Page 36 of Mated to the Vikings

He wore something that could be described as a uniform, although the pants did little to hide the thick bulge between his legs. I could make out the line of his cock pressing hard against the thin material. Once again, my mouth watered, longing to see every inch of him.

To touch every inch of him.

Again.

He glanced up and down the length of me then scanned the entire room.

“I didn’t build a weapon while you were gone, although the thought is a good one.”

Erik lifted one of his impressive eyebrows and folded his arms, not amused in any manner. “You need to come with me.”

“Why?”

He leaned slightly forward, the same expression on his face. “Because you’re required to.”

“For what purpose?”

A slight huff left his mouth. “Come with me, Cassia. This isn’t a request but a command.”

There was no point in disobeying, but I refused to move, daring him.

A single growl slipped from his mouth and he took long strides closer.

He’d said very little during the trip from the facility, even though I’d peppered him with questions. I’d given up, forced by my body’s weakness. Now, events were starting to clear, my mind reeling with possibilities regarding the future. “I didn’t do anything wrong, Erik.”

“You attempted escape. As I said before, you will learn. There are rules you will follow. There is no question.”

“Tell me about the tests they performed. Tell me about your transformation. I know you’re angry as well as hurt and I don’t blame you.” I kept repeating the same words, but he’d changed in appearance again, more introverted, his eyes filled with sadness.

“You assume far too much, Cassia. Come now or your punishment will be much worse.”

“Why did you take me before?” The words seemed to give him surprise.

His mouth wrenched, his brow furrowing. “Because you belong to me and you always have.”

The answer was far too haunting.

“What about my companions? Are they alive?” The shift in the glint in his eyes told me the truth. “They were murdered. Weren’t they? The mother fucking bastard.”

Exhaling, Erik nodded. “I’m sorry, Cassia. I doubt Kevin would have allowed you to leave this planet.”

“No. Why were we brought here? Why? Is this all a game?”

“That I don’t know. Now, please come with me.” His eyes held a dark glint, excitement and hunger, more like a beast than a man.

I looked away, my head aching like a son of a bitch.

His hand caressed my arm, leaving me tingling.

Resigned, I tried to shut down my mind, pretending that I was anywhere but here. I was led down a long corridor, passing no one. Everything was dark, as if light was their enemy. By the time he stopped in front of a massive steel door, I was taking deep breaths. I’d never been disciplined in my life, at least not in any physical manner, but these were more primitive people. I bit back a cry at my own thoughts. What kind of a life had I led?

I remembered the very day the world had changed. I’d been so young, carefree as almost everyone had been during those days. Several bombs, various attacks on our cities led to martial law within two months. Then the rules began to change, everyone forced to live by a curfew, threatened with imprisonment if they disobeyed.

Everything had gone from bad to worse, people disappearing and thrown into prisons for the slightest infraction. Somewhere during that time rights had been stripped away. Women were first, certain cultures and religions soon after that. Women were suddenly the property of their fathers or husbands, unable to vote or go anywhere unattended. The only reason I’d been allowed to live on my own was because I had no one.

Except for Dr. Forrester.

He’d showered me with attention and praise, taking me under his wing, signing all the required documents indicating that he was responsible for me. My freedom not only had an invisible chain attached but as I was finding out, a hefty price.