Page 19 of To Keep A Wolf
“Show’s over, folks,” Gregario announces, a sly grin spreading over his face as he takes a step toward me.
I’m not surprised when he offers to carry me to my room. Even in my poisoned, pain-filled state, I make myself threatening enough that he backs off. In the space he leaves behind, I realize the only other option left is to get up and walk naked past the dozen men crowded into the doorway.
It’s no worse than having them all staring down at me now. Or it shouldn’t be. But the idea of turning my back on them, so exposed, and injured, makes me hesitate. Jadick’s already told them not to help me heal. Who knows what other liberties they think that affords them?
Before I can make myself move, a thin blanket lands on my lap, tossed haphazardly by someone I can’t see over the crowd. And maybe I should worry about the fact that someone just showed me kindness, but I’m too desperate to care. Clinging to the cashmere throw, I scramble to my feet before Gregario can order them to rip it away.
“Move,” I snarl with a confidence I don’t feel.
Despite my thundering heart, the soldiers part to let me pass, and I keep my chin high as I march toward the stairs. Guards follow at a distance. Their presence is a solid sensation behind me, but I don’t look back.
Instead, I force myself to walk.
Past the hall where I just ended the life of a former friend.
Past the sunroom where Jadick’s mother called me a monster, no better than her own fucked up son.
And in the very opposite direction of every door that leads out of this forsaken prison.
I’ve never had to willingly retreat like this before. The humiliation chokes me, but I comfort myself by imagining all of these men dead at my feet.
It works until the pain of the venom makes thought impossible.
Upstairs, the air is cooler. It feels soothing against the poisoned flesh burning me from the inside out. By the time I reach my room, I’m coated in sweat, and the walls are spinning before my eyes.
My breath comes in gasps, but I refuse to give in. Not here. Where Gregario can still touch me under the ruse of helping me.
“Mac!”
My mother’s voice is shrill, very near to a scream. She rushes up the steps behind me, but the guards at my back block her before she can reach me.
“Take your fucking hands off me,” she warns them.
They release her but keep their feet planted.
“No visitors,” Gregario tells her. “Boss’s orders.”
She glares at him. “I’m her mother, asshole.”
“Take it up with the alpha,” he says.
She looks like she might just break him in half, but, in the end, she backs down. Glancing past him to me, she says, “I’ll see you soon.”
Then she retreats.
At the end of the hall, I clutch the doorknob and push my way into a space I can only hope will feel safe until I can regain my strength.
The door slams shut behind me, sealing me in and those assholes out. For now.
In the solitude, I concentrate on my breathing. On remaining upright long enough to stumble to my bed.
Jadick wants me to fight. He’s never hidden that fact before. Up until now, I’ve refused to bait him by giving him that fight. But after what Kari told me, I’m not stupid enough to bide my time any longer.
Jadick thinks he has me cornered. He thinks he’s trapped me like a little mouse he’ll toy with until he’s finally bored and done.
But I’m done playing his game.
Now, I’ll play mine.
