Page 12 of To Keep A Wolf
“Forget what?” I ask.
“Everything. This farce of a fucking wedding. The sacrifice you’ll make after.” He leans close and licks me from the base of my throat all the way to my jaw.
It’s disgusting, but my mind is too caught on his words to be properly disturbed.
His hand comes up to grip my jaw. He bends so his face is buried against my chest. He kisses my collarbone as if I’m breakable.
“You’re exquisite, Mac. Ripe for disposal. And yet, desirable enough to keep.”
I don’t know what that means. But time’s up for asking. His head dips lower, his free hand coming to meet the fabric of my shirt, drawing it down to expose my breast.
I shut my brain off and swing as hard as I can.
The object in my hand meets Jadick’s skull—and sticks.
I draw myself away, slipping past him as he screams. My feet propel me toward the door. I catch a glimpse of him as he yanks the weapon free; a small globe with a spear stuck through it. His blood drips from the spear.
It’s not enough, but it’s all I can do.
Flinging the door wide, I notice my guard from earlier is gone. Not that it matters. Jadick isn’t going to let me get far.
Behind me, Jadick is moaning and hissing and gathering himself, probably to bash my skull in. I inhale a short, shallow breath.
Then, I run.
The halls are a maze of gleaming floors and bewildered guards.
They don’t move in time to stop me. Maybe it’s the surprise. Or maybe we all know I’ll never make it beyond these walls. Either way, their reactions are too slow, and I speed past them before they can grab me. I can’t decide if that’s preferred. My wolf wants the challenge of a fight, but I know I’m not ready for that yet. Not when I’m still recovering from the rejection.
Behind me, Jadick screams my name.
I turn another corner.
And another.
This part of the house is darker. No one has bothered with lights or guards.
Motion sensors beep my presence.
These are worse than guards.
I can’t fight technology.
Another turn, this one down a dead-end hallway.
Shit.
I have no idea where I am. This is not a part of the house I’ve ever seen. And the running has ruined my sense of direction. Somewhere behind me, Jadick’s voice rings out.
“Mac!”
He knows I’m still here. Somewhere.
And he loves the chase.
I cannot let him catch me. Something about his words before, though—they haunt me:the sacrifice you’ll make after.
A door looms at the end of the hall, and I don’t even hesitate. Pushing my way through, I stumble into a darkened room and then shove the door shut behind me.
