Twisted Fate

Chapter 23.5

Astrid

"Who knew this weak little thing could be worth so much money."

The warlock and his friends laughed at my struggle to get out of the leash. I felt warm liquid dripping from my neck and hands as I tried breaking it off my neck. The spikes were sharp, digging into my skin with each attempt to set myself free. The more I struggled against the restraint, the deeper it cut me. I could smell my blood and fear thick in the air.

I'd never felt weaker in my life. I called myself an alpha, yet these warlocks had captured me so easily. I should have been able to escape them before they had the chance to trap me. Instead, I layed helplessly on the ground, anticipating their next move. How could this be happening to me?

"You're not going anywhere, bitch" The same warlock snarled before he slapped me and spit on my face. They each took a turn kicking me in the abdomen. Hot tears and black dots blurred my vision as one of them reached into my blouse. Just when I thought things couldn't get any worse, they ripped my clothing, leaving me weak and bare in front of them.

"It would be such a waste to kill her so soon. We should have fun with her first."

The coldness in his voice sent a shiver down my spine. I heard the shuffling of clothes before a cold, clammy hand reached between my thighs. My breath hitched as realization knocked the air out of me. They were each going to have a turn with me and steal my virginity away. By now, I was hysterically sobbing and praying to the moon goddess for help.

I made a promise to myself that the first man between my legs would be my...my mate. But that special moment was quickly being turned into something much darker and traumatizing. The awful memory would forever be imprinted in my mind.

I kicked, scratched, and screamed at the top of my lungs, hoping someone would burst through the doors and save me. Goddesses knows I couldn't save myself, but I could at least fight through the pain. The warlock positioned between my thighs fell backward from my kick before he could insert himself inside me. He glared at me, wiping the blood from his mouth.

"Bad she-wolf. You're gonna pay for that," He grinned wickedly, rising to his feet. I tried to kick him once more, but he caught my foot and pulled me closer. His friend handed him something that looked like a syringe before I felt the sharp sting in my leg. I let out a small sob as my eyes began fluttering shut.

The drowsiness washed away any hope I had of escaping. I was too weak to fight them off anymore. They were going to rape me, and all I could do was lay there and hoped it would be over soon.

The last thing I saw was the door being shattered to pieces and a pair of red glowing eyes looking down at me in horror. The cries of the warlocks were my lullabies as the darkness took over me.

Arlo

At first, I didn't panic. The whooshing sound of the sharp blade swinging in the distance confirmed that she was close enough for my comfort. But as more intruders came piling in, the sound of my mate's sword became fainter until my hybrid hearing could no longer register it.

I looked up with my attacker in a headlock. Wolves, witches, and warlocks scattered throughout the room, but Astrid was nowhere in sight. My heart fell to my feet. I snapped the witch's neck and tossed her away like a rag doll, scanning over the room once more.

My demon-wolf began frantically pacing inside me. He was having awful thoughts about her, and his focus shifted. He wanted me to drop everything else and find our mate this instant. Otherwise, this entire building would be up in flames soon.

"Where's Astrid?" I asked Kane, who instantly felt the apprehension coming from my demon-wolf.

"I thought she was with you," His answer pushed me over the edge, and I began throwing people with just a wave of my hand, clearing the path ahead. "Arlo, wait," Kane tried to catch up with me, but I wouldn't slow down. She was all that mattered to me at that moment.