Free Scent of Salvation (Chronicles of Eorthe #1) by Annie Nicholas Page B

Maybe it would be best if she blew the flames out and let the darkness consume her.
    “This is why I ask you to keep Ahote’s mark for as long as you can. Maybe you can convince him to mark you again?”
    Shifting her position, Susan tried to relieve the tension growing in her neck. “How do I climb your society’s ladder?”
    “Dominance, skill and strength. If you want something you have to be willing to fight for it. The more you lose, the less respect you will receive from others, and the worse you will be treated.”
    “Where do you fit in all this?”
    Susan saw her spine stiffen.
    “I’m not sure.” Kele remained quiet for a few moments as if trying to decide how to explain. “I can’t shift. That’s not something anyone would respect or fear, but my parents are the alphas. Only their presence and love defend me. If they were to withdraw it or pass away, I’d be in a dire situation.”
    “Like me.” Susan rolled on her side and faced the wall, turning her back to Kele, unable to bear the pity in the shifter’s gaze anymore. This sucked monkey balls with extra tartar sauce.
    “Your situation is unique, Susan.” She sighed. “We’ll speak with Benic in the morning and see if he can offer you something better.” Susan sensed Kele rise off the pallet. “I’m going to wash. Will you come?”
    The caked-on layer of dust and dirt clung to Susan’s skin. She really ought to wash. “Can I in the morning? I’m exhausted and want to sleep. Hopefully things will seem better after some rest.”
    “Very well. I won’t be long.” The sound of the broken door sliding open and closed followed shortly.
    Susan buried her face in the pallet and screamed. She punched the bed and took another lungful of air before screaming into the mattress once more. When her throat burned and her lungs ached, she stopped and rolled onto her back.
    Oh god, oh god, oh god. What the fuck? She kicked her heels.
    She could remain here and be considered a stray with a high chance of receiving some sort of abuse in her near future. She could convince the vampire to take her back to his castle and most probably become dinner. Or…what? What were her other options?
    She could find her way back to the Temple and seek the gateway, make a new machine out of sticks and mud, powered by desperation.
    No amount of searching would find the portal home. Without DOUG to maintain the gateway, the opening had collapsed. The ceiling wavered through the sheen of tears she blinked away. If she’d learned one thing today, it was not to show fear or weakness. She doubted shifters ever cried. Clasping her hands, she stared at nothing in particular.
    Ever since high school, she’d been so focused on her career, then her research. Until today, she’d never really been without purpose. The emptiness inside her soul was unfamiliar. She poked at it and decided to name it despair.
    She’d be a stray. They’d want her to submit or they’d beat the shit out of her. Kele’s mother would probably ride her ass. If being submissive was part of Susan’s nature, she wouldn’t be in this mess to start with. The military would own DOUG, and she’d have a Starbucks coffee in hand right now.

Chapter Seven
     
    The pack gathering room emptied after Susan and Kele left. Inali and his insane mate had retired right after the confrontation with their daughter, leaving Sorin to hang from the chains for the viewing pleasure of the Payami pack. None were brave enough to approach him.
    Alphas, from one’s own pack or not, were due some respect at an instinctual level from all shifters of lower dominance. Inali didn’t fear him but everyone else here did.
    Long, dark hair caught Sorin’s attention among a group of laughing shifters by the door. Ahote. That one didn’t fear him either. What he would do to have such a strong hunter in his pack.
    Ahote lifted his head to meet his gaze. Hatred snapped in the air between them.
    Maybe Sorin was lucky to not have such a