Chapter 73

Selene

I groan as my eyes flutter open, my vision slowly returning as I try to make sense of my surroundings. Glancing around, I realize that I'm lying strapped to a gurney in an ambulance, a silver collar around my neck and my hands handcuffed in my lap. Tape is stretch tightly across my mouth, leaving me just as helpless as I was in that basement. Panic floods through me like cold water.

Where am I, and how did I end up in an ambulance?

The memories hit me all at once—Zack's words and him injecting me with wolfsbane.

Fuck. Where the hell is he talking me? Where does he plan to hide me where no one will ever find me again?

The thought makes my chest constrict painfully, my breath coming out in shallow gasps. Phoenix won't find me in time. I focus my eyes to the back window, seeing an endless blur of trees and desolate roads. My stomach sours.

Even if Phoenix discovers where Zack kept me, we'll be long gone by the time he gets there.

"Oh, look who's awake," Kate sneers from somewhere in the front of the vehicle. I can't turn my head to look at her, but I doubt Zack let her drive.

The sound of her voice burns through the fear gripping me. If I were free, I'd rip her fucking throat out.

"Zack, do you want me to dose her again?" she asks casually, as if she's discussing a chore she's not in the mood to do.

"Only if she doesn't calm down," Zack replies loud enough for me to hear over the sound of the engine. "There's enough wolfsbane in her system to suppress her wolf and mask her scent. You can be a good girl, right, Selly?"

Unable to speak, my lips curl beneath the tape, and I try to growl at him, though it comes out muffled and weak.

Fuck you, Zack.

Memories of my childhood slam into me—of the drills my father put me through. His voice echoes in my mind, loud and commanding, just like it was then. Before he was taken from me. I can almost see him standing in front of me, arms crossed over his broad chest, his stern eyes fixed on me as if we were back in the training room.

I remember when I was kid and my father would have what he called "kidnapping drills". Since I was the daughter of an Alpha, there was always a chance that I was going to be abducted by a rival pack or enemy of my father.

I remember a particular time like it was yesterday:

"Selene, what's the first time you do if someone tries to harm you?"

"Scream for you or mom?" I answer, feeling uncertain, but hoping it's the right response.

My father shook his head. "No, princess. If they've gotten to you, it means we're probably dead. You have to escape, find one of allies, or get to the Alpha King himself."

Tears well in my eyes, my heart sinking. "Someone would kill you?"

"Yes," he answers, his voice heavy. "We live in a cruel world, Selene. That's why you need to be strong, resilient. You can't show weakness, our enemies will use it against you."

I blink back the tears, my resolve hardening as I look at him.

I wouldn't let them have me, and I'd get revenge if they killed my parents.

"Now," he continues, "Let's get back on topic. What happens if they put silver on you?"

"I can't shift or mind-link for help," I answer more confidently this time.

"What about wolfsbane?"

"It disrupts the connection between me and my wolf, and no one will be able to track my scent."

"Correct." He leans down, his brown eyes piercing through me. "But the good thing about you is that you won't always need your wolf to fight. You're strong on your own. Wait for your chance, Selene. Be patient. Then strike."

I take a deep breath, nodding. "Yes, Dad."

His face breaks out into a grin. "Good girl," he says, pulling me into a hug. "Alpha blood runs through your veins, I can already see the kind of leader you'll be, that you'll always make me proud."

Mom comes out of the house with a plate of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, our favorite. Dad thanks her and kisses her cheek, taking a sandwich and handing me another one.

"What are my two favorite people up to?" Mom asks, wrapping her arms around Dad's waist.

"Training my pride and joy to take her place on the throne one day."

Mom hums, smiling up at him. "The first female Alpha of our pack. I hope we both get to see that day."

He glances at me, emotion glimmering in his eyes. "Even if we don't, I know she'll be a force to be reckoned with. Like her mama."

End of flashback*

I grit my teeth, forcing the memory to fuel my anger, my determination, my will to survive. I have to stop waiting for Phoenix or anyone else to save me. I need to do this. If I don't figure out a way to free myself, Zack's going to drag me off to hell with him, and I'll be miserable for the rest of my life, fueling his ego just so he doesn't kill me. Though, I'm sure death would be better than being at his mercy.

First, I need to figure out what's Kate role is in this whole thing. Why is she coming along after she already got rid of me? Unless she realized that Phoenix would never accept her, or kill her on the spot once he figures out her involvement...

Maybe Zack offered her a new start wherever we're going. It's the only thing that makes sense.

The only thing I'm sure of is that time is running out to save myself. I need to convince Zack that I want to be with him, that I accept him as my mate again. And then once he lets his guard down, I'll kill him.