my throat splintering from holding back the choking sobs.
“You’re pathetic,” he growls over his shoulder at me, never relenting in dragging me over the ground, rocks and twigs tearing at my skin. “I can’t believe I wanted to fuck you.”
I thrust against him, my legs dangling behind me, and I’m swallowed by terror. Yet still my wolf whines for him, my body buzzing with need that makes no sense to me.
When he finally does come to a stop, I’m crying and gasping for air.
We’re at the main gates leading into the pack territory. Two guards stand nearby, flaming torches throwing shadows over their scowling faces. I know them, have seen them around, but now they look at me like I’m dirt. Martell meets my gaze, and a ruthless smile spreads over his mouth.
His grip eases and I drop to the ground. I glance up, my gaze swinging to Lovis, who steps out of the shadows, and I count at least six other Alphas from the pack surrounding me. All I can picture is my own death, how much they will make me suffer.
“Please.” I turn back toward Lovis, still on my hands and knees. “You knew my parents. This was my father’s pack.”
“She’s a fucking Cursed,” Martell bellows, resulting in the other men repeating the word. “How could you not know she was in your pack?” His words are venom.
Lovis shakes his head, lowering it like my very presence has humiliated him and put his position as Alpha in question.
My throat clogs, and I can barely breathe. There is no hint of sympathy or endearment in Lovis’s expression. All that remains is pure anger, his eyes erupting with wild fury.
“You are nothing to me,” he spits the words at me. “Your father knew you were a Cursed and lied to all of us. And just like him, you will pay the ultimate price. As will your vermin sisters.” He waves his hand at one of his men. “Bring them.”
“Stop!” I bellow, rage striking me right in the core. A spark of electricity zaps down my arms, crackling like fire across my fingertips. Yellow lighting shoots outward but fizzles just as quickly. This is my fault for always suppressing my power, and now when I need it, it’s dead.
“Cursed!” the men shout, keeping their distance. They stare at me with contempt, while Martell’s face darkens. His shoulders curve forward like he might transform into a wolf and tear me apart on his own this very moment.
My lungs pump furiously for air. The world spins around me too fast as dread sparks down my back. I call to my power again and fist my hands, but not a damn thing happens.
No spark.
No magic.
Nothing.
“Kill her,” one Alpha commands.
I shudder at their hatred. These men are unsympathetic, savages, monsters.
Lovis jerks his attention toward Martell. “She is your soulmate, so the decision is yours to make.”
“We’re soulmates for life. You can’t do this,” I plead. More men shout for my death. I scramble to my feet, but someone kicks the back of my knees and I fall back onto the ground. Deep down, I know where this is going, and I need to escape.
In seconds, I’m wrenched to my feet again by Martell and thrown over his shoulder, my mind paralyzed with fear.
I pummel his back with my fists and try to kick my legs out, but his arm is clamped over the back of them like iron. “You don’t need to do this.”
He’s moving fast now through the opening gates, almost running. Darkness swallows us, and I jut my hands out, imploring my power to emerge. Anything so I can strike Martell with it so hard, it breaks him.
Please work, please.
My teeth are chattering while I’m bouncing on his shoulder, screaming. Hot tears flow down my face and neck.
“M-m-martell, I’m not dangerous. You are my soulmate.” My voice shatters, and I feel like I’m trapped in quicksand.
“You will never have anything I want. You are filth,” he croaks, then abruptly shoves me off his shoulder.
The next thing I know, I’m flying.
I expect to hit the ground, except I’m still falling. And reality tugs me into every direction. He’s thrown me off the edge of the cliff that runs alongside our pack territory.
He vanishes from my sight as I descend with speed, and I’m stolen by the night.
I scream, flinging my arms and legs out. My heart is bursting in my chest when a spark of light flares over my hands, and my power ignites.
Suddenly,