Total pages in book: 116
Estimated words: 109705 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 549(@200wpm)___ 439(@250wpm)___ 366(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 109705 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 549(@200wpm)___ 439(@250wpm)___ 366(@300wpm)
It did. And with those flashbacks came feelings of helplessness, terror, humiliation, and pain. “You won’t get to her.”
“You thought it was the Alpha female I was after, didn’t you?” Laughing quietly, Lyle shook his head. “I knew you’d protect her like the good enforcer that you are. I knew you’d hold us back while she had the chance to slip away. And now here you are . . . alone. Mine.” Smiling, he cocked his head. “Scared? I do hope so. Working out someone’s worst fear and then subjecting them to it . . . now that’s power. That’s real entertainment.”
His pack, all now back in their human form, chuckled—including the three female jackals who had tried to kidnap her.
“You cost me the Phoenix rug rat. You cost me one of my pack members and had a lot of fun with her before you killed her. Now it’s time for me to have some fun with you. And from what I’ve heard, you’ll be quite entertaining. It’s time for you to face your worst fear.”
As three jackals took a single step toward her, Roni instantly understood. Lyle intended to make her relive what had happened twelve years ago. His pack members intended to hold her down while he raped her—maybe they would even take turns. Her stomach rolled and her heart slammed inside her chest. Not again. Not. Fucking. Again.
She’d always promised herself that if she were ever placed in that situation again, she would fight until someone was dead—even if that someone was her. Death would have been preferable now too if it weren’t for a very important fact: if she died, there was a possibility that Marcus would die also.
The fact that their bond was only partially formed could mean that he would survive the breaking of it, but she wasn’t prepared to take that for granted, because Lyle was wrong. Reliving her nightmare wasn’t her worst fear. Not anymore. Her worst fear was that something would happen to Marcus. She loved the smooth fucker. Loved his playfulness. Loved his hyperactive metabolism. Loved that he defended and protected her.
Now it was time that she did the same in return. But that didn’t just mean surviving. No. If she let these bastards harm her, Marcus would feel what they were doing to her through their link. He would experience the violation, the fear, the powerlessness, and the pain along with her. She could no easier handle that than she could handle him dying.
That meant she had to fight. Unfortunately, she was at a total disadvantage. She was outnumbered, without allies, and couldn’t shift. Her best chance of survival would be to run and fight another day. There was no shame in that. But there was nowhere to go. She was trapped. Surrounded by people who were apparently eager to watch her be raped—she could sense their anticipation and excitement. It was sickening, and it made her wolf growl in distaste.
“Don’t think your mate will save you,” said Lyle. “Oh, I’ve no doubt that he’ll come for you, no matter how hurt he is. That’s why I have the place surrounded. If he does get to you, it won’t be in time to help. You’re on your own.”
No, she wasn’t. Underestimating Marcus was a definite mistake on Lyle’s part. Her mate would do whatever it took to reach her. A muscular arm suddenly wrapped around her neck from behind and pulled her against a hard chest. Dark memories flashed through her mind, making her stomach churn and her wolf buck to be freed. Roni could practically taste her fear.
“Who knows?” Lyle shrugged. “You might even enjoy it.”
The cameraman chuckled, momentarily catching her attention. A memory of another cameraman, another time and place, slapped her hard. She recalled how the bastard had laughed at Nick’s rage as he was held back; how he’d taunted her brother with what they would do to her as he was forced to watch; how he’d egged on the others.
In that moment, as those flashbacks overtook her mind, Roni’s fear faded and was replaced by raw anger. A taut knot of rage formed in her throat, making her face heat and her heart thunder inside her chest. But that wasn’t good, she knew. To fight in anger was to lose before the battle even began. The rage would cloud her thoughts, mess with her head. When Roni lost it, she always found it a trial to calm down, especially while her wolf’s anger fed her own.
Instead of focusing on the past, Roni focused on the present—kept her attention on Lyle, reminded herself and her wolf of what was truly important. Not the past. Not the sense of powerlessness that threatened to overwhelm her mind and body. Marcus—he was what mattered. And he needed her to be clear-headed right now. So she fought to maintain her composure and keep her expression entirely neutral as Lyle—who apparently loved the sound of his own voice—began to talk smack about her brothers, her mate, and her pack.