Shattered Emotions (12 page)

He smiled then, and a little part of her died.

No, no, this couldn’t be happening.

She’d never even kissed a man before…goddess no.

The door opened again, and three men walked in behind Corbin.

She took a deep breath and screamed.

Her brother might have liked the anguish, but she wouldn’t go down without a fight…even if it was hopeless.

The other men smiled, and she closed her eyes.

Maybe there wasn’t a reason to hope at all.

Over Two Years Ago.

Ellie watched as the demon killed her sister, drinking her blood. Fire raged within her, but she didn’t say a word.

She couldn’t.

Her sister and cousin had long since given in to their fates and had died inside. Their bodies had been the only things left keeping them going…

Now, they were gone.

Mixed with the fire was a strange and sad relief. At least they wouldn’t be in pain anymore.

Unlike her.

She’d always been the one to mouth off though. Since that first time Corbin had locked her up in his dungeon, she’d grown a thicker skin, fighting back to protect those weaker and taking the beating and rapes so he left the others in peace.

It had all been for naught it seemed.

Slowly, she backed away from the crowd as they stood yelling for their new member. Some were scared she saw, but they hid it well. She knew that others had already left the Pack, hiding in areas far away so they wouldn’t have to succumb to the evil that was sure to come with this new arrival.

Ellie made her way to her room, locking the door behind her. Though Corbin had a key and could get in anytime he wanted, it at least kept out the others…most days.

She’d tried to escape numerous times before, but Corbin and her father had always found her.

Her body shook at the reminders of what he’d done to her when she had been found. Corbin had kept to his word and had never raped her personally…but his numerous friends had taken their turns.

There didn’t seem to be a point in fighting anymore, though she did. If it had looked like she’d given in, Corbin might have grown tired of her and killed her long before.

Even though there were worse things than death, she always held out hope that one day she’d be free to heal…free to just be.

She’d helped others escape and live… Maybe one day it would be her turn.

The sound of the click of the door being unlocked sent a quick prick of pain down her spine.

Corbin walked in, a smile on his face that scared her much more than a mere frown would.

“I see you’re being as obstinate as ever, dear sister,” Corbin said as he strolled toward her. Instinctively, she reached out to slap him, but he caught her wrist, his nostrils flaring. “Such impertinence. You’d have thought it would have been long beaten out of you. No matter, you’re needed somewhere else now.”

Ellie stood still, her pulse racing.

What on earth could he need from her?

“It’s too bad about the others who died, but really, I was done with them anyway.”

Hatred filled her at the callous mention of the family he’d killed—or had served up on a platter for the demon to kill.

“I wouldn’t speak now, if I were you,” Corbin warned. “You didn’t do your duty earlier and sacrifice yourself for the greater good of the Pack, so, now, you’ll do what is needed.”

Her heart raced at the thought of what was going to happen.

No. Not again.

“Caym, may I present my sister. Your prize.” Corbin turned to the demon as he strolled into the room.

Caym looked like a fallen angel, his sharp cheekbones and dark hair striking against his dead eyes.

He smiled, and Ellie sucked in a breath.

Evil.

That’s the only word that came to mind.

“Now, what shall I do with you, dear wolf?” Caym whispered, and that last bit of hope faded away.

There really wasn’t a reason to dream anymore.

Her nightmares were real.

And inescapable.

Present Day

A wolf whimpered beside her, and Ellie blinked, her body shaking on four legs as she stood in the forest, unaware of her surroundings.

Something completely idiotic considering they were in danger at all times.

She turned her head toward the whimper and saw Parker by her side, his little wolf body shaking with either excitement or fear—she didn’t know which.

Ellie leaned down and rubbed her head on his, trying to assuage his fears—if that’s what they were. He leaned into her and sniffed, inhaling her scent.

If she’d been human, she would have smiled at the pup.

Parker and those innocents like him were the reason she’d made it out alive during her years of captivity. She just needed to remember that.

She looked up at Maddox and Logan, who stared at her with interest. She lowered her gaze, not wanting to intimidate or show the weakness in her eyes.

