Free Tamed: A Huntress Spin-off Novel by Adria Wade Page A

Do you think this is a game?”
    I shook my head. “Of course not. I just want-”
    “Go!” he screamed, cutting me off. His voice was so deep and ferocious that I jumped, letting out a gasp from the intensity and anger that poured out of his tone.
    He wasn’t himself, and I was fearful of what he would do if I pushed him any further, so without another word, I ran past him and out of the alley. When I got to the car, I exhaled, feeling my muscles tighten as tension set in. I started the car and got the hell out of there.
    With tears dripping from my eyes, I squeezed the steering wheel, holding on for dear life as I sniffled. I was absolutely horrified with what I had just gone through, yet felt so overwhelmingly sad that I left Andie there to die. It hurt to leave her behind. God, it cut me so deep. She was supposed to be alive, dancing and partying the night away, not lying in a booth bleeding. I felt like the world’s most terrible friend. I didn’t protect her, and I sure as hell couldn’t save her life. I tried, but it wasn’t enough. I survived the night, but Andie did not, and after everything that I saw tonight, home was exactly where I wanted to be.

Chapter Six
     
    The tires screeched as I made the turn into my driveway, relieved to see the lit up mansion in my sights. I jumped out of the car and ran to my home.
    “Dad!”  I screamed.
    Before I had time to open the front door, Taylor came running out of the house with Eli and Chelsea right behind him.
    With weak knees, I grabbed hold of Taylor’s arms for support and burst into tears.
    “What happened?!” Taylor shook me, urging me to talk.
    I couldn’t breathe. I gasped for breath as tears spilled from my eyes whilst trying to get the words out.
    “You’re not going to believe me.”
    He pulled me to his chest as his hand ran over my hair, trying to soothe me. His arm tightened around me, and for a moment, comfort covered me like a blanket.
    “Paige, it’s okay. You’re safe. Just calm down.”
    “I saw fangs.”
    He pulled me away from his chest. His brows pulled together as his surprised eyes widened. “Are you sure?”
    I nodded and wiped my nose with the back of my hand. “He bit her neck. She was bleeding everywhere, I swear. It was a vampire. Vampires are real, Taylor. I’m not making this up.”
    Taylor, Eli, and Chelsea all shared a look. I was afraid they wouldn’t believe me and accuse me of taking drugs. I mean, who in the hell believes vampires are real, anyway? But they were, and I was desperate to make them believe.
    “Please, believe me,” I begged.
    “Paige, calm down. We know they’re real,” Taylor said.
    “You know? How do you know?”  I asked, surprised.
    Then I remembered…the impeccable strength he obtained. The bruise he put so effortlessly on my arm when he grabbed me up. His speed. When I was trying to escape from the house, he stopped me just in time. It had me wondering how he got to me so fast. I should have made it out. His nasty temper. He, however, didn’t have the blue eyes vampires had. When he lost his temper with me, I thought I saw them begin to turn orange, the same color as Eli’s eyes. I didn’t know exactly what my brother was, but I knew he was a supernatural.
    I took a step back as a rush of trepidation coursed through me. Taylor noticed my sudden nervousness and reached out for me, only to stop when I held my palms up. It was all too overwhelming for me to take in. I had just been through a vampire attack, only to come home and find that Taylor and his friends were a part of their world as well…I just couldn’t deal with everything hitting me all at once.
    I looked at Eli. “You don’t wear contacts.”
    He shook his head. “No, I’m a hybrid. Half vampire, half werewolf.”
    I shook my head as my eyes fell on Taylor. I couldn’t believe this was happening. “You’re a hybrid!”
    “No. I mean, if I get bit I could turn into one.”
    I frowned. “Then what are you?!” I