I didn't sleep at all last night. Sometime after Vericus left I heard him come back upstairs his footsteps sounded outside my door. I held my breath hopeing he had sense enough to not come in because if he did I doubt I'd have the strength to refuse him a second time.
Every time I closed my eyes I saw his face. I was so close to kissing him, so close to giving myself to him. I wanted him just as I knew he wanted me. The smell of both our desire still permeated the air driving me and my wolf crazy. I shook my head I just couldn't do it. I refused to be Rixs replacement no matter how much I wanted him it wasn't right. She was his mate and I wasn't.
So when Ty knocked on my door the next morning to inform me that word had been sent of the exchange details I merely nodded not really hearing or caring.
"Breakfast is ready downstairs."
I ignored him until finally he left without another word. What was the point of going down there. It would only hurt more knowing I'd never see any of them again. Not that I really knew most of them but still it would just be a reminder of something that I'll probably never have again.
I was so lost in my dark thoughts I didn't hear when Owen knocked until I felt his hand on my shoulder.
"Kandra?"
I jumped spinning as a snarl escaped my throat.
"Shit Owen I'm sorry. You scared the hell out of me."
He didn't laugh nor did he smile as he sat next to me on the bed.
"You should eat something Kandra it won't do you any good to starve yourself."
I sighed turning away from him as I resumed my position on the bed. My arms wrapped around my knees my head buried.
"I'm not hungry."
My voice was muffled since it was buried in my legs. I felt him shift on the bed.
"Kandra I don't know if you've noticed this but I have been around for many years."
Despite my mood I chuckled at his words as I turned my head so that I could see him.
"I sensed as much."
He smiled sadly.
"Well as one of the oldest wolves as you could guess I've been through a lot of trying times in my life. There have been times on my life that would make anyone's nightmares feel like a walk in the park."
"How did you get through it?"
His hand covered mine.
"By not giving up. No matter what happens or what he does to you you must not give in. Your will is the strongest thing you have. You have the will to survive. Sloane saw it when he found you in the woods. I saw it in Asheville when we first met and despite Ver's cold demeanour I know he sees it as well. You are a survivor and you will survive whatever Driak throws at you."
I smiled.
"Thank you Owen. I've always believed packs were power obsessed arse holes."
His laugh fills the room.
"But after being around the red eye pack even for what little time I have I know it's not true. Don't get me wrong I still prefer my life as an omega but I get the sentiment of being in a pack."
Squeezing his hand that still held mine Owen stands up just as the door opens as Vericus walks in. I didn't know how long he'd been there but since he didn't bother knocking and walked in at the exact time Owen was finished I'd guess it was awhile.
"It's time."
I glanced at Owen briefly feeling much better. I knew there was no way of preparing for an unknown future but with Owens words I wouldn't give up. As soon as Sloane was safe I would find a way to escape and when I did I'd leave America.
I knew there was no point in taking my bags since they would only hold me down so I didn't even bother. Late last night I'd had a shower and put clean clothes on and was now dressed in black long tights and a deep blue v neck summer dress. I wasn't trying to dress up or anything but this dress was one I'd worn in front of Sloane once. He had said it matched my eyes. If this was the last time I saw my friend I hoped it would give him at least a happy memory of this day.
Avoiding Vericus eyes I nodding as I followed them out. No one said a word as Ty, Owen, Vericus and I climbed into a black sedan. There was nothing overly extraordinary about the car. Which surprised me considering the mansion.
The trip to huntersville would only take about twenty minutes. So we spent twenty minutes the tension in the air so thick I found myself waiting for the other shoe to drop the entire time. Just waiting for that moment when I lost everything.
I was almost glad when the fox and hound came into view if only to get this whole thing over and done with. To my surprise as Ty parked the car Vericus appeared to open my door for me. Stepping out he held me back.
"Owen and Ty check it out make sure Sloanes inside."
They nodded leaving us beside the car as they went inside. Leaning against the door I crossed my arms and waited. I watched people passing as they stared at Vericus. The second they saw the colour of his eyes they averted their faces and their steps became quicker as they rushed off. Seems his reputation even scared his own pack at least those that weren't living in the inner circle. Now that I knew more about him I realised how hard it must be for him to live knowing his own people feared his very presence.
"Kandra I...."
"Promise me."
My eyes met his as I grabbed his hand hopeing the contact would making him agree. His forehead creased in confusion my touch making him growl quietly.
"Promise me you'll make him forget."
Realisation crossed his face as he sighed. His shoulders sinking.
"I can't promise that. He would never forgive me if he ever found out."
I dropped his hand in defeat as I leaned against the car once more.
"Kandra-"
I turned my head away from him as I blinked back the tears that were starting to form.
"Forget it."
I jumped when his hand touched my chin as he gently forced me to face him. The tears I was trying to hold back escaped despite my efforts. His hand turned to cup my cheek as his thumb wiped away the tears that had formed.
"Sloane wouldn't want to forget I know this because I don't want to forget."
"Then don't forget but promise me you won't look for me or let Sloane look for me. When he takes me don't seek revenge or seek to save me. Can you at least promise me that?"
He stepped closer his arms wrapping around me his breath caressed my neck as he whispered.
