Chapter 71

Selene

I don't know how long it's been since I was kidnapped by Kate and Zack, but it feels like weeks. Though I'm sure it's only been a few days. They keep the lights off when they're not in the room, and the only food they've given me is the equivalent of dog food. It's disgusting, but it's kept me alive, so I can't complain too much. I need my energy to escape this hellhole whenever I get the chance.

I still haven't given up on the idea that Phoenix is looking for me. I know he won't stop until he finds me. But what if he's too late? I don't know what Zack plans to do with me, and I've only seen him once or twice since that first day.

He thought I would've broken by now, begged him to sever the bond between Phoenix and me so he could have me instead, but that will never happen.

My ex-mate is a fucking monster, and I hope Phoenix kills him—that's it if I don't manage to find a way to do it first. I hate him way more than I did when he rejected me. Now, he has abducted me, taken me away from my chosen mate, from the new life I've built for myself.

I sit in the dark room, my knees cradled against my chest, rocking back and forth. I feel like I'm starting to lose my mind in here, but I can't give up. I won't.

I wonder if everyone is aware that I'm missing right now. If Makayla and Sam are freaking out, if my mom is worried sick. I just hope she doesn't try to come back to town because she's still in danger from Philip's crimes.

Caught up in my own thoughts, the familiar sound of the door scraping open snaps me out of them. I catch Zack's scent before I see him. When he flips on the light, I see that he's dressed in his police uniform again. It's almost laughable how ridiculous he looks in it. A psycho criminal pretending to be an upstanding man of the law.

Fuck him.

He looks at me, his eyes full of malice. "Selly, are you ready to become my mate again?"

I smile at him condescendingly. "I don't know...is the sky outside fucking purple?"

His jaw ticks. "No."

"Then you have your answer."

He stalks towards me until he's crouching beside the filthy mattress. "Look, Selly. I've been patient with you, haven't I? I've given you time to get used to the idea of us getting back together." He pinches the bridge of his nose, growling low in his throat. "I need to mark you tonight, or I'll have no choice to take you away from here."

My eyes widen. "What the hell are you talking about?"

Take me away? Where?

"I've been forced into hiding...that asshole is right on our trail. Sticking his fucking nose in my business."

I realize that he could only be talking about Phoenix.

Has he found me?

I hope so because I'm ready to go home. I miss him so fucking much, it's making me sick being away from him so long. Especially after he's marked me. My wolf has been suppressed so I can't feel her pain, but Phoenix can feel all of his wolf's emotions. I bet he's ready to go on a killing spree just to get back to me.

"Zack...please let me go. I'll never say a word about this to anyone. I promise. I just want to go home," I plead, the desperation lacing each word.

His expression remains hard. "Your home is wherever I am now," he growls. "You've made me ruin my life for you, Selene. The force knows I'm dirty now, I can't go back to my job or my family."

I gasp at his audacity. "I've ruined your life?" I screech, my voice rising like three octaves. "I didn't force you to kidnap me, Zack. Don't blame that shit on me."

"Yes you did. You chose him!" he roars in my face. I don't even flinch, though if my hands were free, I'd probably punch him. "I did everything to get you back, and you chose that pretty boy over me!"

"Well, I don't think that reasoning will hold up in court," I retort, rolling my eyes.

He glares at me. "You don't have to worry about that because no one will ever see you again. We're going somewhere where he can't find you," he says, his voice calm and dangerous.

Fear spikes through me. "No. Let me go."

I'm not going with him willingly. I don't care what he thinks.

"Just kill me already. I'll never love you, I'll never choose you. So, why are you doing this?" I ask between gritted teeth.

He cups my face, his touch making me recoil, but the restraints hold me in place. "You're wrong. You can learn to love me again. I'll mark you, and when our wolves reconnect, your love will return. I'm sure of it."

One thing for sure is that he's fucking insane, but instead of responding, I only shake my head. "After what you've done to me, there's no way in hell I could ever love you again. I love Phoenix, and that will never change," I reply with conviction, meeting his gaze.

His wolf flashes in his eyes. "Then, you've given me no choice."

He stands up and walks right out of my prison, leaving the light on. When he returns a moment later, he's holding a syringe and a silver collar in his hand.

I try to scurry against the wall, but I can't move anywhere. "No...please don't," I whimper.

He steps towards me like I'm a frightened animal, one he's about to put down. "Shhh, you'll only feel a little pinch, and when you wake up again, we'll start our forever," he coos, his voice sickly sweet.

I scream, I cry, I plead but he injects the wolfsbane into my neck anyway. The last thing I see is the wicked expression on his face before I slip into unconscious.