Chapter 19
CHAPTER 19
S adie’s heart pounded as the truck jerked to a stop. Fear twisted her stomach into knots as the doors opened, and rough hands pulled her out. She stumbled forward, trying to catch her footing on the uneven ground, her mind panicking. She couldn’t stop thinking about Kile and how he had hit the back of the truck, then tumbled to the ground, rolling over and over until he disappeared. Dread filled her at the memory. What if he was hurt?
She was led toward a fire burning in the middle of a dark clearing, the flames casting long shadows across the trees. A tall man stood there, his back turned to her as she was forced closer. He was broad-shouldered and well-built, with long black hair falling down his back. He reminded her of Colton, Lily's former mate. She knew instantly that this was Colton’s brother.
Why had she gone searching for Lily alone? She should have waited for Kile or someone else. She’d been foolish, and now she was paying the price. Her fear mixed with regret as she was pushed closer to the fire, the heat licking at her skin.
The man finally turned to face her, and she couldn’t suppress a gasp. He had sharp, angular features that were eerily familiar. His strong jaw, piercing eyes, and the cruel twist of his lips sent chills down her spine. He looked so much like Colton that it made her sick. But his presence was darker, more dangerous.
“Well, well,” he said with a voice dripping with malice, his eyes roaming over her with a predatory gleam. “So this is the human who stole something from my camp right under our noses.”
Sadie swallowed hard, her fear rising as she stood frozen before him. She just prayed that Kile was still out there, coming for her. Because if he wasn’t, she had no idea how she would survive this.
Colton emerged from the shadows, his eyes blazing with fury. His fists were clenched at his sides, and the tension radiating from him was palpable. “Where’s Lily?” he demanded, his voice sharp with anger.
The man standing by the fire shifted his gaze away from Sadie and sneered at Colton. The air between them crackled with hostility.
“Lily is your problem, not mine,” the man replied coldly, his voice dripping with contempt. “I have no interest in her. I’m far more intrigued by this brave little human.” His eyes slid back to Sadie, a twisted smile pulling at the corners of his mouth.
Sadie’s heart raced as she stood frozen between the two men. Colton’s presence had only made things worse. She could feel the tension rising.
“She’s weak. A human,” a tall woman with sharp features and a scowl, sneered as she strode forward. She stopped right in front of Sadie, her eyes filled with disgust. “I could kill her with one strike. She is nothing.”
Sebastian chuckled darkly, though his voice had no humor. “Jealousy doesn’t suit you, mate.”
The woman snarled in response, her face twisted in rage. “Bitch,” she spat in Sadie’s face before raising her hand and backhanding her with brutal force. The blow sent Sadie crashing to the ground, her vision swimming with bright spots. Pain flared across her cheek, and for a moment, she could do nothing but lie there, stunned. Cruel laughter echoed around her.
But through the haze of pain, something stirred in her. She had learned something valuable from living among shifters. Bravery was respected, even when faked. And right now, it was all she had left.
Gritting her teeth, Sadie pushed herself to her feet, her legs wobbling beneath her. Her vision was still blurry, but she refused to show weakness. She squared her shoulders, lifting her chin just enough to make it clear she wasn’t backing down, even though her entire body screamed at her to run.
The woman glared at her in disbelief, and for a moment, the mocking laughter around her died down as the group watched her struggle to stand. Sadie forced herself to lock eyes with the woman who had hit her.
A tense silence hung in the air as she stood there, waiting for the next move, praying Kile was close enough to come to her rescue before her act of bravery crumbled under the weight of reality.
Colton pushed past the woman, grabbing Sadie’s arm. “Where is Lily?”
“Fuck you,” Sadie spat, tasting blood in her mouth.
Sebastian threw his head back in loud, mocking laughter. “I like her,” he said, amusement echoing through the clearing. “I really like this human.”
Suddenly, his laughter vanished as quickly as it had come. His hand shot out, grabbing Colton by the neck with alarming speed. With effortless strength, Sebastian tossed him aside like a rag doll. “Do not touch what is mine,” he snarled, his voice filled with dangerous possessiveness.
Sadie’s blood ran cold as he stared at her, like a predator eyeing its prey. His intense gaze made her stomach churn, but she forced herself to hold his gaze. Her instincts screamed at her to run, but her body was frozen with fear.
Movement at the edge of her vision drew her attention. The man who had abducted her stepped forward. “Listen, man,” he said, impatient, “I just want the money you owe me. You can do whatever you want with her, but I want no part of any of this. The bounty for her was fifty-thousand, and then I’ll be on my way.”
Sebastian didn’t take his eyes off Sadie, a cruel smile tugging at the corners of his lips. He clicked his tongue in disapproval. “Such disrespect,” he murmured, his voice soft and sinister, “will not be tolerated.” His gaze remained locked on her as if speaking only to her. The chill in his voice sent shivers down her spine. “Ask my sister, Char.”
Before Sadie could comprehend what was happening, Sebastian pulled a gun from his side. Without hesitation, he turned and shot the man who had taken her. The gunshot rang out, and in an instant, the man dropped to the ground, a bullet hole between his eyes.
Sadie’s scream tore through the night, her terror overwhelming as she stared at the lifeless body. Her entire body shook uncontrollably, her heart racing so fast she thought it might explode. She stumbled backward, but there was nowhere to go.
“Shush, now,” Sebastian whispered, placing a finger gently on her trembling lips. She recoiled from his touch, her eyes wide with fear.
“It’s time we get to know each other a little better,” he said with an evil smirk, his voice low and intimate as if they were sharing some secret.
Sadie’s heart hammered in her chest. She had never been more terrified in her life. All she could do was hope Kile would find her before it was too late.