Chapter 2 Two

CHAPTER TWO:

Lilith

“Get up.”

The guard roughly pulled my sister and me and dumped us before everyone.

“You tried to hide them from me?”

Travis spat at my father. His eyes held a dangerous storm, ready to consume everyone, and he was about to unleash it all on my poor father.

My father stepped down from his throne and fell to his knees, clinging to Trevor’s feet. “Please, spare my daughters. We would have the tribute ready by the next time you come, please—”

He pushed my father to the ground and spat, “Don’t ever touch me again, you scum of the earth.”

My father remained on his knees, crying.

These brothers were heartless.

“You know the rules, Alpha Greyson,” Trevor said to my father. “You must have our tribute ready at the appointed time, or we can take something of equal value that we feel is off.” His words were cruel.

“My brother is right. You better do as we say, or we will burn this entire pack to the ground and still take them,” Ryan said.

He was still leaning against that pillar, talking so casually about ending all of our lives like it was some game of checkers.

“Please,” my father begged.

Trevor looked at me and my sister. “Stand up,” he said.

We both remained on the floor. Paige was sobbing, but I refused to let a single tear spill. They did not deserve it.

“Now!” His voice boomed.

I jerked and quickly stood. I helped Paige to her feet and hid her behind me. I caught Ryan’s gaze; he smirked.

“What is your name?” Trevor asked me.

I leaned a bit so my frame covered every bit of Paige. When I said I would protect her, I meant it—even if it meant possibly losing my life.

I would make sure Paige was safe.

“Um…”

Travis looked at me with his brows arched, almost urging me to hurry up before he got bored.

I cleared my throat and forced sound from my throat. “M-my n-name is Lilith.”

It came out barely a squeak and I almost cursed my vocal cords for failing me now.

I knew men like these brothers: power-drunk, people who loved to feed on the weakness of others.

The cruel twinkle in Trevor’s eyes confirmed my suspicion. He was getting high on the power he had over me, over all of us.

His cold hand captured my chin. “Lilith, such a tempting name,” he said huskily. “Though I doubt that was a mistake, given how you look.”

I tried to turn my face away from his stare, but it was practically impossible.

He had me in a chokehold.

His gaze pulled me in like a black vacuum, deeper and deeper until I was almost sure I would get lost there.

“And your sister?” he asked.

I held Paige firmly behind me, shielding her. I could feel her shivering like a little leaf and I hated that I could not turn to tell her everything would be okay.

I wasn’t even sure that everything would be all right.

I could only hope my gentle touch soothed her.

“You don’t need to know anything about her. She is just a child,” I said firmly. My voice was so clear I surprised myself.

I had no idea I had it in me, but there I was.

A slow, wicked smirk spread across Trevor’s face, making him look like a joker.

If pure evil had a face, I was staring at it now.

My heart pounded loudly against my chest. I was sure everyone could hear it, but still I refused to back down.

If I was this scared, how would Paige be?

She was too fragile, and someone with a soul as gentle as hers should never have to meet people like these.

“So you have a fire in you,” he said. “I’m intrigued.”

I remained silent and dropped my head to the ground.

Trevor lifted my face with his hand. “No. You don’t back out now. Look me in the eye, or do you want us to take your sister instead? I am sure she—”

“No!” I shouted.

I fell to my knees. “Just leave my sister alone. You can take me instead. I will do anything you want.”

“Anything?” Ryan’s voice cut in. I hadn’t noticed when he moved from his previous position and drew closer.

I nodded with such vigor that tears fell from my eyes. “Yes. I will do anything you want. Just please don’t hurt my family.”

“How dare you tell me what to do?”

Trevor marched toward me and I shrank back.

“Please! Leave her alone!” I could hear my father pleading, but there was nothing he could do in this moment.

Our hands were tied.

Both literally and figuratively.

“Brother, wait.” Ryan grabbed Trevor’s hand and whispered something in his ear.

Trevor smirked. “Okay. I’ll give your useless father some time before we come back, but you will leave with us today.” He said it like it was a final decision.

“No, please—you can’t go with them, Lilith,” Paige begged.

I touched her face with a sad smile. “I will be okay, sweetheart,” I told her, and she nodded adamantly.

She kept crying. “Please, you can’t go with them,” she said.

Ryan snatched me up from the ground, pulling me away from Paige. “Get your hands off our property unless you want to come with us.”

My dad rushed to pull Paige to his side.

Property.

That was what I had been reduced to.

But I would do anything as long as my family was safe, for now.

“Make sure you have the tribute ready by our next visit,” Trevor spat.

“Goodbye.” I said it to my family for what could possibly be the last time. I savored looking at them, trying to imprint their faces on my memory.

“Brace yourself, little demon. We are going to break you.”