Sadistic Mates

Chapter 7

EVELYN

Waking up, I feel fingers tracing down my spine, making me shiver as my eyes fly open. Sitting up, I find Thaddeus beside me, watching. The room is massive, with arched windows casting moonlight across the floor. My pulse kicks up as I glance around the unfamiliar space, confusion setting in.

The last thing I remember is Miranda getting shot… then movement—fast, overwhelming. A cool draft hits my skin, and I glance down. I’m still in my jeans, my top is missing, and I’m left only in a bra.

“Where’s my shirt?” I ask, voice trembling.

“You threw up at the apartment,” Thaddeus says. The memory flickers. I yank the blanket tighter, covering myself under his watchful gaze.

“How did you get the burn on your back?” he asks, eyes drifting to my shoulder. I glance down, spotting the jagged, charred skin that wraps from my shoulder up to the back of my neck. I often forget it’s even there.

“Where am I?” I ask, ignoring the question.

He doesn’t answer, but the door opens and in come Ryland and Orion.

“Sleeping beauty awakes,” Ryland says, grinning. I roll my eyes and tug the blanket higher, feeling their eyes track my every movement.

Orion drops down on the end of the bed, kicks off his shoes, and stretches out.

I scoot to the edge, eyes scanning the room. There's a door near the windows—probably the bathroom. The other, where they came in from, must lead to the rest of the place. The walls are lined with antique wardrobes, and the massive four-poster bed could easily fit six people. Great.

“Can I borrow a shirt, please?” I ask, glaring at them.

Ryland pulls his off and hands it over. I hesitate, grimacing as I take it.

“Now you’ll have my scent all over you,” he says, leaning against Thaddeus with a smug smile.

My eyes betray me. They fall to his chest—those abs could be chiseled stone. I force myself to look away and yank the shirt over my head, dropping the blanket.

It’s warm here. No bite to the air. Odd.

I walk to the window and stare outside. A full moon hangs overhead, the sky so clear I can see stars instead of smog. Below me? Trees. Hills. Endless black. I break out in a cold sweat. We’re miles from anything. Hundreds, probably. And I remember something from a true-crime show: never let them take you to a second location. Well, this is the third. Comforting.

“Where are we?” I ask, not turning around.

“At our home,” Thaddeus replies.

“And where is that?”

“Where you don’t need to know. Middle of nowhere,” he says flatly.

“Why won’t you tell me?”

“Because it doesn’t matter. We’re not leaving—not until the heat dies down,” Ryland adds.

“Heat?”

“Because of your little escape, hunters tracked us. Thaddeus had to clean up the mess. We’ll lie low here.”

“The guys with the guns… were hunters?”

“Exactly. And because you ran, a lot more than hunters probably died,” Ryland says.

“I didn’t ask you to follow me. I sure as hell didn’t ask you to kill anyone,” I snap.

Ryland’s eyes darken, a low growl vibrating from his chest.

“Watch your tone, little one,” Thaddeus warns. “I’d hate to see it get you in trouble.”

Orion shoots him a look, and I wonder what kind of ‘trouble’ he means.

“Whatever.” I turn and sit on the window ledge. I doubt anything could make this worse. Orion follows, brushing my hair off my shoulder.

“Don’t touch me,” I snap, swatting his hand.

I stalk toward the door. Thaddeus’s voice trails after me.

“Where are you going?”

“Away from you.”

I reach a landing and peer over the railing. A full floor below. The place is enormous—exposed beams, high peaked ceilings. Skylights line the roof. My fingers brush the smooth wood of the railing as I descend the stone staircase. It sparkles under modern lights. The ground floor is open and airy, with a massive fireplace—big enough to stand in. Literally.

A door beneath the stairs leads to a sleek kitchen—stainless appliances, marble counters, an island ringed by stools. Beyond that, a laundry room, then a side door with a small window.

Peering outside, I twist the handle, intending to slip out—only to be yanked backward.

“You’re not leaving, Evelyn,” Ryland growls against my ear, his chest flush to my back. Heat rolls off him, soaking into me. He trails his nose along my neck and shoulder, making my skin spark where he touches.

His hand glides up my waist, then cups my breast. I rip myself away, breath hitching. He pulls me back. I spin to shove him and freeze.

His eyes are pitch black. Inhuman. My blood turns cold. I bolt for the door, flinging it open so hard it smacks the wall. Grass rushes beneath my feet as I sprint. I don’t know where I’m going—just away.

About a hundred meters out, I stop. Every hair on my body rises. I can’t see anything in the long grass—but I feel it. Eyes on me. A predator, watching.

A noise behind me. I spin.

Another behind me again.

My body locks as a low growl cuts through the silence. My heart plummets.

“Ryland?” I whisper.

The grass rustles and something lunges out of it. I scream as I’m tackled to the ground, massive paws landing beside my head. Gleaming white teeth snap inches from my face. The beast is huge. I scramble back until my hands hit boots. Thaddeus stands over me, arms crossed, an amused smirk on his face.

“It’s Ryland. He won’t hurt you.”

I look back at the creature just in time for it to lick me from chin to forehead. I gag, shoving its face.

“Gross!”

The dog—wolf?—makes a sound that almost sounds like laughter. Thaddeus hauls me to my feet. A moment later, bones crack and snap behind me. Ryland grabs my hand.

He’s naked. I jerk my eyes away, face flaming.

“What, did you expect my clothes to stay on?” he laughs.

I yank my hand free and march ahead, ignoring their sighs as they follow. Back inside, Orion lounges on the couch, watching the grandfather clock tick past midnight. My hair is full of grass, and I itch everywhere.

“So… if all of you are gay, why am I here?” I ask, not bothering to sugarcoat it.

“We’re not gay,” Thaddeus says, confused.

“I thought you were all with each other?”

“We’re not gay. Not straight. Not bi. We’re mated,” Ryland answers.

“Mates don’t care about gender,” Orion explains. “You could be a unicorn. It wouldn’t matter.”

“So you’ve been with women before?”

“Yes. Not like with you. They were just toys. Or dinner,” Thaddeus says coldly.

“Lovely.” I stand. “Can I shower?”

“Orion will bring you a towel,” Thaddeus replies.

I sit on the bed. Orion reappears minutes later with a towel and clothes. I take them and head into the bathroom.

He follows.

“What are you doing? Get out,” I say, scowling.

He shrugs and pulls out his phone. Candy Crush.

Fine. Whatever.

I turn my back to him and step into the frosted shower.

As I wash my hair, I hear the door open again. Orion steps in beside me, eyes locked on mine as he grabs the soap.

“I’m just showering with you. Relax. We’re adults.”

He starts washing himself. I try not to stare and fail miserably. My eyes drop to his toned chest, then lower. When he turns, I yelp and look away.

“God, you act like you’ve never seen a man before,” he sighs.

“I have. Just not this close. While naked. And casual.”

“So… you’re not a virgin?” he asks.

I don’t answer.

What counts as losing your virginity? Because rape isn’t something I gave. I still consider myself one. Something stolen isn’t given.