"I promise."
A smile curved at my lips knowing that they would be safe. I was not Rix I would not put them through what she did. I will not be the cause of more pain for either of them.
Someone cleared their throat behind us making me push away from Vericus like I'd been caught red handed. Ty had a huge grin on his face while Owen looked troubled.
"They have Sloane he looks exhausted but he's otherwise unharmed."
I breathed a sigh of relief steeling myself for the inevitable.
"Well no time like the present."
I was trying to sound braver then what I felt, Ty being the only one that seemed to buy it. Owen however looked even more troubled as he glanced between me and Vericus. Deciding it was better to ignore it I started to go inside but Vericus pulled me back so that he was in front as all four of us entered the fox and hound.
Once inside it wasn't long before I spotted Driak and Sloane. They were seated at a booth towards the centre of the establishment. Ty was right Sloane looked almost dead with how tired he looked. It was clear he hadn't had a shower since he'd been taken his hair sticking out every where and massive bags under his eyes. Even his clothes looked like they were covered in dirt. What had they done to him?
Driak however looked emasculate his black jeans and black button down dress shirt didn't even have one crease. His hair pulled back in the same pony tail at the base of his neck. When his eyes met mine his tongue came out to lick his lips like I was the most delicious meal he'd do anything to taste.
"Ah king Vericus glad to see you've held up your end of the bargain."
He waved a hand towards Sloane.
"As you can see your dear brother alive and unharmed. Please have a seat there's no need to be shy I won't bite."
Vericus growled at the comment as he let me slid onto the booth first. He followed seconds later trapping me between him and the wall. Ty and Owen stood a few feet away guarding the table. The air inside seemed to thicken as patrons started to leave sensing that something big was going down. Not even the staff approached.
I took in Sloane who seemed unusually quiet. I thought he would at least react in some way the second he saw me but he just sat there. Something just wasn't right.
"Slo?"
He didn't respond a faraway look in his eyes. I glanced at Vericus who growled shooting daggers at Driak with his eyes.
"What did you do to him?"
Driak held his hands up in innocence.
"Relax it's nothing bad I assure you. He was very against coming here so to make this run smoother I was forced to...how do I explain it?...."
He rubbed his chin like he was thinking then clicking his fingers like he'd had an epiphany he finished.
"Put him on auto pilot so to speak. Don't worry his mind is still his own and the spell should wear off in a day or so."
I bared my teeth at him.
"How do we know your telling the truth?"
He seemed to enjoy the fact that I was getting angry.
"You may have your doctor check him before we make the exchange if you'd like. I'm sure he'll be able to tell if I speak the truth."
Vericus grabbed my clenched fists. I knew he was trying to calm me down and oddly it was working. Driak did not miss the exchange his eyes narrowing a frown forming on his lips that disappeared so fast I was left questioning if I saw it at all.
"So let's not waste time busy schedules and all. So this is what's going to happen."
He lifted his hand as the ten that I had passed of as just staff stood up. Vericus growled his shoulders tensing.
"Relax Your highness they know the rules of this town. They are merely here to ensure that we are not followed. My friends here will stay behind while I leave with Kandra."
He spoke my name like it was foreign on his lips.
"And once enough time has passed they will leave as well. Then you are free to leave yourselves with your brother."
"How do I know you will not simply attack us on our way back to Charlotte?"
He shrugged.
"The same way I will trust that you have not ordered your pack to wait outside the towns boarders waiting for us to pass through. Let's face it Vericus you have far more members then I do. If anyone is taking a chance it is me. Now do we have a deal?"
Vericus never took his eyes off Driak. After awhile he nodded.
"Fine we have a deal."
"Excellent."
Stepping out of the booth he clicked his finger and Slo slid along the seat. Vericus did the same as I stood as well.
"As promised your beta may examine him."
Vericus nodded as Owen looked over Sloane. It only took a minute but stepping back he faced Vericus.
"He told the truth Sloane fine it's just a simple sleep spell. It allows him to control his movements but not his mind."
Vericus nodded his eyes going to me.
"Are you ready?"
I nod not trusting my voice. Driak clicked his fingers again and Sloane walked towards Vericus. I started to do the same towards Driak but as I took the first step Vericus grabbed my hand pulling towards him as his lips connected with mine. The world around me disappeared with that kiss. Everything else dropping away leaving just the two of us alone. My hand reached up to tangle in his hair as his tongue requested access which I gave willingly. It was a good bye kiss we both knew it but now that I had felt it I didn't want it to end.
Suddenly I was ripped away from him as Driak started to drag me away.
"Remember your promise!"
Vericus snarled at the interruption as he made to follow but Owen and Ty held him back. The lunar wolves forming a wall as Driak dragged me harder. Outside I struggled against him punched kicked anything to get away. Vericus's lips had awakened something inside me that I never wanted to let go. Getting angry Driak wrapped one of his arms around my back trapping my arms against him as he growled down at me.
"I will deal with you later for now sleep."
His other hand touched my forehead as my strength disappeared and my eyes got heavy. I stopped struggling as I stumped in his arms within seconds everything went dark and I passed out tears streaming down my face Vericus's touch the last thing on my mind.