“London!” he shouted, surging forward to go to her but Merrik forced him to stay. His heart clenched. He was happy and relieved to see she was alive but terrified that she was in Cain’s grip. The male wasn’t necessarily known for his gentleness. 

Cain forced London forward until he could put her on her knees beside Malakai’s chair. The Beta didn’t release his hold on her. A massive burn mark marred the left side of his face and his shoulder and down his right arm were bleeding profusely. 

“Found one of our missing Most Wanted!” he snarled, shaking her in anger. “And she dared to fight back!”

London glared up at him and spit at him where it landed in his eye. Cain snarled in rage and kicked her. 

“No, stop!” August shouted, struggling against Merrik’s hold as he attempted to go to her. 

London’s head shot up at the sound of August’s voice and she looked as relieved and terrified as he did. “August?” she asked as though she couldn’t believe her eyes.

Cain had gone quiet, watching the interaction between them as he wiped his eye. 

“It seems these two know each other.” Malakai observed with amusement. “Such a small world for humans. Read her ID chip. I want to know who she is and why she is wanted.”

Cain grabbed London’s wrist and showed Malakai the ugly scar on her wrist. “The minx cut it out!”

London snatched her wrist away and glared at him. Seeing August in the room had stayed her need for escape. But that didn’t mean she was any less tame. And August knew her well enough to know that London didn’t give up. She had more determination than most. 

Malakai sat back in his chair and hooked a finger to London, requesting she come forward. Cain didn’t give her time to consider before he grabbed her and forced her up till she was standing right before the Infected. He reached out and grabbed her wrist, the one with the ugly ragged scar and before anyone could react, sank his fangs into her skin. 

London screamed, her whole body flinching. It was over in moments as Malakai lifted his mouth from her skin, eyes brighter than they were before. He waved her away and Cain pulled her away.

“Her blood is of good quality. Far better than I was expecting. She would make a good match for you, Cain. You haven’t had your own pet in a while. The last one died, didn’t it?”

Cain looked down at her as if she were a pig who had rolled in the mud. “Couldn’t help myself. Tasted too good.” he said nonchalantly as if the death of a human was inconsequential. And for all August knew, it was. 

Malakai’s eyes shifted to Merrik and August with a wicked grin. “Maybe keeping her here could be good leverage for your pet, Merrik. A little torture being Cain’s pet won’t hurt for a while.” He turned back to Cain. “Get yourself cleaned up, you look ridiculous. As for her, get her out of my sight. And Cain, don’t kill this one. She’s important for our future.” 

Cain grabbed her and began to drag her away. August didn’t struggle. Just watched in painful horror as Cain took her from the room. He sank back into his chair, defeated. The fear and sadness of London being here overrode his excitement to see she was still alive. What had happened to the other refugees? Did she have them tucked away somewhere safe? And what about Collyn?

Merrik sat back down beside him, silent. He didn’t reach out to him, didn’t offer words of comfort but strangely, just him being there made him feel less alone. They were both imprisoned here and it was becoming clearer and clearer that their cooperation would be what saved them.