Chapter 38
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Harlow
Tears burn my eyes as Corbin sits me on his lap while he draws a bath. His mates slowly trickle in, and I am soon surrounded as they start stripping me of my clothes. Corbin climbs into the bathtub first, before I’m placed between his legs.
The water is hot and stings my skin. I can do nothing except endure the torment of them washing me like I’m some prized jewel. Corbin purrs, using his Calling. I fight against it, refusing to give into the sensation as it rolls over me. Pain slivers up my spine, causing me to sweat.
“Such a stubborn little Omega. Don’t fight it, Harlow,” he coos while dragging a loofah across my skin. I feel like a rag doll as they pull and tug on me, yet the longer I am in the bath, the more I begin to feel my limbs and the stronger I get.
When he’s done, he passes me to the man they keep calling Slater. Surprisingly, they are all very gentle, treating me like I am made of glass. I’m compliant, letting them believe the drugs are still in effect while they dress me in a chemise, as if I’m their personal doll.
“Are we sure this will work? What if Thane still kills us?” Kingsley asks Corbin as he pulls me into his lap. My heart skips a beat at the thought of them marking me and the thought of being forced to mark them.
“Thane won’t risk her life. He’ll be forced to let her go.
The councils won’t allow him to kill me if an Omega’s life is at stake.
They are too rare these days,” Corbin says confidently.
“Come, let's get her to the Den so we can prepare her. I want her marked and mated as soon as possible,” Corbin states, taking me from Kingsley, who seems reluctant to let me go.
“Get my serum from the fridge,” Corbin calls over his shoulder as we step out of the bathroom. Heading back the way we came, we pass the library, and I see Bree. She rushes to her uncle, clutching at his arm.
“Bree, I haven't got time for this!” he growls at her.
“Just help me get him to a car and we’ll leave.”
Corbin laughs and shakes his head.
“Stupid, naive girl. There’s no leaving here. The authorities have the mountain surrounded. The only way in or out is the tunnels,” he tells her, turning away.
“But we had a deal!” she yells angrily. I avert my gaze, looking for Talon. He gives me a slight nod when I spot him, and my brows furrow.
“You were the one stupid enough to take it! And for that prick?” Corbin growls. “Kingsley, get my serum. Just ignore her,” Corbin yells over his shoulder making him refocus his attention. My lip quivers as I try to figure a way out of this mess.
Kingsley wanders off with Slater and another man whose name I don’t know. Panic raises goosebumps on my arms. When Corbin turns toward a door that is being held open by another of his mates, I start to fight.
My claws slip from my fingers and rake down Corbin’s face, forcing him to drop me.
I run for the bookshelf with the secret door behind it.
Arms lock around my waist before I reach it, but only momentarily.
Whoever grabbed me is tackled by someone else.
Bree screams her head off, and I’m tossed into a nearby shelf when I notice Talon is no longer where he was.
I look up to see him fighting Corbin and his mates, once again trying to protect me.
Only this time, he doesn’t have the ability to shift.
I know Talon needs blood. He’s a hybrid like Leon, and who knows how long it’s been since he fed, muting his ability to heal. He looks over his shoulder briefly.
“Run!” he screams at me. My breath hitches as I get to my feet.
I scramble for the bookshelves, looking for the right one and yanking it open.
The moment I do, a gust of cold air smashes into me.
I look over my shoulder one last time. Bree is screaming, trying to get Kingsley off Tal, who is holding Corbin down.
A whimper escapes me. I know this is my only chance, so I force my jelly-like legs to run down the steps. My feet echo loudly in the tunnel as I run, and I can hear them giving chase. I briefly wonder if Tal is alright, knowing he isn’t.
I am on the verge of passing out when I finally get to the bottom, but I fight it back as I reach the gate blocking the exit. I yank on it, trying to open it, before scanning my surroundings. My hands brush the walls, hitting a box. I hear them closing in.
My fingertips feel numb as I fumble to pry the lid off and grab the key inside. I twist it and the gate swings open. I slam it shut behind me, hoping to buy a little time as I figure out which way to go. The simplest would be downhill, so that is the direction I run.
I run for at least five minutes before I suddenly stumble. My feet hit nothing but air, and I fly forward, landing on my stomach in the dirt. I try to get to my feet, but a growl stops me in my tracks.
Lifting my head, I instantly notice my mistake.
Not that it is my fault, the woods are dense, and I was more focused on running than paying attention to my surroundings.
However, I’m now nose to nose with a shifted rogue.
There’s another growl to my left, telling me I’m surrounded. I’ve fallen into a Den of sorts.
I crawl back while the rogue stalks forward. I dig my nails into the dirt wanting to shift, but the drugs still burning in my system prevent it. The rogue sniffs the air and cocks his head to the side, recognizing me as Omega. A loud whine leaves his mouth, and his tongue lolls out.
This can’t be fucking happening. What did I do in a past life to have this much fucking karmic debt and suffer this much bad luck?
I hear running and yelling further up the hill.
I grit my teeth, knowing my chances are better with Corbin than the rogues.
They will both rape me, but at least Corbin won’t kill me immediately afterward.
I scramble back on my hands and knees while the rogue prowls toward me.
I pivot, looking around to find there are at least five of them.
Knowing I’ll probably regret it, and cursing the Moon Goddess, I scream, alerting Corbin and his mates to my location. I don’t have any other choice, but the moment I do, the rogue lunges at me. I roll out of his way and narrowly miss his teeth sinking into me.
My fingers find a branch, and I grab it. Getting to my feet, I clutch the branch as the rogues circle me. A murky gray one suddenly lunges forward. I swing the branch, connecting with his head as a feral growl echoes behind me. I turn just as another one attacks.
My breath lodges in my throat. I think I am about to die when I am suddenly thrust forward. A heavy weight lands on me and crushes me to the ground. Only, instead of teeth and claws ripping into my soft flesh, warm fur covers me.
A menacing growl sounds from above me, and I realize Corbin’s huge wolf is covering my body with his.
He snarls, gnashing his teeth at the rogues.
His aura rips out, making me whimper, and so do the rogues.
They can’t take the weight of it, and before long they scamper off, leaving me beneath his beast.