Chapter 3

Logan's hand came down to rest heavily on Taylor's shoulder. He brought his lips close to her ear while she watched him warily through the mirror.

"Look at you, you're such a pretty little thing," He whispered. "Do you think you'll still look beautiful when the Alpha's done with you?"

Taylor tried to not let Logan's words get to her but her mind couldn't help wondering if Logan spoke the truth.

"You'll be lucky if he even lets you in," He laughed softly.

Taylor hiccuped out of a sob. Logan had succeeded in scaring her and now, she was afraid for her future as a member of the Drago Pack.

But she couldn't let Logan have the last word. Holding her chin high, she held his gaze and bit back, "At least, you'll never lay your hands on me ever again."

That made Logan stop smiling. 

"Did you just threaten me with that Alpha? I hope you remember this moment when he starts treating you like shit."

He shoved her away from him and Taylor stumbled before gaining her balance. 

"Pack your stuff and get the fuck outta this house." He snarled.

Taylor didn't have much possessions so she gathered her dresses and other personal effects of hers into a satchel in record time.

Facing Logan, she assessed all points of escape.

Logan must have read her thoughts off her face because he growled, "Don't even think about it." But it was too late. Taylor ran past him, ducking away from his arms which he had thrown out to detain her. She shot out of the bedroom, her heart pounding a mile a minute. She knew what Logan would do to her if he caught her.

Taylor was still on the staircase when she felt a fist wrap around her brown locks and draw her back. Her eyes watered in pain.

"You silly bitch. You thought you could run, hun?" He raised a fist. Taylor flinched, anticipating the blow.

It never came. It was then she noticed that she and Logan weren't alone; below them in the foyer stood Alan, Stella and three strangers.

They all watched the scuffle with different emotions: Stella with horror, Alan with anger and the three strangers with indifference.

The tallest of the strangers was an intimidating man who inspired fear in the hearts of others. He looked like someone who could kill without batting an eyelid.

Is he the Alpha, she wondered.

"What are you doing, you dimwit?," Stella hissed at her son. "Unhand her at once!"

Logan let go of Taylor's hair immediately.

"Gentlemen, may I introduce Taylor, daughter of our humble Alpha, princess of the Gunpowder Pack." Stella said in a cheerful voice.

"Isn't she beautiful? I think she is the prettiest in our Pack." Stella praised proudly.

Taylor stared, shocked. Was Stella really going on and on about her or was she talking about some other Taylor? Her family must really need the money if Stella was saying nice things about her.

The three men said nothing for a long time, keeping everyone else uncomfortable.

"Well?" Stella pressed. "What do you think, Beta Adrian?"

Taylor realized that the unsmiling man was the Beta and that the other men were probably his guards.

"We'll take her." His voice was low but it commanded attention.

"Why do you have bruises on your face, Milady?"

The question was directed to Taylor but it was Stella who answered.

"She fell down the stairs! She was just being clumsy, you know how kids these days are." She laughed hysterically. 

Kids these days, she said. Taylor wasn't twelve. She was in her twenties and no adults fell down the stairs just like that.

The guests looked suspicious but Taylor prayed that they would believe Stella's lies or else, Stella would never spare her. She'd transfer her aggression on Taylor for sure.

"You three should stay awhile. I've got drinks," Alan offered. 

Beta Adrian held up a large hand.

"We thank you for your hospitality but we must decline." He murmured.

"Oh, come on. Just one drink?" Alan wheedled.

The Beta didn't bother replying. He beckoned Taylor slowly.

"Come here." He commanded.

Taylor hesitated for the barest of seconds.

"Don't just stand here!" A smack on the ass from Logan sent her stumbling down the staircase and into the arms of the Beta who had moved quickly to save her from hitting the floor.

"Oh, thank you." Taylor said, a little breathless.

Adrian nodded once.

"You're welcome," he replied before turning his piercing gaze on Logan. Taylor knew in her heart of hearts that The Beta meant her no harm.

Adrian sneered disgustedly at Logan who was busy cowering under the force of the Beta's glance. He turned to his companions and gave them an imperceptible nod. The two large men advanced on Logan.

"It was only a mistake, man." He stuttered out, his eyes a frantic blur as he looked at the two guards who had stopped directly in front of him.

The first blow landed on Logan's jaw, the sound of tendons snapping echoing in the foyer.

Logan crumpled to his knees with a hoarse shout of pain. The guard who had delivered the blow stood back and the other guard took his place, kicking Logan in the shin.

"Have mercy on my son! Beta, tell them to stop! Please!" Stella screamed, a crazed look in her eyes.

The guards paid her no mind and continued to attack Logan with calculated, precise hits meant to maim him. He threw his hands up to protect himself from the blows but that didn't work.

Logan was bloody, bruised and lying on the floor on a stair when the guards finally stopped.

Stella ran to her son and knelt beside him, sobbing as she ran a hand down his broken body.

The Alpha wasn't done apparently. He looked at his guards and commanded in his deep voice, "Bring him to me."

Stella looked up in alarm.

"No, please! He has learnt his lessons! Don't harm him any further!" She threw a protective arm over her son but the guards managed to extract Logan from her clutches with ease.

They dragged Logan who was almost unconscious to the Alpha who studied his bruise-littered face. After a second, he nodded again and stepped back, drawing Taylor along with him.

In one swift move, one of the guards who had been holding Logan up, let go of him and pulled out his sword, slashing off Logan's right hand; the one he had used to smack Taylor's ass.

The pain seemed to drive Logan insane. He screamed, the sound horrifying and gut wrenching and began to thrash around.

Stella looked away in pain, tears openly streaking down her cheeks.

Taylor stared in horror at the pool of dark blood emanating from the stump where Logan's hand used to be. The display of ruthlessness had her thinking that she would never survive in the Drago Pack.

She stared at the Beta with eyes as wide as saucers. The Beta looked mildly disinterested, like he saw such a gory scene everyday.

"You!" Stella spat vehemently in Taylor's direction, breaking the uncomfortable silence that had descended after Logan had passed out.

"You did this! It's what you wanted all along, isn't it?! I hope you're happy now, you heartless whore!" 

Taylor flinched at her stepmother's abusive words. Stella had a heartbroken look on her face and Taylor felt a little sympathy for the woman who had neglected for years.

The Beta turned to Alan, who had been watching the whole drama with a mildly terrified look on his face.

"You would do well to tell your wife to watch her tongue." He cautioned quietly.

Stella, as if having remembered that Alan was in the room, turned to her husband hopefully.

"Alan, your only son has been disfigured by these savages! Do something!" She entreated.

Alan chose to ignore her and spoke to the Beta instead, smiling forcefully.

"Ah... I can't bear to see my daughter leave but I know it's for the best. I'll miss her so much." He said with fake sincerity.

It was as clear as crystal that Alan was lying through his teeth. Rosalie knew her father didn't give a care in the world about her.

"If I could just have my payment," He went on. "Then, you gentlemen can be on your way with my daughter."

The Beta was unimpressed by Alan's little speech.

"Your money will be sent to you in a few days." He informed Alan.

"I thought I was gonna get my money today! You tricked me!" Alan protested but stopped when he saw the Beta's glare.

"This woman belongs to my Alpha now." That was the Beta's parting shot as he pulled Taylor out of the house, his guards in tow.

Taylor chanced a glance at the house where she'd grown up.

"Don't worry," The Beta assured. "You're never coming back here again."