“Soon we’ll outnumber the lycans. I plan to recruit thousands. By next year, I’ll have one hundred thousand troops. At best, the lycans only number twenty thousand, which I might add, in terms of evolution, is not a sustainable population.”
Bolton had a point, their numbers were low and reproduction had become an issue. Worst of all, the change prevented most new adults from surviving. “So why risk Saskia ending your genetically modified soldier program?”
“If Saskia’s appetite can’t be curbed, I have no problem fulfilling her sweet tooth desires for fresh blood.”
“You are one sick son of a bitch.” What Bolton didn’t know, according to the lycan profiler, was Saskia enjoyed the hunt as much as the kill.
Bolton smiled. “I have no problem using humans as cattle.”
“Tell Saskia if she harms Emma, I will never be her mate.”
“I don’t think you have a choice.”
“If I’m dead, she will really be pissed.”
“You would commit suicide if she murdered Emma?”
Nik never dreamt he’d kill himself. Not voluntarily, but when a lycan lost his mate, the will to live diminished. Saskia might believe him if she sensed how his wolf felt for Emma. Life wouldn’t be worth living if something happened to Emma. Wrong as it was, he desired only Emma. It was more than lust and more than simple love for a beautiful, brave, and intelligent woman. His wolf had chosen her as his soul mate. A woman he’d sacrifice his life for. “Tell her, if she allows me to block Emma’s memory and then releases her so no harm comes to her, I’ll serve as her mate until the end of days.”
Bolton shrugged. “I have no problem with that.” He regarded the torn pants in the corner of the cage and turned to one of his men. “Get him some clothes before he meets with his fiancée.”
Emma paced in her room. She tried to fall asleep during the night, but only managed an hour. She had spent the night looking for a means of escape and found none. How soon before Saskia waltzed in and dragged her away to be her blood shake? And how was Nik doing? Earlier, she had heard sorrowful howls. Had that been Nik? Were they torturing him? Saskia would delight in torturing him and then forcing him to please her. Would he? At daybreak, she dressed in shorts and a T-shirt.
The door unlocked and her heart stilled. The time had come—fight, flight, or death.
A guard walked in with breakfast. On seeing two guards behind him, she hesitated jumping him. At least they respected her enough that they considered her a dangerous prisoner. Emma sighed. As if she’d have a chance fighting werewolves. Fortunately, she had one advantage—they took longer to shift into werewolves. He put the tray down. “Eat.”
Emma eyed the tray. Scrambled eggs, sausage, toast, hash browns, juice and coffee. Saskia must want her well-nourished. “Thanks.”
The guard left and shut the door.
Famished, Emma hastily ate the meal and then reached for her bag. She took out her makeup kit. The lipstick container held vaporo. Should she take it now? No. It might give her away. She tucked the vial inside her bra. Better to wait until she could escape. In the base of her jar of makeup foundation, she took out a red pill that would keep her from being compelled to obey werewolf commands. Nik had never compelled her, nor would he. It was forbidden for him to compel a member of the team or anyone in Rylee’s pack. Normally, only alpha males had this skill, however, it was hard to say if the chimera virus gave Bolton or his men the ability to mind control. The pill blocked neurotransmitters in her brain and lasted for three days at most.
Emma had three pills so she had to use them wisely. She popped one in her mouth. After she finished her coffee, she brushed her teeth and thought of ways to steal a lab coat in order to pass as one of their scientists. To do that, she’d have to get into the lab. How the heck would she accomplish that while being held prisoner? No more masks. All she had was a simple makeup kit and change of clothes.
The door opened. The guard spoke. “Come with us.”
“Where to?” Her pulse quickened at her impending doom.
“Move.”
She followed him. Regardless of the two guards behind her, she scanned for any escape routes. None. Her only hope was Nik. How soon before he attempted an escape? Or was it remotely possible he’d changed teams?
Chapter Fifteen
Nik and Bolton entered the pool area. Two armed men shadowed them. Instead of fighting, he’d bargain and beg if need be, to give Emma a chance to live, even if it meant having her forget him. Better that I give her up. As long as he cooperated with Bolton and Saskia, she had a chance, and he vowed to do just that. Nik spotted Saskia. She wore a tiny black bikini that accentuated every one of her assets. Too bad she was too far gone with blood lust to make any willing werewolf male a perfect mate.
Saskia turned. “Darling, come enjoy the sunlight.” She raised her red cocktail.
Nik sighed and smiled. Thankfully, the drink wasn’t blood, but a bloody Mary. He had caught a whiff of Emma earlier and relief washed through him that she lived. He did his best to appear happy to see Saskia. “You are as beautiful as the sunrise.”
She smiled and called over the bartender as if she already owned the island. “Would you like a bloody Mary?”
“I prefer mango juice.”
Bolton sat. “I will have a Mimosa.”
Nik raised a brow. “Is Svetlana still sleeping?”