Maddox padded toward her and nudged her side, and she held back a whimper of her own. She gave a small yip and trotted off, trying to put her memories behind her. The others followed as they continued their hunt.

Maddox ran by her side, and she felt grateful. Even though she wanted—no, needed—to stand on her own, the fact he that was there, if only in a promise of hope, helped her carry on.

Her own darkness was rife with pain and memories she couldn’t bear, but maybe one day, she’d be able to face her own fears…and past.

Maybe one day she’d be good enough for Maddox and for the Pack that had welcomed her—if only for a brief time.

Maybe one day…

Chapter 10

Ellie hugged the blanket around her shoulders tighter, suppressing a shudder. It might have been sunny out, but that didn’t stop the cold from seeping into her bones. The darkness seemed to creep in, trying to suffocate her with its barrenness and shadow. She knew it was all in her head, but for some reason, she couldn’t settle. Something seemed off—as though their calm was about to explode into a storm of hatred and death.

She wasn’t a seer or anything of note, but she had a feeling that it didn’t matter what she thought was real or not. The dangers were coming, and death was on its trail.

They’d been at the cabin for a full day now, and nothing had been decided past reserving their strength for when and if the Centrals found them. She knew Maddox had another plan up his sleeve—he always did—but she didn’t know if it also contained their three new companions.

“Ellie?”

She turned at the sound of Parker’s voice and smiled. He was such a quiet child that she normally didn’t even hear him coming. That normally would have scared her, but for some reason, she felt a kindred spirit within this boy. He, too, had no home and no family but the ones who protected him now, even if it meant their own life.

She looked into those hazel eyes and held back a frown. There was something different about him, yet she couldn’t put her finger on it. Maybe it had to do with his father since, though he looked like a miniature version of his Uncle Logan, he still had traces of someone else.

Ellie blinked and tried to clear her head before finally answering the boy. “Sorry, I was woolgathering. Is there something you need?”

Parker looked her in the eyes, and Ellie held her ground, refusing to lower her gaze and show her submission—an odd thing to have to do with a child. This one, however, seemed to be full of power he didn’t know what to do with.

The boy finally shook his head. “Sorry to stare you down. I can’t help it, you know? My wolf wants to make sure everyone knows that I’m not going to roll over for them, but then I feel like I’m gonna get in trouble.”

“It’s because you’re an alpha, Parker,” Maddox said from behind him.

Both she and Parker jumped, not having heard the Omega approach.

“An
alpha
?” Parker asked. “Whoa. That’s big.”

Maddox shook his head then led Parker into the room, gesturing for the boy to sit next to Ellie. She shuffled over, making more space, keeping her blanket tight around her because the cold had never left.

Parker sat next to her with Maddox sitting on the other side of him. Parker drew his knees up to his chest and looked so much like the young boy he was, not the alpha wolf that wanted to control him.

“You’re an alpha, not
the
Alpha,” Maddox said. “That means your wolf is very dominant, much like your Uncle Logan’s.”

“Does that mean I have to be in charge of a Pack?”

Parker looked so confused—so lost—that Ellie gave in and wrapped an arm around his shoulders, bringing him into the blanket with her. He stiffened for a moment before leaning into her. Her wolf nudged at her, needing to comfort the boy just as much as she did.

Maddox gave her a soft smile, and her wolf yipped in joy.

“No, Parker, not unless you find your own Pack or you become Alpha of an existing Pack. Both are nearly impossible to do anymore. The Packs are clearly defined, and most lone wolves don’t want to form their own Pack and deal with all the politics, and the already formed Packs are led by families with the goddess’ magic to lead them.”

Ellie ran her hand up and down Parker’s back as he relaxed at Maddox’s words.

“Parker, you’re dominant, an alpha. That means your wolf is really, really strong. You’re going to want to protect all those around you even if they don’t want protection. It’s going to feel like an irrational fear to you, but your wolf
needs
it. Also, any other dominant wolf around you is going to set your own wolf on edge. The difference between an alpha and a wolf who only wants to dominate is their own control.”

