Free Unraveled: A Soul Shifters Prequel by Sennah Tate Page B

work. Elena knew that Preston wasn't a Traveler and she knew that he wasn't her intended mate. But they had been so good together. Couldn't she set aside fate and destiny for love?
    Apparently not.
    The rejection gnawed at him like a festering wound. He couldn't sleep. He couldn't eat. He buried himself into his work. After a while, he buried himself into his research. There had to be a way to win her back, to become what she wanted.
     

    A aron hefted his duffel onto his shoulder as he got off the plane and stepped onto tarmac. He was home. Palm trees and damp heavy air were a welcome change of pace after years in the desert. Now that he was home, there was only one thing on his mind: Isabel.
    He pushed his way through the crowd of excited husbands and wives, children seeing their parents for the first time and parents thankful that their kids made it back alive. War was hell, but coming home was heaven.
    For nearly a decade Aaron regretted his decision to leave Izzy behind. The moment he accepted the recruiter's offer, he felt like it was a mistake. Then, years later when it was time to re-enlist, Aaron had every intention of coming home to sweep the feisty brunette off of her dainty feet, but she was with someone – from all accounts, it was serious – he couldn't go home to face that.
    He re-enlisted with a death wish. He couldn't commit when she needed him to and now he was too late – she was with someone else. Another couple of years passed, Aaron didn't know how he'd survived them, and he heard rumors from back home that Izzy was single again. Was it a miracle or just the Universe taunting him?
    Then everything went to shit.
    But now he was home. He was done with the Army. Ready to be a civilian. Ready to be with Izzy.
    He could imagine it now: scooping her into his arms, inhaling that sweet bubblegum shampoo she loved, his heart ached with the thought of her voice. Thoughts of her voice led to memories of luscious lips, parted, whispering his name, begging him not to go. She'd exposed herself to him, told him she'd loved him since they were children, pleaded for him to stay.
    He wanted to. Damn he wanted to. But he couldn't be with his best friend's sister without the guy's blessing. He never got it. Carson told him that no one was worth giving up his military aspirations and Aaron believed him.
    Izzy wasn't just anyone though. She was like a rose bush, beautiful, enthralling, and dangerous. Silky soft petals only covered up the thorny center. If he wasn't careful, she could rip his heart to shreds.
    Who was he kidding? He'd already done that to himself.
    It was time to man up. To claim what was his and to make right all the wrongs of his past. He was ready. He was the man he thought Izzy deserved now. Well... maybe not entirely, but dammit, he was going to try.
    He dropped off his bags at home, took a quick shower and changed into civilian clothes. It was time to get his woman back. 
     

    A woman screamed. She struggled against her captor, fighting against the rusted chains that held her to the warehouse floor. He twisted her arm behind her, wrenching it upwards with a sickening crack. Her scream pierced the air again.
    "Stop it!" Another woman cried from her cage, "Leave her alone! I'll do what you want!"
    Preston released the woman and approached Alina, a menacing smile spreading his thin lips.
    "Find me another," he commanded.
    Alina hung her head, the shadows hid most of her bruises. Her wrists were scarred and shiny from years of being chained, her auburn hair was matted and tangled, but that never stopped him. Nothing could stop him.
    "I can't, I told you. I can't anymore."
    Preston's fist slammed into the cage making Alina jump back, startled.
    "Lies!" He stalked over to the other woman and in the blink of an eye, he snapped her neck.
    "No!" Alina screamed, lunging to the side of her cage, trying to turn back time through sheer force of will.
    "Her blood is on your hands. Find me another, or I