Page 1 of Ransomed to the World
Chapter One
Two weeks later…
Suspended.
Cause one small riot.
Get some people killed.
Murder a powerful alpha who wanted to take over the world.
Incite a war.
Who knew it would get a girl suspended from school?
Annora sat in the back seat while Xander expertly drove the vehicle up the single winding mountain road, the truck engine screaming under the strain. She absently ran her fingers over Prem’s head while the ferret slept in her lap, the action calming her.
It had been two weeks since they left the university.
Or more like two weeks since she was asked to leave the only home she’d ever known.
With the knowledge spreading that phantoms were real, the university decided to take precautions. After a lengthy discussion, the directors had voted and asked her to leave campus until things were settled between her and her father, saying it was too dangerous for the other students if she remained.
She couldn’t argue with that.
Maybe she should consider herself lucky they didn’t try to execute her—or worse, imprison her. She shuddered at the thought of being held captive again and at the mercy of power-hungry assholes. Director Greenwood protected her as much as he could, but he’d been outvoted.
Instead of remaining at the university without her, the guys took a leave of absence. They were adamant about staying by her side. While she was more thankful than she could say, she felt selfish for pulling them away from their lives.
Annora couldn’t help but be suspicious of the timing.
Since she didn’t have a clan or coven or even a family, the school had promised to protect her…for a price.
They thought she would grovel.
They were wrong.
So they took away the protection.
They wanted her power and were willing to do whatever was necessary to take it. Annora didn’t have a single doubt they’d soon begin hunting her in earnest.
She would not bow.
She would not break.
She’d survived torture.
She’d survived death.
Fuck if she’d let life kick her in the lady balls while she was down. She had too much to live for—most especially her mates—to lose it all now. They meant everything to her. They gave her a reason to live. They gave her a purpose. They were her family, and she’d do everything in her power to keep them safe…even if she had to tear the world apart to do it.
The guys had been training her hard over the past two weeks. Camden was trying to cram in as much information as possible about the different shifters and their laws. Mason and Xander doubled down on her physical training. Edgar was teaching her everything he knew about the afterworld, while Logan helped her detox and kept her from being overwhelmed by spending evenings with her watching all the movies and video games she’d missed growing up, and then he’d carry her to bed when she fell asleep in his arms.
It wasn’t until the sound of the engine died that Annora became aware that the SUV had stopped. The guys slid out of the vehicle, and Prem took the opportunity to jump out the door. He sniffed the air curiously, then loped away to explore the area, pausing every few feet to investigate.
The guys began collecting the items from the back. Everyone had been allowed one personal bag each, while the rest of the packs were supplies. When she hefted out her bag, Mason snatched it from her hand. “It will be a long hike before we reach the tribe. You’ll need all your strength to reach the top.”
She touched his arm, still concerned about his silence during the ride. Even now, he rubbed the back of his neck, the tiny lines near his eyes showing the strain he was under. “Headache?”