Ellie felt Parker nod, and she squeezed his shoulders. This was Maddox in his element. Even though he wasn’t using his magic or connection to the Pack, he was still calming the boy and explaining what it meant to be a wolf. She’d always known he was good at what he did, but she hadn’t really seen it in action.

There had to be a way she could fit into that—a way she could help.

She didn’t want to feel useless anymore.

“What you did just now to Ellie is natural. She’s a stronger wolf than most, I’ve seen her fight and hunt, so your wolf wanted to make sure her wolf knew you were there, but your wolf also didn’t know what to do because she’s not as strong as she should be, right?”

Ellie froze. What the hell did he mean by that? Shouldn’t they be having this conversation between them and not in front of an eight-year-old boy? Pain sliced through her. Was that why he didn’t want her?

Was she not good enough?

Maddox gave her a sharp look, and she saw his words had finally dawned on him.

“Damn, Ellie, that’s not what I meant.”

She raised her chin but didn’t say anything. He’d have to explain himself to her.

Parker let out a little growl and turned to block her from Maddox.

Maddox let out a sigh and shook his head. “I’m sorry, Ellie. I only meant that your wolf is hurting and dominant wolves want to help you, not that you’re damaged.”

Ellie flinched. She hated that word.

Hated it.

Even though the word might describe her perfectly, she didn’t want the man she cared about to think of her that way.

Parker let out another growl, and Maddox reached out to cup her face. The boy shoved Maddox out of the way and snarled.

“Be nice. You don’t get to touch her after what you just said.”

Ellie’s eyes widened at the display. Though what Maddox had said hurt, she knew he hadn’t meant it that way. Or, at least her brain did—her heart was a whole other matter. Parker, on the other hand, didn’t need to be in the middle of it.

“Parker, I’m fine. Maddox is just trying to explain why your wolf wants to protect me like you’re doing, even though it sometimes want to growl and act surly like you did before.”

“But he made you sad,” Parker argued, but his body relaxed, and she pulled him closer, letting his little body calm.

This was what it meant to be Pack—even if he wasn’t technically hers. Her wolf wanted to comfort him as much as his wolf wanted to do the same.

“I think I made myself sad,” she explained. “What Maddox said was true, though he and I will have to talk about exactly what it means privately, okay?” She was talking to Parker but gave Maddox a look when she said it. He nodded, and her wolf seemed to relinquish a bit of her annoyance.

The human in her, however, needed more than a nod.

“Okay,” Parker mumbled. “It’s hard being a wolf.”

Her wolf reached out to him, calming his, and it took all her effort not to pull him closer into her arms and smother him. Apparently, her maternal instincts were showing themselves off in full force.

“I know, buddy,” Maddox said. “Believe me, I know. It’s got to be even harder without a Pack, though your mom and uncle are doing their best from what I can see.”

Parker nodded.

“I bet they’ve also told you how to control your wolf, right?”

Parker nodded again, lowering his gaze.

“You’re doing a great job for your age, Parker,” Maddox explained. “You have a lot more to learn, but your mom and uncle know what they’re doing. Listen to your wolf and use your control. It takes time to learn how to find a delicate balance, but I can tell you’re well on your way.”

“Do you think we could go home with you?” Parker asked, and Ellie’s heart ached for him. “I want to be part of a Pack.”

Maddox met her gaze, and Ellie wanted to pull them both into her arms and never let go.

“That’s something we’d have to discuss with Lexi and Logan, Parker,” Maddox answered.

Ellie couldn’t tell what he thought would result from that conversation. On one hand, her wolf felt safe with these three strangers. On the other, she didn’t speak for the Pack and didn’t know what they’d do—especially with the state of things now.

Parker let out a sigh. “I guess that’s a no.”

Maddox reached out and gripped Parker’s chin, forcing the boy’s gaze to his. “That means we need to talk about it, Parker. I won’t lie to you, and I won’t promise you anything but an open mind from my end. Okay?”