As Hope and Promise Fade

Chapter 10

Chapter 10

Getting out of that forsaken cave was much easier said than done. Ariana was losing her mind, she couldn’t take being in that small space anymore. She pound her fists against the hard surface of dirt and rock all while cursing her father for doing this to her.

“Stop it before you hurt yourself.” Marc pulled her away from the wall and held her against his chest while she sobbed.

“I have to get out of here. I have to.” Raw guilt slammed back into her as she held onto Marc’s warm body. She quickly stepped back. This was too much, all too much.

“Ariana….?”

She kept her back facing him. “I don’t want to talk about it anymore.” He could say he was sorry until he was blue in the face but it changed nothing and in turn meant nothing. She was going to have to live with their mistake, their lack of control, until the end of her life as the biggest regret she had ever made.

“The best way to get out would be the way we came in.”

She turned and looked up at the roof, never allowing herself to glance in Marc’s direction. “If we can get it to give…”

“Exactly, but if we manage to get free and your father is out there what do we do?” He wanted to leave the decision making up to her.

“I don’t know.” Ariana still couldn’t believe her father was a hunter, that he had this elaborate set up in his back yard to trap people because he knew threats were looming close. Her heart burned with sorrow as she had to face he locked her in this hole like some common threat instead of treating her like his daughter and only child.

Marc started up put all his weight into the roof as he braced his hands upward and pushed. “He must have some sort of plan.” He thought out loud softly to himself.

“Like we die here from starvation?” Ariana was bitter and that left her cynical.

“He’s a hunter targeting werewolves and other supernatural races. He had us in mind when he built this thing.” He dropped his arms back to his side.

The pieces started to click. “He’d account for us trying to break free and make sure that couldn’t happen.” It felt a little weird to lump herself in with the werewolves but right now she was more on their side than her father’s, more a threat than a daughter. “He’s very smart and plans to the last itty bitty detail. I learned that from him. He won’t leave anything to error.” She sank back onto the floor as desperation and hopelessness filled her once more.

“Jax knew I was coming to meet with him. He knows by now something has happened and where to look. Does anyone know you were coming here?”

“I was visiting with my mom and she suggested I pay him a visit while I’m in town.”

Marc nodded. “By now Jax and Andrew must know something went wrong and we’re together.”

“Our new plan is to sit and wait?”

“I’m sorry but it’s all I have right now.”

Ariana clenched her jaw tight and willed her tears to fade away. “What happens if we’re stuck again tonight? It’s still a full moon.” She couldn’t forget that lack of control that had possessed her and him last night. She couldn’t delude herself into thinking it couldn’t happen again.

“If we stay away from each other nothing should happen.” Marc didn’t sound very convinced but ever the alpha he was going to offer some sort of comforting answer.

“Yeah, should be. There are a lot of things that should be. I should be at home with Jax, my dad shouldn’t be such a cruel bastard.” She wiped her hand roughly across her face. “Jax should still be the only man to touch me.” she gave into the self torture and glanced at where he sat.