Chapter Two

Laina

I froze in the hallway as their voices echoed from the main room, they were coming. I turned toward the doorway leading to the old outcrop building and ran.

I knew there was almost no chance of escaping Trey and his men. They had always been exceptional trackers, even when we were younger. Now, after ten years, I could only imagine how much more dangerous they had become.

But I didn't need to outrun them forever, I only needed to buy Penny enough time to get the children out.

If Trey wanted me, he would have to come after me and hopefully, the children wouldn't become collateral damage.

“Come on, Laina,” Trey called from somewhere behind me, his deep baritone carrying through the hallway. “Don't play hard to get now.”

My stomach tightened at the sound of his voice.

“She always enjoyed it when you chased that ass,” Kevin added and their laughter followed. I pushed through the library doors and rushed inside.

The library had been renovated since Trey left. The enormous shelves stretched toward the ceiling, creating countless places to hide. I slipped behind one of them and held my breath as their footsteps entered the room slow and unhurried. 

They knew I was trapped.

My heartbeat pounded in my ears, and the scent of my fear immediately filled the room and I hated that.

They could track fear almost as easily as they tracked blood so I did the only thing I could think of, I let them smell me.

Then I slipped out of my robe, shoved it onto a shelf, and sprinted silently toward the opposite side of the library.

“Mmm,” Duke's voice drifted through the shelves. “She always smelled like trouble.”

I stopped.

“A little fear, a little woman, and a whole lot of promise.”

His dark chuckle made the hair on my arms rise.

“Come on, Princess. We want to play.”

I clenched my jaw, another voice joined him.

“Her lips were always to die for,” Felix said. “Poisonous, just like the bitch who owns them.”

I heard their footsteps moving closer.

“I always wondered what those lips would feel like,” he continued. “But little Miss sunshine never gave anyone the opportunity, did she, Laina?” I nearly snorted at that 

Even after ten years, they were still the same arrogant bastards only now they were bigger, stronger, and infinitely more dangerous.

I crouched lower behind the shelf, they moved through the library as one unit, just like they had when we were younger.

Memories flashed through my mind.

They had hunted me through these very shelves once before back then, it had terrified me but it had also been thrilling.

That night had ended with Trey finding me.

It was in this very library that our mating bond had first ignited.

This room had always been my sanctuary.

Now it was becoming my prison.

“Come on, woman,” Duke called.

His voice held unmistakable amusement.

“Don't keep us hanging. You know you want to play.”

Their footsteps moved closer.

“This brings back memories, doesn't it?” he continued. “Us hunting you through this place. You discovering your mate was one of us.” He paused “Only to fuck him over in the cruelest way possible.”

My chest tightened.

“I didn't take you for a sentimental bitch, Princess.” My fingers curled into my palms.

I heard movement near the shelf where I had discarded my robe.

They had found it.

Laughter erupted.

“They're onto you,” I whispered to myself.

My eyes immediately went to the window.

Beyond it lay the courtyard.

If I could reach it, I could disappear into the chaos outside, it was a terrible plan but it was the only one I had.

I waited until their attention was focused on the robe Then I ran, I barely made it three steps.

Something enormous collided with me.

A startled cry escaped my throat as I was thrown backward and I hit the floor hard as 

Pain shot through my spine.

I flipped onto my back and looked up and there he was, Trey. 

His men formed a V behind him and for a moment, I couldn't breathe.

Trey was the largest, nearly seven feet tall, with a powerful frame that made him look even more imposing than I remembered. His tattoos covered much of his body, disappearing beneath his clothing and climbing toward his neck.

Kevin stood beside him, slightly smaller but no less intimidating. He had always been Trey's beta, and apparently that hadn't changed.

Felix looked as though he had stepped out of some twisted fantasy. His immaculate suit did nothing to hide the tattoos peeking beneath his rolled sleeves and disappearing beneath his collar.

Duke was covered in blood, his clothing doing little to conceal the hard body beneath it.

Miles still wore his ridiculous glasses, even though I knew he didn't need them. Red suspenders and a blood stained bow tie completed his strange appearance and Bowen was still the brute.

The one who had always been capable of terrifying everyone around him.

They weren't boys anymore, they were men, dangerous ones.

Trey lowered himself into a crouch and grabbed my thighs.

“Miss me, Laina?”

The others chuckled at that 

His eyes traveled over me, and something dark flashed behind them.

“I asked you a fucking question, Laina.”

My heart pounded.

“Why did you come back?”

His brow lifted.

“You were free. All of you were free of this place. You could have gone anywhere. Done anything. Why come back here?”

His expression hardened.

“I promised to destroy you.” My stomach dropped “Don't you remember?”

I did, every word. 

“I have always kept my promises,” he continued. “Unlike you, Princess.” His jaw tightened “I should have known you were just like your father.” He glanced toward his men. “Guess I won't make that mistake again. Right, boys?”

Their laughter filled the library, I fought the fear crawling through me.

“Get up.” Trey stood.

I pushed myself to my feet, refusing to show weakness. The moment I was upright, I kicked toward him and he dodged effortlessly.

His hand closed around my arm, and he yanked me against him and my wolf immediately reacted, She recognized him.

My body heated at his proximity, despite every rational thought screaming at me to fight.

Trey's eyes changed.

The green blue color disappeared beneath a crimson glow as his wolf surfaced and our bond came alive between us. It was the one thing neither of us could erase.

Apparently, Trey had no intention of ignoring it anymore, he backed me against the wall.

His hand settled around my throat not enough to cut off my breathing, but enough to remind me exactly how much stronger he was.

“Fight it all you like, Laina.” His voice was dangerously calm “In fact, I hope you fight me.”

I glared at him.

“This thing between us is happening.”

His thumb moved against my skin.

“And once I have claimed you, you can do whatever the fuck you want.”

His eyes hardened.

“As long as I approve.”

I swallowed.

“You haven't changed.”

His mouth curved.

“Oh, I have changed.”

His gaze moved over my face.

“And you're about to learn just how much.”

I studied him despite myself.

The boy I remembered had become a primal male who radiated power. His sea. green eyes shifted with his emotions, while his midnight hair fell across his forehead and shoulders, catching a blue tint beneath the moonlight. He was no longer the boy who had loved me. He was something else. Something far more dangerous. His gaze lingered on my face.

“You grew up, Laina.” His thumb brushed across my lips “You grew up good.”

I fought the shiver that traveled through me.

“Red isn't your color though princess.” His thumb moved across my lower lip again.

“What happened? Can't speak without your daddy around to tell you what to say?”

I glared at him irritated at that, “I don't need my father to tell me how fucked I am right now, Trey.”

A slow smile appeared.

“I can do the math myself.”

He leaned closer, his mouth near my ear.

“You have no idea how fucked you really are.” His voice dropped to a whisper “But you will figure it out soon enough.” He stepped back “Now be a good girl and show me your bedroom.”

I stared at him and he gestured toward the hallway.

“I can't have you watching me slaughter your daddy while you are still wearing that fucking mating gown.”

The others laughed and my stomach twisted.

“You are going to kill him?” 

Trey's expression turned cold “I told you what I came back for.”

I knew he was here for revenge, clearly he had meant every word. He reached for my arm again.

“Move.”

I pulled away “No.”

His eyes flashed “Laina.”

There was a warning in the single word.

I stood my ground, even though every instinct told me I was playing with fire and he stepped closer.

“Move,” he repeated, his voice dangerously quiet, “or I will remind you why pissing me off was never a good idea.”