Filed to story: Uncategorized
Cole growled, but he fell into step beside me. I had to admit, I wasn’t entirely opposed to the idea of having backup if-and when-this shit went sideways.
LAVINIA
I woke up in a bed in a dark room. There were no windows to tell me which direction I was facing, and I didn’t know where I was in the first place, either. My head was still foggy and the memories of what had happened before were trickling back slowly.
My heart ached as it settled in the pit of my stomach. I still couldn’t believe they’d done this to me. As I sat up slowly, I felt another surge of fear for my baby. I brought my hand to rest on my stomach, relieved I could still feel the faint sense of energy I had come to realize wasn’t my own.
It looked like we were both okay for the time being.
Now I just had to find a way out.
As comfortable as my surroundings were, I didn’t recognize them. I had to still be within the pack because as tired as I was, I got the sense not much time had passed, but that wasn’t narrowing it down much.
When I heard the sound of footsteps coming down the hallway, I lay back down, pretending like I was asleep, and steadied my breath as the door creaked open. No one said anything then, but when the door closed, I heard a familiar voice talking in the hall.
Damon.
That son of a bitch.
I sat up again, looking around the room now that I had my wits more about me and they theoretically wouldn’t check on me again for a few minutes. I had to find a way out of here.
I was still searching when I heard a loud crash coming from further down the hall. I instinctively dove back into bed and got under the covers, ready to pretend to be asleep, but when I heard two-then three-wolves snarling, I hesitated. Was Liam back? I was sure he’d betrayed me, too, but maybe he could be reasoned with. Maybe-“Where is she?” Cole yelled, his abrupt voice jarring me out of my thoughts.
Cole!
I sprang into action, jumping off the bed and running to the door. I grabbed the doorknob only to find it was locked from the outside. I banged on the hard wood, shouting for help as loud as I could over the wolves’ snarling. “I’m in here! Cole! I’m in here!””Lavinia?” he called, sounding closer than he had been a moment earlier. I could hear others arguing down the hall, and I was very sure now that Liam’s voice was in the mix. Were they arguing amongst themselves? I was shocked they hadn’t killed Cole on sight if it was three against one.”Cole,” I breathed through the door. “Are the others here?””They’re around,” he said gruffly. “Stand back. I’m gonna get you out of here.”
I gave the door a wide berth. Two blows from his foot and it exploded inward, collapsing on the floor, and Cole was standing there with a relieved look on his face. He rushed into the room and took me into his arms, embracing me tightly.”God, I’m glad to see you,” he muttered, his eyes bright with anger as he pulled away and looked down at me. “Did those idiots hurt you?””No,” I murmured. “They just sedated me. I think we’re okay.””We?” he asked, frowning in confusion.
Shit. I really wasn’t all there yet. “Nothing. I’m fine. How did you get here?””Hey, man, let’s talk about this,” Damon pleaded down the hall, following someone who was storming toward us.
I braced myself as Cole spun around, putting himself between me and whoever was coming, but he actually seemed to relax a little when he saw it was Liam, which was far from my response.”Good, you found her,” the red-haired man muttered, looking at me with obvious relief in his gaze even though I was sure I was looking at him like I wanted to kill him. “Let’s get out of here.””He helped me track you down,” Cole explained, even though he didn’t seem thrilled about it, judging by the look on his face.
I looked between him and Liam in confusion. “You weren’t a part of this?” I asked Liam, afraid to get my hopes up.
He shook his head. “Of course not,” he said firmly. “I had no idea what they were planning until it was too late and they knocked me out and locked me up. I’m sorry. I came looking for you as soon as I could.””He’s telling the truth,” Cole said grudgingly.
My heart filled with relief at the revelation. I realized then that there was still a part of me that did trust Liam, because I had certainly felt the sting of betrayal acutely. It was a small part, but it was still there.
Liam nodded, his expression solemn as he looked back at me. “Let’s go,” he said softly.”Wait,” Damon said, blocking the hallway. He looked panicked. “You guys don’t understand.””I understand you’re fucking lucky I don’t kill you,” Cole snarled, jabbing a finger in his direction. “Not get the fuck outta my way or you’ll end up like your friend out there.”
