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drawing her knees to her chest and wrapping her arms around herself. If only she could tune out the memories and dream with peace. But that hadn’t happened since her capture.
    It’d probably never happen again.
    Amara clutched her eyes closed, and asked her animal for aid. Desperate times called for desperate measures, and her mind was a cesspool of despair. Not to mention the ache between her legs and the scar covering her heart. She briefly thought about bringing herself to orgasm, then decided to wallow in self-pity instead.
    The last thing she heard before sleep claimed her was the sinister voice of a madman telling her she was good for one thing, and one thing only. For man’s amusement and advancement. That she was nothing more than a plaything, worthy of nothing.

5 Chapter Five
    “I don’t know how to get through to her,” Oliver said as he pounded his fists into the Nevatear.
    Lucky stood off to the side. “You’re going to have to let things unfold naturally. Not force the issue, bro.”
    Oliver slammed his hand into the bag, snapping it so hard it fell from the hook on the ceiling and thumped to the ground at their feet. “Easier said than done, bro.”
    Lucky nodded. “I understand. Mate-bonding is tricky. On one hand, you have to balance your animal needs with your human mind, and on the other hand is the crazy urge to crush anyone who stands in the way of claiming your mate.”
    Oliver wiped sweat from his face with a towel and looked at his friend with solemn eyes. “What if she doesn’t want me?”
    “I doubt it’s that. I saw the way she eye-fucked you.”
    Oliver shook his head. “The chemistry is there. I can feel it. But her mind is trapped, and that’s not something I’m equipped to handle.”
    Lucky walked toward the bench press to spot. Oliver lifted hundred pound rounds onto the bar and lay down on the recline. Lucky said, “Sometimes all you can do is kill those that wronged her and pray she’ll heal from the damage. Love can overcome a lot of trauma, but it’s not a cure all.”
    “Thanks for the vote of confidence, Luck,” Oliver said, and exhaled the bar up, pumping the iron to rid his body of the wild energy.
    “Honesty is the key to a happy relationship,” Lucky said, and smiled down at him, though his eyes were far away and focused on something other than Oliver. Lucky shook the thought and helped him lift the bar the last of the way as he neared twenty-five reps. Oliver’s heart beat a harsh staccato in his chest. The beast roared in his mind, showing his large, pointed teeth.
    Yeah, yeah. I get it, buddy. Trust me. I want her too.
    After their workout and sparring session, Oliver grabbed a meal from the kitchen and sat in the silence of his room to scarf down his grub. He knew everyone had secrets, and he was pretty sure Amaraynth had her fair share, but something irked him and didn’t make sense. He didn’t have any proof, just a feeling, but he’d learned long ago to trust his instincts. They’d yet to lead him astray. Something about her visit wasn’t right. It was like she was telling the truth, yet leaving something equally important out by omission.
    And he was going to find out what.
    Just as soon as his head cleared, his tiger calmed down, and he got some much needed sleep.
     
    “So, this is your idea of playing it cool?” a familiar voice said as he slumbered in a dreamscape where a hot white leopard dozed in the sunlight by a cool pond, and he frolicked in the dark water.
    Oliver blinked open an eye and stared at Cecelia, Lucky’s mate, in muted colors. He yawned.
    Cecelia waived her hand in front of her face and said, “Damn dude, that’s some bad kitty breath. Better go brush your teeth and form two legs before your woman cracks this door and steps on you.”
    Then Oliver noticed he was splayed in front of Amara’s door, lying on the floor with four paws and giant claws. He tilted his head a fraction and she ruffled the hair on his