Up ahead, she saw a building where the path came out of the trees. To the side of the building was a park like setting with benches focused around a central area. Perhaps that was the place.
A man stepped out from behind a tree in front of her. “Well, who do we have here?”
Another voice came behind her. “Yeah, that’s her. I can’t believe she’s stupid enough to come here.” He looked familiar. “I told you Talen didn’t want a weak human for a mate. A quick fuck is all you—“ His nose lifted into the air. A slimy grin spread across his face. “Well, boys, I’m going to be an uncle. Isn’t that exciting?”
Uncle? “Paxten?” The male froze at hearing his name from her mouth. One of the men grabbed her arms and pulled them behind her back. “What the hell? Let go of me, jerk.”
“Hold her right there, Rydorn.” Paxten sauntered up to her and ran a finger down her cheek to the base of her neck. He wrapped two fingers around her collar and ripped the shirt away, tearing the shoulder to reveal claw marks. “And there is the proof. You are his mate. He’s claimed you already.”
She stopped struggling. “What do you mean he’s claimed me?”
“His mark is clear as day. Which means he will do anything to keep you safe. And with a cub to protect, he’d even give up his life.” His eyes twinkled with eerie madness. “Change of plans, boys. Instead of waiting for my brother to come out here, we are just going to keep her as a bargaining tool.”
With her arms pulled behind her, her chest was thrust out. Paxten licked his lips. “I see what my brother likes about you, even if you are a stinking, worthless human.” He slid his hands over her breasts and squeezed them between his fingers, hard.
Cassie cried out in pain. “Get your hands off me, you son of a bitch.” Her knee came up, firmly ensconcing itself between his legs. Paxten doubled over, yet managed to get an upper cut punch to her jaw. Her world spun.
Her eyes wouldn’t focus and her legs had no strength, dragging the guy holding onto her to the ground. The cool leaves and pine needles felt good pressed against her burning jaw. But that didn’t last long before she was jerked to her feet by her shirt.
Anger and embarrassment fueled Paxten’s rage. She saw it in his eyes. Heat rolled off his red face. She tried to smile, not sure if her swelling cheek allowed it. “Talen will rip you a new asshole as soon as he finds out about this.”
Even if Talen wanted her as a second wife, he still wanted her, and he wouldn’t let anyone hurt her.
She was dragged closer to him, nose to nose. “He’s not going to find out because you won’t be around to tell him.” Paxten lifted his hand in front of her face, and fingers transformed into long claws. He raked them across her stomach. She felt flesh scrape away in deep gouges.
Just before passing out, she heard a growl from the direction of the house. Great, the wife had joined the party.
TWENTY-EIGHT
Unease crawled up Talen’s back, but he tried to ignore it to finish his meeting with Vander Kasval.
“I must say, Talen, your ideas are unique. And I especially like the hidden caverns for stockpiles. Those will come in very handy. When can you begin?”
“I can have my men start surveying in a few days.”
“That would be perfect. I’ll wait to hear from you at my command center. I must return to Galaxa now. I have been away longer than I feel comfortable with.”
Talen gestured toward the door. “Absolutely, let me escort you to the portal.” As soon as they walked outside, the scent of blood reached both men. Each froze, eyes narrowed, noses into the wind. Talen recognized the smell immediately. “CASSIE!”
From the path came a battle roar from one seriously pissed off bear. As he ran forward, he thought now there would be two.
Sliding to a stop at the forest path entrance, Talen saw bears and men fighting. Seemed four were against a smaller one. The biggest of group had an opening and swatted the littlest bear into the trees lining the path.
Talen recognized his brother immediately. Leaping off two feet, Talen launched at Paxten, landing four claw tipped paws on his back. Talen tore into his sibling with vengeance, both rolling across the ground. Talen transformed back to bipedal. “Paxten, shift. I want to talk to you.” Paxten lumbered forward with a growl. “I said shift, now!”
Unable to defy the alpha command, his brother began to shift. He fought it with everything he had. “No!” A furious, panting Paxten sat on the ground, staring up at him. A maniacal laugh erupted from his sibling. When had Paxten gone over the edge? Talen had so much going on after their parents passed, he never had time for family.