Taken by the Wolf King (Gladiator) (11 page)

Leif knew it was true. Still, he meant what he said. “Not. One. Person.”

With a frustrated growl of his own, John gave a sharp jerk of his head. “Fine. But we get you downstairs. I’ll free those on the second floor. Beth can assist you with freeing any on the first.”

“The bottom has the lowest level of security,” Beth agreed. “We can search it easily.”

Knowing he couldn’t do it himself, but not sure if he trusted this John with such an important task, Leif balled his hand into fists. Finally he gave a curt nod. “But if I learn you’ve left even one person in here, just one of my people in this fucking hell hole, I will rip out your godsdamned throat without mercy.”

Instead of blanching, John merely nodded. “Understood. This place will be cleared of everyone. The guilty punished.”

Not taking time to analyze John’s words, Leif allowed Beth to lead him downstairs. Every step closer to Elsa bought more of her sweet scent to him. Wildflower honey. Bitterness at the life he wanted, the loving mate he craved for himself, all of which he’d never have, assailed him. The torment was stronger than anything his jailers had ever done.

Body screaming in agony, blood still streaming from his many wounds, Leif managed to stumble down the corridors one after another, freeing anyone he found. There weren’t many, and he found no more children. Finally, at the last cell, Leif’s knees hit the ground. He had no more strength. Nothing left with which to face Elsa. One more cell. One more life to free. Somehow, he had to hold out if for no other reason than to make the little bitch pay for all she’d done to him, for making him care when she so obviously didn’t.

As she waited for the others to return, Elsa huddled with the children just outside the stairwell. She kept her body between the four little bodies and the open corridor. In her search she’d found one more child. A girl of not more than four. Glancing at the lovely child, a pang of longing hit her heart. She missed her own children desperately. Once this was over, she’d never be parted from them again.

Glancing around the wall down the hall, she was thankful the door to the stairs was sunk into the wall, leaving the width of the open door to shield them from the length of the corridor. The children were completely silent, as if they knew to make a sound meant being imprisoned again. They
did
cling to her. Every one of them.

Noises sounded from a distance. Voices. One child whimpered, but remained silent otherwise. Chancing a glance down the hall, Elsa spotted Beth and…Leif! The king limped and was hunched over as though his torso ached. Blood tracked down his skin from innumerable injuries. Despite the blood, she noticed scarring on his skin that hadn’t been there before. Even injured, he still looked dangerous. Determined. Several other men trailed behind him. Beth held a young boy’s hand, following just behind Leif, no doubt giving Leif directions on which way to go.

Elsa was about to duck back into her alcove when Leif became aware of her. His steps faltered, his expression growing…thunderous. Instinctively, she knew the situation had just become more than she could control. Hell, from the look of him, Leif couldn’t control himself any more than Elsa could control her heart racing from the mere sight of him.

“Stay put,” she said to the children, moving away from them. The youngest whimpered again, clearly distressed at being separated from her. How could they have formed an attachment to her so quickly? Probably because she bore Leif’s scent on her body. They could likely scent her as easily as Leif could. They might not know or understand the significance, but they probably equated that smell with safety and protection. Well, she wasn’t going to let them down. Not now. Not ever.

Stepping into the corridor, she spread her arms out to her sides in surrender, knowing that to defy Leif would be to court her own death. Gaze never wavering from hers, Leif strode to her, every inch the powerful king. His eyes glowed with that inner blue light, making her shiver with dread. Gone was the gentle lover, the man so convinced she was the one for him he’d proclaimed her his mate-in-waiting in front of his elite guard. Now, he had a deadly gleam in his eye. And it was directed at her.

Two long strides, and his hand closed around her neck, backing her up to slam her against the wall. Over the ringing in her ears, she heard more than one child cry out, their confusion evident. Leif glanced their way but didn’t let go of Elsa.

“You think they can save you? That I’ll allow you to hide behind the children?” His disgust was clear. Had his view of her really changed this drastically?

“I would never put my life above that of any child,” she managed with a bit of difficulty. Her hands gripped his thick wrist, unable to span the muscled expanse. Lord knew it did little to loosen his grip on her. She could barely drag in the next breath, and her ears still sang from her head banging against the wall when he’d grabbed her. “It’s just that none of them have made more than a small whimper since being freed from their cells.”

He bared his teeth at her before addressing one of the other adults. “Get them out of here. I’ll deal with this one and catch up with you.”

Did he mean to kill her? No one had denied the torture they’d put all of Leif’s people through—even the children—had been horrendous. Elsa knew she had no reason to stay his hand. No reason he should let her live. Accepting her fate, she sobbed once before composing herself again. Elsa waited until they were alone before speaking, hoping she could get out her last request before he squeezed the life out of her.

“You promised before to get my children to safety. Swear to me you’ll keep that promise.”

“The days of bargaining are over,
kona
.” He bit out the word as if it left a bad taste in his mouth where before he’d always uttered it with reverence. “Once I get my people off this world and back to our own, I’m leaving guards at the door to open the gate for us, and we will unleash hell on this place!”

“Just take my children along with the other children where they’ll be safe. That’s all I’m asking.”

“You are in no position to ask anything! You will do what I say, when I say, how I say. If you do not, you will suffer such as no human has ever suffered!” He was in her face now, a crazed gleam in his eyes as his gaze bored into hers.

Had this all been a big mistake? She’d hoped he would understand she’d had no choice, but maybe she’d done something unforgivable in his eyes. God knew she hated herself for what she’d done, for the unimaginable pain she’d put him through. Why should he feel any different? Besides, if presented with the same set of circumstances, she’d do the same again. Her happiness, her very life, was of little importance compared to that of her children. Why would he
not
hate her for putting him second? She tried to console herself with the fact that she’d told him from the beginning the reason she was willing to go along with him was because of the situation she’d found her children in, but it seemed hollow. More of an excuse than a reason.

