“And now that you’re mated to her, will you be able to protect her?” Stone’s jaw tics, and I can feel his anger. “Because I will let you die in this cage before I allow her to be with someone who can’t protect her.
Wrapping my hands around the bars, I step close and let Stone see the full size of my body. I’m naked, but no one is fazed by that; it’s normal for shifters. “I will die for her without hesitation. But don’t forget, alpha,” I say the word with emphasis because we both know I could take him in a fight, “if you keep me from her, not only will I go mad, but so will she. Gwen will feel every ounce of pain you’re willing to inflict on me.”
He raises his chin mockingly. “I’m prepared to drug her until you’re gone and the need passes.” My eyes go wide and a growl erupts from my chest.
I hear Dominic’s intake of breath. “Stone, you can’t be serious.”
He turns to the Dom and crosses his arms again. “I’ll do whatever it takes to keep her safe.”
I let go of the bars and step to the back of the cell. It won’t do me any good to lose my shit right now. I take deep breaths and keep calm as I try to think of a way out of this.
“Stone, the pack won’t let you do this, alpha or not. You’re going against nature by keeping them separated. You can’t do it.”
I feel my heartbeat pick up speed, and my wolf pushes forward. The need is coming over me and it’s getting out of control.
“Look at him. He’s already hurting and it’s only been a couple of hours. Gwen is going to be feeling the same pain as him. Is that what you want to do to her?”
I can’t look up to see his response. I’m too taken over by the pain. I let my wolf push forward, letting go of my skin and feeling him take control. It lessens the pain some when I’m fully shifted and all my senses are at their peak.
I start to prowl the cage again, going from one side to the other, keeping my eyes locked on Stone. I growl low in my chest, feeling the vibrations run through my body. It’s a challenge to Stone and to anyone else wanting to stand in my way.
He may have me caged, but at some point I’ll get free, and when I do, I’ll claim Gwen. Nothing will stand in the way of me and my mate.
“I’m getting the tranquilizer gun again. I think he needs to calm down before we can talk to him again.” Stone turns to leave, and Dominic looks at me with panic in his eyes.
He watches Stone go up the stairs, and he turns back to me. “I’ll do what I can to protect you, friend. He’s gone a little crazy himself, and I don’t know what’s going on. Be patient and try to stay calm. I know the mating is pulling you, but it won’t be much longer, and I’ll help you get out of here.” With those words, he walks up the stairs and shuts the door, locking it behind him.
Feeling a warmth in my chest, I close my eyes and let it flow through me. My eyes snap open and I feel her. My mate is here.
Chapter Six
Gwen
“Gwen, you need to slow down. We don’t even know where they’ve taken him,” Ruby says from the doorway of my little apartment. I’m flinging clothes out of my closet and stuffing them into a bag, not really caring what I’m grabbing.
“Call him, Ruby,” I bite out before dashing into the bathroom and just doing a sweep with my arm to push stuff into my bag. Stone and Dominic loaded my mate into Dominic’s jeep, not letting me get in with them. I was sure they were headed to the police station, or maybe Doc’s house, but both places came up empty without a trace of their smells to be found.
Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.
I should’ve followed them instead of just assuming where they were going. But I’ll find them, no doubt about that. The only question is if I’ll still have a brother when I’m done, because with the way I’m feeling at the moment, I’m not sure I won’t go for his throat. I can’t control myself right now. I’m starting to understand how Dominic acted when he first spotted Ruby. At least my mate feels the pull, too.
Heading back into the main room, I see Ruby still just standing there. Winnie’s standing behind her, looking like she’s not quite sure what to do with herself right now.
“Well?” I snap, annoyed that Ruby isn’t doing what I asked. Okay, maybe I didn’t ask, per se, but still, now is not a time for pleasantries.
“Okay, maybe I do know where they are.” She bites her lip, and I can tell she’s debating something. Maybe Dom told her not to tell me or something and she doesn’t want to betray him. Ruby’s a sweetheart, and as much as it sucks to have to do this, I’ll go straight for her weak spot. Compassion.
“Ruby, if you wanted to know where your mate was and I knew and didn’t tell you, what would you think of me?”
Her mouth falls open, and I can see the battle going on inside her. As sweet as Ruby is, she’d rip my head off if I kept her from Dom. Even as a human, she’s protective of him and with his mate mark on her, she now has a little bit of wolf in her, too.
“They took him to the alpha’s house,” Winnie chimes in, and Ruby lets go of a deep breath she must have been holding. I’m sure she’s probably happy she didn’t have to break her word to Dom, but I don’t care. I’m happy I got the answer I needed.
“How do you know that?” I ask, wondering how she got that tidbit of information. Winnie’s been by my side this whole time, even when Stone tried to send her home. If I wasn’t so worried about my mate, I’d be cheering for Winnie standing up for herself for once. She got right into Stone’s face and told him he could shove it. A nicer phrase than I would have used, but she was probably still raw from his comment about her being different.