“Ah, don’t cry now. If you would have just died with your parents like you were supposed to all those years ago, this would have never happened!” She’s ranting, and her crazy words are punctuated by blows to my weakened body. “You’ve ruined everything!” Kick. “Why couldn’t you just stay gone?” A fist to my back. At least, I’m on my stomach, and our child will be protected as long as possible. “I thought when they left you in foster care you’d be broken. What human can resist a female shifter, right? How many times did you get fucked by some dirty human? I can’t believe Masen would still touch you. You probably loved it, you Nasty Whore!” I can’t let her words penetrate through my pain-filled fog. I have to concentrate on saving myself and my baby.

Maybe if I shift, we’ll both make it. I shifted Monday, and she was fine. Can I risk any more damage to my body before none of it matters?

“Don’t go checking out on me yet. I have plans for you and don’t bother trying to shift. That band on your wrist won’t let your wolf free. That pussy of a prick William chickened out after he saw you and Masen leave the mall, but I need Masen to think you left with him of your own free will.” Is she fucking crazy? Masen knows I’d never leave him. I turn back and finally look at her. The shirt and pants she wears are Masen’s, rolled and folded to fit her much smaller frame. That’s why I scented him. She must be masking her natural scent somehow, too.

How many times has she been here, just like this? I can tell she’s familiar with her surroundings, never faltering on where to go as she shoves and kicks me until I move in her desired direction. If I can just hold out a little longer, Sniffer will be close enough to hear me. “Why? Why are you doing this to me?” It comes out barely above a whisper.

“TO YOU? THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT! He loved me before you. After the night in Podunk Kenfuckingtucky, he was never the same. Always distracted, never touching me, never needing me. Do you have any idea what that’s like? To love someone so deeply and know he feels the same only to have it taken away by a FUCKING CHILD!” I cower under her screams hoping the blows don’t come. “He’ll love me again, you know. He was so close before you came back. Do you know he fucked me Saturday morning, just days before you came here and ruined us?” she shrieks. Her hands hammer my head, slamming my face into the hard ground.

Blood drips from my mouth as I scream for help once again, my voice much weaker this time. “Masen, help me, MASEN...” I close my eyes as the next blow to my back makes my stomach cramp. “NO, NO!” I yell and kick out with my good leg trying in vain to get her away from me. “No, please,” I beg before the blackness swallows me.