The problem is, the agony at his silence is so blinding that I can’t tell the difference. Caulder grabs my breast, squeezing it until I’m forced to cry out.

“We’re going to have so much fun, you and I.”

“Please. Please don’t do this. I’m mated -.”

His strong slap to my face knocks my head to the side, sending stars in my vision for several moments. “Your pathetic Alpha is gone. Dead the moment he dared to knock down our doors. He came after you. Brought a ragtag group of betas. Who do you think won that battle?”

I lick my lip, the coppery tang of blood coating my tongue. “He won. I know it.”

“Do you? Truly? Look deep inside. What does your bond say?”

Again, I dig deep, looking for something, anything. But it’s dead. There’s nothing there but empty space. A sob wrenches loose from deep within, and Caulder lays my head against his chest, murmuring soothing nonsense that does nothing to console me.

“Rumors flew about that he was the Alpha of Alphas. Seems like false gods fall even harder. Don’t worry; I’ll give you purpose, omega. My sacred seed will give you so many children, you won’t even think about the Alpha you lost. I’ll be your new god, your Master.”

“What of Karis?” In light of everything, even if I can’t have Jaxxon, perhaps my sister will make life a little tolerable. Either way, I can’t let myself die before I know she’s okay.

“Oh, you stupid, stupid, little omega. You really thought she messaged you? I’ll be honest, I was shocked that you came. Derek said it was a foolproof plan, but I thought you were smarter. Look how wrong you made me. Karis is dead. I killed her myself.”

My mind blanks as I attempt to assimilate his words. “You?”

“Don’t act so surprised. We intercepted your message and followed her to the enclave. Imagine our surprise when lo and behold, there she is. In the flesh. She struggled, of course, screamed as my cock pierced her barrier. If I couldn’t have yours, at least I could have your sister’s.”

Everything goes still as his words permeate my brain. My father, my mate, my sister. All my family, dead at their hands or his. The loss slams into me, leaving me breathless for a moment. It’s too much to process, too much to take in. How will I ever go back to my normal life after suffering this much grief?

Again, I reach out to the bond, desperate to prove Caulder wrong, but nothing. Not even a twitch of sensation. The emptiness that fills me as the knowledge of Jaxxon’s death hits home is like a gaping wound that I just want to fall into and bury myself until the agony passes. Tears stream down my face as my heart cracks under the weight of the despair that threatens to overwhelm me.

Caulder’s hand fiddles with the other restraint, leaving me unbound as he continues his tale of horror. Does he not see what he’s done to me? Does he not care? Such a stupid question. Why would a monster ever care about the pain he inflicts onto others?

“Did you know that virginal blood has a distinct taste? Yours won’t be nearly as sweet, but when I make you bleed, it will taste good all the same. She cried out for you. Called your name as I pounded into her. Poor thing. She only made it halfway through before her body gave out. You see, if you hadn’t pumped her with suppressants, her omega body would have taken my cock with little effort. You’re the reason your sister died.”

Rage fills my system until everything goes red. There is no time, no meaning. The only thing that makes sense is blood. Roaring to the heavens, I lurch forward, catching Caulder off guard. My body moves on pure instinct, gripping and clawing, snarling as I subdue the man that dared harm my family.