Wolf Taken by Heather Renee

1

Cait

Thirst and agony. Those were my first thoughts as I tried to recall what had happened. My skin itched nearly as badly as my eyes burned, and I had no idea how long I’d been unconscious. It was the first moment of clarity I could remember since not-Serene had yanked me into oblivion.

Before I dared to move, I listened carefully for any sounds. Without thought, I sniffed the air, which should have weirded me out, but it seemed like the right thing to do. Decay of some sort filtered through my senses as I tried not to gag and draw unwanted attention.

I blinked rapidly, trying to ignore the ache in my eyes, and took in the room. Dirt walls surrounded me, a tin bucket was about five feet to my left, and there was a chair across from me. Empty.

The only visible light cascaded across the barren room from what I assumed to be an exit, but I didn’t bother to worry about that. At least not yet. I was severely dehydrated and hungry as hell, meaning I had very little strength and I had to choose my moves carefully.

Sitting and waiting for someone to return wasn’t an option I was fond of. I closed my eyes and focused on my energy. It had been acting up in the forest before not-Serene had taken me. I hadn’t been able to use my abilities, and nothing seemed to improve since I’d been knocked out.

Only the tiniest of flutters moved through me, and I wanted badly to see my mark, but that wasn’t going to happen with my hands secured behind my back.

I shifted my wrists around, hoping to find some slack in the coarse rope, but I only managed to scrape my skin.

Taking another look around, I found dirt and more dirt and nothing helpful. My anger rose, and a part of me hoped that the strong emotion was what I needed to tap into whatever magic I’d had, but even as I drew on the feelings, nothing inside me changed.

Maybe the witch had figured out how to take the power from me while I’d been unaware. That was a strong possibility, and I wasn’t sure how I felt about that.

Did any of it matter? Even if I was no longer supernatural, I highly doubted I was making it out of this hole-in-the-ground alive. Whoever had taken me probably planned to bury my ass inside once they were done with me.

A whistling sounded from above and I froze. In the time I’d been awake, I’d found nothing to better my situation. I wasn’t ready to face my captor, but I also needed to know who I was up against.

Maybe there would be more than one person and they’d talk in front of me if they thought I was still passed out. Yes, that was as good of a plan as any.

I let my head hang down until my chin touched my chest, then evened my breathing, which became harder once the aroma of something delicious filtered through my nose. Saliva filled my mouth, and I swallowed it down, cringing as my throat ached from the action.

“Quit the games, mutt. Your racing heart gave you away before I even came down here,” a familiar voice said right before rough fingers gripped my chin. “I’m so glad you’re awake, Julie.”

Kyle, Roman’s cousin, stared me down with dark russet eyes and tousled obsidian hair as I sneered at him. He was just as smug as he’d been the only other time I’d seen him, and I badly wanted to pummel the smirk off his face.

“Oh, wait. It’s not Julie, is it?” Kyle’s voice lowered. “It’s Cait.”

Tiny droplets of spit landed on my cheek as he glowered at me.

My eyes darted to his other hand, the one not trying to rip my chin off. The warmth of what I was beginning to believe was stew was calling me, and my stomach’s rumble echoed through the room.

“Ah, yes. You’re probably hungry, little freak. Possibly even a bit parched?” Kyle released me with a shove, causing the chair legs to wobble, and pulled a bottle of water from his back pocket.

I tried to lean forward, but the ropes kept me strapped tightly to the metal chair beneath me. “What do you want?”

“I want to know who, and what, you are. I want to know how Roman found you and what his plans are for you. My grandfather seems to think the two of you are connected, but I don’t agree. Though, it is curious that he’s tearing apart Texas to get you back.” Kyle set the soup down and cracked open the water before taking a slow pull of the cool liquid I so badly needed. “Maybe if you tell me something interesting, I’ll share what I’ve brought.”

Embry and Roman hadn’t wanted Kyle to know who I was, but I was going to die without water soon. Guessing from my rapid breathing, lightheadedness, and chills, it had been several days without any sort of hydration. A normal human could usually only last a few days this way, but I wasn’t sure how things might have changed for me after I got the mark.

