Bound in Death (Bound #5)(33)

“And I nearly took the bastard’s head,” Alerac finished. “I would’ve…if I hadn’t thought that I needed to keep him alive.”

Her own head was aching. The scent of blood—now she knew that it was Alerac’s blood—that scent was making her hungry.

“I kept him alive because he was the only one left who knew where she was. He killed those who took her to be imprisoned long ago. I needed him.” Disgust thickened Alerac’s words. “But now I don’t need him to live any longer.”

He spoke of death so casually.

To him, it was casual.

Her fangs ached.

Ryan held out his hand. “It’s time for us to go.”

But Alerac pushed her behind his body. “She isn’t going any place with you.”

Uh, she was standing right there.

“I let you live because of your blood bond to her, but I haven’t forgotten,” Alerac said as he squared off against Ryan, “not for an instant, about what you did.”

Her heart was pounding too fast.

“You let them take her,” Alerac continued in a voice that sounded like thunder’s rumble. “You didn’t even try to stop them. Didn’t try to help her.”

She eased away from Alerac. Jane saw the fury on Ryan’s face as he leaned toward the werewolf alpha.

“And she took your f*cking punishment,” Ryan fired right back at Alerac. “When she never even knew that you were just using her all along. Seducing her, to get the revenge and power that you wanted.”

The fierce pounding in her chest seemed to slow then.

Alerac grabbed the vamp around the throat. Lifted him into the air. “You’re done here. If I see you on my land again, you’re dead.” His gaze shot back to a watchful—and still bleeding—Liam. “I told you before…get her out of here!”

Liam took her arm. Jane jerked away from him. “I’m not going anywhere.”

She was sick. So damn sick of being in the dark. “I want my memories back.”

He’d said that he could get her a witch. If she was under a spell, a witch could break that spell, right? “I want my memories, now.”

“Careful what you ask for. You might be better off without them,” Liam murmured.

That was her decision. Not his. Not Alerac’s.

Alerac tossed Ryan toward the door. No, through the door. The wood broke and shattered at the impact. “Come here again,” he said, “and brother or no brother, you’re dead.”

Ryan cast her one final look. He was just outside of the cabin and—and wolves were coming out from the darkness. They circled him.

The wolves just seemed to be waiting. Their sharp teeth glinted in the light.

“One word from me,” Alerac told Ryan, the words low and vicious, “and they’ll tear you apart.”

Ryan straightened to his full height. “This isn’t over, alpha.”

“Yes, it is.”

Ryan’s gaze darted toward Jane.

Meet me at the stream. Two miles south. Before dawn. Before the sun rises.

She bit her lip to hold back the gasp that wanted to break free. She’d just heard Ryan’s voice—in her head.

Don’t trust the wolf. Or his pack. Traitors want your blood.

Ryan’s lips never moved, but she heard every word clearly in her mind.

But then Ryan turned around. He walked right through that circle of wolves. Headed out with his head up and never looked back.

Get away from Alerac as soon as you can. You must meet me before dawn.

She watched Ryan until he vanished. Then she moved to hurry away from that cabin.

But Alerac caught her wrist. His fingers curled around the delicate bones.

She tilted up her chin. “You should have told me that I had a brother.” The anger was there, growing and beating inside of her.

“He can’t be trusted,” Alerac said, voice deep. “He was there when you were imprisoned. He didn’t help you.”

Not caring for the audience that watched, Jane challenged, “And you did? Is that what you’re saying?”

No, he wasn’t saying anything. Not then.

“I can’t trust him. I can’t trust you. I can’t trust Heath.” Her breath rushed out. “It seems the only person I can trust is myself.”

A hard shake of his head. “I told you that I’d keep you safe—”

“I’m not some possession.” The fury was so strong that she was shaking. “I’m a person. It’s not your job to keep me anything.” She’d been afraid, and the fear had led her to this place, this mountain with him.

She should have known to be wary of the desire he stirred within her. But she’d just been so happy to actually be feeling something again. Something—anything other than fear.

He seduced you once.

And he was doing it again. She was so desperate for some security, desperate for someone to want her, that she’d given in before considering all of the risks.

“Let me go.” Her voice was flat. Surprising, considering that she felt as if she were breaking apart on the inside.

He glanced at her hand. Swallowed.

Released her.

She moved away from him and maneuvered through the smashed remains of the cabin’s door. All of those wolves—they’d sure come out fast enough. She stared at them, suspicion pushing through her. “They were in the woods, weren’t they? When I was coming here…”