THE WILD CAT
"You almost got yourself killed today."
Riley turned her head slightly, her cheek pressed against the pillow. Her eyes were glassy with tears. "He... he was going to kill Skylar. He's a monster, Lucas."
Lucas paused, a cotton swab soaked in antiseptic hovering over a deep cut. "He’s a Wild Cat. We all are. You're in a world where silence is survival, Riley. Why can't you just learn to play the part?"
"Because I'm not a pet!" Riley snapped, though the effort caused a fresh wave of pain to ripple through her. She winced, her body trembling.