Taming the Beast novel Chapter 55

(Caroline’s POV)

The first thing that registered was the pounding headache I had. I didn’t like it and it made me feel really uncomfortable. I coughed and tried to press a hand to my head. I felt something restraining me. I looked down to see zip ties. I could probably get out of these easily now that I was a wolf. I froze. They couldn’t know that. If they did, they would restrain me even more. It would be even harder to escape, and they would know that I can contact people.

Keegan, I tried mind-linking him. I was greeting with nothing. I tried again. Keegan, please hear me. No answer. I sighed and went for Aiden.

Aiden, can you hear me? I tried.

Caroline, thank God! We were so worried! Keegan is passed out upstairs. Do you want me to wake him? Aiden answered.

No, it’s fine, let him sleep. Look, I’m restrained in a dark room. I don’t know where but it seems to be underground. They don’t know I’m a wolf yet. They don’t know about the change.

Just pretend that whatever they do hurts you. If they ask about the scars, tell them Keegan gave you a blood transfusion to get rid of them. They have no point of reference so they’ll believe you. Hang tight. Keegan and Danny have their best guys on it, Aiden assured me. I coughed and tried to see where I was more clearly.

“Oh good, you're awake,” I heard. I blinked rapidly to adjust my eyes to the sudden bright light. I couldn’t tell where I was, but it was a blank room with no windows and only one door. There was no furniture except the chair I was strapped to. I looked up to see a very sinister looking Natasha. She was holding a thick piece of leather and standing with her hand on her hip.

“What do you want from me?” I asked. She only smirked.

“Oh sweetie, I don’t want anything. You ruined my life and caused me pain so I’m going to do the same to you,” she said. She stalked towards me. “Tell me… why are your scars gone?” she asked. I kept my mouth shut and looked down. If I gave the answer too willingly, she wouldn’t believe me. I felt the thick leather slice into my arm. I yelled out in pain before I glared up at her.

“Keegan gave me a blood transfusion. It got rid of the scars and it gives me the healing ability of a Lycan,” I answered through my teeth. I could feel the welt on my arm healing. There was a glint of happiness in her eyes.

“Oh goodie! That means I can torture you more,” she said with a sinister smile. I sighed and looked back down at my lap. I cried out again when I felt the leather sting my arm again. “You might as well get comfortable, Caroline. No one’s going to come running to your rescue this time,” she said before I walked out of the room, closing the door behind her. I let out a breath I didn’t even realize I was holding.  I needed to figure out where I was if I wanted to be saved.

Caroline, I’m so sorry. Please tell me that you’re okay, Keegan’s voice reached me. I felt my eyes water with relief.

Keegan, where were you? I asked. I knew that he could hear my crying through our mind link. I didn’t want to make him feel bad but I was tired and scared and I wanted nothing more than to be with him at this moment.

I’m so sorry. Please forgive me. I’m doing everything I can to find you. Your brother is too. My mom is taking care of Preston for a while. Do you know where you are? He rambled. I sighed and looked around the blank room.

I wish I did. Where would Natasha bring me? Do you know?

NO baby, but I’m going to find out. Hang tight; help is on the way, he tried to assure me. I sighed as my tears finally fell.

I love you, I said after a while.

I love you too, he replied before I shut off the mind link. The door opened again and a guy walked in with a tray. I tried to silent my tears.

“I brought you some food,” the guy said. I looked up to see a guy who looked younger than me. He had a baby face and wild curly brown hair. He had big blue doe eyes and he was actually kind of tall.

“Why are you helping her?” I asked hoarsely. He sighed and set the tray down beside me. It was just then that I noticed that he had a fold-up chair under his arm. He unfolded the chair and set it in front of me. He picked up the tray and sat it in his lap.  “Why are you helping her?” I asked again louder.

“I’m a rogue. I don’t have a home. Natasha promised us that if we helped, she would let us join the pack when she becomes Luna,” he explained. I sighed and chuckled as I shook my head. He watched me curiously. “What?”

“You do realize that I’m currently going to be Luna right? Keegan’s going to be pissed. Actually, the entire Alpha family is going to be pissed. They’re probably already pissed and looking for me. Do you really think that Keegan is going to welcome you into the pack when you helped kidnap and kill his mate?” I said with an eyebrow raised. He gulped as his neck started turning red.

“But… Natasha said that you were human,” he said confused. I nodded.

“I am,” I answered. “I’m Caroline, by the way,” I introduced myself. He gave me a shy smile.

“I’m Derek,” he said. I looked around the bare room before I looked back to him.

“I’ll tell you what, if you help me. I will let you join the pack, and Keegan will have no choice. He’ll let you in after he hears how you helped me escape. Because he will find us, and he’s going to kill everyone involved unless I say differently,” I offered Derek. He gulped and became noticeably nervous. He thought for a moment before looking at the tray of food.