He fell silent, mind-linking someone before his sharp gaze turned to me. My aura was still around me, but I couldn’t keep it up. If I was to save Kataleya, I needed all my energy, which was already dropping.
“You are in no position to ask for anything. Remember that,” he spat icily.
“Fine.”
I clenched my jaw, but I didn’t want to do something so reckless that they did something to Kataleya. I just hoped Alejandro would get there soon. I would just need to buy enough time until then.Goddess, please give me strength.
I stayed silent, allowing them to blindfold my eyes. I felt a sharp object push against the barrier between my shoulder blades, prodding me forward.
“Walk.”
I didn’t reply, thinking I had spent years of my life fighting with a blindfold on, years of fighting blindly in the dark. Despite how strong I was, I lacked night vision, which was the price for my healing. What many didn’t know was that I actually couldn’t see in the dark at all, but it became my advantage over many others. The rest of my senses were heightened, advanced, so I was able to walk and manoeuvre efficiently.
These wolves thought I was just going to listen to everything they said and follow them silently, and yes, I would for now. However, if things went south, I would need to find Kataleya and run. The house was not that big; I’d be able to locate her. If worst came to worse, I would do what I could, even if I could just get her out…
I felt the warmth of the sun vanish from my back and the dirt of the ground become hard beneath my feet the moment we stepped inside. It was cold, and something told me despite the house smelling of expensive wood and a spiced scent, it was a house with a dark interior. The dark windows had given that away to start with. We walked along the hall. The floors were paved, maybe marble.... or stone. Our footsteps echoed off the walls.
We slowed down, and suddenly all my sense of scent vanished. Even the ashy, smoky smell of the wolves around me just disappeared. Anti-scent spray? Were they being careful? Probably so I didn’t pick up the scent of the Crimson King, or whatever he called himself. What exactly was his link to us? What did he want from Alejandro? I was sure that was who he meant by beast.
“Sit.” I was told. They pushed me forward until my leg hit a chair. I reached out, feeling the item against my back prod harder before I sat down, keeping my aura around me as a shield.
The room fell silent. I was about to speak when I heard the echoing sound of footsteps approaching. I kept my heartbeat steady, feeling the aura of the man approaching. He was indeed powerful, maybe not on par with Alejandro or Liam, but powerful enough to be on par with Dad.
“So, we have the Queen here,” he hissed venomously, and even though his voice was emotionless, it was cold and full of hatred. I heard him take a seat. The chair creaked a little under his weight. The urge to rip off the blindfold and take a look at the man was strong, but I remained unmoving. Buying time was the main goal.
“And we have someone who kidnaps children,” I replied calmly.
“Women should know when to hold their tongue.”
“Well, I am not one of your women for you to command as you wish.” My voice was calm despite how much hatred I felt for him. A sadistic chuckle left his lips, and I frowned.
“A woman of strong will. I’m surprised the Lycan allows you to be so disrespectful. If you were mine, I would break you into submission.” I clenched my jaw, feeling his gaze roam over me. My stomach twisted with disgust.
I’m not yours.I didn’t say it out loud, not wanting to trigger him.
“You said there was a debt owed to you. What exactly do you want from us?”
“The debt must be paid in full, but I won’t talk business with a woman.” His arrogant, disgusting attitude was irking me, but right then, I was in his hold. It was clear his opinion of women was that they were nothing more than the dirt beneath his feet.
“Then, whilst you do your business, allow me to see my daughter.” He scoffed maliciously.
“And you think I will just bend to your wishes?” He mocked in his accented voice.
“We will give you what you want, but I have come here –”
“And you won’t be leaving,” he cut in. “You will be leaving this property with the dead body of that pup.”
My eyes flashed as anger flared through me. I ripped the bandage off before any of the men could move, my aura spreading around me and my eyes meeting the ones of the man before me. He was not what I was expecting. He looked far more unhinged than I could have imagined, and something told me he really wasn’t someone I could ever reason with. His reddish-brown eyes burned into mine as his dark hair fell over one eye. His skin from the side of his face to his cheek, neck, hands, and arms was all melted and burned, a burn that stretched every time he moved.
He raised his hand ever so slightly, barely lifting his fingertips from the table, warning the men to let me be.
“You have a problem with us, take it out on us! When Alejandro comes for you, and he will, you will regret this,” I hissed coldly.
“Oh? Who says he will manage to find this place?” He smirked, making my stomach twist.
“What do you mean?”
“We saw you approaching hours ago. We allowed you to enter this place. Do you really think that ‘feeling’ you had was purely your intuition, dear blessed wolf?” His sneer grew, stretching the burnt skin in the process, making him look even more sinister. I frowned, praying that Alejandro at least got the signal… “I have far more power than you can ever imagine. It seems like the beautiful Luna didn’t expect that.” His gaze trailed over me, and I clenched my jaw.
