Page 4 of Bullied Wolf Mate
“I don’t know how,” I repeated. “And even if I did, I wouldn’t help you. So go ahead and find someone else who can. Oh, wait—” I gave a feral, teeth-baring grin. “There isn’t anyone. I guess you’ll just have to figure out some other plan.”
Anger flashed in those alluring hazel eyes for the briefest of seconds. Then Inara smiled.
“You’ll change your mind eventually,” she said. “And we’ve got plenty of time. But you would make it easier on yourself the sooner you see sense.” She glanced up at Orin. “We’re done here. Take her back. I think a few days with no food might change her mind.”
That was my answer for when she’d start the punishments. I didn’t resist as strong fingers dug into my shoulder as Orin steered me back toward the door.
“Oh, and Lorelei?”
Orin spun me back around so I faced Inara as she spoke.
“I’ve been more than accommodating, but my patience is wearing thin. If you don’t agree to help me soon, I’ll resort to other, more unpleasant methods. You’ll be begging for the days when it was just no food.” She gave me a smile that would make milk curdle. “I’d suggest you change your mind before then.”
She made a shooing motion, and Orin led me away. I wanted to fight back. I desperately wanted to break away and make a dash for it, but Orin would simply drag me back with a flick of his hand. Even if I could access my magic right now, it wouldn’t do any good. I wasn’t a match for Orin. I’d figured that out the day he’d come to my house.
He’d stepped through my front door, breaking dozens of intricate wards my parents had created without breaking a sweat. I’d cast a spell that should have shoved him and the rest of them out of the house and a mile away, except it barely nudged him one step. He’d immobilized me like it was nothing and thrown the iron bands around my wrists while I remained frozen in place. Then, he and the others dragged me out of my house and brought me here. It hadn’t even been a challenge for them.
I swallowed the bitter resentment at my parents as it flooded through me. It wasn’t their fault they died before they had the chance to teach me. My power had only manifested a year before they suddenly died. They barely had time to teach me basic incantations, let alone whatever complicated conjuration it took to open the barrier. Besides, if they had, would it have changed my response to Inara? I wasn’t sure. Or maybe I wouldn’t be in this position at all. Maybe I’d have blown Orin and the others to smithereens in seconds.
I still missed my parents, not only because of the loss of their tutelage or the knowledge that was lost when they died but also for their own sake. They were what had kept me going for years, and then one day, they were gone, leaving me to deal with everything on my own.
My childhood hadn’t been particularly pleasant, even before my powers manifested and my parents died. We’d lived near a pack of shifters who had a prejudice against witches. They had either shunned us or taunted us, making it clear we were unwanted.
What made it worse was that the only school for miles was the one located in the pack itself. My parents insisted on my going to school despite this, which meant I was stuck for eight hours a day, five days a week, with people who hated me. During that time, the others made it perfectly clear what they thought of me. One of them in particular, Mark, seemingly made it his personal mission to torment me whenever possible. I never did find out why, and never really cared to, either. It didn’t change the fact that he’d called me names, and tripped me in the halls, and chased me through the woods as a wolf just to scare me on a number of occasions.
Eventually, I learned to ignore it as best as I could. It didn’t stop it, but it at least made it bearable until I was able to leave school entirely.
After that, all I had ever wanted was to stay home in my cottage. I wanted to keep to myself and not have to deal with anyone else. Which I was sure infuriated Inara. It’s hard to threaten a loved one when you don’t have anyone you care about and prefer to live in solitude.
That, at least, was the one nice thing about captivity. I was already used to being alone and happy to do so. I doubted Inara had anticipated that. I preferred being on my own. Solitary confinement wasn’t a punishment for me, though the cell was a downgrade from my cottage.
We walked along the row of cells. I heard shuffling sounds echoing from inside one of them. I turned my head, catching a glimpse of shifting shadows through one of the barred doors before Orin grabbed the back of my skull and forced me to look forward again.
I wanted to ask who else was here, but I knew I wouldn’t get an answer. So I stayed silent, allowing him to push me down the hall toward the very end, where my new home waited for me. He jerked me to a halt and spun me to face the door as it creaked open, revealing dark emptiness beyond.
Orin shoved me back into the cell, slamming the door behind me. The bolt magically locked into place, and Orin’s footsteps faded down the hall.
Alone again, I rubbed my shoulders and waited for my body to readjust to the cold. My stomach growled, and I wondered how long until Inara decided to give me a scrap of crust just to make sure I didn’t starve to death. I shoved the thought from my mind. It wasn’t going to do any good.
I ran my hand along the door, sensing the magic thrumming through it even though I couldn’t access it. I wasn’t a pessimist, but I was a realist. There was no way to pick the lock, no way to get out of my own accord. And no one working for Inara would dare help me. Unless someone came to rescue me, I was trapped here until Inara decided I wasn’t worth her time anymore, or until I caved.
And considering no one was coming to save me or even knew I was here, I was stuck here forever.
Eventually, I grabbed my rocks, clambered back onto the bed, and resumed tossing them against the far wall.
Chapter 3 - Mark
I ran through the trees, the wind rushing through my fur as we weaved through the forest. My wolf reveled in stretching his legs, enjoying the fresh air even as I focused on the mission we were racing toward.
The smells of the forest wrapped around us as I continued racing with the other Silver Wolves, heading toward the Gold Wolves’ last known location, which was allegedly near Inara’s den.
Half the Silver Wolves had stayed back to protect Brixton in case anything happened to us. We knew what we were getting ourselves into. At the very least, if we were captured or killed, we would have backup to continue the mission.
Once we got close to the spot, the lead wolf slowed to a halt. A moment later, the large wolf that had been there moments earlier turned into Jameson. The rest of us followed suit. Without saying anything, we threw on clothes and slipped identical amulets around our necks.
“Everyone ready?” Jameson asked. When everyone nodded, he said, “Good. Move out.”
We had decided on stealth over brawn. Not our normal tactic, but preferable against someone like Inara.