“Feisty little one,” he says, his breath hot against my skin.
The other alphas circle us. Skeleton mask tilts his head. “She is strong and stubborn. Won’t be easy.”
“Good,” the demon says, amber eyes burning through the holes. “I like a challenge.”
The clown stays silent, which unnerves me the most. He’s the largest of them by far, and there’s something about the way he watches me, body tensed and ready, that makes every instinct in me scream to run.
I force a grin even though my body is shaking. “I see you boys like to dress up.”
Before the leader can react, I swing again, aiming for his face. This time, he’s ready. I continue thrashing in his grip.
“Let me go, you fucking bag of shit,” I choke out.
“Quite the mouth on her,” Demon says, stepping closer.
“We should secure her,” Skeleton says, “before she tries anything else.”
The clown produces a rope from somewhere,creepy bastard, and the others move in to bind me.
I fight like I’m possessed—biting, scratching, and head-butting anything within reach.
“Fuck!” Demon hisses as my teeth sink into his arm.
The leader lets out a rough breath, eyes locked on me with an intensity that makes my skin prickle. “She’s magnificent, isn’t she?”
But it’s no use. There are too many of them, and I’m too fucking tired.
Finally subdued, I’m slung over the clown’s shoulder. Humiliated. The indignity burns, but a very small part of me, a part I’d never admit to out loud, is relieved I don’t have to walk.
As we start to walk away, the image of Charly, cold and alone, brings a fresh surge of panic.
“My cave,” I say. “At least let me grab my shit.”
Skeleton nods. “It’s on the way. We’ll stop.”
That surprises me more than anything else. Alphas willing to compromise?
We move through the forest, and the weight of my capture sinks in. I need to escape. But for now, all I can do is hang here, bound and helpless, my head knocking against the ass of a fucking clown.
* * *
The cave comes into view… not that I can see much from thisangle. Just the clown’s enormous ass and the steady rhythm of their footsteps.
When we reach the entrance, the clown drops me but steadies me as I stumble, bound hands scrambling for balance.
“Fuckers,” I spit, glaring at my captors.
The leader steps forward. “Grab your things. And don’t try anything.”
I scoff. “And how the fuck do you expect me to grab anything with my hands tied, you twat?”
His eyes darken, and he closes the distance in a single step. He unties the ropes from my wrists without a word, but his eyes never leave mine. The others block the entrance.
There’s no way out.
I shove my supplies into my pack, movements jerky with anger.
I zip up the bag. Demon leans against the cave wall, arms crossed. “What’s a pretty little thing like you doing out here all alone?”