Page 56 of Forbidden Wolf

“Are you going to be at this window every time you go missing?” Castus sounded exasperated.

“No. I’m just convinced that these creatures are everywhere. In the swamp, in the forests, probably living among the humans. Who knows? We’ve been fighting the lycans while they’ve been killing us both.”

Castus sighed, taking my hand. “Your mother is on her way. I want you to stop wandering the castle, Tasha. I don’t have time to hunt for you at windows.”

Levi’s wolf followed, his hackles raised as he stared at Castus. His apparition suggested I was finally losing my mind.

No one was permitted in the west wing of the castle. There were rumours about what happened here, and my feet slowed as we reached the door into it.

“Come on, Tasha, we don’t have time for this. I don’t know why no one realised that you had gifts before now.”

A voice inside me screamed a warning at his words.

“Your mother has avoided me for years, and there was always something sinfully seductive about you. It’s all beginning to make sense since Kimber has gifts.”

I’d put my mum in danger and I had no way to warn her. Levi’s wolf prowled closer to me, infusing me with his strength. Castus produced a large metal key from his pocket and opened the door. He pushed me inside and followed before locking it again.

“My most precious possessions are kept in the west wing,” Castus continued, his hand at the bottom of my back urging me forward. “Items I collected over the years, and vampires with unusual gifts. I knew there had to be a reason why they saw monsters that no one else did. Now it makes sense—vampires have been born who can detect these abominations so we can seek and destroy them.”

My feet were filled with lead as he navigated us through dark corridors, until he reached an area with heavy, wooden doors. The hall was constructed in a semi-circle and each door had a different flower painted on it.

“Since you wouldn’t stay in my room or the control room, maybe you’ll stay with Kimber?”

My pulse sped at the mention of my sister’s name. He unlocked the door and stepped inside, his nails digging into my arm as he pulled me in behind him. Kimber sat close to a window beside an easel and canvas, quietly painting on it. A fire was blazing in a grate close to her.

“Tasha!” Her face lit up as she stood.

“Each of the vampires here are encouraged to develop their talents. You will also receive a room, Tasha.” His finger caressed down my cheek and neck. “Some of the talented vampires have borne me many children over the years. A few have their mother’s gifts.”

I knew what he wanted. It was the same as he always desired. He wanted me to submit to him, to give him what I’d only ever given Levi.

His finger under my chin lifted my face to his and he pressed a soft kiss on my lips. “You have been destined to belong to me from the moment you were born.”

Fear mingled with disgust to snake through me, paralysing me when he deepened his kiss. The wolf at my side growled and forged forward, knocking him back several paces. Castus frowned, looking around him suspiciously with his eyes narrowed.

I remained where I’d been standing with as neutral a look as I could muster on my face. Initially, I thought the wolf was a figment of my imagination, conjured to allow me to feel closer to Levi. After that jolt to Castus, I wasn’t so sure.

“Take care of her, Kimber, or you know what will happen,” Castus said, glaring at me. He swept out of the room, slamming the door behind him.

“Tasha? Is that really you?” Kimber said with a wobble in her voice.

She appeared smaller that I remembered, her face so pale she looked like a ghost. I gathered her trembling body into my embrace.

“I missed you, pipsqueak,” I whispered into her hair, finally leaning back to stare down at her. “You look good.”

Her laugh was a balm to my soul. “Liar.”

“Castus…”

She shook her head. Her eyes contained fear and horror that I didn’t know how to erase. He’d tried to procreate with her to create an army of special babies that would be loyal to him. Castus had formed his own personal harem right under everyone’s nose.

“He doesn’t visit me very often. He leaves me to draw since my paintings interest him. He has peculiar tastes that involve pain. Sometimes when I lie in bed, I hear some of the other women crying for help before a door closes and they sob for hours.”

My wolf guardian bumped his head against my leg, and I put my hand deep into his aura. He’d been able to push Castus and suddenly my protector felt real and able to provide comfort.

“He mostly talks about you when he’s here,” Kimber said, her lip shaking until she bit into it. She snaked her thin arms around my waist and hugged me.

Rage bubbled inside me, making my pulse beat a warning drum in my ears. My fangs lowered in my mouth as I took in the difference in my little sister. She had been a whimsical child who loved reading, drawing, and helping any injured creature that crossed her path. Castus had stolen an innocence from her eyes that had been replaced with a dark fathomless emotion. She was so thin that she felt breakable if I hugged her too hard.

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