ALPHA'S HUMAN SURROGATE 15

CATRIONA

“Wake up, human.”

A deep voice echoed into my ears like thunder in a cave.

My eyes opened slowly. Blurred shadows sharpened into faces—them. The kidnappers. A crowd of men surrounded me.

“She’s awake. Call the king.” one of them said.

I was on the cold floor, sitting on my butt, leaning against a rough, mouldy wall. The room stank like rot and rat piss—like a forgotten storage closet. My stomach churned.

“What do you want from me?”

“Why did you kidnap me?”

“Do you have something against me?”

I threw the questions at them, but they ignored me—like I didn’t exist.

Ten minutes later, the door opened, and a man walked in. Tall. Confident. Too handsome for the evil in his eyes. He looked around my Jayden’s size and build—but there was nothing warm in his stare. Just hunger.

He examined me slowly.……