Chapter 30: Abduction
339words
"They might want to find me," I finished. "But why now? After all these years?"
"That," Ethan said gravely, "is what worries us most."
The implications were overwhelming. If I truly was half werewolf—the child of a hunter and her werewolf lover—then I existed at the intersection of two worlds that had been at war for centuries. No wonder Liam had been so suspicious of me when we first met.
"I need some air," I said abruptly, standing up.
"Charlotte—" Liam began.
"Please," I interrupted. "Just... give me a few minutes."
To my surprise, he nodded. "Stay within sight of the cabin."
I stepped outside onto the porch, my mind whirling with everything I'd just learned. The cool forest air helped clear my head, but the questions remained. Was I really part werewolf? Was that why I'd felt so drawn to this forest, to these people? To Liam?
I was so lost in thought that I didn't hear the approaching footsteps until it was too late. A hand clamped over my mouth, and I felt the sharp prick of a needle in my neck. As darkness closed in around me, the last thing I saw was Liam bursting through the cabin door, his eyes blazing gold with fury and fear.
I woke to the sound of dripping water and the smell of damp stone. My head throbbed, and when I tried to move, I discovered my wrists were bound to the arms of a metal chair. Panic surged through me as I struggled against the restraints.
"I wouldn't bother," said a cultured voice from the shadows. "Those restraints are designed to hold creatures much stronger than you."
A man stepped into the dim light. He was tall and distinguished-looking, with silver hair and piercing blue eyes that seemed vaguely familiar. He wore an expensive suit that looked out of place in what appeared to be some kind of underground chamber.
