Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 6

me, I was sure of it. Damn my voice for not working. I look at her again pleading with my eyes for her to tell me the truth. She stands up wringing her hands in nervousness. I wish I could tell her it is okay, that I know Sergei attacked me, but she will not look at me.
    "Oh gods, Nicolai! I am so sorry, no one expected him to do this. He seemed like such a gentle man."
    Wait, what? Sergei? A gentle man? Is she insane? She of all people knows what lengths he would go to, to have what he wants. Gods, I wish I could talk. She turns back to me with tears streaming down her face.
    "I am so sorry, Nico. I know how much you love Thomas; I just do not understand why he would do this to you. It makes no sense."
    Thomas? Why would she say Thomas? Surely she meant to say Sergei. He was the one who did this to me. What on earth is she talking about? It suddenly becomes clear to me. Oh! My gods, she thinks it was Thomas. I begin screaming no but nothing comes out of my mouth other than a lot of squeaks. I am so frustrated! I need to make her see that Thomas had nothing to do with this but she just keeps talking.
    "Oh Nico, please you must calm down, this is not good for your injuries."
    Forget my injuries, I want to say, though I know it will not do any good. Again, I try to make my hands act out writing for her, hoping she will understand and get me some paper and a pen, but she has her back to me now. Then I hear my father and her mother enter the room.
    She walks over to greet them, and they are speaking in hushed tones to her. I watch as Elena walks to the bed, she is carrying a small vial filled with a green liquid. She sits down next to me and takes my hand.
    "You poor, poor dear child; the things you have been through lately just make me sick. You should have told us what that man was doing to you, we would have taken care of it sooner. But worry not, your father and I will make sure he never comes near you again. I promise you that."
    Leaning over, she opens my mouth with a strength I did not know she had. I try to stop her with my hands when I realize they will not move. She must have tied them down while she was talking to me. I begin screaming again as she pours the green liquid down my throat, her long nails dig into my jaw as she holds it open. The pain is unbearable though no one tries to stop her. Out of the corner of my eye I can see my father standing with his head bowed. He has to know what she is doing but does nothing to stop it.
    "There, there now, you need to rest, let your wounds heal. You will feel so much better when you wake up, knowing your problem has been taken care of." She leans into my ear and whispers, " You will marry my daughter. You will give me a grandchild. You will never lay with another man again, or your father and you will both die." Her words send a chill down my spine; and the truth settles into my bones like a virus.
    Dear gods no! They plan on killing Thomas yet I am powerless to stop it! I struggle against the ties on my hands but it is of no use, the elixir she gave me is starting to work. Everything is weaving in it and out of my vision, my body feels numb. I can hear Anca screaming at her mother to stop but then even that becomes a distant sound. My last thoughts are of Thomas as my body and mind finally succumb to the drug.
    CHAPTER 6
    Thomas
    I have not seen Nico for many days. Everything is cloudy in my mind. I know that I have been drugged and abused as I can see the blood on my paws and legs. I know with a certainty that Sergei did something to Nico. Nico's continuing absence only proves that more. I will kill Sergei as soon as I figure out how to get out of here. I have heard many of the men and some of the women whispering about Nico being attacked, and I am frightened for him. I feel so completely powerless. Without the use of my voice I cannot ask about him, not that I think anyone would tell me. I see the disgust in their eyes when they look at me. But I really don't give a damn. I just want to get to Nico.
    Someone is coming I can hear their steps and smell their perfume, Elena perhaps? No, not Elena, it is Anca. She must have news of Nico. My heart is pounding so fast I fear it might explode. All I can think is, please dear gods, do not take my Nicolai from me.
    As she draws closer I can smell the fear on her, confusing me. She has no reason to fear me. We have been friends since I became a part of the pride.
    "I don't know why I'm here, Thomas, you can't even answer