Total pages in book: 109
Estimated words: 101147 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 506(@200wpm)___ 405(@250wpm)___ 337(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101147 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 506(@200wpm)___ 405(@250wpm)___ 337(@300wpm)
Compassion means it is time to risk.
Palgrave sighs. “If she isn’t willing to do what we want, then maybe we should change the game a bit. Do you have any thoughts, Doctor? I admit, I’m getting bored watching her shake.”
The man in the white coat regards me. I growl at him, satisfied when he moves back a bit.
“She’s feisty for what we’ve put her through. Her vitals are still incredibly strong. Watch them.” He gestures to a small panel at the back of the cage. Numbers play there in red colors.
“She gets stronger every moment we don’t inflict pain. She heals at an incredible rate.” Palgrave stares at the monitor. “What do you think causes that? If we could isolate the gene that gives her that healing ability, we could make a fortune. Do you have any idea what peasants and royals without a consort would pay for that?”
“I need to take some samples. I’m sure I can isolate it with a bit of work.” White Coat turns around and begins gathering materials. I try to shrink back.
“You’re going to keep her alive, right?” Amanda’s voice seems strained. She clings to the wall as though she does not want to get any closer to the crime she is taking part in.
Palgrave’s chest puffs, and a vicious laugh comes out of his mouth. “For a while, though I suspect she’s going to wish she’s dead.”
“The Dellacourts aren’t simply going to let you take Dante’s consort.” Amanda’s arms come over her chest.
“I’m sure they’ll thank me. Did you see the press coverage today? She’s a freak. Everyone is talking about what an embarrassment the bitch is. Donald Dellacourt will more than likely shake my hand.”
“I don’t think you understand them.”
Palgrave’s eyes narrow. “And you do, peasant?”
Amanda’s back stiffens. “Well, I know Dante well enough to know that he won’t let it go. I know he started out with a stupid plan, but this is what he does. In the end, he almost always does the right thing. He broke up with me. I certainly didn’t expect that. Why would he break it off with me if he intends to put her aside?”
Palgrave’s lips turn distinctly cruel. “I think you overestimate your charms, dear.” He stalks toward her.
I begin to growl. I can sense Palgrave’s intent, but Amanda does not seem to have the same instincts. She stands there as the huge man walks up to her.
“He liked me,” Amanda protests.
I watch as Palgrave takes the woman’s head in both his hands. He cups her cheeks in a mockery of affection. “Of course he liked you, dear. Every male likes a female who opens her legs for him. Every man likes a whore until she’s served her purpose.”
Palgrave’s hands snap around, and a loud crack reverberates through the room. The blonde slumps down, her eyes dead before she hits the floor.
“Doctor, do you have a morgue somewhere in here?” Palgrave asks the question with a lackadaisical tone, as though he is mentioning the weather.
Rage fills my gut. Amanda was not a good person, but Palgrave is worse. This is what he will do to me. He will use me and dispose of me.
The doctor looks up from his work. He glances down at the dead body. “I’ll have someone take it to the harvesting room. I can always use organs. Although you could have told me you were going to dispose of her. Now I can only use the eyes, skin, and hair. You destroyed many organs that would have made this company money.”
Palgrave waves it off. “I just wanted her to stop yapping. And she might be right about Dellacourt. He might come after her if only to save face. Luckily, he has no idea I’m the one behind everything. I’m sure he thinks King Torin is doing this to fuck with him. He has an overinflated sense of his own worth. Now let’s get back to this little bitch. Unlike the dead one, she can still make me some money.”
And then I smell something wonderful. I open my senses and catch the smell of sandalwood and hair gel. It smells like home.
Dante is here. He came for me.
Years of loneliness wash away in an instant, and I realize all my pain led to this place. Had the pack treated me with the smallest bit of kindness, I would never have left. I would have stayed and lived only half a life, never realizing what it means to love. I would have told myself that this is the way the world works and accepted what I was given.
Dante showed me a different way. My world, my love, my soul are all worth fighting for. I can see myself through my husband’s eyes, and I am lovely.
I cannot contain it one second longer. It is there in my gut, churning and begging to be released ever since the moment I met him. The mating howl. The call of a wolf to her true mate.