He took his time taking each step so as not to jostle her body. His touch wasn’t intended to hurt her, and yet with every step he took she felt hurt to her core. She had to lure this man to his death, and she didn’t know how she could do something so cruel.
“My name’s Scorch,” he said, talking to her.
Please, don’t say anymore. I’m going to be the one responsible for your death.
She couldn’t speak any words. It hurt her too much to breathe, let alone tell him she was the reason he would be dying.
“I’m the alpha of the Fire Pack. We’re a good group. We live up in the cold, frozen mountains, but we’re strong and we can make you feel warm.”
Victoria felt warm just by having his arms around her. The sun warmed her skin even as the chill in the air kept her frozen. She felt … different, reborn almost.
“You’ll want for nothing, honey.”
He kept talking. His voice soothed her, calming her nerves.
“First we’ll take care of all of these cuts and bruises. I don’t know if you’ll be good for the next full moon to be able to run.”
No, she didn’t want to think about the full moon or what she had to do to this kind, precious man.
“We’re a large pack, but we’re fair.”
Please stop talking. I’m not here to be taken care of. I’m here to hurt you and your pack.
What did Chain want with this man? Scorch had goodness coming out of every single pore of his body.
She heard the muttering, and seconds later they were surrounded by his pack. Their smell invited her in.
“How is she doing?” one of the males asked.
“She’s hurting. Clear a space in the bedroom next to mine,” Scorch said. “Get Mandy. She has dealt with wounds like these before. I don’t want to take a chance on anything.”
He barked orders out, and all the time Victoria felt like she was dying inside. Scorch took her upstairs then through to a bedroom. The room was warm, and he placed her on the center of the bed. “I’m going to drape a blanket over your body. Mandy will be up to tend your wounds.” He moved around the room as he talked. In the light she saw the blond glint of his hair. His eyes were a startling blue, and he had to be three times the size of her.
She watched him go about the room, closing windows, shutting curtains to keep the light out. Men entered and left never once looking at her with anything but sympathy. What kind of pack had she stumbled on? All of the men had a say within this pack. Not once had Scorch showed his true colors. Was he trying to put her at ease? Chain at one time had smelled good. His smell had changed along with his attitude. He was evil through and through. Was she hoping Scorch would be different?
Crap. She was starting to get a headache thinking about everything going wrong in her life.
“What the hell are you doing, Scorch?” A woman charged in the room shouting. Victoria saw her hands were laid on her hips with a glare decorating her face.
“Fuck off, Lidia,” Scorch said. There was no real aggression in his tone.
“I’m here for a weekend, and you’re wasting your time on this woman. Leave the pack to deal with her, and now come to fucking bed.”
Scorch turned on the woman. “Get out of this room. If you can’t handle waiting then get the fuck off my property.”
He shoved her out of the bedroom, closing the door behind him. “I’m sorry about that.”
Why was he apologizing to her? She was invading his lands and his pack.
Several minutes later there was a knock at the door. A blonde woman entered the room with her head downcast. “I’m sorry to take so long, alpha.”
“Mandy, stop bowing your head in my presence. I’m an alpha, not royalty.” Scorch held the woman by the shoulders, smiling.
“Sorry, I keep forgetting everything. Dale is grabbing my kit. I hope I have everything I need.”
“I’m sure you will.”
Victoria had stepped into some alternate universe where the alpha cared about his pack. Another man entered the room, and suddenly she was left alone with Mandy.
“I’m going to remove this sheet from your body.” Slowly the other woman went about removing the sheet and assessing her injuries. “You’ve been hurt bad. Scorch told me your voice is scratchy.” She tutted as her fingers touched her neck.
Victoria flinched away from her touch once again. She wasn’t afraid, but she didn’t want anyone to be hurt by what she was going to do for her alpha.
“It’s okay. No one is going to hurt you here.”
Mandy went about cleaning every scar that had been reopened. “You’ll heal soon. Some food and rest will see you all fixed in body.” She washed away all the dirt then caressed ointment into her skin. Tears stung Victoria’s eyes at the sweetest care being given to her. This pack was not a threat to Chain at all. None of them smelled evil. They didn’t have a plan to take another pack either.