Hunting Human - Amanda E. Alvarez [110]
“Not there? Let’s find out?” Markko grabbed the back of Braden’s arms and wrestled him to a kneeling position. “Give me your knife, Alek.”
Alek pulled a knife from his back pocket. Markko caught it out of the air and released the blade.
“I think she’s here.” He spoke as he knelt behind Braden. “How many fingers do you think I’ll have to sever before she shows herself?”
Braden groaned through clenched teeth as the knife bit into his index finger. Beth didn’t hesitate; she surged out of the brush, head low, hackles raised and teeth bared.
“I thought so.” Alek smiled. “Those protective instincts of yours…so predictable. I should probably take this finger as punishment for making me wait, what do you think?” He pressed the blade further into Braden’s finger, a bright trickle of blood running over the knife and winding around to the back of Braden’s hand.
Beth growled and snapped her teeth together.
“No?” Markko grinned maliciously. “Perhaps if you beg. Go ahead, shift back to human. Beg me not to hurt him the way you begged me not to hurt your Rachel.”
She’d expected this, even before Chase had warned her, but it didn’t make it any easier. The thought of having to face this man naked and defenseless left her trembling.
“I’m waiting,” he barked.
Don’t think. Just act.
She focused and shifted back into human form, faster than ever in her desperation, and rose to stand on two legs. She kept her hands clenched at her sides and straightened her spine. Modesty was something she couldn’t afford, but her pride she could keep.
“Difficult, isn’t it?” Markko asked, indicating the fine tremors that passed through her muscles. “I don’t think you’ve been shifting on your own very long, have you, Lizzy? Still, you managed to track me down. I wonder—did you do it alone?” He asked, twirling the knife in his hand. “I doubt it. Go check the woods,” he ordered over his shoulder.
Alek shifted and obeyed.
“Now. I believe you were going to beg…” His stare raked over her, his eyes devouring the planes of her legs and the curves of her breasts. His tongue slid over his teeth.
Beth braced herself, tilted her chin and glared. She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of seeing her uncomfortable. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Braden’s eyes shift, his gaze connecting with her own. The terror, pain and worry were plain on his face even as he tugged relentlessly at the bonds that held him.
“That defiance. It intrigued me that first night, in the bar. It’s why I chose you. That stubborn tilt of your chin, the way you glared at me, even when I pressed against you, imprinted your scent on my memory. You remained defiant. The perfect challenge for a special hunt.” Markko’s eyes narrowed and his nostrils flared. “I never imagined you’d prove so exceptional, or so capable. The waste is almost shameful.” He stalked forward. “Under different circumstances, I’d have kept you. You’d have whelped excellent stock.”
Beth stepped back as he reached out to stroke fingers down the front of her chest.
“But you’ve gone and spread your legs for Edwards, and that I won’t tolerate.”
Chase leaped from the bushes behind Braden.
Markko cursed and threw himself into the shift, absorbing Chase’s impact head-on. Beth skirted the raging wolves and tried to block out the sounds of the fight, instead focusing on getting Braden loose. She collapsed to her knees beside him and tore the duct tape from his mouth before attacking the knots at his wrists with shaky fingers.
“You shouldn’t be here,” he rasped.
“Shut up. Just let me get these undone.”
Braden rolled away from her. “They’re too tight. Get his knife. He dropped it when he shifted. Hurry.”
Beth ran to the shredded pile of clothing, shaking them out for the knife, hyperaware of the fact that she couldn’t see much in the fading light and what that meant for Braden.
It’s not here.
She searched the surrounding forest floor frantically, every second that passed driving her panic higher.
“Come on, come on,