Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 99285 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 496(@200wpm)___ 397(@250wpm)___ 331(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99285 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 496(@200wpm)___ 397(@250wpm)___ 331(@300wpm)
“Welcome, esteemed cardholders,” a voice from an overhead speaker announced, and the humans watching through the glass perked up.
The soft female moan that came from Larkin had me snapping my head in her direction and straining against my bonds.
Get tae her. Gods, please let me get tae her. Tae hold her. Tae tell her everything is okay now, and I’ll never let anyone take her from me again.
“Ah, my sweet lass,” I wheezed out, my chest too tight, my heart breaking over and over again as I watched her wake up and fight through the clear confusion. “I’m here, darlin’.” I bared my teeth as a fucker stepped forward. “Ye’d do best tae stay away from her.”
He paused and cocked his head. “Don’t think you’re much of a threat, Lycan.” He grinned and reached out, grabbing a lock of her hair and rubbing it between his fingers.
My eyes flashed as I stared at him. “Ye signed yer death warrant before now, but now that ye’re touching my female…” I felt a surge of power move through me. “Now, I’m going tae make sure I kill ye nice and slow. I’m going tae fooking enjoy tearing yer throat out and offering it tae my mate as a prize.”
There was a round of cheering from the humans on the other side of the glass, the scent of their disgusting eagerness seeping through the cracks and filling the small medical room.
“We have a special attraction for our VIP cardholders. We are so honored to be able to invite you to witness the connection a mated pair have, and when one hurts, the other does too. A mating like no other.”
There was a round of laughter from men, some of them nudging the others with their shoulders, winking, the grins becoming salacious.
There was a deep chuckle from the overhead speaker before the male voice said, “Now, now. It’s not one of those kinds of sessions, although if you’d like to see one of our more adult-catered exhibits, please see one of the attendants on your way out to reserve your seat.”
Larkin opened her eyes—her bright blue eyes. I remembered those eyes all too well, ones I saw every time I closed my own. But that hazy expression changed as she realized where she was, a frantic look covering her face.
She knew where she was. She knew what was about to happen… because it’s happened tae her before.
She started pulling at her bonds, but despite being an Otherworld species—her kind, a water nymph—she was far too delicate, her strength that of a human.
My sweet little mate was far too weak to break free from her restraints, even if she weren’t clearly drained of energy, hurt, and malnourished.
“Lass.” The word was nothing but a brutal croak from my throat. I wanted to be strong for her, to show her everything would be okay, but I couldn’t break free to get to her. I couldn't protect her… again.
And when one of the humans stepped closer and gripped her hair hard enough she cried out, I roared, the chains rattling against the wall as I pulled on the cuffs so hard my skin broke open and rivulets of blood poured down my forearms.
“No more. No more, please,” she murmured hoarsely over and over again, and I didn’t think my heart could break any more.
What had they done to her?
“Awe, my sweet Larkin. My sweet girl.”
She turned her head in my direction then, her blue eyes so big and wide with fear, her body tight as she anticipated pain.
She’s used tae this. Aw gods, she’s used tae this.
Her vision cleared, her eyes flaring for another reason as we stared at each other. Recognition.
“Od—Odhran? Is that really you?” She was crying now, big tears streaming down her face, her pale skin streaked with dirt.
It was then I truly took in the state of her, how the gown she wore was tattered and ripped, the skin I could see dirty, her feet bare, bruising covering her legs and arms.
They’d hurt her. Repeatedly. All these years.
I was a growling feral mess, never taking my gaze off her, my chest feeling like someone ripped it open and tore out my heart.
“I’m here. I’m here, baby, and I’ll take ye away. I’ll protect ye this time.”
The deep laughter in the room had me slowly looking at each man, memorizing their faces, knowing I’d kill every one of them.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” the voice over the speaker announced, “enjoy the show.”
The End.