Primal Law (Alpha Pack #1)(19)

As she padded down the right-hand side, she discovered the culprit in the second cell. She drew in a breath to see a black wolf, one almost as big as Jax, pacing the width of the space-as much as the heavy chain on the end of the metal collar would allow. Back and forth, like an animal at the zoo, and she had the impression he was slowly going out of his mind.

Suddenly he stopped, whirled, and raised his head, staring straight at her through the little window. His eyes glittered, though what color they were she couldn't tell. She saw only impotent rage a second before he launched himself at the door, lips pulled back in a feral snarl, fangs white as snow against his dark fur.

She jumped back in reflex but the chain held, and the wolf was jerked off his feet by his own speed and force. He fell, rolled to his stomach, and coughed. Then he leaped up and ran again, to the same result. Tears pricked her eyes and she moved on, out of sight. Poor thing. If he couldn't see her, he'd eventually stop. She hoped.

The next cell, not surprisingly, was empty. Feral creatures probably shouldn't be kept side by side, even though they were surrounded by some sort of thick metal for the walls, floor, and ceiling.

In the fourth cell, she saw something really massive curled on the bed, so heavy the mattress sagged under its weight. Squinting, she saw that it was coiled, its sleek head resting on a pillow, seemingly sound asleep. Now, why on earth would they have jailed a snake? Even if it was as big as a frigging Volkswagen. Perplexed, she moved on, thankful the growling from inmate number one had ceased.

Cell number six, however, provided the secondbiggest shock since her life had gone headfirst down the rabbit hole. She blinked to be sure of what she was seeing. A humanoid creature sat on his bed. Humanoid because . . .

Jesus, he had wings. Beautiful, deep blue wings matching waist-length hair that was no doubt glorious when the tresses were clean. Though the wings were drawn up against his back, the longest feathers trailed like silk across the bare mattress behind him. He was naked and very male, with skin that gleamed like snow. He was no doubt a fine specimen when in full health, but his prominent ribs and collarbones testified to the lack of proper nourishment.

The winged man was rocking, arms wrapped around his middle, staring at the opposite wall at nothing. Almond-shaped eyes fringed with dark lashes were drowning in despair and tears coursed down lean cheeks. Like the wolf, he wore a metal collar but there was no chain. Curiously, only his wrists were bound in irons, and his hands were encased in some sort of silvery mesh gloves.

He was stunning.

And absolutely despondent. He'd not been fed, had no clothes, and no bedding to keep him warm. Outrage left her breathless. Who was supposed to be caring for these poor creatures? Why were they even here, locked away like death-row inmates?

"Oh, God," she breathed. Were they scheduled to die?

Across the way, the opposite cells held an array of different creatures, both lovely and, well, homely. Some were snarling and pissed at the world, some as sad as the winged man. One looked like a small gremlin covered in brown fur, wide mouth showing a double set of razorsharp teeth as it maniacally chewed on the chain around its ankle. It was easy to see why some prisoners like the feral wolf and the little gremlin would be detained, but what of the others?

Shaking in anger, she backed away. Hit the exit and spun-

And ran straight into a solid male chest.

"What the hell are you doing in a restricted area, sugar britches?" the man rumbled, grabbing her arm.

Tilting her head back, she found herself staring into Aric's light green eyes. Annoyance was stamped on his handsome face, and she wondered if he was capable of expressing happiness. Dark auburn hair trailed over one shoulder and tickled her nose. So did his scent, potent and male. Almost as good as Jaxon's.

She attempted to wrench her arm free. "I didn't know it was off-limits, seeing as how there's no sign."

"There is a sign, down there." He pointed to the end of the corridor. "You must've missed it."

"Sorry. Now let go."

"Not until you answer my question-what were you doing?"

"Looking for the dining room. Obviously I got lost."

His gorgeous eyes narrowed and he jerked his head in the direction from which she'd come. "See anything interesting in there?"

"Plenty," she hissed, seething. Damn, he was impossible to budge. "Why are those poor creatures locked away like criminals? What are you planning to do with them?"

His laugh was not a nice one. "Darlin', any one of those poor creatures will gladly rip off your face if given the chance. And I'm not planning to do anything with them. We just bring in the rogue paranormals that are causing havoc in whatever part of the world we're sent. We subdue and rehabilitate them if we can. If not, we terminate them."

"What?" she cried, gaping at him. "That's not fair! What kind of monsters are you all to play judge and jury over creatures that aren't even human? They can't possibly understand what's happening to them! They're probably confused and frightened! I'd try to rip off your face too if I was running around lost in a strange world and you came at me with a weapon-hell, I want to now!"

He stared at her for about two seconds before he burst out laughing. Infuriating man! Egotistical SOB.

"Ease up, wildcat. If you were in charge, what would you do differently, hmm?" His thumb brushed over her lower lip in an intimate caress.