Perfect Mate (A Werewolf BBW Shifter Romance #2)(16)

"Kyle said—"

"I know what Kyle said," Trax snarled. "There's a reason he was exiled from the pack."

"Sure," the woman said. Her voice trembled a bit as she spoke, and Julia saw her eyes dart over to her corner. "Of course. Whatever you want."

The driver of the SUV came into the cabin, closing the door behind him.

"Rylan's dead," he said, a look of guilt on his face. "Broke his neck."

Trax sniffed. "Should have been more careful. Both of you."

The man looked out the window and said nothing.

"Now," he said, kneeling in front of Julia, "let's talk."

Julia did not move, did not even look at him. His hand shot out and grabbed her chin, lifting her face toward his. His breath was hot on her skin, and he smelled like burnt wood.

"Do you know why you're here?"

Julia shook her head. The pain in her head brought tears to her eyes. She couldn't think, it was so bad.

His fingers dug into her cheeks.

"You're going to have to learn some manners," Trax said softly. "When I ask you a question, you respond to me. Understood?"

He shook her head slightly and the throbbing agony in her head left her gasping for air.

"Yes!" she cried. "Yes!" Anything to stop the pain.

"Good," Trax said, letting go of her face. Sobs racked her body, but at least all that was left was a dull ache in her head.

"Now," he said, "let's start over. Do you know why you're here?"

Julia choked, wiping her eyes.

"Is this... does this have to do with Damien?"

"Who is Damien?" Trax cocked his head.

"That's the blind wolf, I think," the driver said. "The one who killed Trevor."

"He didn't kill Trevor!" Julia cried. "Damien fought in self-defense. They were trying to save him when he shifted and—"

"Enough." Trax put one finger on her lips and she drew back against the wall in disgust. He smiled at her, and a chill ran through her bones. "You're going to be a very good mate once we get you properly trained."

"Mate?" The word reverberated through the cabin from her lips, and in the corner Julia could see the woman tossing her dark hair behind her shoulders.

"My mate," Trax said.

His fingers stroked her arm now. Julia pressed herself hard against the wall.

"I'm not... you can't... I'm not a shifter like you," Julia stammered. "I'm human."

Trax grinned.

"You're a sweet little thing," he said. "But you're not fooling anyone."

"No, it's true!" Julia swiveled her head from one person to another in the cabin. Both the woman and driver looked at her in disbelief. Her jaw dropped open in amazement. "You brought me here to... wait! This is all a mistake! You don't understand!"

"Stop," Trax said. His voice brought Julia's protests to a halt. He stared into her eyes and spoke in a slow rhythm. "I don't want my mate to lie to me. Not... ever. You're a special shifter. One of a kind. And now you're mine."

"I have a mate already," Julia said, her voice choking. If they thought she was a shifter, then maybe she needed to try something different. "Damien. My true mate. He—"

"Did he tell you he felt the Calling with you?" Trax said. He laughed and stood up. "Smart wolf. Maybe we should have done the same. Try to convince you to come on your own."

Julia's mouth went dry. No. It wasn't possible. Damien wouldn't do that to her. But...

He'd told her Katherine was just his guide when they first met. That had been a lie. What else had he lied about?

"You're wrong," she said, but doubt had already crept into her voice.

"Doesn't matter now," Trax said. "You're mine."

He bent over quickly to caress her face and she winced as he lowered his head towards her lips. She drew back but he had her chin firmly in his hand. With the other he tore her dress. The seams cut into her flesh before ripping. Trax tossed the scraps of fabric aside and grabbed her breast, squeezing hard. She beat at his chest with her good hand, but he was too strong. He would have her, no matter what she did. A cry tore from her throat as he moved his hands down her body.

Then he paused, raised his head, and sniffed.

"Wolves," he said.

The driver swung the cabin door open to the darkness and inhaled. "Two of them. They're close. Do you hear that engine?"

"Damien," Julia whispered.

Trax began to laugh, a slow chuckle that worked its way into thick bellowing laughter.

"A blind wolf coming for us! We'd better run!"

The driver laughed nervously along with Trax. The pack leader turned to Julia, his eyes gleaming green in the dim light of the cabin.

"Come, then," he said, cracking his knuckles. "I'll win you as my mate the traditional way after all."

Julia screamed as he pulled her to her feet, sending a fresh shot of agony down her arm.

"Come, bitch," he said. "You'd love to see two men fight for your affections, wouldn't you? Two packs, all fighting, all for you."

"No!" Julia cried. "Please, no!"