Closing her eyes, fighting with everything in her to keep the tears from spilling, she nodded her head as best she could.

“You will say the words…
kona
!” Again, he nearly spat the word, as if now, instead of an endearment, it was the vilest of curses.

“I understand,” she managed.

After a long measured look, he finally released her neck to grab her upper arm, dragging her along with him none too gently. Blood seeped from his chest. Sweat dotted his skin more and more with every step he tool. Obviously, Leif was weaker than he appeared. Probably high on adrenaline, the rush keeping him upright when his body was failing.

The others were waiting outside, the children all looking to her and Leif instead of the other adults. And there were several. One of which was…
Jorak
.

In the back of her mind, Elsa had suspected Jorak of betraying her, of giving her children over to the very people he’d promised to protect them from. Now, she didn’t know what to think. Unfortunately, the man didn’t look much better off than Leif. A man she didn’t know hefted Jorak’s arm over his shoulder, helping him walk. The big soldier’s eyes were swollen and he could barely stand, but he walked away rather than allow anyone to carry him.

“Move quickly, but silently,” John said. No one will sound an alarm, but there might have been nightly check-ins. If so, we’ll be in danger the longer we stay.”

“The…children…” Jorak’s voice was raspy, hoarse, as if he’d been made to scream.

“We got them all,” John assured.

“No…” Jorak seemed to want to say more, but his body went limp. Passed out. Another of the men hooked Jorak’s other arm over his shoulders and the two men carried him on, following John as swiftly as they could.

Instantly, Leif straightened, his grip on Elsa’s arm tightening to the point of pain. “There are more children in that place?” He swung Elsa to face him. “You did not free them all?”

“I did!” She hadn’t meant to raise her voice, but she was starting to panic. The gentle wolf she’d started to care for was gone. In his place was a ruthless warrior who could care less if he hurt her as long as his commands were followed.

“Keep your voice down,” John hissed, cocking his head to the side and raising a weapon. “Move. And move silently.”

“I’m not leaving anyone, especially not a child. We go back!” Even in his weakened state Leif sounded every inch the king. Imperious. Absolute.

“And do what?” John turned to face Leif. “If they attack, the two Alphas in this group are in no shape to fight, and we have five children to protect between us. Do you think, as injured as every male here is, that we could fight off a full contingent of human warriors?”

“We checked that place thoroughly,” Beth insisted. “There are no more. Children or adults. I swear it on my life.”

Leif gave a snarl at what Elsa assumed he perceived as an insult from John, but got moving without another word. He didn’t let go or loosen his grip on her arm. “Don’t think you’re safe,
kona
,” he said with a growl at her ear. “There is much left between us to discuss.”

Could any creature sound as angry and near violence as Leif sounded in that moment? The fine hairs on Elsa’s body stood on end. She was definitely going to have a high price to pay. There was no question she’d do whatever she had to do in order to satisfy Leif’s need to punish her. She’d take it and be thankful her children were safe.

God, she missed the loving way he’d treated her! There had been a while for her to enjoy just being with him, being treated like she was special before she’d been beset with worry for her children and their future. But not nearly long enough.

Now, knowing how angry he was, Elsa wanted to throw herself at him, to beg for his forgiveness. Unfortunately, she knew it would do no good. One only had to take a look at those strangely glowing eyes to figure that out. In that moment, he looked almost feral.

The small group hurried into the wooded area in the distance from the compound. So far, there had been no indication of anyone following them, but Elsa knew there would likely be no warning. They’d simply send hunters to reacquire the shifters and
end
the rest of them.

“Follow me exactly,” John whispered to each of them. “We’ve set traps through these woods between the edge and the first rest area. Keep watch on the children so they don’t stray.”

They wound their way through the trees in a meandering direction with many double backs and narrow passes. Several times John motioned for the adults to carry the children through sections where traps were particularly thick so there would be no accidents. Elsa tried to help but Leif only growled, tightening his hold on her arm. He already held her so tightly she was losing feeling in her fingers.

The moonless night was cool and so dark Elsa had no idea how the others could see where to step. Even though she’d prepared for the cold, Elsa was still chilled once the wind picked up. Thankfully the trees buffered some of the breeze, but she knew the children had to be freezing.

One little boy who had strayed close to Leif wrapped his arms around his middle, and Elsa could take no more. Without a word, she shrugged out of her jacket, leaving only the arm Leif gripped in the garment. With a sigh, he released her. Slipping out of the sleeve, she wrapped the child in the coat, rolling up the too-long sleeves and zipping it closed. The child didn’t say anything, as if he knew the danger should anyone hear them. Still, he met her eyes and smiled, obviously grateful for the warmth.

Leif lifted the child, holding him over his hip even as he took Elsa’s arm again. When he led them through a particularly difficult path, guiding her silently where to step, Elsa realized he’d watched out for them yet again, his superior eyesight letting him follow John and the group even though they were a little ahead.

The three of them moved quickly through a seeming labyrinth of traps. All the while Leif carried the boy, keeping his vise-like hold on her arm. Only when he stumbled as he scouted ahead of them, following John’s every move, did she realize how weak he really was.

“Let me carry him,” she offered. “It will be easier for you to watch John if you don’t have to carry a child.”

“And have you run at the first opportunity? I think not.”

“Look, I’m not going to try to get away. Besides, with all the traps hidden in the forest, it would be suicide on my part.”

He seemed to regard her, hesitating a few moments before finally handing her the now sleeping child. “If you try to run, I’ll hunt you down. I won’t kill you, but you may pray for death before I’m done with you.”