Abandoned and Unseen (Branded Packs #2)(30)

Frank sighed. “Damn. I thought this one would last longer. I think I got too carried away.” He set the scalpel down then wiped his hands on a towel at his side. “I guess it’s time to start on my next project.”

Fear shot through her and she pulled again, blood pouring down her arms as the shackles cut into her wrists.

“Stop! Use me! Study me!”

Frank smiled at her and her world shattered. “No, I don’t think so. I’m going to study the reactions of a mother watching her children die.”

With that, he walked out of the room, humming a tune under his breath.

Tears slid down her cheeks as she pulled and tugged, trying to find a way out. “Oh, Cole. I’m so sorry.” She blinked, trying to see through her tears. “You shouldn’t have died for me. You should be up in your tree, sleeping like you want to be. I’m so sorry I pulled you with me.” She closed her eyes tightly. “I love you,” she whispered, knowing he couldn’t hear her.

The man she loved was dead, and she’d been too afraid of what could have been to let him know before he’d sacrificed himself for her and her children.

She scented her boys before she saw them. Her body shook and she pulled at her restraints, her wrists practically numb at this point.

Frank walked in with a bear cub under each arm. The scent of fear wafted off each boy with such potent intensity, she knew they were practically paralyzed at this point.

Her bear clawed at her, her tendons snapping as she started to shift at the sight of her sons in the hands of a monster.

Anya did what any momma bear would do in this situation.

She lost her shit.

With strength she didn’t know she possessed, she pulled at the chains one last time. Cement and plaster fell on her as the wall gave way. Her left wrist was broken for sure, but her right one was only partially mauled.

“Bite, boys! Bite him!” she roared as she stood on shaky legs.

The boys growled, and Frank’s eyes widened. Owen and Lucas dug their teeth into Frank’s arms and the human screamed, dropping her cubs.

Her boys let go of the butcher and landed on their feet, scrambling to her. She took two steps toward them, but before she picked them up, she wrapped the fingers of her unbroken hand around Frank’s throat.

“Never again,” she said quietly, her voice as deadly as a blade. “Never again.” With that, she snapped his neck and walked out with Owen and Lucas, shutting the door behind them with Frank’s body still in the room. She needed a moment to figure out her next step in the plan before the guards that were still left standing came storming in. The fact that they hadn’t come with the roaring and screaming worried her more than she thought possible.

She fell to her knees and hugged her children close. “Shift back to human, babies. I know you’re tougher in your bear forms, but we need to get out of here and I can’t be seen carrying two little cubs.” She kissed their little faces and pulled back as they shifted.

“Momma!” Lucas wrapped his arms around her neck, kissing her and crying.

“Oh, babies,” she whispered, hugging them close.

“Momma, what’s wrong with Cole?” Owen asked, his voice so low she almost didn’t hear it.

She hadn’t forgotten Cole, but she honestly didn’t know what to do with his…body.

Anya swallowed hard and tried to compose herself. “I think there are scrubs or something in that closet over there,” she said, ignoring Owen’s question for the moment. Her boys were naked and still wore their collars and brands. “Get dressed and be quick. Okay?”

They nodded at her, worried looks on their little faces.

“Where’s your collar, Momma?” Lucas asked.

She put her hand to her neck and cursed. The collars had been in Cole’s hoodie pocket. She prayed Frank hadn’t taken them or she’d be dead as soon as she made it back to the compound.

If she made it back to the compound.

No, she wouldn’t think like that. She’d get her boys back to the compound and find a way to move on with what happened here. But first, she had a few things to do before the human guards came sniffing around. It was a miracle she’d been safe this long.

“Come here for a moment,” she said softly. She quickly removed their little collars and put them in her hoodie pocket. Her wrists ached, and she knew she’d need a healer soon, but she’d live with the pain for now. “Now go find a long shirt to put on boys. I need…I need to see to Cole.”

They scurried off quietly to the closet, and she went back in the other room and over to Cole’s body. “I’m sorry,” she whispered and kissed his brow. “Thank you for getting me to my boys.” She reached into the pocket of his hoodie lying on the table and pulled out their collars. When she leaned forward to kiss him one more time, her heart almost stopped.

Did his chest move?

Was he breathing?

Please let him be breathing.

Oh, God. She slapped at his face. “Cole, baby. Wake up. Wake up, love. I need you.”

Cole’s eyes fluttered, and her hands shook. A crash sounded in the hallway and she froze.

“Wake up, Cole.” She growled low. “It’s time to get up, lazy cat. Don’t make me pull your tail.”

“Not. Lazy.” Cole’s voice was a low growl, and she almost wept.