Once Kyle was done tempting me with the water, he sauntered closer, rubbing a hand over his hair. “So, what’s it going to be, Cait? Will you continue being stubborn only to die, or cooperate so you can live?”

He was making it sound like this wasn’t our first conversation, and I didn’t like not remembering the previous times he’d likely been down here with me.

“How do I know you won’t kill me anyway?” I asked, trying to buy time in order to think of lies for his questions.

“You don’t, but you also don’t have much of a choice. Stakes are high, and it’s time to place your bet. I’m bored and ready to move on.” Kyle glanced over his shoulder and yawned as if trying to prove his point further.

“I’m Cait, as you’ve already figured out, and I’m human,” I said.

Before I could think about the other questions, Kyle’s palm struck my cheek so hard that my neck cracked from the impact. I hissed in pain.

“Don’t lie to me. You’re not fae or human. I thought maybe both, but that’s not right, either. Callista couldn’t take your magic. Why?”

“Fuck. You,” I spat, and blood splattered across my thighs as I emphasized my words. I also hadn’t missed the name I assumed belonged to the witch.

I was so thirsty that I was tempted to swallow the remaining blood down in a pathetic attempt to give my throat some relief. Instead of giving in to desperation, I spit the rest of the crimson onto the ground.

Kyle gripped my hair, yanked my head back, and exposed my neck. His right hand came up with claws. “Do you not understand how easily I could end your insignificant life?”

“If you wanted me dead, I’d already be a rotting corpse. You need me.” I strained to get the words out, trying to ignore the anguish and fire searing down my throat from the effort to speak.

He shoved me back hard enough that my chair teetered even more than before, giving him the incentive to kick it over. I had no way to brace myself and tensed for the impact as my head rocked against the back of the chair. Dirt puffed up around me, and my vision wavered, but I refused to black out with Kyle still around.

“What is going on down here?” a deep male voice bellowed.

“I’m just having a little chat with our guest, Alpha,” Kyle said proudly, lifting his chin a little higher in the air.

The newcomer was the male version of Ramona, and I knew he had to be Cohen. His skin was tanner and hair more grey than blond, but the umber eyes, strong cheekbones, and defined nose were all identical to the alpha female I wished was here.

You’re not alone, Cait. Just stay strong,a feminine voice sounded through my mind.

Holy mother-freaking shit.

It took every effort not to lose my cool in front of Cohen and Kyle as I tried to figure out who was in my head. I knew wolves could communicate telepathically, but I wasn’t a wolf, right? I couldn’t even sense the pulsing from my mark any longer. The only logical explanation was that the dehydration was causing me to go crazy.

You’re not crazy. She paused, and some of my pain eased. I can’t stay present. Just trust this is almost over. The woman’s voice faded away, and a sense of tranquility settled over me as Cohen righted my chair, brushing the dirt and hair from my face.

His hands were cold, just as I assumed his heart to be. Yet, it took a bit of effort not to let my guard down when he stared at me compassionately like Ramona had so often done during our training sessions.

“I’m sorry, Cait. My nephew doesn’t have the best hospitality. I’m Cohen, AAlpha to the West Texas pack.” He stepped back, awaiting my reply.

“I’d like to leave,” I said, ignoring the stray tears that had leaked out while I’d been mentally ignoring the aching roar of pain from hitting my head.

Cohen leaned down low until we were eye level. “You can do that just as soon as you tell us why my grandson has such an interest in you. My witch Callista told me what she discovered, but I’m having a hard time believing she understands the situation.”

“He told me once he preferred brunettes to blondes. Maybe it’s just my hair. Would you like me to change the color, so he’ll leave me alone?” My words were a total lie, but I wasn’t sure what else to do. Even though it sounded like he was aware of my bond to Roman, I wasn’t giving that information freely.

Cohen had tried to have Roman killed by sending one of his wolves to challenge his own grandson for a position he had no right to take. If they had confirmation of my connection to Roman, or what I was, I didn’t want to think about what they might do to me.

Cohen reached back and grabbed the water from the other chair. At first, I assumed he was only going to tease me with it like Kyle had, but then his soft fingers squeezed my cracked lips open and the ice-cold liquid branded its way down my throat.

