Chapter Twenty-Two
Peder slid the hairpin Pemma gave him inside the hem of his kilt and watched as Timothy led her to the back of the compound. What had the tiny omega female done? He glanced Nahuel’s worried expression. “I think we made a mistake.”
“She offered.” The other hunter didn’t sound so reassured, though.
“Yes, but sometimes omegas can’t stop themselves from offering to help. It’s in our—their nature.” After last night, he couldn’t consider himself omega anymore. Kele was right. He’d changed. He could only hope he didn’t continue on this path and turn into a monster like his old alpha. “It’s why they need hunters to guide and protect them.”
“Too late now.”
Her muffled moans drifted to his sensitive ears, almost too low for him to distinguish them. He couldn’t tell if they were from pleasure or pain though. He fisted his hands. They shouldn’t have asked for her help.
The pen’s door opened and two vampires dragged a struggling Kele out. “Let go of me. I don’t care if I’ve been sold.” She kicked one in the groin and elbowed the other in the face. With a few well-placed punches, she raced into Peder’s open arms. Her hands ran over his chains and the thick lock. “He’s sold me. We have to escape now.” She tugged the chain with all her strength but nothing happened. “Maybe if I shift and use feral strength, I can break it.”
“It’s vampire iron.” He grabbed her hands and pulled her so they were nose to nose. “Listen to me. I asked her to buy you.”
“You did what?”
“I’ll find you. No matter where she takes you, it can’t be worse than here. When I escape, I’ll come for you, no matter how long it takes me.”
“No.” She shook her head, but it was too late.
The vampires had recovered and tackled her to the ground, landing a few punches of their own.
“Stop it.” He leaped forward but his chain snapped him back. “She’ll cooperate now.” He rubbed his sore neck and throat. The pain just added to his overall bodily discomfort. Beaten yesterday, fight last night, and training all morning. It felt like old times.
They clamped a collar around her neck.
The tears in her eyes were almost his undoing as they dragged her toward the carriage. She mouthed his name and reached out her hands.
Peder hadn’t even kissed her good-bye.
A gentle hand rested on his shoulder. “You did the right thing, hunter. You’re a good mate.”
The shifters in the pen gathered at the bars, watching their public sorrow.
They half carried her out of the compound, where Pemma’s carriage probably waited. The Goddess would burn his soul when it left this shell for selling his mate and misguiding a sweet omega female. He was no better than Sorin’s father.
He fell to the ground and rested back against the wall, trying to block the sounds of Timothy’s climax. How could Pemma’s vampire master not hear that?
The laughter in Ewald’s meeting grew much louder at that moment.
Peder closed his eyes and bowed his head. Tonight, he’d have to make a move.
Pemma scooted from under Timothy and pulled her dress back on. “Quick, help me with the buttons.” The latest fashion had the fastenings on the back of the dress rather than the front. He’d only loosened enough to pull it over her head, but they needed refastening before she faced Ewald.
“My lord, your purchase is awaiting at your carriage.” One of the guards spoke loudly as if giving Timothy a cue.
“My purchase? What do you mean? Where’s Pemma?” Ewald’s voice carried in the empty yard.
“The slave she purchased is quite lovely. Let me show you.”
“Slave?” Ewald’s question held an edge of anger. But he’d said she could buy one in front of the guards as well as Timothy. Her master wouldn’t break his word publically. Once they were back at Lord Weis’s manor she’d hear a lot about it, though.
Their footsteps faded.
Pemma toed the big cat who still panted on the ground. “Come on. Hurry. Do you really want a vampire lord’s wrath aimed at you?”
“Wouldn’t be the first time.” He climbed to his feet and did her buttons then hugged her from behind. “When he tires of you, Pemma. You come see me. I like a female with spirit.”
She elbowed him in the gut. “When he tires of me, I’ll be in the West and my pack has enough single hunters that I’ll have my choice of mate.”
He snorted. “They’ll all be dead within a year.” He clasped her chin and forced her to meet his gaze. “You act dumb for him, but I know you’re smarter. You should remain here in the city when he goes. Don’t follow a fool.”
“I haven’t a choice.” She checked her hair with her hands. “My grandparents are going and I won’t leave them. How’s my hair?”
He gave her a weary smile. “It’s fine.” He dressed and let her hurry out first.
She rushed to Nahuel and Peder. “Do you have a message for her before I go?”
Peder’s eyes grew wide. “I never meant for you to…”
She clamped her hand over his mouth. Time was running out. “Never mind that. Message?” She released him.
“We’ve said our good-byes. Where are you taking her?”
“For now, Lord Weis’s manor but soon we’ll be leaving for the West.”
“Pemma? What are you doing?” Ewald clamped his hand over her shoulder and yanked her away. “Didn’t you hear me calling you?”
“Yes, I did. That’s why I hurried to see you.” She rose and kissed him on the cheek. She didn’t want him tasting Timothy on her mouth. “Do you like the female I purchased? She’s so lovely and only two gold bars.”
“Two gold bars? Are you insane?” He pulled her away from the hunters chained to the wall. “You weren’t supposed to purchase anyone.” His whispered fury could still be heard by the other shifters.
She pouted. “I know, but Timothy was so convincing.” She let a tear roll down her cheek. “Maybe he’ll understand if I explained my mistake.” She twisted as if about to search for the cat slaver.
Ewald frowned. “Never mind that. We can’t go back on our word. I still may need his contacts in the future.” He tugged her to the carriage where the pale slave female stood chained to the back.
Timothy appeared. “Is all to your liking?” he asked her, not Ewald.
A blush scalded her cheeks. “Yes.” No, she’d have to soak in a bath for a week before she felt clean once more.
Ewald pulled out his money purse and paid for the slave, scowling the whole time.
The slaver handed Pemma the key to the female’s collar. “Careful, she bites.” He nodded toward a set of guards who had obvious bruises on their faces. “She goes by Kele, but you can change it to a more Europan name if you wish.”
She strode to Kele. “I’m Pemma.” As she reached to unlock her collar Ewald squawked a protest. “You don’t mean to drag her behind the carriage.”
“Where do plan on placing her?”
“Inside with us.” She glanced at Kele and flinched at her hard stare. The wild shifter didn’t care for her. “Or maybe in front with the driver?” She retreated to Ewald’s side and handed him the key.
With a heavy sigh, he approached the female shifter. “I’ll be a good master, Kele. You’ve nothing to fear from me or Pemma. Just let us get you home and prove it to you.” He unlocked the chain from the carriage and led her to the front.
The whole time, Kele’s glare never left Pemma, and she saw her death within it.