Forever Is Not Enough [Council Enforcers 2] (Siren Publishing Classic)

it across Jerry’s wrist, shredding it to the bone. The gun he had been holding clattered to the ground.
    With the threat against Ben’s life taken care of, he watched Mitch lunge for Percival, intent on finishing the man. Before he could get there, the little weasel grabbed Jacqueline and yanked her in front of him.
    “Stay where you are, or I will rip her throat out.” Percival’s hand sported three-inch claws to back up his threat.
    Ben stared into the tear-filled eyes of the woman staring up at him just as a deafening boom sounded and the floors began to shake, nearly bringing them all to their knees. Ben knew their time had run out, and he needed to save his mate. He let out a howl and dove at Percival and the woman. All three lost their balance and tumbled through the darkened stairwell that Percival had revealed.
    “Ben!” He heard Mitch shout from the doorway just as another explosion sounded. Debris began to rain down from the ceiling.
    “I’m okay!” Ben yelled, not wanting his friend to risk his life to save them. “Go, get out. I’ll find another way.”
    “No, I’m not leaving you here. Can you get back up the stairs?”
    “No. It’s blocked down here.” Ben tried to look around, but there was hardly any light. Even with his enhanced vision, he could barely see. He knew there was no way Mitch would make it in time to save him.
    “Stay there, I’ll figure somethi—” Another explosion cut Mitch off.
    Ben fell, cradling his mate in his arms, and huddled down to keep the falling chunks of ceiling from hitting them in the head. “Mitch! You have to get out now. That was the third bomb going off. The last one will bring the entire house down. Get out now! I’ll find another way.”
    Ben knew Mitch was hesitating, not wanting to leave him behind, but Ben needed him to get out. He knew exactly what the next explosives were going to do, and he couldn’t have his friend dying on his conscience. “Think of Tessa and Nico. They need you. Run, Mitch!” That seemed to get him moving, and Ben sighed in relief as he heard Mitch’s footsteps leading away from the doorway.
    “Don’t you dare die on me, Ben!” Mitch shouted.
    Ben lifted Jacqueline and move into a little alcove he’d caught a glimpse of. He had just enough time to tuck his mate under him and curl over her before the last bomb went off. Ben felt searing heat on his back and a large chunk of the ceiling struck him in the head. The last thing he remembered before he passed out was the strong smell of cinnamon and fear coming from his mate.
     
    * * * *
     
    Ben tried to roll over, but fire shot through his limbs, stopping him from moving. He moaned and opened his eyes, blinking through the haze that covered them. Each time he opened his eyes, he prayed that he would wake up from his nightmare. Each time, he felt disappointment when he opened them and saw the same stone ceiling he had been staring at since being strapped to the bed.
    He had no idea how long ago that had been. Time didn’t seem to mean anything to him anymore. Ben’s only measure of time was the scent that had kept him going. His mate. Her scent was tinged with fear and regret each time she stepped into the room, but he couldn’t stop himself from looking forward to it. Since first catching her scent, things had gone to shit pretty fast, leading up to where he was now, strapped to a bed and being continuously pumped full of god-knows-what drugs.
    All Ben knew was that he had to fight whatever drugs they were giving him. He had been cut off from his wolf since the first injection, and he had never felt so alone. He felt his wolf trying to claw its way out of his body, but he wouldn’t respond whenever Ben tried to speak to him. It took all his strength to hold his wolf back and not let him take over. It became harder and harder to fight each time his mate stepped into the room with a syringe in her hand. He tried to tell himself that his mate was human and had no idea what they meant to each other, but the betrayal cut deep each time she injected him without a word or a glance and then left the room.
    Ben smelled her coming and stilled himself to fight whatever she was about to give him. His mate entered the room and closed the door behind her. He heard her heart rapidly beating and watched as her shoulders tensed before she turned from the door and headed his way.
    Not once had he seen his mate’s face, and it was killing him. He was a man used to getting