"I don't understand." Nadia quivered when she spoke, unable to comprehend what was happening.
Talia rolled her eyes in annoyance. "Is this really how dense you are? No wonder you became a vamp meal." The woman polished her red painted nails with the edge of her clothing.
Nadia furrowed her brows and shifted in her seat to inch further away from this she wolf.
She didn't understand what was going on or where she was going. Nadia didn't know much about the council, but that they could be cruel. The council made strict rules for wolves and their packs even with alphas. According to the council, alphas ultimately reported to them and Dakota would tell her how much he hated those rules. The council wasn't what it should be. Someone must have reported the incident to the council and now they wanted her. She knew Dakota would never do that though.
Hours went by and all Nadia saw was farmland after farmland. Not a single piece of city in sight. It made her nervous with how far out of civilization she went.
This isn't good, her inner coyote warned.
No shit, Nadia thought in response.
They finally arrived at a set of steel gates that were greeted with a stone brick wall continuing for several miles on either side.
Too tall to climb and escape, Nadia immediately thought. Her coyote abilities hindered her from matching against other wolves. It seems like it would be impossible to get out of here.
The gates opened and the SUV moved slowly. A ringing startled Nadia and Talia pulled out a cell phone and put it to her ear.
"This is Talia." She spoke.
Muffled voices spoke on the other side of the phone.
"Yeah, we're here with the girl. I'll let you know how it goes."
Talia raised a brow when listening further. "That's not the plan. She's under the wing of the shadow pack. We can't harm her."
Nadia tensed up, clenching her fists in nervous ticks. Harm me? She thought.
"Yeah but-"
Talia's voice grew louder.
"You don't understand-"
After a moment, Talia quickly shut the phone, growling in frustration.
"What's going on?" Nadia questioned.
Talia scoffed and shot her a glare. "None of your business coyote." She snapped.
The SUV suddenly came to a stop and Talia opened the door, pulling Nadia by the arm.
"Ow." She whimpered.
Talia rolled her eyes and dragged Nadia across the gravel to a large mansion. The stone pillars made up the entire front, staircases on all sides. It resembled a Greek palace but it seemed deserted.
"Tell them we've arrived." Talia ordered and brought Nadia into the large open lobby. There they waited for a group to enter.
An older man dressed in a suit and cloak smiled at the sight of Nadia.
"Took you long enough." He snarled at Talia but she only bowed her head in submission.
Nadia raised her brows at Talia's sudden change in attitude.
"The famous coyote." He continued, his warm hands met hers in the cuffs as he brought them to his lips. A set of wet lips pressed against the top of her palm.
"Survivor of a vampire attack. We have much to discuss." He directed the two of them into an area off to the side and shut the corridors.
"I have to be honest, I was expecting a much weaker one." He chuckled and poured a liquid into a tea cup. He brought it over slowly to Nadia and offered it to her.
Nadia watched the man then glanced over to Talia. "I don't understand why I'm here." Nadia finally spoke, refusing the drink.
Talia gritted her teeth. "How dare you speak to a Lycan that way."
The man held his hand up to silence Talia.
"It is quite alright." A smile fell upon his face.
Nadia widened her eyes. "Lycan Lucian?" She asked that returned a nod from him.
"You're smart."
"I apologize for the concern, but I need to get back to my pack." Nadia twisted her wrists in the cuffs, eyeing the doorway.
Lucian chuckled again and motioned Talia to leave the room.
When she left, Lucian appeared in front of Nadia.
"You're the first wolf-like person to come into contact with a vampire in several hundred years. I wonder why they spared you."
Nadia hitched her breathing when the man touched her cheek.
His golden eyes absorbed her appearance, thinking a moment to himself before speaking again.
"The council has decided to use you as a weapon." He stated. "You're of good use to us."
"Why me?" Nadia blurted out.
Lucian smiles warmly. "They will come back for you. Vampires always do. It's a strategic game for them." Lucian stepped back.
"When they do. You'll be used as bait and we will be ready for them."
Nadia shook her head, shocked at the words.
"You're suppose to protect your own kind." She stated.
"But you're not really a werewolf, are you?" He retorts.
Nadia fell silent and lets out a sigh.
"Not to worry my coyote. For your efforts to keep werewolf populations safe. I'll tell you all about your family."
The words froze her. She couldn't believe what she was hearing, but her family was dead. This man must being fishing.
"It's true." He continues. "I know your family well, Nadia."
"I don't believe you. My family is dead."
He nods. "..quite so. But don't you want to know what really happened?" Taking a small glass and pouring a dark liquid inside. He gulped it down quickly.
Nadia didn't answer.
Before he could speak, she attempted to dart for the door. This was her chance—catch him off guard.
The doors were locked.
Dammit! She thought to herself, feeling stupid for what she had tried to do.
"Tsk tsk tsk. I really liked you." He spoke menacing now.
"You belong to the council."
Lucian appeared again but behind her. Her eyes stared at the door as the man blew the auburn strands of hair in front of her. Rage built from within him, a low growl building as well and Nadia stiffened in fear.
Lycans were strong. Stronger than werewolves because they were considered a true blooded wolf, born from unbitten wolf parents. Their abilities created a substantial reputation that ultimately gave them a pedestal to live on. They were like a god to werewolf communities but also a grave enemy if betrayed.
Lucian flew the doors open and looked over at two guardsmen.
"Take her below. Make sure she doesn't escape." He commands.
Nadia was forcibly taken to the staircase that spiraled downwards.
"Wait—no please!" Nadia pleaded.
"I need to get back!" She screams with such force that her voice cracks at the end.
"Please!" Nadia yanks her arms away but is immediately pulled back with force that makes her yelp.
Nadia disappeared into a a room underneath the mansion. She was thrown into a room, cuffs removed and replaced with chains connecting each wrist and ankle to the walls.
Nadia jolted away when the door was slammed shut.
She was alone now.
Nadia attempted to tug on the chains, but when she'd pull one, the others attached to her body would pull and stretch the others.
She whimpered in pain and stopped tugging the chains.
Tears began to well in her eyes, dripping to the stone floor. Her head hung over that made her feel sick to her stomach.
All she could think about, all she could possibly want in this moment was her mate. The vampire that threw her into this mess and put her in danger.
She didn't understand why, but her body yearned for him and hoped he'd come for her.
"D-Damon.." she whispered behind tears as her glowing yellow eyes lifted up towards the door.