Free Pride Unleashed (a Wolf's Pride novel, book 2) by Cat Kalen

out to capture or kill a dangerous drug lord , one who dared to cross the master.
    Since I know the master doesn’t plan on letting me out of the compound anytime soon , this show of generosity worries me . It also begs the question, is she being nice because sh e know s the cruelties that li e ahead of me? I s this her small way of trying to make things easier for the master’s rebellious wolf ?
    Once she’s pleased with the state of my hair and makeup, she hands me a pair of jeans and a t-shirt —the master likes for his wolves to look presentable when we’re brought to him . I pull them on, noticing how snug they feel now that I have curves . I don’t, however, get shoes. S hoes have laces and I can make all kinds of weapons with laces .
    Miss Kara puts her hands on my shoulders and turns me toward the mirror. Her eyes narrow in thought , a careful scrutin y as her gaze moves over my body .
    “Look at you,” s he says in a soft voice meant for my ears only .
    I stare at my reflection , which is almost unrecognizable —e ven to myself. As I wonder who th at young girl is looking back , I note that m y dark eyes , now lacking the inky black smudges beneath , no longer look stark against my skin. My long blonde hair looks healt h y as it fall s in wild waves around my face and I can’t help but think how much I look like an ordinary seventeen - year old girl . One who would easily fit into the crowd.
    But when I look closer, I see something else in my eyes, something that separates me from the teens I’d encountered when I was running in the n ational park.  
    “You look different.”
    That statement catches me off guard and fills me with worry. The last thing I want is for anyone to notice a difference in me. In this prison survival means blending in.
    “I fed on wild game when I was lost in the woods,” I hurry out. “I’ve put on weight.”
    Miss Kara shakes her head, and her ponytail swishes from side to side , slashing against her coffee - colored cheeks . “No, ” she says under her breath. “I t’s more than that , Pride .”
    I don’t say anything . I can’t. Because I know she’s right . I also know that i f she’s notic ing the slight changes in me the master will , too. Which means I’ll have to work extra hard to desensitize and show no emotions in the face of the man I loathe.
    “Pride?” she asks with quiet concern .
    For the first time in my life I’m happy to hear Lawrence’s voice when he interjects . In a lighthearted tone he uses only in front of Miss Kara, he questions, “Is there a problem, Kara ?”
    Miss Kara drops her hands and when she turns to him I grab an elastic band from her grooming station and stuff it into my pocket. I’m not sure what compelled me to do it. Perhaps it’s because of Sandy. Perhaps if I can fix her hair or show he some small gesture of kindness, she’ll see I’m not a selfish wolf who cares only about herself. Or maybe it reminds me of the girls I met while I was running in Olympic park, and that reminds me of freedom. And my mission to kill the master.
    “No problem, Lawrence,” Kara returns easily , her eyes cautioning me whe n she turns back to face me and fluffs my hair with a little too much enthus iasm. “Just a few finishing touches and then we’re done .”
    B ut when I meet her glance in the mirror, and catch a whiff of her apprehension, I know she knows. She knows I’m going to take out the master. I tear my eyes away from hers because I can’t allow anyone’s fear s to stand in my way .
    I step away from the grooming station , and without so much as a backward gl impse , I move toward Lawrence . Silence ensues as he hooks his chain to my collar , and after he pulls open the double doors we retrace our steps back down the h a ll.
    When we reach the main foyer, he doesn’t lead me to the master’s office in the west wing . Instead, we round the corner near the kitchen and take a back corridor until we come face to face with a