17
Cat
Tucked back miles from the main road, the crumbling cabin had clearly been forgotten by its owners—and by everyone else. With a grip on my arm that I knew would leave bruises, Travis dragged me inside and abruptly let go, sending me sprawling on a threadbare rug.
I winced, sucking in a sharp breath through my teeth as pain registered along my hip and arm. Goosebumps rose along my legs, and I shivered from the cold, my teeth chattering with it. Or maybe that was the fear.
The entire drive here, Travis had been quiet but never without that crazy-ass smile. Like he’d already won and he knew it. Considering how far out we were, he probably had. Even if East got back from his pack meeting in time, the chances of him tracking us all the way here were slim to none. Tracking required a scent—and I was pretty sure the truck muted that almost entirely.
I tried to accept my fate with dignity, but the truth was I was terrified. So, when Travis threw me on the hard floor, I didn’t bother trying to get up right away. Instead, I forced my brain to work past the fear and used the pain and cold to regain my wits. Surviving this was on me.
“Darling.” In the darkness, Travis’s form loomed over me. He grabbed me, pulling me to my feet so that my chest bumped his.
I made a sound that was more disgust than pain.
“You’re so clumsy,” he said, a seductive smile twisting his mouth.
“You pushed me,” I snarled back.
His eyes narrowed, but he didn’t respond. Instead, he stroked my hair while holding me flush against him. My skin crawled at the contact.
The darkness inside the cabin was impossible to adjust to. We were too far out of town for street lamps or any kind of city glow. There wasn’t even a moon tonight. Or not enough of one to cast any light. Just a musty-smelling box and Travis’s body against mine.
I needed a way out. But how would I find one when I couldn’t see past his deranged silhouette?
“You’re so beautiful,” he murmured then bent to kiss me.
I turned away, struggling. One of my frantic kicks landed hard against his shin. He winced, and I shoved away as hard as I could. His arm loosened, and I sidestepped then went tumbling as I fell over something.
The furniture I’d just knocked over crashed to the hardwood.
I threw out my hands to break my fall, but they got tangled in the wooden rungs of whatever had taken me out. My face hit the floor and exploded in pain.
Travis’s hands were on me before I could roll away.
He hauled me up off my feet then marched to the wall, shoving me against it. Pinning me, he leaned in close enough to let his stale breath wash over me.
“You’re not playing nice, kitty cat.” His tone was a mixture of lust and rage.
He was crazy.
If I’d ever had any doubt before, I knew it now. Travis was a psycho, and he’d brought me far enough away from civilization that he could get away with whatever he had planned.
Fear struck, harder than before. This time, nearly choking me.
I blinked, trying to stay focused and sharp, but my stomach twisted with the knowledge that I was at Travis’s mercy now.
I’d ignored the signs.
The harassment. The threats.
I’d been an idiot not to be more careful. And now, I was going to pay for it.
“Travis, listen. Let’s talk about this, okay? Let’s be reasonable. You can’t force me out of my apartment in the middle of the night and expect me to just go along.” I tried to keep my voice as even as possible.
“I wouldn’t have had to resort to such tactics if you’d just made time for me earlier.” His hand on my shoulder tightened. “Is it that mutt? The one who interrupted us?”
“East?”
“He’s the reason you’re avoiding me.”
“He’s my friend. And he’s respectful of what I want. You’re not being respectful, Travis.”
“Bullshit. You’re mine,” he spat. “That piece of shit mutt won’t come near you after I’ve claimed you.”
I tensed.
Shit.
I knew enough about werewolves and mates to know what claiming meant. He’d bite me—and then I’d be his. Not something my human side would care much about, but if the rumors were true, it would let his wolf bind itself to me. He’d be able to track me anywhere, forever.
“You can’t claim someone who doesn’t want to be claimed,” I said, fear clogging my throat as I prayed my words were actually true.
Travis leaned in and let his teeth graze the hollow space along my throat. “You’ll want it,” he whispered, his hands beginning to roam now. “When I’m done with you, you’ll beg for it.”
18
Easton
Twice I was forced out of the woods and onto the street in order to find her trail again. My wolf’s mate claim allowed me to track her scent, but without the bite to solidify a bond between us, it was faint. Trying to follow what was clearly a vehicle masking it made my progress slow. No one was on the roads, but even so, exposing myself was a risk. One I’d gladly take again and again if it meant getting to Cat before she was hurt. I’d scented Travis too, and my wolf wanted his blood spilled. If that asshole was crazy enough to take her out of her own bed, who knew what else he’d do to her.
Worry drove me to hunt faster.
Following their scent, I found myself in the darkest part of the woods, and still the trail led on, higher and higher, until the road became dirt and I knew I’d left the borders of the pack’s boundaries.
The road narrowed until it was nothing more than a dirt path, overgrown on both sides from years of neglect.
They were isolated out here.
Completely alone.
I ran faster, lungs burning, beast
