Chapter 20 Taken
Chapter 20
Taken
Olivia's POV
The forest consumed my screams as they pulled me farther into the dark. Their hands were rough on my arms, holding them so tight they bruised. My feet caught on roots and stones and my breath came tearing out of my chest as a hot spike of panicked breath rose quickly. I twisted and fought and called Jada's name, although I already knew she would not answer. The night seemed to go on forever and the trees blurred by as if the world itself turned on me.
"Let her walk," Alpha Max, the man who had captured me said from somewhere ahead.
The hands on me loosened but would not let go. I almost fell when they gave me enough space to move by myself. My legs quivered as I straightened; my heart beat so loud that I could hear it in my ears.
Max turned to face them and said, "I said let her walk."
They stepped back. I stood where I was with my chest heaving at him. He had a calm expression, almost a happy one, as if he were looking at a plan that had worked out just as he wanted. His dark jacket was clean and his hair was neat, his eyes sharp and focused only upon me.
"You had no right," I said my voice breaking. "You kidnapped me."
"I rescued you," he replied. "There's a difference."
I laughed, bitter and scared. "From who? My own people?"
"From life chosen for you," he said. From a marriage that would put you in a cage." Then from a war that will eat you alive."
"You caused this," I snapped. "You and Jada."
At the sound of the name, something flashed across his face. Not regret. Calculation.
"Doing what she had to do," he said. "Just like I am."
I looked around and saw that we were no longer alone. Fires blazed ahead, low and controlled, illuminating a clearing strewn with tents, weapons and guards. Rogues crossed the camp with purpose, their eyes tracking me as we passed. Some looked curious. Others looked hungry.
Fear crawled up my spine.
"Where are you taking me?" I asked.
"My territory," he replied. "Where no Alpha or King can touch you."
I stopped walking. "I won't go another step."
He turned, studying me. "You will."
"I'd rather die," I said.
He moved closer, his voice becoming lower. "You won't. You're too important."
"To you?" I asked. "Or to your plans?"
"Both," he said without shame.
They brought me to a large tent in the middle of the camp. Inside, the ground was covered by rugs, the lanterns provided a warm light and the air smelled of smoke and leather. It looked almost welcoming which made it worse.
"This is where you'll stay" Max said. No one is going to touch you without my word."
"I don't want your protection," I shot back. "I want to go home."
He tilted his head. "Home locked you up."
"That doesn't give you the right to claim me," I said.
He smiled. "I was hoping you'd mention that."
My stomach dropped. "What are you talking about?"
He reached into his pocket and drew out from it a thin silver chain, upon which was graven, in a form that I instantly recognized. A mating mark. Rogue style.
"I'm declaring you mine," he said. "My mate."
The words hit me like a slap. "You're insane."
"You're mated to a Lycan prince," he said. "That bond will start a war. Being mine gives you the protection. No one will attack you if they think you are one of mine."
"I don't belong to anybody," I shouted.
He stepped closer. "You belong to yourself. I'm just giving the world a reason to keep their distance."
"I love someone else," I said and my voice was shaky. "And you know it."
"Yes," he replied. "That's the problem."
I backed down until I struck the wall of the tent. "You can't force this."
"I'm not going to make you feel anything," he said. "I am going to make the world see you differently."
Guards appeared at the entrance.
"Watch her," Max said. "No chains. No harm."
I laughed again, with tears burning my eyes. "How generous."
He paused at the entrance. "Rest. We'll talk again."
When he left, the tent didn't seem as big. I sank down to the floor; hugging my knees; my thoughts were running. Ryder's face filled my mind. I felt the cord pull tight and painful like a scream in my chest.
I held my hand to my heart and whispered his name.
Somewhere far behind, a war was beginning.
And I was the prize they were all willing to bleed for.
Ryder's POV
I was walking down the narrow path behind an abandoned mill when my chest tightened and a sharp, sudden breathlessness struck me as if a blade had pierced my ribs. My knees buckled and I came hard down on the ground, palms against stone and dirt. For a moment I thought my heart stopped.
Then I felt her.
It was not fear alone. It was terror mixed with rage, sharp and choking, it flooded the bond so fast it made my head spin. Olivia's name rang inside my skull, loud and desperate as if she were calling out to me with her entire being.
"Olivia," I breathed and clutched at my chest.
I tried to stand but failed. The pain came again, heavier this time, bringing me down. My vision blurred. My wolf howled inside me, restless, violent, fighting against my skin.
"She's taken," he snarled. "Someone has her."
I made myself get down on my knees, teeth clenched. "Where?"
The bond was stretched thin and burning and tugged hard to the west. Not Redcreek. Not Lycan Land. Somewhere wild. Somewhere wrong.
My hands were shaking as I pushed myself up. Each step was like walking through fire but I kept walking. I had no guards, no crown, no army. I was a fugitive prince with nothing but instinct and rage.
I followed the bond.
Images flashed by wildly: Olivia struggling, rough hands, trees rushing past, her fear hitting hard enough that I almost screamed. My wolf roared and wanted me to tear through whatever was in my path.
"Not yet," I muttered. "I need to think."
The smell hit me next - rogues, old blood, smoke. I growled low in my throat. Max. I knew it even before the bond verified it. That bastard had crossed a line that could not be undone.
"She's his," my wolf said. "He will try to claim her."
"No," I snapped. "Over my dead body."
I picked up speed, ignoring the pain that was ripping through me. Branches lashed my face, rocks cut my feet. None of it mattered. All I felt was her fear, her confusion, the bond was trembling like it might snap if I died before reaching her, soon.
I fell again, and dropped to one knee. Drops of blood dripped from my nose, dark on the ground.
"You can't fall now," I growled to myself. "She needs you."
The bond flared, sudden and sharp, as if she had shouted my name out loud.
I surged forward with a roar, changing mid-step, bones cracking and reforming as my wolf burst free. Pain turned into speed. Fear turned into focus.
I ran.
I needed to save her.