Chapter 405

I waited until Vince pulled out the needle, and then I jumped up, growling. I let my hackles rise and lunged for him, but he danced back and slammed the door shut. His chuckle was infuriating, and I lunged, hitting the bars on purpose. I yelped and jumped back from the searing pain of silver.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you. Everything is silver in here.” Vince wagged the key in front of me. “You will just have to be a good girl to get let out.” I nearly gagged, but I lunged again, testing how hard the bars were. They bent a little, making every man jump back. I yelped again and slid against the ground, showing the burns to Vince. “Stop!”

I pulled away slowly, weakly, growling softly to show I hadn’t given up yet.

Nix rolled on the ground. You are really selling this, Amy. Vince is eating this up for sure. Megan shook her head.

But don’t push it too far. A wolf cornered would fight, but a weaker wolf would stay away from the silver after this.

I nodded. Oh, I know. That was the last charge. I just wanted to see how soft the bars actually were, and if we could force them if I had to.

The silver… Megan turned to me.

Will hurt, but I build up my resilience. I’ll bounce back quick. I’ve had to slow my healing on these burns with magic, so Vince wouldn’t see the healing. I shook my head. But I need to figure out more of his plan.

“Stupid girl.” Vince finally stood when he realized I wouldn’t charge again. He turned to the guard. “Feed her normally and be careful. She is stronger than she looks.”

“The shot?” The guard nodded toward me.

“I’ll come back every day to give it to her. You are not to enter the cell. Is that understood?” The guard looked at me, laying weakly at the back of the cell. He swallowed and then nodded.

“Understood.” Then everyone filed out, with a parting shot from Brandon.

“Stupid whore. You’ll be dead before the week is out. I hope it was worth it.” He snorted as he left. I saw the last look from Rick, a look with dead eyes, with a tiny flicker of worry before it was gone.

Then I was alone with my burns and the pain of the wolfsbane in my veins. I allowed my magic to get out of the way of most of my healing, except the topmost layer of skin. The burns looked vicious, but in reality, they were very superficial. I sighed in relief as my system went to work purging the wolfsbane. The immunity I built up over the years kicked in and the burn disappeared.

I fell into a fitful sleep as I heard the main door open. “I’m here to take over for your break.” Rick’s voice was soft, but apparently, this was normal protocol when there was a prisoner because the guard left without even looking back.

I kept my eyes closed as he walked over, and he pulled something out of his pocket, clicked something on it, and the room flickered for a second, then steadied. “There. If there was anything in here that was watching or listening, they aren’t anymore.” He watched me for a second, then backed up against the wall and slid down until he was sitting. “I know you understand what I’m saying, and I think you know who I am, even though I have no fucking idea who you are.” Rick closed his eyes and banged his head. “I called Amy, texted her, but no answer.”

I chuffed out a laugh. I didn’t know if I could still trust him. “She trusted you,” was all I said. The accusation was there.

He nodded. “I know. And I know after today I don’t seem that trustworthy. But all I can hope is that she will give me a chance to explain it all.” He closed his eyes and cursed. I watched as a tear trailed down his face.

“Why are you crying? She was going to give you and your mate a way out. She was going to save your pup. You betrayed her.” I watched as each word hit him. I watched as he folded in on himself.

“I didn’t betray her. And even if she hates me, I pray to the goddess she will save Abby. Amy is one of the best people I know.” He looked down at his hands and whispered to himself. “Even if I die, she has to save Abby.”

I snorted. “You said you didn’t betray her, but look at what you’ve done. What you did today. You aren’t innocent.”

His eyes jumped to mine. “I know. I know I’m not innocent. I was stupid. I was weak. But I’m not evil.”

I scoffed again. “You are sacrificing your child and mate.”

He surged to his feet. “I would never do that to Abby and Shelly. They are my fucking world. I’d die for them.” He hit the wall, and his hand went to his neck. “I am dying for them.”