Stolen and Forgiven (Branded Packs #1)(29)

The children had wide eyes and pale faces. Three boys and three girls, all so tiny that Holden wasn’t sure they even looked two years of age. Soon they would be able to shift into their wolf form, little adorable pups who would one day be the large wolves humans feared.

“Are you ready?” he asked softly, trying to keep his face emotionless. If he looked like he cared, the humans would know. Oh, the guards might not be in sight, but he could scent them. They were watching, waiting to see what Holden would do.

Each child nodded, their little hands in their parents'. They children would know their role. They would scream and hold their breath so their face would turn red. If they could, they would cry. A few children faked passing out so they wouldn’t have to scream. At two years old, these pups had to endure the worst in humanity but only had to act in true pain. It was sad how good they were becoming at this.

Soren walked to his side, six collars on his arm and the branding iron in his other fist. As Beta, Soren would place the collars around the children’s necks before each branding—much like he had done with Ariel.

Holden let out a breath, aware the guards had shown themselves, slowly surrounding the small group of people who had come to lend support. Every once in a while, Holden could forget they were in a cage and think worry about inter-Pack issues and dominance fights. Then things like this happened, and he got shoved to the front of their existence.

“We don’t have all day, Alpha,” the younger guard spat. Holden and Soren recognized him as one of those who had come looking for Ariel. “Brand the little monsters and we’ll leave. I’m not in the mood to deal with your stench for longer than I have to.”

“Jesus, let this kid breathe first,” Theo mumbled on Holden’s other side. The younger wolf’s eyes widened and Holden cursed.

“What was that, bastard?” The guard flicked a switch on the electric wand and let out a weak human growl. “Did you just talk back to me?”

Holden snarled and put himself in front of Theo. The younger man might be a full grown adult, but he was still a pup in transition in some respects. He couldn’t control his temper all the time, and that was a liability.

“Let’s get on with the branding,” Holden bit out.

The guard tilted his head up and glared. “Get out of my f*cking way, or I’ll tase all of you. Get me, Alpha?”

Theo stepped out from behind Holden, his head held high. “Come at me.” Holden could hear the regret laced in Theo’s tone, but did his best not to react to it. Theo would pay for his outburst.

Holden fisted his hands at his side, forced to do nothing as his Pack repeatedly bled for who they were. There was nothing he could do without harming the ones who couldn’t take care of themselves. One day that would change, he had to believe their plans would work. But for now, he was powerless.

Theo stood tall as the guard slammed the edge of the stick into his side. The wolf let out a pained whimper, but only those with enhanced hearing would have been able to pick up on it.

Holden let the guard hit Theo two more times before he’d had enough. Frankly, he’d had enough years ago.

“Enough! If you want to get through the branding today, then you will let us get to it. If not, we can do it another time.”

The guard spit on the ground near a still standing Theo. “Want the other end of my stick, too?”

Theo snorted. “Sounds like you want dick, *. Not sure why you’re hiding it. Nothing wrong with that. But if that’s the case, don’t take your frustrations out on us.”

Holden closed his eyes even as he felt Ariel’s hand on his back. “Theo.”

The younger wolf lowered his gaze then moved so he stood behind Ariel, flanking her just in case.

“That little bastard is going to get what’s coming to him.”

Holden raised his chin. “Remember, human, you can beat us with full force, but you are one tiny man with only a few other tiny men behind you. Keep taunting us, and I might lose my temper.” He let his wolf rise to the surface. “Try me.”

The guard gulped then gestured toward Holden’s hand. “Get on with the branding.”

Ariel snarled behind him and Holden froze for a fraction of a second. Fuck, her wolf had to be close to the surface, as well. Soon she’d have to shift. The hunt was that night so she didn’t have long to wait. But f*ck, this was bad timing.

“Sorry,” she whispered, so low that only he could hear it.

He reached around with his free hand and squeezed her arm, letting her know it was okay. In most cases, becoming wolf was natural, a way to show emotion. Right then though, they had to be careful, and Theo had already tread far too close to the line.

Holden pulled her to the side so he faced the children. When he held up the branding iron, two of the children paled while the others widened their eyes. They might have been told this wasn’t going to hurt them, but they were babies, they might not believe it.

One day, for every brand he’d been forced to make, he would take it out of the skin of those who had captured them. His people were branded, but not forgotten.

Ariel put her hands on his back. “I’m here for you.”

He took in her strength, knowing he would need it. “Come.”

The first one, a little boy with dark hair and trembling parents came forward. He held out his arm, his head held high. One day this little boy would be a dominant wolf, strong and powerful. For now, he needed to keep the innocence the humans would deny him.