Bound at the Ball (Siren Publishing Allure) by Lea Barrymire Page A

a moment in her sister’s grasp but gave in when Bana pinched the skin of her arm so hard that it brought tears to her eyes.
    “Bana, why? Let me go.”
    “No. It should’ve been me. I’m the next one that should have gotten a mate. Look at what I take for the males, anything they want to do to me, and you find a mate before your first ball? It’s not fair. So, this way at least I know you’ll be hurting tomorrow even if it is in your own dwelling.”
    Rella tried to follow her sister’s thoughts. There was so much anger and hatred in her voice. Did her sister really want to have her punished just because of her jealousy? She struggled against her sister’s grasp, but couldn’t break the hold on her arm. She thought for a moment to call out. Warriors would come running, but she didn’t want to leave Marena home alone while she and Bana fought.
    Resigned, Rella knew that she was going to be punished for leaving without getting the band removed. She knew that she would probably be beaten severely for not getting her mating medallion, and for leaving without Sabar. The knowledge wasn’t enough to override the ingrained instincts to do what her sister told her to do, especially when she was being hurt. There was something about fear and pain that made her sit like a good little girl in the vehicle, and keep her comments to herself. It was too late to go back. She’d left the gathering. She was already in trouble. She couldn’t see a reason to bring down more pain and anguish on herself by informing her sister of what had just happened. Bana would see it as a reason to completely beat her. One beating would be enough. She’d just have to sit and wait for the government enforcers or the magistrate to show up and drag her off to her punishment.
     
    * * * *
     
    “What do you mean she left?”
    Sabar stood, dumbfounded, at the collection station where his mate should be waiting for him. He’d rushed through the documentation, almost sprinted to the room where he thought his little Rella would be waiting, and she wasn’t there. Anger, confusion, and betrayal warred in his chest.
    “We’re tracking her band now, and it looks like she is heading back to her home.” The female that stood in front of him was nearly vibrating with fear. He knew he needed to reign in his behavior, but it was damn hard to do when he wanted to throw things and curse at the top of his lungs.
    “Sabar, what’s all the trouble?”
    He whipped around and came face to face with his second-in-command. The scars that ran down one cheek gave the warrior an impressively intimidating look, but he seemed to be vibrating with concern as he stood watching Sabar.
    “My mate seems to have run off.” He growled.
    “I ran into her a few moments ago and she was headed in this direction. The irritation she tried to hide was enough to make me almost laugh. Such a spirited female you have chosen.”
    “She was truly coming this way?”
    At his friends nod Sabar’s anger deflated. If she was heading to the Collection Room, then she hadn’t backed out of their mating or been lying. Perhaps something had happened to scare her, or worse. Maybe she’d been harmed. Anger bubbled again in his gut. If another male had hurt her in any way, he would pay for touching Sabar’s mate.
    “That isn’t why I tracked you down, though. I’ve been contacted by the general. They’ve seen a band of raiders approaching the city. He wants us to intercept them and bring them back to be questioned. We need to leave now.”
    “Fuck. All right, I’ll have to contact Tannard to go and collect her.” Sabar turned from Matner and scowled at the pale woman standing behind the counter. “Continue to track her, and send me the codes so I may track her as well. I need to go to my home and I will send someone to collect her tonight.”
    The female sputtered and she bowed. “Yes, Warrior. I will do as you instruct.”
    “I’m heading to the barracks to gather my gear. Come