Chapter 13

**ELIZABETH'S POV**

"Ah, yes. I won't deny that. She was the weak link and what I did was simply a culling. The day she fell in love with your father, the day she ignored her mate for him was the day she signed her death wish."

"I am glad she did not mate with you. You black hearted worm."

He walks to me and squats then he reaches out and grabs me by my chin, his claws digging into my skin.

"Your existence proves your mother made a stupid choice. Your existence proves that she was a fool and you think I would let you just walk away? I didn't let your sister go away. You think I would let you? You are so stupid, Elizabeth. More than I gave you credit for. I will make sure you are close."

He stands and starts walking away then stops.

"Oh and if you think that rich boy…what's his name again? Marcus? He won't come to help you. You are mine and he is an alpha. He knows our ways. You are not his to claim. I would suggest you get comfortable," he says and walks away.

**MARCUS'S POV**

"She betrayed you, just like I told you she would. There is no testing anyone who is not a member of our pack," Elliot says. I look at him, sitting there with the stump which has already healed. It will soon start to grow but regrowing a limb is no easy feat.

I don't say anything to him. I do not apologize as well. I did what I did and there are no regrets for it. Even if there are, I can't show them to him.

"I have to…" my phone rings. I check the caller ID and it is someone I don't know. I pick the call and I hear a woman's voice, shaky but controlled.

"Am I on to Mr Marcus Harrington? I got your number from my shared email with my roommate, Elizabeth. I am sorry for the bother, sir but I think she is in trouble."

The words are like a mallet to my skull and I know Elliot has heard as well.

"It's a trap, Marcus. It's a trap. If you go in there then…"

"I am going," I say to him. He starts to speak, takes one look at my face then he nods.

"As you wish."

†

The shadows within this desolate cell stretch and twist, morphing into grotesque shapes that dance mockingly at the edges of my vision. It's a place where even my own thoughts seem to betray me, whispering sinister secrets that reverberate off the unforgiving stone walls. The sensation of being utterly alone consumes me, as if the very essence of solitude has materialized into an entity, enveloping me in its icy embrace. There's no solace to be found, no reprieve from the relentless barrage of desolation that gnaws at the edges of my sanity.

The air hangs heavy with the weight of despair, and each breath I draw feels like a struggle against an invisible force determined to suffocate any flicker of hope within me. A haunting dampness clings to my clothes, seeping into every fiber and leaving a clammy layer that clings to my skin like a second, unwelcome shroud. The dampness is not just a sensation, but a tangible reminder of the relentless decay that pervades every inch of this wretched place. It's as if the very essence of the earth has seeped through the cracks, leaving a pervasive reminder of my own mortality.

My fingertips brush against the jagged surface of the walls, their texture a testament to the cruelty of this forsaken place. Each touch sends a jolt of revulsion through my being, as though the very stones themselves exude an aura of malevolence. It's a visceral reminder that I am merely a speck in this unforgiving universe, left to wither and fade in the confines of this cold, unyielding prison. It is then that the lights come again and the sound of metal.

Two men walk in and they drag me up then they walk me away from the room and into a corridor. My legs are weak and they drag me into a wider room and that is where I see him standing there with Eve by his side. His arms are folded across his chest and he is looking at me.

Because I know him, I can tell that he is furious but he face seems calm so it appears that he is calm but he is not.

"This man says that you have something of his. You thieving bitch. You can't even be in someone's employ without taking something from him?" Eric asks.

I look from Marcus to him and I cannot even understand what is happening. I start to step back but a hand shoves me forward from behind.

"What did you take?" Eric asks.

"Actually, she didn't take anything and I was just bullshitting you. I want Elizabeth with me and I wanted to know what that would entail."

"What…did you say to me?"

"I am initiating a bargain. I mean no insult. What do you want in exchange for Elizabeth. I know she is a member of your pack and as such, she is bound to you. I would like to unbind her."

I almost cannot believe the words that are coming from his mouth. Eric stiffens then looks at me then at Marcus.

"You think you can come in here and just make demands of me?" He asks.

"I am not making a demand. I am initiating a negotiation. This woman is of value to me. I will give you what you want and you will…"

"Get out. Get the fuck out!" Eric snarls at him.

Marcus steps closer, dwarfing the man. He looks at me and I can see his anger grow even worse. His entire body tightens and the room is filled with his presence. It is so heavy that I feel like the pressure is making me unable to breathe. He stretches out his hand.

"I have a question for you, Eric," he says sharply, almost a hiss.

"Are you the alpha because you are the strongest or you are the strongest because you are the alpha?" He asks.

"What sort of question is that?" Eric asks and I can hear the terror in his voice.

"There are two ways to unbind a member of your pack. The first is you unbind her yourself and the second is that I kill you and take over your pack. Since you are the strongest, that wouldn't be much work. Would it?" He asks.

"My pack would rip…"

"I brought five of my betas. They would be enough to test through your entire pack. Now, while I am still in the mood to negotiate, give me that woman or I take her. Your choice," he says and steps back.

"I want..." Eric starts but Marcus cuts in.

"On second thoughts, I am taking her. You have treated her like filth. You deserve nothing. Do you have any protests?" He asks. I can see rage and helpless fury on Eric's face but he doesn't say anything.

"Very good. Do it," Marcus says. Eric looks at me then shuts his eyes. It doesn't take long before I feel the lightness and I know that I have been cut off.

Eve runs to me and holds me. She leads me to Marcus who picks me up like I weigh nothing.

"This will be the last time you speak to her. Do you understand?" He hisses and Eric nods. Marcus starts walking. He looks down at me and softness fills his eyes. I can finally see the concern and worry.

"Are you okay?" He asks me.

"I'll live," I manage to reply. He nods.

"We can work with that " he says as he carries me to the car. Eric's wolves watch us but are unable to do anything.