Chapter 84

Harper’s POV

I kick at whoever is dragging me across the room, but my attempts are futile. The person hauling me like a bag of bricks is much stronger and faster than I am. I swing my leg back again, but instead of kicking them, my heel flies off my foot, and my kidnappers tighten their hold.

“Stop struggling, girl, or I’ll give you something to fear,” the rough voice says from behind me just before arms go around my waist and lift me. I’m tossed up and back, my stomach jamming into what feels like a shoulder.

Panic fills me, my heart hammering and my mind reeling. Was this all a trap? Was I stupid enough to fall for it?

Would anyone come for me?

I immediately know the answer to that. No.

Nora may have received my text message, but after what happened, the pack wouldn’t risk their lives to save me. They think I’m a traitor and would probably think this is my own fault… which it is.

The creak of a door opening and then the thud of it slamming shut makes me jump, reminding me that I should fight. Wherever they’re taking me is bound to be dangerous or life threatening, so I resume my struggle. I can only kick, though, since my arms are tied behind my back, but I use all the power I, and I finally land a kick to my captor’s leg.

He grunts and then something rams into my side. It knocks the breath out of me, and I struggle to breathe as I choke around the gag in my mouth.

My chest begins to ache at the lack of air, and I shake my head from side to side. I try to dislodge the rag in my mouth, but it doesn’t drop out. It’s shoved so far in that it makes me gag.

“We have some questions for you, girl,” the man says before my body is falling and then colliding with the concrete floor.

Pain ricochets through me, shaking my bones and making me groan as I scramble to get up. However, I fall again, unable to stand or really even move much.

Then, someone rips the bag off my head. A foot slams into my back, making me fall forward. I brace myself the best I can as my body collides with the concrete floor. My skin tears, and my head hits the ground. I whimper at the slight pain.

The rag is pulled from my mouth as a man speaks, “Your online presence was monitored from the moment you entered the Dark Web, and our moderators flagged your name and let us know that you were not to be trusted.”

“I-I didn’t—"

“You made a mistake in coming here,” a sharp, angry female voice says. I try to look up, but I can only crane my neck so far. I just barely see a pair of blood red heels before I’m yanked up and set on my knees.

My head spins from the quick movement, and I have to close my eyes to get my bearings again. Then, the person behind me yanks my head back, and I open my eyes.

The woman in front of me instantly reminds me of a prettier and younger version of Cruella Devil. Her hair is all black, but she’s wearing a black and white dress with a long slit up the side, her heels are red, and the fur coat around her shoulders… I shudder at the familiarity of it.

Is that wolf fur?

She puffs on her cigarette, the smoke billowing toward me as she leans forward.

“I’ve seen many spies and traitors in my years of running The Domain, but I never thought a wolfless, half witch would try to infiltrate… and alone at that,” she says with a hint of amusement and disdain in her voice.

The word traitor sends a shiver down my spine, and she grins like she knows something I don’t. I don’t know why everyone sees me as a traitor when I’ve done nothing wrong. The traitor I see is this woman. She’s the one running an illegal market that hurts people.

“Why have you come here?” She questions.

I can’t tell her the truth, but maybe if I lie—

Something sharp and cold presses against my neck, and I freeze. The woman stands, taking another pull of her cigarette and walking toward me.

“I would suggest telling me the truth, or my friend here will slit your pretty little throat,” she hisses. I want to pull away from her when she reaches forward, but I can’t move. She grabs my chin in her hands and forces my eyes to hers. “Now, tell me why you’re really here.”

“I-I’m here to look for a wolf soul to replace the one I lost,” I tell her, mixing the truth with a bit of a lie. I am here for the wolf souls, but I don’t want to find a new one. I want to find evidence to end this place, but for now, I realize I can’t do that.

I need help, but in order to get help, I have to make it out of here alive.

Lucas said he thought my wolf was here, so I play on that notion.

The woman’s eyes narrow on me, and the blade at my throat digs deeper. Pain flares where the blade touches my skin, and I suck in a breath.

“I said, the truth,” the woman snarls.

“I really am here for a wolf soul,” I croak. “My father t-took my wolf from me over a year ago, and I’ve been wolfless since.”

She narrows her eyes at me before looking me up and down.

“You know I don’t have a wolf. You said so yourself,” I tell her, my voice coming out soft and shaky.

“How did you learn about the Domain Soul Auction? Someone as pathetic as you shouldn’t have been able to enter the Dark Web,” she says, hitting me where it hurts. I shouldn’t let her get to me, but I can’t stop the ache from filling my chest.

“My boyfriend told me about your auction. His name is Logan Jameson,” I tell her, again mixing truth and lies. She narrows her eyes at me, studying me to see if I’m lying. I can only hope that she believes me.

But, when she scoffs, I know she doesn’t.

“I don’t like liars, but it would be a waste to kill you,” she muses, circling me. “If you won’t tell me the truth, I won’t waste my time.” She then turns to look at the man holding me still and says, “Take her to the holding area. We will sell her in the early morning auction. I’m sure there are a few men who would be willing to pay handsomely for a beautiful, weak girl like you.”

She taps her finger under my chin, a sinister grin forming on her face, and I try to jerk out of the man’s hold.

“You can’t!”

The woman laughs, “Oh, I can. You came into my domain and thought you could hurt me. I’ll show you exactly why I am the one in charge.”

She flicks her hand in the air, and again, I’m dragged up and thrown over the brute’s shoulder.