Free Beast (The Submissively Ever After Series Book 1) by Kim Faulks Page B

me against the stone wall, balancing my weight on his leg. A scream tore through the air, followed by another. I tensed, then realized the shrill sound came from metal on metal. The clunk of a bolt slammed, followed by another, then another.
    I opened my eyes. The yellow light above fought a battle with the dark, illuminating just enough for me to see the door. A growl vibrated through the darkness. The sound echoed from the walls. I jerked my head to the left, whimpering at the sudden flare of agony inside my head.
    My heart battered the cage of my chest and my lungs were nothing but stone as one horrific thought bubbled to the surface. Mark wasn’t just dragging me into the cellar.
    He was throwing me to the beast.
    The howl of the hinge had me scrambling. I clawed Mark’s chest. Fabric tore as he dropped my legs. My feet hit the icy floor and I was shoved forward. That sound echoed, growing louder and louder, until it filled the room. I skidded and shoved my spine against the wall. The rocks jabbed my back, sharp edges gnawing my flesh until an icy ache spread along my spine. 
    The click of a switch rang like a gunshot from my left. The weak yellow hue of a dusty light bulb reached as far as it could, clawing for a hold on the filthy cellar floor. The deep rattle of chains came from somewhere in the dark half of the room. The dull roar of something metallic—and heavy—being dragged across the stone wrenched a whimper from my chest. My legs trembled, threatening to take me down. I gripped the stone wall behind me and held on. 
    "I bought you someone to play with. I know how lonely you get down here." Mark snickered. "She’s feisty, this one. I think you two will get along just fine."
    The growl kicked up an octave, standing the hairs on my arms. My legs wobbled. My icy fingers slipped and I dropped to the ground.
    "I’d be careful where you sleep tonight, for I doubt you’ll last very long. I’ll even leave the light on, so you can see the beast coming for you." Mark turned to leave. "Oh, and one thing to remember. He has wickedly long claws."
    Black spots marred my vision as I lunged, gripping the edge of the door before he wrenched it closed. "Please, don’t leave me down here. I’m begging you... I’m begging you!"
    His boot caught me in the chest, shoving me back into the room. I yanked my legs underneath my body, rolling myself into a tight ball as he knelt. "This room is the last thing you’re ever gonna see. But, if by some miracle you last the next three days, I’ll let you go, how does that sound?"
    Three days. I wasn’t going to last three days and he knew it.
    I’d become familiar with that cruel glint in his eye. "I’ll have Belle check on you later, bring you food and water, or a body bag, for whatever’s left."
    His boots scraped against the ground and the heavy sound of metal sealed my fate. Three days. I tightened my body against the door. The deep pant filled the room behind me. I could feel the air buffeting my back. The sheer size of whatever drew breath made my insides weak.
    Three days. I wasn’t going to last three minutes.
    "Please, don’t eat me," I whispered. I cradled the cold steel and waited for the pain.
    The heavy breath buffeted my body. The heavy clink of shackles dragged along the ground, edging closer. I closed my eyes. I couldn’t face death, not now—maybe not ever. I could feel him, dangerous, powerful, drawing in my scent and I expected each second that passed would be my last.
    A snort blew strands of hair into my eyes. I didn’t move, didn’t breathe. A feral snarl tore through the air, heavy steps followed, dragging the chain backward, away from me. The muscles of my arms knotted and burned. The door was all I had to hold on to. That cold steel warmed under my hands and my breath.
    "I. Need." The harsh voice came from somewhere in the shadows.
    I flinched at the sound. Holding my breath, I risked a shift of my head. I licked my lips, keeping my voice calm and