Chapter 48
LEAH
I’m groggy.
My head is swimming and even though I blink to clear my eyes, it’s hard to see.
I’m still in the truck.
I’m in the back seat. My hands and ankles are bound.
I try to sit up.
The motion makes me nauseous but I go slowly and peek out the window. I have no idea where I am. The woods, somewhere, but not a place I’ve been before.
There’s a clearing and between the headlights and the moonlight, I can make out the edge of a forest.
There are rows and rows of trees in perfectly spaced rows. Like this area had been harvested for hardwoods at some point. It must have been a long time ago. They replanted only pines, which makes sense, because they’re quicker to grow for timber. The last harvest must have been some time ago, because the trees have grown substantially, and they’re probably not too far off from being cut down again.
I don’t see Brian.
I tear at the cuffs on my wrist. They’re metal, quite possibly lined with silver, and I can’t slip my wrists free.
My ankles have the same shackles. Running will be impossible.
I slide my body into the front seat, on the driver’s side. The seat is low to the ground to accommodate Brian’s height, and I stay ducked down. I want to lock the doors, but I’m worried the tell-tale click will let him know I’m awake, and not staying where he put me.
I rummage through the middle console, in the compartment in the door. I feel around on the floorboard, hoping, praying he may have left the keys.
The truck is turned off and short of driving out of here, I don’t
see a way to escape.
There’s nothing but this grove of trees for as far as the eye can
see.
“Ah, you’re awake. Splendid. Let’s get this party started.”
Brian’s on the other side of the truck, grinning through the glass
at me.
I shrink back in horror and slam the lock button.
He holds up his keys and unlocks the vehicle.
I slam the button again.
The clicking goes back and forth between us for a few seconds, then Brian puts his fist through the window. I scream as the glass shatters and rains down on me.
I shrink back, but he’s already opening the door. He reaches in and grabs my arm, hauling me across the truck and out the door on his side, where I’m dropped to the ground unceremoniously.
“Okay.” He glances at his watch. “It’s almost midnight. Your pack will conduct the formal burial ceremony, and the collective power your father possessed will transfer to his named heir.”
“Unless someone challenges, Liam.”
“You’re the heir, Leah. And you’re right here, with me.
“That…that’s not possible.”
Brian shrugs. “Your father turned his little girl over to a monster when you were what, barely thirteen.” Brian laughs. “He was going to d ie. I doubt your father was the first guy to make a deathbed act to try and save his soul.”
“I’m human. This won’t work.”
“You’re part of his bloodline,” he says. Then shrugs. “Maybe it doesn’t. Guess, we’re going to see.”
“What do you want?
“You.” He waves a hand. “Well, more specifically, I want your father’s lands. His Alpha powers. The corporation and control of it. Come on now, you can see where this is going.”
I shake my head and push myself up until I’m standing.
I ha te that I played right into this man’s trap.
I ha te it more that I was so desperate for attention that I was easy to trick.
“Ah, here they come,” Brian says.
Who? Who is coming?
