ROMEO FELT groggy as he surveyed his surroundings. The last thing he could remember was saying his vows to the love of his life, Amanda, and then he must have passed out. He was sore all over, and he realized he was tied to a post of some kind. The chill of the wind and the lightness of the atmosphere told him that he was high up in the trees on one of the many mountains near his home, but where was Amanda? Was she all right? Who had tied him up?
He looked down at his shoulder which was aching and saw that a piece of silver was buried deep inside his skin, creating a painful wound. If he could get it out, he could shift if need be. But he would have to get out of the binds that held him first.
Then, squinting in the dark, he saw a figure approaching him. He was about to get his answer. A fire crackled nearby, and he craved the warmth, though he’d prefer the warmth of his bride next to him instead.
“Well, well, look who’s awake.”
Romeo recognized the voice, and the flames revealed a familiar face. “Remus, what in the hell is going on here? Untie me right now! My mate could be in danger.”
“Oh, my friend, I knew this was going to be fun, but you’re making it even better for me.” Remus’ evil grin sent a shiver down Romeo’s spine. He pulled something from his jacket, and Romeo froze. “What, you aren’t so brave now when you’re facing silver bullets? You know, fear isn’t going to save you. You see, you’ve been put entirely in my charge for now. And unless the mate you speak of does as she is told, I get to kill you. As it is, I get to torture you and maim you.”
He shot at Romeo; once, twice, three times, burying bullets into his flesh. They hit his arm and his leg in quick succession. Romeo gritted his teeth and tried not to show how much pain he was in. The silver was searing his flesh, ripping through his body. The fire surged through him, and his head felt like it was going to explode. Any hope of shifting and getting out of this mess was gone.
“Damn it, Remus. You used to be one of us. I know you care for Audri and she cares for another, but this is no reason to betray your own kind. What could possibly be in it for you? And where is my mate, my bride? It sounds like you know.” Romeo commanded the strength of the alpha to sound as menacing as possible, but he had a feeling Remus was too far gone. This was not the child who had followed his little sister around like a lost puppy dog. This was an evil man looking for blood.
“I’m in it for Audri, of course. She was promised to me if I successfully kept you here until your mate completed the task she was given. You see, I chose to align myself with someone more powerful than either of you could ever hope to be. He will give me everything I wish for. In the end, your stubborn sister will bow at my feet and beg for me to have her.”
“Where is Amanda?” Romeo’s voice echoed through the dark night, causing Remus to jump a little. Romeo smiled; but Remus shot him with another silver bullet. It hit his knee cap, going through the joint. Romeo screamed out in pain, no longer able to control it.
“Your precious Amanda is probably making her way to Dean right now to give up her powers. It is the only way she is allowed to have you and the other Radiants back, though I may take one of those Radiants for myself.”
Romeo was disgusted by the man who was once a friend, the man who might have once had a chance at being his brother-in-law. “I was going to have Amanda, but you have rendered her useless to me, now. The damn mating ritual made it so I can’t pleasure her even if I wanted to. Not that any of it matters now. I will have your damn pack anyway once you and your stupid brother are out of the picture.”
Romeo couldn’t help but chuckle. “I thought part of the plan was to keep me alive. It’ll be you who’s dead if you go against your orders. Besides, you are no match for me or my wife. She has more power than you could even imagine, and I doubt she’ll give it away to that evil man who calls himself her brother. She’ll have a plan.”
“For your sake, you better hope not, Romeo, because that will certainly mean your death. And I will show no mercy. You will suffer greatly if you die directly at my hand. Now, get some rest. I’m sure you’ll need your strength, since you’ll be back to procreating with your mate and wife by this time tomorrow night. Though, I’m not sure you’ll still want her once she’s practically a human. Of course, that’s if Dean let’s her live. He can be testy, that one. You better pray she keeps her trap shut.”
Remus turned to walk away from Romeo, but Romeo pulled a pocket of phlegm from the back of his throat and launched it at Remus. It landed on his cheap Goth boots.
Remus turned around with a snarl. “I said it was time to rest, Romeo, but then again, you never did listen. How does it feel to be pulled off your god-like pedestal and learn you’re no better than anyone else?” Remus didn’t wait for an answer. He kicked out his boot, the same one Romeo had landed the wad of spit on, and kicked Romeo square in the head. Romeo’s world went pitch black as he was knocked into a dreamless sleep.