An Eye For An Eye

An Eye For An Eye
Emmalee 
I recognize the sound of Soren's footsteps, so I know he's the one approaching me before I even see his face. 
I shrink into the shadows instinctively, dreading the moment when we'll be face-to-face. It's surreal to think that, moments ago, I was out in the woods, as free as a bird. 
The rogues who made the sound that got me caught never even turned back. I'm pretty sure I know who gave the order. 
Fang. That damned coward. 
I'm already swelling when anger by the time Soren stands before me. We're separated by the bars of the cell I'm in, yet this barrier still isn't enough. 
He's too close. 
"Well, well, well," Soren begins, a sinister smile sharpening the corners of his lips. "If it isn't my lovely, missing wife."
"Don't call me that," I grit out. "You know as well as I do that I was never your wife. You were never a husband to me, either."
"Of course, not," he claims. "But all that's about to change. I'm not going to argue back and forth with you, Emmalee. You're here and that's all that matters."
There's a sinister ring to his voice that covers my skin in goosebumps. "What the hell are you talking about? Where's Romain?"
Soren clicks his tongue against his teeth. "Asking about your lover without even knowing about your son first. How typical of you, Emmalee. Come, stand up. I'll take you to where you belong."
"Where is he, Soren?"
"His fate now depends on you," he informs me before unlocking the cell. His eyes never leave mine as he speaks. "On how good of an actress you can be."
Words can't describe how my skin crawls when he says this. What is he alluding to? Why would I need to act? He opens the cell and as I walk toward him, I half expect him to attack me in some way. Wrap his arms around my neck, throw a punch at me, anything. 
Cade's death hangs heavily in the air between us. Soren hasn't mentioned him yet but I sense it. 
We walk down the corridor right to the exit. The cells are empty, which means no rogues have been captured yet. Good. At least a few aspects its of this war are still under our control. Soren is right behind me. I look around for something to wear so I won't walk out there naked but find nothing. 
Is he really going to make me do this?
Clenching my jaw, I take the stairs one at the time. Soren remains as silent as a tomb behind me. I can hear the Gammas right outside. At any moment, I'll appear before them completely naked. Shame stains my cheeks before it even happens. I become aware of every little thing. How cold the stones of the steps feel beneath my feet. How the stale air in this dungeon bites my skin, cooling the cold sweat forming on my brow. 
Then, just as I reach the top, I hear him say, "A moment."
I halt, clench my fists, and turn around. Soren is removing his coat to drape over my shoulders. My eyes remain on his, watching his every move. "You didn't think I'd let you head out there naked, did you? You're still my Luna, after all. You deserve all the respect this pack has to offer."
Fake. He's so damn fake. "Cut the crap, Soren. We both know you couldn't care less about me. You let me walk all the way up here thinking you wouldn't mind. Why don't you just tell me what you want from me and end this suffering for both of us?"
Silence. For the longest time, he says nothing. Then, he raises his hand and his fingertips graze my left cheek lightly. I stare into his eyes, sensing his anger but not seeing it. 
"All in due time," he mumbles. "For now, we'll get you inside. Of course, a few things must be mentioned. I want to clarify them now. Brent? He's my son. Not that rogue's. If you dare to mention anything to him or even try to turn him against me, I will cut your lover's head off, do you understand?"
"What do you want from my son? He's only a boy. Leave him out of this!"
Anger flashes in his eyes and for the first time since we came face-to-face, he nearly loses control. "Our son. So, it was convenient for you to make him call me dad when he was fatherless, is that it? He'll always be my son."
"You never cared about him, so don't even start!" I exclaim. "You're a liar! You're—"
"The choice is yours. Do as you wish. Only, remember, killing that mutt won't cost me a thing. It'll be a pleasure, especially after what he did to Cade. And you, like the whore you are, laid with him even after he killed your brother, didn't you? You're despicable, Emmalee. You revolt me."
"Why are you doing this, then? Why are you taking me upstairs and putting on this act?"
"Because I need you," he claims. "Do you think you can just take the one person I loved from me without any consequences? You have important shoes to fill. From now on, we'll be civil to each other because one hand will wash the other. You're doing this to save your lover, and I'm in it to regain a portion of what I lost."
"What the hell are you talking about?" I demand, not liking the sound of this at all. "How am I supposed to replace Cade?" 
Soren says nothing but the look he gives me makes me shudder.
We enter the house. Its familiar scent is the opposite of comforting—I'm revolted. Being back here floods my mind with bad memories but I hold onto the fact that I'll see my son again. I have to think about how I'll help Romain but right now, I need to focus on Brent. 
I can't do two things at once. 
"Upstairs," Soren says behind me. "We have much to discuss."
I start toward the stairs, gritting my teeth, but then I hear the sound of Brent's voice and nearly lose my balance. I look round frantically and as soon as I spot him, I race toward him, holding onto the coat Soren gave me so it won't fly open. 
I crash into him, wrapping one arm around his neck to pull him close. His scent invades my nostrils—it's therapeutic. I didn't know I needed this until now. Soren is closer to me than my shadow to ensure I won't say a thing to Brent. I cry, holding him so tight that I'm out of breath. 
"My boy," I whisper. "I'm so sorry. I'm so, so sorry."
"Mom," he says before pulling away. I see tears in his eyes and it breaks my heart. He's so young; too young for this mess. 
I should never have involved in this. Never. 
I'm cruel. I deserve only hell for what I put him through. 
"Where were you?" he demands. "Where have you been this whole time?"
"These questions will be answered later," Soren cuts in before placing a hand on my shoulder. He squeezes it so tightly that I wince and Brent watches my face closely before his gaze slides to Soren's hand on my shoulder. 
"For now," he continues, "your mother needs to rest. She's been through hell in the hands of those savages. Okay? Can you wait a bit more? For her sake?"
Brent nods stiffly and I wonder what's going through his mind as Soren practically forces me to walk in the direction he wants.
I have no backup plan. Nothing. 
I'm completely at Soren's mercy and no help is coming my way. 
Once we get to the room, Soren closes the door before turning to face me. He lets the mask slip from his face, and the monster I know him to be stares back at me unabashedly. "Now, we can talk."