THE LYCAN ENFORCER

~Chapter 3: Abducted ~

Annabeth's POV~

The world went silent. A high pitched ringing filled my ears, a siren of pure panic. I felt the blood drain from my face as I grabbed onto Tommy’s arm, my nails drawing blood through his shirt.

"Kael," Dorian reasoned, though his voice lacked any real fight. "You would have no use for a human. Allow her to stay here."

Kael chuckled. The sound was dark and rich. He sauntered back toward us, circling Tommy and me like a shark circling a sinking raft. He stopped behind me, his hand reaching out to lift a heavy lock of my hair. I cringed, my skin crawling as his knuckles skimmed the sensitive skin of my neck. He leaned down, his lips brushing the shell of my ear.

"I wonder how long it would take to make her scream," he whispered.

The comment snapped something inside me. The fear, the trauma of my parents, the years of being a companion erupted into a sudden, blinding rage. I whipped around, shoving his hand away and glaring up at him.

"I'm not going with you!" I snapped, my voice cracking but loud.

Kael’s eyes widened, then darkened with a predatory delight. "Oh," he purred. "The Princess has a backbone after all."

"I'd rather die in this dirt than go with a monster like you!" Even i couldn't believe my boldness.

Tommy hissed my name, his face pale with horror. Behind Kael, I saw his guards shifting, ready to tear me apart for the insult to their Enforcer.

"You aren't going to die today, little one," Kael said, his smile disappearing into something hard and cold. He grabbed my arm in a grip that made me cry out. "But you are coming."

He began dragging me toward the car. I fought. I kicked at his shins, I scratched at his hand, I jerked my body with every ounce of strength I had. Unlike Tommy, Kael didn't care about bruising me. He didn't care about my comfort.

"Tommy! Help me! TOMMY!" I screamed, twisting my head back.

Tommy stood there, his fists clenched so tight his knuckles were white. He was shaking, his eyes filled with a helpless, soul crushing grief. He didn't move. He couldn't move.

The Enforcer shoved me against the car door. I threw my legs up, bracing them against the frame, refusing to go into the dark interior. But a pair of hands from inside the vehicle grabbed my ankles, yanking me in while Kael shoved my shoulders forward.

I landed on the leather seat, gasping for air as Kael climbed in after me. The door slammed shut, and the SUV jolted forward.

I scrambled toward the window, my fists hitting the reinforced glass. "Help me! Please!" I watched the pack house grow smaller. I saw the faces of the wolves I've lived with all my life. Some looked shocked, some indifferent, and some relieved to see the human burden gone.

Alpha Dorian had little to no expression on his face, I saw Tommy’s mother weeping into her hands. And Tommy, he looked like a small, broken silhouette in the dust.

They had all abandoned me. I thought. They let this wicked man take me away to end my poor life. They were supposed to be my family! I felt the warm tears roll down my face as I watched them all from the window.

A pair of massive hands settled on my waist, pulling me back with effortless strength. The Enforcer sat me firmly in his lap, his arms wrapping around me like strong iron. I wiggled and thrashed, my elbows hitting his chest, but he didn't even flinch.

"Little girl," he growled into my ear, his sensual voice vibrating through my whole body. "You will be much happier if you don't fight me."

I went limp. The fight drained out of me, replaced by a hollow, crushing despair. He allowed me to crawl off his lap and curl into the far corner of the spacious backseat of the car. I hid my face in my hands, sobbing until my throat burned.

The ride lasted for hours as the atmosphere got colder. I kept my eyes on my shoes, counting the blades of grass stuck in the mud of my sandals. One. Two. Three...I tried to focus on the dirt, on anything other than the terrifying man watching me from the shadows of the car.

When the car finally stopped, it was twilight and the sun was setting over a horizon hipped with frozen snow. I didn't recognize this place. I hadn't even seen snow ever since I've been born, though I've heard hundreds of tales about it.

"Little one," The Enforcer called out. He was already stepping out, but he looked back at me. "Come along. Or I'll be forced to drag you with me. Again."

I didn't move. I wanted him to kill me. I wanted it to be over.

His hand lashed out, catching my ankle and pulling me toward him. In one swift motion, I was back in his arms, held against his chest as he stepped out of the vehicle. He set me down roughly, his hand catching my jaw to force me to look at him.

"Do not make me repeat myself, Annabeth. I have very little patience for games."

He pushed me forward, and I stumbled into the chest of a guard who felt like a stone wall. I scrambled away, turning to look at where he had brought me.

My breath caught.

We weren't at a military camp or a dungeon. We were standing before a sprawling, exquisite building of white stone and glass, nestled against the side of a snow mountain. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen and the most terrifying prison I could imagine.

I held my arms as though I was hugging myself and shivered but not from the cold but from the thought of what fate would befall me in this frozen land.

"Welcome home, Annabeth," The Enforcer whispered behind me.

~~~