I greedily gulped down as much as I could, enjoying as some of the coolness dribbled down my neck, soaking my dirtied tank top. Just because we weren’t under the sun, didn’t mean it wasn’t hot as Hades in the underground bunker.

“Now, not too much or you’ll make yourself sick. How about some food next?” Cohen turned to Kyle. “Untie her.”

“Are you sure about that?” Kyle questioned.

Cohen’s kind eyes turned murderous in an instant, and his fingers wrapped around Kyle’s throat. “Do you doubt my capability to keep one measly girl where I want her without the assistance of restraints?”

“No, Alpha,” Kyle gargled.

Cohen shoved Kyle away. “Good. Now, do as you’re told.”

Kyle cowered and stumbled his way toward me. His movements were jerky, causing me further pain that I kept to myself. I didn’t need the two of them fighting and me getting caught in the crosshairs.

No, I needed to stay focused and figure out what Cohen’s game was.

Once I was untied, I slowly pulled my arms in front of me, choosing not to stand. I had a feeling I was too weak to do so and didn’t want them to see me falter. Red welts covered my wrists, and the mark I’d grown used to seeing was nearly gone. If I’d never known it was there, I wouldn’t have even recognized the hazy image of the crescent moon.

Cohen handed me the now-lukewarm soup. Kyle hadn’t bothered to bring a spoon with him, but I didn’t care. I used the bit of strength those gulps of water had given me and tilted the glass bowl up to my lips. I groaned while the brothy taste coated my tongue, and as much as I wanted to choke every ounce of the soup down, I took my time. Cohen had been right about one thing—I didn’t need to make myself sick by overindulging too soon.

“Now that you’re a bit more comfortable, I’m wondering if you wouldn’t mind having a little chat with me, Cait.” Cohen took a seat in the chair across from me as Kyle sulked away to lean against the back wall.

“Sure. How about we start with what day it is? Maybe the time? Or, even better, how about why you took me?” I asked.

Cohen grinned as his eyes darkened. “I can see how you caught the attention of my grandson. You have fire in you. I wonder where that comes from.”

“From my very human mother who gave birth to me,” I retorted.

He raised a brow. “Interesting.”

“What is?” I asked.

“You’re telling the truth,” Cohen replied.

I scoffed. “Of course, I am. I already told Kyle that I’m human. I’m nothing special. You got the wrong girl if you were expecting anything different.”

Cohen leaned forward, an excitement in his demeanor I’d yet to see. “Now, you just might believe that, but I know you’re wrong.”

“Yeah? How’s that?” I didn’t like Cohen thinking he knew things about me that I didn’t.

“Do you remember when you met Kyle? He left you with a parting gift that was meant for my daughter. One that should have ended your life then, but yet, here you sit—alive and well. A human wouldn’t have survived a spell crafted to kill a shifter.”

Blood rushed from my face as I tried not to be overwhelmed by Cohen’s words. Instead, I focused on memories of when Kyle had been at the pack and our brief time together. He’d grabbed on to me when we first ran into each other. He paid a lot of attention to me, but I couldn’t remember any kind of “parting gift” that Cohen spoke of.

I’d been sick after meeting Kyle, but it had been nothing more than the flu. Or at least I’d thought so.

“I can see you trying to figure it out, but that’s not why we’re here. You’re hiding something, and I’m going to figure out what. The only thing you need to worry about is how big of a role I play in doing so.” Cohen smiled softly at me, but malice bled from his words.

I didn’t want him to have anything to do with me, in any capacity.

“Listen, I don’t know what you want from me. I was born human. I was raised human. I don’t have a wolf. I’m nothing special.”

Cohen stood and walked closer before patting my head. “You’re right. All of that is true to an extent, and I’m also aware that you’re choosing your words very carefully. You’re smarter than I was hoping for, but I assure you that no amount of wit is going to keep your thoughts safe for long. Rest up, Cait. We’re only just getting started.”

He strode toward the exit, pushing Kyle ahead of him, then turned back to me. “There will be a half-dozen wolves who bite first and ask questions second, circling above. I wouldn’t advise trying to escape.”

I glared at the alpha’s retreating form and, for the first time, wished like hell I still had my magic.