Page 19 of Alpha Chained
“I don’t need anything from you,” I growl, stalking away. Parker’s mocking laughter rings in my ears as I walk out of the cage, a pair of guards falling in step behind me. The small corridor that leads from the fight zone is flanked by plush seating occupied by more of Parker’s cronies. I roll my shoulders when I feel their eyes on my back as I prowl between them. I know there’s fear in them…but it’s the kind of fear you feel when you’re in the presence of something immensely dangerous that you’re certain is under control.
Maybe I am.
For now.
Footsteps ring behind me as I leave the small enclosure, taking the familiar route through the facility to the cell block that is my home.
“I’m serious, boy.” Parker is right behind me. He doesn’t normally leave the group after fights, preferring to stay and rub elbows with the rest of them. I have no idea what happens at those gatherings, but I’m certain it involves obscene amounts of money.
The footsteps speed up, and now he’s walking beside me. I slant a glance at him, not slowing my pace. He has to skip a little to keep up, which pleases me more than I’d like to admit. Although, I’m not so pleased when he reaches into his jacket and pulls out a cigar, snipping off the end and lighting it. A puff of smoke hits me, and my nostrils flare in distaste.
The door to the cell block is unlocked, and we walk through. “That fight was a big deal,” he goes on. “Very important. I impressed the right people… You impressed the right people.”
I keep walking, not responding as he keeps talking. “We’re talking high-level negotiations here, boy.”
Fuck, I hate it when he calls me that.
“The kind of power that makes a difference in the world. The kind of power could topple countries.” He’s clearly drunk. I seldom hear this much excitement from him.
We stop in front of the door to my cell. I wait with my arms folded over my chest as the guard fumbles with the lock. I stare straight ahead, taking stock of my injuries. The bruises and grazes have already healed, but the bullet wound will take a little longer. The edges are already pulling together, though – it’s always faster when my wolf is near when I take a hit.
The woman called Raura is back in her cell now. They’d taken her again this morning, and I didn’t see her before I left to prepare for the fight. She’s huddled on her bunk. I see her cringe at the sound of Parker’s voice, and it angers me more than it should.
I turn my gaze back to Parker, forcing myself to focus on his words despite the rage simmering beneath my skin at the sight of Raura’s cringing form.
“You’ve been with us a long time, boy,” Parker says, taking a long drag on his cigar. The ember glows brighter as he inhales deeply. “Years of loyal service deserve to be rewarded, don’t you think?”
I remain impassive, not rising to the bait of his condescending words or the way he calls me “boy” like I’m some kind of pet. Inside, my wolf snarls at the disrespect, but I’ve learned to keep him leashed tightly.
Parker gestures vaguely with the cigar. “After a performance like tonight, I’d say you’ve more than earned something special.” His eyes glitter with a greed I’ve seen so many times before. “Perhaps a taste of the finer things? A reward befitting a beast of your…talents.”
The way he says the word “talents” makes my lip curl in disgust. We both know he’s referring to my ability to kill without remorse. At least, that’s what he thinks – the cold-blooded savagery I’m forced to display in that cage.
If only he knew how much it guts me every time.
My gaze drifts back to Raura despite my efforts. She’s cradling her arm against her body, and even from here, I can see the grotesque angle it’s bent at.
Broken. Goddammit! They broke her fucking arm!
Fury surges through me, scalding and caustic. I want to tear the guards apart, to rip Parker’s throat out with my teeth for what they’ve done to her. And for what they’ll continue to do. I have no doubt that if they don’t torture her to death here, they’re going to sell her. And then, who knows what horrors might lurk in her future? Creatures like us don’t fare well in captivity; I know I don’t. And I’m pretty sure that whatever she’ll have to do will be far worse than simply having to fight.
God, I want to hurt him so badly.
But I can’t. My own life isn’t the only one at stake if I give in to the violent urges straining against my control. So I force myself to look away from her beaten form, to keep my expression neutral as Parker watches me with those calculating eyes.
“Well? Don’t you have anything to say?” He takes another puff on the cigar, the tip flaring bright. “You’ve earned this, Riot. A reward for being such an…obedient beast.”
The cell door clangs open behind me, but I don’t turn toward it. I’m afraid if I look away from Parker now, I’ll lose what little grip I have on my temper. I can’t let him see that crack in my armor, can’t give him that glimpse of weakness to exploit.
So I swallow down the growl building in my chest and say nothing. Better to seem the obedient beast he wants, at least for now.
Until I can find a way to make him pay for what he’s done.
“Tell me what you want, kid. Anything you like. Name it, and it’s yours.” Parker puffs out a mouthful of cigar smoke, grinning broadly. I look at him for a long moment, an idea forming. A crazy fucking idea.
Don’t do this, Riot.
But it’s too late. My mind’s made up.