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

heavy metal barrier .
    Lawrence punches a code and the door slides open , and despite the precarious situation, my ears perk, deciphering the distinct sound s associate d with each button . I store that information in the back of my mind as I examine my surroundings . My stomach tightens as I tak e note of the long cold, cement tunnel ahead of me , one I’ve never entered before and didn’t know existed until now . Lawrence closes the heavy door behind us and the sound of his boots echoing off the walls sends shivers skittering down my spine.
    I have no idea where he’s taking me, and can’t help but wonder what cruelties await me when we get there.
    We come to the end of the hall, and stop in front of an elevator. Lawrence punches the button and when it arrives he shoves me inside. He puts his back to me as he punches in a code . He’s trying to hide his actions, but I listen intently and take note of the sounds. A moment later we’re dropping quickly, and I wonder just how far below the ground this elevator is taking us .
    When it finally stops and the doors ping open I feel almost breathless, but I think it has more to do with the scent of fresh blood in the air, then the sensation of falling .
    We turn a corner and walk up to another door, but before Lawrence reaches for the handle, he tugs on the collar of his T-shirt, and I can see th e slight vibration in his hands . Despite the coldness in this dingy dungeon, beads of perspiration dot his skin and his chest rises and falls a little quicker .
    His odd behavior has my hackles spiking, and when I note the uneasy way he’s shifting on the balls of his feet, the way his Adam’s apple is bobbing crazily as if going down for the third count , I draw in the rancid scent of his fear, and prepare myself for the worst .
    As I fight down the chaos clamoring for control inside me and desperately call on calm , I watch t he handler run his damp palms through his hair . I realize that if he ’s this afraid, th e n whatever lies beyond that door is not going to bode well for me. Lawrence pulls in air, and puts on an expressionless mask before he turns the knob and readies himself to face the demons that haunt him.
    When he finally pushes it open , the gruesome sight before me brings blistering , angry tears to my eyes. Hot, searing p ain stabs at my heart and my throat aches painfully as I take in the horrific display .
    I dig deep and try not to show a reaction, try not to give away my emotions but there is nothing I can do to keep my wolf from howling, my mouth from gaping open. Wild black fury erupts inside me, and every instinct I have warns that my next move in this deadly game of control could mean the difference between life and death.
    Intense silence fills the room as all eyes turn on me. I struggle to keep my wolf leashed , struggle to stay standing when all I want to do is drop to the floor and weep , or better yet, shift and kill .
    Saliva pools beneath my tongue and my stomach clenches. As acrid vomit pushes into my throat I realize that for the first time in my life, I know what real fear is.
     
     

Chapter Six
    With my gaze locked on the man I intend to kill, I bite the inside of my cheek hard enough to draw blood and wait for him to make the next move. As my stomach churns I force myself to breathe naturally, but when I draw air into my lungs , the scent of Logan’s warm blood fills my senses and floods me with a confusing mix of anger and dread .
    As the air ripples with tension, the aroma ripe and heady as it swirls around me, I realize I never should have agreed to this risky plan, never should have allowed Logan to place his trust in me.
    I suddenly feel so p owerless in the face of such violence , so defenseless and vulnerable that I can feel the strength drain right out of me . As I weaken, I instantly hate Logan for believing in me, for putting his life in my hands.
    When my mate’s rich , familiar scent trickles through my bloodstream my wolf gives