A twig snapping behind me had me turning around. Before I could make out what caused the noise, a hand covered my nose and mouth with firm pressure. I grabbed it but was pulled back against the stranger, who laughed darkly. “Come and get her, dog.” I didn’t even have time to struggle because he did something that made my world go black.
When I woke, I sat in an overstuffed chair near a blazing fire. Other than the light from the dancing flames, the room was dark. Swallowing nervously, I realized someone watched me from the murky depths of the room, albeit I couldn’t see them. Still, the feeling of their eyes made my skin crawl, and my body tensed.
A soft chuckle reached my ears, and I curled into a ball on the chair, feeling like a child scared of the dark. Perhaps because I knew something lurked within the inky blackness. “Cold, bunny?” A soft voice asked when I shivered. “You look just like him,” he added when I stiffened.
Swallowing nervously, I realized this stranger stood at the back of my chair but didn’t look. Perhaps because it was easier to pretend he wasn’t there if I didn’t see him. Still, while I feared this unknown male, I didn’t feel as terrified of him as I did the other. Although they must be in cahoots since we were in the same room. I shivered again, and he made a soft noise of disapproval. “I told Liam he shouldn’t have allowed you to be in the rain so long. Poor little thing. You were soaked to the bone when he brought you in. He turned so long ago I fear he has forgotten the limits of humanity.”
Well, at least I was right that he wasn’t human. Strangely, that didn’t make me feel the slightest bit better. Still, while I was wary of the new stranger, he hadn’t threatened me yet, so I should give him props for that. And he called me bunny. So he knew Jax. I didn’t yet know if that was bad. Since he knew what Jax called me. So, either Jaxy was a prisoner or a friend. But since my friendly ghost was absent, I had no way of knowing other than by asking. However, who was to say the man would answer with the truth?
“Are you warm, bunny?” His voice sounded concerned, and while he kept his words soft, I sensed untold strength behind them. His voice almost seemed lilting in a hypnotic way, and that scared me. As much as I wanted to listen to Kyler’s, which I understood at least, I wanted to hear him speak even more. His voice was beautiful, albeit darkly. Mysterious, and not friendly, although he tried to make it sound as if it were.
“Yes, thank you,” I whispered, my manners catching up to me. Grimacing because my voice sounded scratchy and rough, I cleared my throat. “Is Matty all right?”
“No need to fear, little bunny, your younger brother is fine. Well, mayhap a little bored and miserable in his fear that you’ll show up here. He wants to save you, and he’s terrified you’ll find out he’s here and come charging in. Mostly because he knows that’s what Liam desires. Wolves are not the only ones who can appreciate an omega,” the stranger explained, his voice giving me the feeling that he was quite satisfied.
“So, Matty was bait?” I questioned, knowing it would upset him that another person used him. It drove him crazy that my monster dangled him like a carrot before me as it was, I could only imagine how much this would hurt him.
“Yes and no,” what I assumed to be my captor mused. His voice wrapped around me, and I swallowed audibly when I wanted to give in to whatever he desired. “I would not have allowed the boy to suffer harm had you not come, nor would I have released him, however. Still, I won’t use him as your monster does. That’s what you call him, correct? Matty seethes about him, comparing us even. I have no intentions to hurt you either, bunny, but I will if you force my hand. And, well, what I do will make your monster seem like a tame little lamb in comparison. I am far older than your human tormentor, and there are many games we can play. For example, we could discover everything you can live through together.”
My heart raced in my chest while terrifying images flashed through my mind, but I forced myself to not tremble. I had dignity, and I would cling to it. “Alas, I have frightened you, little bunny. Like I told you, I have no intention of harming you. But, if you don’t obey orders or stir up strife, I will put you in your place, little one.” Even though his words were terrifying, his voice was gentle, and I was torn between feeling scared or comforted. How was that comforting in the slightest? I suppose because he had rules and if I followed them, he implied he wouldn’t cause harm to Matty or me? Either way, I doubt I’ll escape from here soon.
“Come, bunny, it’s time we get you something warm to eat,” he murmured after a moment, and my fear returned suddenly. I did not understand why, but the idea of eating and this stranger together was terrifying. Uh oh. Please, not that. Although it would explain the conversation between the man he called Liam and whichever werewolf found us.
A hand appeared out of the darkness, and I hesitated for a moment before accepting it with an inward sigh. No sense in pissing him off, especially if I was right. That would only bring about things I didn’t want to experience. “Brace yourself, bunny, the hall is not any brighter, so you must rely on my help to navigate the darkness.” I wanted to balk, but forced myself to nod and shakily put one foot in front
