A Shifter's Curse, Raven Steele [the top 100 crime novels of all time .TXT] 📗

He hesitated and searched my eyes. I hated that he could see even a flicker of weakness in me, but the fear was near debilitating.

His gaze dropped and instead of continuing to wrap it around my chest, he unwrapped it a few times so the rope was just around my stomach. I inhaled a deep breath, relieved.

So, little soldier boy had a heart after all. Or was he the tin man? I'd yet to determine how big of a heart he actually had.

Moving behind the tree, he grabbed one of my arms at the elbow and slowly slid his hand down to mine. He did the same to the other until both my hands touched. There was something about the motion that calmed my racing pulse. Gently, yet tightly, he tied my wrists together. It was uncomfortable, but a lot better than the alternative.

When the task was done, he appeared in front of me. I pressed my knees together, wishing they'd let me dress first. The jacket came three fourths up my thighs. Any higher and we'd be playing peek-a-boo.

"Why are you here?" he asked.

I gave him an exasperated sigh. "Are you mental? You invited me."

"Not like this. You were supposed to come escorted. You know pack rules. Spying on one another is bad form."

"I'm not part of the pack so I don't have to follow your rules."

"That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard. If you had any genuine interest in joining, you would've followed protocol. I have a strong impression you came here tonight for a completely different reason."

"Are you psychic now? If so, you suck at it."

"How's that?"

"The truth is, I am interested in joining. I just wanted to see how the pack really is and not some dressed up version of it put on for my benefit." My gaze flickered to my uncle. A woman was shouting at him. "And by first impressions, I'd say this is a pack that demands loyalty and respect. They thrive on torture to get what they want and use fear to silence its members." I looked up at him. "Does that sound about right?"

His jaw muscles rippled as he ground his teeth together. "Why are you really here?"

"I already told you. I'm interested in joining. I've always wanted to see what it felt like to be team bad guys."

He lifted his hand as if to hit me, but lowered it just as quickly. "You have a big mouth. It's going to get you into trouble."

"Tell me something I don't know." I flattened my expression, realizing I had to be convincing. "Look, Luke, I just want to join your stupid pack. So tell your little Alpha to release me so I can cheer on the others as they torture an old man." I gave him a meaningful look, hoping the fire in my eyes would burn right through him.

"You shouldn't feel sorry for him." He looked toward my uncle, his expression unreadable.

"Now why would I feel bad for an old dude who's tied up while thirty people take their turns beating him up? Only a caring person would do that, and I don't see any of those around here."

“You could be right about that.” The way he said it, his voice flat and distant, made me think he didn’t want to be here either. He straightened. "I'm going to tell them you weren't honest with me. There are others a lot meaner than me that know how to get information out of stubborn shifters."

"I can handle myself."

"Suit yourself."

"I'm suited."

He stared down at me, a storm raging in those deep blue eyes. He shook his head and walked away. Good riddance. I'd been in tougher situations.

Luke approached Silas and said something in his ear. Stupid asshat tattle-tale. I continued to murmur to myself as I looked around me, pretending to get comfortable.

Meanwhile, my uncle was being punished all sorts of ways. I had never heard of a blood trial, but I hoped it didn't mean death.

I fought against the restraints. Luke had made them ridiculously tight. I sighed and dropped my head to the side, glancing to the ground near my bum. There was a foot-long stick. If I could push it back—

My uncle screamed in pain, and I jerked up. I looked over just as a woman withdrew a knife from his side. I yanked at the rope, now thrashing against them. I didn't care that I looked like a maniac. I had to stop them. I pulled and yanked, but couldn't get out of Luke's stupid restraints.

Blood poured from my uncle's chest, and he slumped forward.

I stared in agony, tears sparking my eyes.

Just like when I was a kid, the feeling of absolute hopelessness washed over me. I couldn't believe this was happening.

I was being forced to watch my family die. Again.

Chapter 8

An hour later, I leaned back against the tree. My breathing had calmed, and my cheeks had dried. Groaning, I stared up at the night sky. The moon had already dipped below the tree line and dawn would be here soon.

My uncle was still alive. When I saw him move, I was so relieved, I’d nearly passed out. I thought he would be dead within minutes but amazingly, he’d healed.

I was also proud. Us Morettis were tenacious bastards.

It also meant they hadn't used a silver knife. He was still tied to the pole but the pack, now done, had moved back into the house. Most of them had left, and I was ready to get the hell out of here. How much longer were they going to keep me tied up?

I’d expected someone to come out and question me further, but no one ever came. Many times, I tried to free myself from my bonds, but Luke fucking must’ve been a sailor or a Boy Scout or something. The knots weren’t budging, even with me using my wolf strength.

This wasn’t my first rodeo with being tied up, and after a while I realized there was something different about the rope. Possibly something supernatural that prevented me from breaking free. I thought about this a lot during the night, having nothing else to do. My guess was one of the witches had screwed with them.

Since when did packs start using magic to conduct business? It sure changed the rules of the game. I’d have to be more careful going forward.

I dropped my head back against the tree and closed my eyes. I inhaled a great breath but instantly regretted it. I did smell like shit. I couldn't wait to go home and shower, assuming they were going to let me go free. Luke may not have believed me, but I felt confident that whoever else came to question me would be easier to fool.

It wasn't me I was worried about anyway. It was my uncle. He must have gotten himself into some deep trouble. I thought I had spotted him looking in my direction once or twice, but it had been such a fleeting glance that I wasn't sure if he had even seen me.

A branch snapped behind me, and then another. Someone was coming.

"Who is that?” I asked.

A second later, I heard the sound of a knife running through the rope. The bands fell from my hands, and I slumped forward. My muscles complained as I brought my hands in front of me and rubbed at my sore wrists. They were surprisingly red and swollen, with parts of my skin bleeding. I didn’t think Luke had tied me that tight, but he must have. Prick. Unless it was the magic…

"Leave now. Hurry."

I jerked my head around at the familiar voice. Luke stood in the shadows, a knife gleaming in his hand.

"Don't say anything. Just go."

I opened my mouth to argue because, well, that's what I do, but a cool look from him silenced me. Whatever. I could stay silent. He was freeing me, after all. Plus, this wasn’t the time. If I had any chance of saving my uncle, this was it.

Remembering to keep my cooter covered, I slowly got to my feet. I kept an eye on Luke, waiting for some kind of trick or something. When he remained still, I took off into the forest.

I glanced back at him briefly, wishing I could read his thoughts. His face was different, almost soft, wistful. Damn, he was so confusing. But there was something else about him, something familiar. It was almost like looking into a mirror.

I pushed those thoughts away. I didn’t have time for psych evaluations.

As soon as I got the blood flowing through my