Was it Ethan?
Had he come back?
Did he change his mind?
Did he want to take me and do what he said he wanted to do now?
Had I lost my chance to avoid this?
Would I fight?
Could I fight?
Or would that be a stupid move?
No. I don’t care what would be smart or what would be stupid. I didn’t even care that my fighting would most likely be futile. I wasn’t just going to take it. I was going to be dragged off like a sheep to slaughter as Shane sometimes said.
Shane.
Just the thought of him caused tears to well in my eyes. I had forced myself not to think about him while Ethan was in the room with me but now that I was being dragged back, I couldn’t help it. I wanted him. I missed him. I wanted to be with him. Something flipped in my mind and I couldn’t help it. I was fighting and kicking though my screams were muffled. I bit, scratched, and elbowed my attacker. I grabbed and scraped at the walls as I was dragged back into oblivion. I wouldn’t be taken. I wouldn’t go down without a fight. No, I wouldn’t be an easy target, not even for my fucking intended. I wouldn’t bow my head down if this was the game he wanted to play.
“Fuck, Adea. It’s ME!”
I didn’t register his voice at first. My fight or flight had already been activated and I don’t know if I could stop. I scratched and dug my nails into his flesh. It wasn’t until a door slammed and we were surrounded by darkness did he let go of my mouth.
“What the fuck. I like it rough but damn, Adea. It’s me! It’s me!”
His voice finally registered and tears filled my eyes. I could feel the fat tears as they streamed down my face. I can’t believe it. Shane. Shane was here. As if I’d summoned him, he had appeared. He’d come and whisked me away. I sobbed and fell to the floor. I didn’t cry out as my knees scraped against something sharp.
“Shh, shh,” he cooed.
His large warm arms wrapped around me and I buried my face in his embrace. Shane. I knew this man. This boy. This teenager. Whatever he was, whatever I was. I needed him. I knew it was foolish of me but I felt safe in his embrace.
“It’s okay. What happened? What’s—”
Shane stopped. His body tensed. I couldn’t see him but I could feel him as he leaned forward. His chin dipped and he inhaled as he breathed me in. He growled when he smelled his scent on me. Ethan.
“What happened?” He asked.
“I-”
“Damn it, Adea. What happened? What did he do to you?”
“I-” I cried.
“Did he touch you? Did he do something to you?”
I opened my eyes and gasped. Yellow glowing eyes stared back at me. This wasn’t Shane. No, this wasn’t supposed to happen for another few years. What? What was going on? Was he okay?
“Shane?” I asked. “Shane, are you okay?” I asked.
“WHAT DID HE DO TO YOU?” A low voice growled. The demand and the power behind them shook me to the core. It was almost… it was almost as if I were speaking to an Alpha. I could feel it. The power that was radiating off of Shane now demanded submission. If I hadn’t been of royal blood, I would have fallen to my knees instantly. If I hadn’t already been on my knees, I would have felt the pull to obey his command, his aura, his alpha power.
“Tell me NOW,” he roared.
“What’s your name?” I asked.
The wolf was quiet as he stared at me. His eyes lowered and raised. He cocked his head to the side and when I felt Shane’s nose against mine, I closed my eyes. When he pulled back, I opened them again.
“Maximus. My name is Maximus.”
“Greetings, Maximus. Do you know who I am?” I asked.
“…. Yes.”
“Who am I?” I asked.
“M-… Adea. You’re Adea.”
“I am,” I smiled. “Do you share Shane’s memories?” I asked.
“I share more than his memories.”
“What else do you share?” I asked.
“Enough with the questions, it’s my turn. You need to answer mine. Who did this to you?” He asked.
“My intended” I whispered.
“What did he do?” He asked.
I swallowed.
“Tell me. My patience is wearing thin, child.” Maximus said.
I giggled. “You sound like an old man when you call me child.”
“I am very old. Older than you. I will not be distracted. What did he do to you?” Maximus asked.
“He touched me.”
“What did he do?” Maximus asked.
“He checked my purity.”
“What else?” Maximus asked.
“What makes you think there’s something else?” I asked.
“I can smell him on you. I can smell your wetness. I can smell his seed all over you.” His eyes shone brighter and his voice got darker. “So tell me, what did he do to you?”
“He touched me.” There was no use in lying or hiding. I shouldn’t want to hide from Shane and Maximus was just an extension of him. He was his wolf, his other half. I don’t want to hide from him. “He put his fingers inside of me.”
“And?”
“He did it as he pleasured himself.”
“Where were you?” He asked.
“I was bent over the table,” I whimpered.
A low growl filled the room and filled my ears. His anger was palpable.
“Do you want me to kill him? Because I will and I can.”
“No,” I cried. “Please, don’t. I don’t want to lose you or Shane. You’re all I have. So please, don’t try and go after him.”