36. Gurgled Screams
36
Gurgled Screams
I ’m only one-fourth werewolf. You’d think that silver chains would barely affect me. My mind races, remembering if I ever wore silver jewelry growing up. Now that I think of it, I’d always been more of a gold girl. I probably wouldn’t have noticed silver affecting me before since I hadn’t come into my powers. As I yank at the silver handcuff securing my hands behind the wooden chair, it’s obvious my powers have dissipated from me. Cameron remains still, confirming that he doesn’t doubt the effectiveness of the chains. I’m able to reach the power button on the top of the recorder in my back pocket, just in case I make it out of here.
Jack paces back and forth to our side, his hands running through his auburn hair. “It shouldn’t have turned out this way,” he mumbles to himself. “You were supposed to be with me. You’re barely a werewolf.” He turns to me now, his face red.
I can’t take my eyes off him as if something on his person will reveal how it’s possible that the man I loved for most of my life could turn out to be so evil. My mind replays moments from high school. He had his jealous moments. He never liked me hanging out with others but would ignore me in a group setting. It’s like he always wanted to keep me to himself. I went from thinking he never felt the same way about me—to thinking he cared about my future—to now, I don’t know what.
“My father told me we would get married one day. He even made sure Granny was rewired to enforce this narrative. Do you know how hard it is growing up with your parents telling you who you need to love?”
I dart my attention to Granny, still breathing but unconscious in her binds. My eyes well with tears as I think of all she had to endure over the years. I could have ended all of it. I could have avenged her and my parents, but now I’m tied to a chair—useless .
He doesn’t wait for me to answer. “You were so fond of me, and I felt like something was wrong with me for not feeling the same way. I told you I loved you at graduation because my father made me. He thought it would make you stay.”
“So you never loved me?” I don’t care anymore, but I’d like to get my facts straight.
He stops walking and turns to me. “I cared for you, Red, I did, but not in the same way—not like my father wanted me to. Then you had to cause that earthquake, and everyone suspected you might have powers, so they blamed me for letting you go.”
I smack my lips and roll my eyes. “Great. I’m glad that’s settled. Then just let us go.” Did he ever really punch Todd Silvers for talking bad about me? I want to ask, but it seems pointless now.
He charges toward me, and Cameron jerks in his seat. Jack stops, sizing Cameron up and down as Cameron snarls up at him. Jack speaks, not taking his eyes off Cameron. “But then you came back, and you were different. I fell for you the way my father always wanted me to. I finally saw what we were meant to be—to bring in the new generation of Hunters—to eradicate the werewolves. But then you had to whore around and sleep with the enemy days after letting me fuck you.”
“Watch it!” Cameron yells .
Jack leans in his face. “I know you used werewolf mind powers on her. There’s no way she would sleep with you in her right mind.”
Cameron spits on Jack’s face.
Jack stands, gathering his composure before punching Cameron across the jaw.
“Stop!” I yell, tears falling down my cheek. “He’s my mate!”
Jack turns to me. “Your what?”
I don’t reply—regret churning in my gut that I revealed too much.
Cameron’s fingers find mine from behind my back, and he holds onto me.
Jack laughs, returning to his pacing. “Is that what he told you? Your mate. That’s a load of shit. You might have discovered some special abilities inherited by your bastard of a father, but you’re mostly human. You can’t overpower me, and you can’t have a mate. God, think for yourself, Red.”
I don’t even contemplate his words. I know what I feel, and it’s real, but maybe it’s better if he thinks of me as weak—mostly human. Maybe that’s our ticket out of this.
“Cameron’s always been jealous of me. Growing up, my father had me keep an eye on him. I was so much more powerful than you when we were kids. I never tired of putting you in your place whenever I saw you in town. But then you got older, grew into your powers, and had so much protection. Did you think you would get revenge on me by stealing my girl?”
Cameron sighs. “You think too highly of yourself. You never crossed my mind.”
Jack gives a pained laugh. “I’m sure. You fucking Human Liaisons think you're so tough.” He points to me. “This one’s dad was a piece of work. He wanted us all to work together. Just because he knocked up a Hunter, he thought we could coexist— as if evil doesn’t run through you monsters’ veins.” He snaps his fingers as if a thought just came to his head. “You know what my dad told me? I guess they used you as bait to murder your parents.” He laughs. “Full circle, huh? Now, I’m using you to kill the next Human Liaison. I guess you’re the most accomplished Hunter after all, Red—whether you like it or not.”
I don’t know if I believe Jack about the Hunters using me for my parent’s death. I don’t doubt it, but it’s not something I can focus on now, even if the pain of his comment sears deep into my soul. “Jack, you can’t murder us. The police will retaliate,” I say in a calming voice, fully aware that Jack isn’t in his right mind.
“Oh, I’m not going to murder you, my sweet. Remember? You need to produce me an heir. I’m just debating whether I should mutilate him now and keep him alive to watch you carrying my offspring or if I should end it now.”
Jesus Christ, he’s off the deep end. I think back to my reporter classes about dealing with mentally unstable interviewees.
“I’ll fucking end you!” Cameron barks. “Try keeping me alive and see what happens.”
I grab Cameron’s hand, trying to calm him. That’s not happening. We’re finding a way to resolve this.
“So, what’s the plan, Jack? What are we doing next?” I ask, keeping the panic from my voice.
“That’s what I’m trying to figure out.” He raises both of his arms as if physically weighing two options. “Kill him now or later.”
“Jack, I need you to breathe. You’re not thinking clearly.”
Jack takes a big inhale of breath.
Although I was trying to calm him and de-escalate the situation, I didn’t expect it to work. I try again. “I need you to put down the knife. I don’t want you to hurt yourself.”
“What?” Cameron whispers from behind me.
Jack walks to the countertop and places the knife down.
Cameron and I turn our heads to share a glance. I read his eyes, and he understands what I’m thinking. But is it possible? He nods to confirm.
I take a deep breath, focusing my attention on my words. “Jack, you need to take our handcuffs off. ”
Jack’s gaze drills into mine. He doesn’t move; he just watches me from the kitchen counter. I try again. “Jack, come over here and unlock our chains.”
He steps toward me, the veins in his neck straining and his eyes darting back and forth. “That’s right. Keep coming. Let us free.”
He moves quicker, his boots pounding against the wood floor as he gets closer until he reaches us and kneels, digging in his pocket to retrieve the handcuff key.
Power rushes through my veins. I’m doing this. I’m controlling Jack with my mind. He might think I’m not powerful enough because of how little werewolf blood runs through my veins, but he’s wrong. I don’t know how, but I can control minds, even while locked in silver chains.
Cameron chuckles. “God, I love you,” he says as Jack removes his handcuffs. Cameron pulls his arms free and examines his wrists.
My heart swells. I don’t know if he means it seriously, but it’s the first time he’s said it. Sure, we’re mates—destined for each other, but love—love is a choice. In this moment, I know I love him. It’s crazy and so fast, but I know.
It happens quickly. I must have focused too much on Cameron’s words and lost my hold on Jack’s mind. I struggle against my chains, straining my neck to see what’s happening behind me. All I can hear is skin against skin and heavy breathing. “Jack, stop!” I yell, but it’s too late. I can’t reach him anymore; his rage makes it too slippery to sink in my talons.
Jack’s hands are around Cameron’s throat, but the struggle only lasts momentarily. The change happens in an instant. The chair snaps underneath Cameron from his new weight and power.
Granny wakes from beside me, shrieking as she witnesses Cameron in his werewolf form, sinking his teeth into Jack's jugular, blood spraying from his mouth and gurgling his screams.