Page 22 of Princess Redeemed
“And that’s a bad thing?Why is your side more important than mine, Rogan?You say there’s no choice for me.I feel that.I do.But why must I be the one to give up the loyalty to her side for you?Why can’t you do the same?”
“Because,” he says, “I can’t protect you then.”
“Hannah,” my father says, “there’s something you need to know.”
“I already know,” I eke out.
“You think you do.”My father swipes his silver hair off his forehead.“But there’s more.”
12
Victor
The wolf lies, paralyzed.
Must protect mate.Must move.Must?—
“Not so strong now, are you, Alpha?”a demon taunts.
The demon’s eyes are red, though he otherwise could pass as a human.The irises redden when evil overpowers a demon’s brain, making logic and emotion impossible.
The wolf knows this.
A growl vibrates inside the wolf’s body.He feels it, but he feels nothing else.He moves his forelegs and hind legs in his mind.He lunges at the demon whose hair is black as night and whose scowl is vile.And the eyes… The malicious red eyes…
“We’ll find her,” the demon snarls.“We’ll find your vampire mate.She can’t hide forever.”
Though the wolf can’t move, his blood boils in his veins, making him hot, angry, as rage surges through him.
Must protect mate.Must protect mate.
The wolf’s senses are still sharp, and he still breathes.Whatever the demon dosed him with seems to affect only his outward movement.His internal systems still function.Air keeps him alive.
Must protect mate.
But where is she?He doesn’t know.Her scent is not near.Only the foul scent of a demon’s lair—garbage laced with sulfur and the sickly-sweet fragrance of decaying human flesh.
Footfalls.Shuffling footfalls as more demons approach.The wolf’s heart races.Where is she?
Where is his mate?
A howl is caught in his throat, unable get out.The animal is helpless, but he must find a way to protect her.
His muscles twitch internally with the need to move.
Twitch.Twitch.Twitch.
No movement.
Nothing.
Then foul breath, like rotten fish, acrid and insipid.Demonic energy, thick and malevolent, surrounds him.
Do they have her?
He doesn’t know.Her scent—her succulent scent of roses, apples, and iron—isn’t here.Isn’t infusing him with its vibrant energy.
The wolf may be paralyzed, but he’s still an alpha.
