Red Moon Rising(74)

Draken turned to one of his men. “Bring me a collar.”

The Lycan disappeared into one of the tents. He came back out carrying a leather bag that he handed to Draken. Draken pulled both a collar and a small silver key from it. He unlocked the collar and started towards them.

Sophia shrank back against Kaden. Adrenaline was coursing through her veins, and her body was screaming at her to shift. She ignored it grimly as Draken spoke.

“Hold her still, human.”

Kaden’s hand slipped from her hair and wrapped around her body. He pinned her arms to her sides and held her tightly. The dagger was still pressed against the skin over her heart and she shook and snarled at Draken, her eyes glowing green as the large Lycan stopped in front of her.

Panting and growling low in her throat, Sophia pressed her head against Kaden’s chest. She could see the sharp, silver points on the inside of the collar, and it sent a fresh wave of fear through her. She was close to shifting, and she tried desperately to control it. The thought of the silver being around her neck was making her panic, and the Lycan within her was demanding to be released.

“Be still.” Kaden hissed in her ear. She realized that although his arm was a hard band of steel around her, his hand had slipped under her shirt and was stroking the bare flesh of her lower back soothingly. She concentrated on his touch, the warmth and gentle motion against her skin helping to calm her, and she closed her eyes in defeat as Draken put the collar around her neck and locked it.

He dropped the key into the small leather bag, and handed it to one of the Lycans before smiling widely at Kaden. “You may let her go now.”

“My sister first. Untie her and bring her to me.” Kaden demanded.

Draken nodded and one of the Lycans quickly sliced through the ropes that bound her. She staggered to her feet, rubbing at her wrists, and the Lycan dragged her to where Kaden was standing.

She wrenched her arm free and glared at the Lycan before looking at Kaden and Sophia. Anguish crossed her face and tears slipped down her cheeks. “Kaden, this isn’t right. Please, I know you hate them but Sophia is – “

“Be quiet Bree!” Kaden roared. He shoved Sophia into Draken and yanked his sister to his side.

“Remember your promise Lycan.” He glared at Draken, who laughed and stroked Sophia’s long dark hair.

“Of course, human. You are free to go.” He made a shooing gesture with his hand as he leaned down and nuzzled Sophia’s face affectionately. She snarled at him, her bound hands tightening into fists, and he laughed and kissed her cheek where a bruise was visible.

“Oh, you’re going to be a handful, I can tell.” He kissed her bruise again before glancing at Kaden who was slowly backing through the trees, dragging Bree with him. “Don’t worry my pretty one. I won’t bruise your lovely face like this oafish brute.”

With a thin shriek, Bree turned on Kaden and struck him hard on the chest with her small fists. Surprised by her outburst, he stumbled back and released her. She started towards Sophia and Kaden reached out, just managing to grab the back of her shirt. He yanked her back into his arms, and she screamed again as she kicked and punched at him.

“No Kaden! NO!” She shrieked. “I won’t let you do this!”

With a loud grunt, he picked her squirming body up and heaved her over his shoulder. He winced as she kicked him hard in the ribs and pounded on his back. Without speaking he turned and strode through the trees.

“NO!” Bree screamed again. “Sophia! Sophia!”

Draken watched with amusement as Kaden disappeared into the trees with the struggling Bree. He captured a strand of Sophia’s dark hair between his fingers. He rubbed it gently before raising it to his face and sniffing at it.

“You are so lovely. I can’t wait to have you in my bed.” He whispered.

“Lord Draken?” One of the Lycan’s said hesitantly.

“What is it?”

“Are you really going to allow the slaves to go free?”

Draken traced the collar around Sophia’s neck before turning towards the other Lycans clustered together in a loose group.

“I did give them my word, did I not Terrence?” He asked quietly.

“Aye.”

Draken studied his hands for a moment before returning his gaze to the Lycans in front of him. He pointed at two of the bigger ones. “Go and kill the slaves.”

They nodded as Sophia tensed against him. She opened her mouth and screamed, “Bree! Run! It’s – “

Draken clapped a hard hand over her mouth and tightened his arm around her painfully. “Be quiet or I’ll cut your tongue out.” He said harshly.