Chapter 38
The only person I saw was the witch when she brought me my food and water. She examined each time as if she was waiting for something. I hurled myself futilely at the bars of the cage. I couldn’t reach my magic. I couldn’t shift out of the wolf shape. I howled my despair and grief. Eventually I lay whimpering on the ground.
Days passed. Without windows I had no idea how long it was. I paced my cage restlessly. Something was wrong with me. I felt as if my skin was too tight. My private parts throbbed. I licked them for a little bit of relief.
The cage door opened as the witch let in another wolf. I sniffed. A male in his prime. I eyed him hungrily.
He trotted over to sniff me. I presented myself to him. I yipped as he licked me. I made no attempt to avoid him as he mounted me. It felt so good. Just what I wanted.
I let him mount me as often as he wanted. I had no idea how many times he took me.
I woke to see a human shape sitting next to me. I sniffed cautiously. I wagged my tail as I recognized the scent of my mate now in human form. It was the sentry that had greeted me at the door.
“Do you understand me?” he spoke, searching my face.
I yipped.
“Good. The collar you’re wearing is preventing you from changing back into human form. It also blocks your fairy magic. However, the babies you’re carrying will be harmed by you staying in wolf form. If I remove the collar, will you promise not to escape?”
I yipped my assent. I lied. But then how could he honestly expect me to agree to captivity? He reached over and took it off. I howled as my body changed from wolf to man. It didn’t hurt nearly as bad as the first transformation had. He offered me a glass of water which I eagerly downed.
“You said something about babies?”
“Yes. You’re carrying my babies. We’re mates.”
“No,” I denied. We’d had sex. I couldn’t deny that, but I couldn’t be pregnant with his children. I just couldn’t be.
“Yes. Your baby is dead. You went into heat. We mated. Now you’re carrying my children.”
“You killed my baby,” I yelled.
“My uncle did. It’s hardly uncommon for males to kill their rival’s offspring in order to force the females to come into heat again. I’m not raising another man’s child.”
“I’m already married. I can’t be your mate.”
“Is he a wolf?”
“No.”
“Then as far as the Pack is concerned, it doesn’t count. You are now my mate, fairy.” He reached for me, eager to mate with me again. I slapped his hand away. He scowled at me. “I am your mate. Get used to it. Next time I will not be denied.” He rose and stalked out of the cage. I was left alone.