Chapter 2
I looked at the oversized syringe and couldn't help but burst out laughing.
I said coldly, "Arthur, did the explosion fry your brain or something?
"Beverly's freaked out, so you think you have the right to take my blood?
"I'm a pureblood wolf, not your blood supply."
Arthur slammed the syringe down on the table.
"You were Logan's mate. He died protecting Beverly.
"So it's only natural that you pay that debt," he shot back.
That was the most ridiculous thing I'd ever heard.
I stared at the fraud hiding behind Arthur's face.
"Logan died protecting Beverly?
"You're actually shameless enough to reapt that lie?" I scoffed.
Arthur was completely speechless; his face turned bright red.
Beverly immediately started sobbing, putting on an act.
"Joanna, don't slander me.
"Logan died protecting the pack's interests. I only happened to be there.
"I had nightmares the whole night. Only a pureblood wolf's blood can help me now.
"You love Logan so much, but you won't even give a little blood for him?" she wailed.
Grace stepped forward and grabbed my wrist.
She told me, "Joanna, you're giving blood today whether you want to or not.
"If you resist, I'll use my authority as Luna to strip you of your inheritance rights.
"I'll have that unborn pup ripped out of you."
I yanked my wrist out of Grace's grip.
"You're practically robbing me in broad daylight," I snapped.
Arthur signaled to the guards with a nod.
Two burly guards immediately came over and pinned my shoulders down.
I struggled as hard as I could, but the early stage of my pregnancy had left me too weak to break free.
"Let go of me, you bastards!" I shouted.
Arthur took the syringe and shoved it into my vein without an ounce of mercy.
The thick needle pierced my skin, sending a sharp, burning pain up my arm.
My blood flowed fast through the clear tube.
Within seconds, the entire syringe was full.
A powerful wave of dizziness washed over me, and my legs turned to jelly.
Arthur pulled out the syringe, looked at the blood inside it with cold satisfaction, and injected the blood into a small bag.
"Good girl, sister-in-law," he said mockingly.
Beverly snatched the blood bag and drank from it immediately.
"Thanks, Joanna. I already feel so much better," she bragged.
I sank back into my chair and gave the two of them a freezing, dead stare.
"This blood? Consider it repayment for Logan tolerating me for the past five years.
"From now on, I owe nothing to the Blackridge Pack," I said.
Arthur let out a nasty laugh.
Then he said, "Nothing? You wish!
"As long as you're still on this estate, you're at our mercy.
"Guards, drag her to the servants' quarters out back.
"The main house belongs to Beverly and me now."
The guards roughly yanked me out of the chair.
I fought through the dizziness and shoved their hands off me.
"I can walk by myself," I said, my voice like ice.
Then the front doors burst open with a loud kick.
Dominic Blackwood walked in with a squad of heavily armed mercenaries behind him.
He was the Alpha of the Blackridge Pack's greatest rival, the enemy Logan had feared most.
"Who gave you permission to draw blood from my sworn sister?" Dominic barked.
He kicked the nearest table over.
Arthur jumped out of his wheelchair in terror and stumbled backward.
"Dominic, this is the Sterling Estate. How dare you barge in here?" he yelled.
Dominic didn't acknowledge him. He walked straight over to me instead.
He pulled out a clean handkerchief and pressed it firmly against my bleeding arm.
"Come with me, Joanna. Let's see who has the guts to stop you," he said.
Then he turned and locked his eyes on Arthur, his gaze cold and unyielding.
He said, "And by the way, Arthur.
"My men found something pretty interesting at the ambush site."
He tossed a mud-caked folder onto the floor.