The house is a couple of miles away from my parents’ home, and the whole way I see her face. My head swims with images of Pru as I hike through the woods. I think back to the night I carried her out of here after the rogue attacked. Images of her stunned face after I shifted in front of her the first time follow. I see the look of pure happiness on her face after I told her I bought the house for her—for us.
The house sits dark and empty as I walk up the driveway. The lights I had strung are hanging loosely from the trees, the strands blowing softly in the wind. It feels like ages ago that I brought her here, but really it was a few days ago. We’re supposed to be meeting with the contractor about renovations and changes we want to make.
Once inside the house, I sit down on the counter in the kitchen. I look out the large floor to ceiling windows to the moonlight reflecting off the lake and casting light into the house.
The feeling of complete hopelessness I have grows as I sit in the quiet of the house. Before, when I thought she had died, I found some solace, knowing she was at peace.
But this time, there is no peace. Nicolai would never allow her to have that. I saw it in his eyes when he looked at Pruitt. I saw that his plans for her were the opposite of peace and tranquility, and there is nothing I can do to stop him.
We have no idea where he’s keeping her. Nicolai was smart by bringing the helicopter. It doesn’t leave tracks or a scent trail we can follow, and once in the air, they could have gone anywhere.
“I’m so mad at her!” Remington’s voice cuts through the silence of the room. I hear footsteps to my left and turn to find my sister standing at the entrance to the kitchen. She looks exhausted, with dark circles under her eyes, and her skin looks paler.
“I am too,” I admit.
“And I feel guilty for being mad at her because she did what she did to save me—to save us.” She walks into the kitchen and stands next to me.
“I wish I could feel guilty. All I feel right now is angry and betrayed.” My wolf is equally as pissed, and he’s clawing to get out. “I just don’t understand. Did she not believe I could win the challenge?”
“I don’t think that’s it.” Remi shakes her head. “She wasn’t willing to allow anyone else to get hurt trying to protect her—especially you.”
“But I am hurt!”
Remi wraps an arm around my shoulders. “I know.”
“How am I going to get her back, Remi? I don’t even know where to start looking for her. We know nothing about Nicolai or where he’d take her.”
“You’re right. We don’t know anything about Nicolai.” Remi suddenly stands straighter. “But there’s someone who might.”
36
Pruitt
Jax left the room right after he introduced himself as a demon and as my torturer, and I haven’t seen him or anyone else since. The fluorescent lights shining bright above me never dim or turn off and I struggle to know what time it is. I try to fall asleep, but the metal table I’m chained to and the light above make it difficult, and despite knowing that my chains are magically strengthened, I can’t help but pull against them over and over again.
I spend the majority of my time thinking about Ryker. The look on his face when I walked into the clearing will probably haunt me until the day I die. I know how hard it was to leave him, but I can’t imagine being the one who was left behind.
If by some miracle I’m ever able to see him again, I don’t know how I will ever look him in the eye knowing the hurt I’ve caused him.
I have absolutely no idea how long it’s been since Jax left, but I jump when the electronically locked door buzzes open behind me.
I can’t see him, but I recognize his scent and know this can’t be good.
“Good morning,” Nicolai’s annoyingly chipper voice comes from my left. “Did you sleep well?”
“Like a baby. The metal chains and this table were so relaxing. I don’t know how I ever slept without them,” I snap at him.
“Well, it won’t be like this forever, Grey.” He smirks and pats my shoulder, reassuringly, causing me to recoil from his touch. “Once we’re able to break that stubborn wolf out, and we are mated, I’ll have you moved to a more—comfortable room.”
I want to gag at the idea of mating with him, but I don’t let him see my disgust. Instead, I clench my teeth and give him a tight grin before saying, “Can’t wait. Also, my name isn’t Grey anymore.”
“Ah, yes. Avery told me you went by Pruitt now.” Nicolai nods. “Do you know why that name was chosen for you?”
I pause, realizing it was something I never got the chance to ask Addison. “No.”
“It was your mother’s maiden name.” Nicolai smirks. “Genevieve Pruitt.”
My blood boils when I hear her name come out of his mouth. “Don’t ever speak my mother’s name again. You lost all right to talk about her the night you had my father and her killed.”
“You’re not exactly in a position to be making any demands.” Nicolai runs a finger down my face, starting at my brow bone before traveling down to caress my jawline. His soft touch changes abruptly when suddenly his hand is wrapped around my throat, slowly applying more and more pressure to my airway.
“You’re going to need to learn your place here, Pruitt,” he says, spitting my name out. “You don’t get a say over what I do or what I say, especially what I do to you.
