Page 56 of Dark Company

It’s as if he’s caught up in a rut, but then why the blood? His lips curl up into a feral grin, showing me his bared teeth as they drip with his saliva. He’s a monster. A beast. Whatever the man said to him, it forced him to transform somehow, turning into something out of a nightmare.

In this vision, I reach out for him, but he either does not see or does not care, and somehow, I’m unable to move or force him to calm down. I have no control over things as I watch helplessly as he turns from me and walks up a set of stairs.

At the top, Annora sits on what looks like a throne, her face ashen as she stares at Altris. She holds up her hands as if to stop him, but I can’t see what happens after that.

My mind shifts again, once more dragging its molten fingers through my brain, searing me with the intensity of its heat. I want to cry out. I want to beg for no more, but I’m trapped in my mind, plagued by these visions that seem to make no sense.

A face smiles down at me. It’s older, but not quite as old as the Clan Mother. She too looks familiar, as if she’s some distant memory that I can’t quite hold on to. She speaks to me, her voice soothing over my body, driving the heat from me and leaving me cool to the touch.

As she touches me, my body shivers. It’s as if her fingers alone can pull the heat out of my body, leaving me languid, relaxed, and calm for a few blessed moments.

“Be still, my child,” the voice whispers in my mind. “We will find you. Even now, one of our Alphas moves to intercept. Be calm. Be still. Rest while we watch over you.”

In a flash of brilliant light, I can make out the forms of at least two other people, but then it’s gone, leaving me in darkness. The air around me ripples as awareness once more comes back to me. Another vision. Is this going to be a normal thing with me?

My body sags against Brennen’s horse as the visions depart, but despite the pain wracking my body, a slight smile curves across my lips. My salvation is nigh. Even if it’s the sweet kiss of death, it seems to greet me as a friend instead of an enemy.

Chapter 15

Altris

Rage. It’s the only thing I can feel. It’s the only thing I can think about. I need to be strong for Karis, but I can’t do that if I make things worse. Taking a deep breath, I do my best to shield my mind, to keep the anger from spilling over.

Murderous intent beats at my chest, demanding satisfaction. Someone has Karis. Someone named Brennen. I felt it like fire clawing through my body as he forced his fingers into the mark I gave her, sending unfathomable agony through her. He will pay. His life was forfeited the moment he touched her.

I thank the gods that she survived the storm, but even now, she feels fainter, weaker. The tug on my bond is nearly non-existent, and her absence hurts even more than the active venom that spewed across our broken bond.

I’ll take anything to feel her again. I’ll take her rage, her anger, her hatred. Anything. As long as she’s okay. Brushing myself off, I set back towards the camp, needing to confer with Leon and the omegas before I set off to find her. I can barely think straight. The only thing I know is that I will have my mate in my arms, no matter the cost.

If I have to sell my soul to the gods, then so be it. It does nothing for me as it is. Fractious energy flows down my limbs, making them shake with every step. I only hope that I’m rational enough not to kill that bitch Alexi when I see her. None of this would be happening if she hadn’t helped Karis.

I don’t blame her entirely, and when I get Karis back, I’ll make sure she knows the full extent of my fury. But Alexi was an integral part. If only she said no. If only she came to me the minute Karis started to run.

As the camp comes into view, it’s a bustle of activity, and for a brief moment, I shoot up a prayer, thanking the gods for Leon’s hulking figure. He’s so much easier to spot, even over the other Alphas. His eyes widen as he sees me, his lips widening into a grin, until he notices I’m alone.

“Bring me to the omegas,” I grind out, unwilling to let my anger spill over until it’s needed.

The docile one hides in a corner, her soft sobs sliding into my brain like sharp claws, as if she’s tearing my mind in two. I can’t handle it. I want to make it stop but have no way of controlling myself.

“Take her outside. I will not hear her incessant crying. Not right now.”

Without a word, Leon steps in and uncuffs her, dragging her out of the tent. It’s just Alexi and me, and for once, she looks up at me with a face mixed with fear and dread. It’s as it should be. As an omega, she should know better than to come at me with her high and mighty attitude. Hell, the mark alone tells me she knows better.

Leaning above her, I slam my hand against the pole at her back and stare down into her wide eyes. “Who the fuck is Brennen? And if you know, you damn well better tell me. I’m not in the mood for your games.”

In an instant, her gaze turns from fearful to pissed. “Why is that beta here? Is he looking for Karis? Best to just send him on his way and not give him anything.”

I freeze, everything in my body locking onto her words. Dread curls around my spine and flows up my throat, nearly choking me. She knows this man, and what’s worse is he’s already connected to Karis in some way.

“What is he to Karis?” Part of me doesn’t want to know, but let a festered wound. I have to drain the puss to clean it.

Is he the beta she wanted to fuck, over me? Over my dead, fucking body. I’m more liable to let her watch as I take him, showing him who’s in charge. Violent images tear through my brain, of me bending this stranger over and driving deep inside him, forcing him to cry out and cum on the dusty ground as I pound into that bundle of nerves in his ass over and over.

It’s not a sexual thing. I don’t crave the idea of sleeping with him. I crave the idea of hurting him, humiliating him, showing him I’m the true Alpha and the only one that will ever touch Karis like that.

“My Lord Alpha. Please. Tell me. Is he here?”

“No.” I grind out, forcing my brain out of its loop. “But he has Karis.”