Shackled (The Lord Series) by Amy T

Shackled (The Lord Series)

Tyson

The writer’s block I’ve had since the hunt in the forest is driving me crazy. I have been sitting in front of my laptop for hours, trying to finish the edits to my last book as I have a deadline for it. No matter how many times I reread it, something feels off about it, and I don’t want to send it like this to my publisher.

It is the first time that I have had a block since I started writing while in college. I wasn’t always a book person, but that’s what I ended up doing after I dropped out of college after working hard to be accepted to a STEM university. In the end, I wasn’t cut out to be an engineer. Not because I didn’t have the brains for it but because of my role as a Lord. The first years after Rueben, me, and the others became blood-brothers we took part in many missions, some of which sent us overseas. It was only after Jasper joined us that we finally settled in.

“For f**ks’ sake,” I curse out loud when I notice it is past lunch and get up from my office chair and rush to get to the basement, which we turned into our man’s cave.

I never liked holidays, but ever since we were in high school, Rueben, Ansel, and I always had a big Call of Duty tournament on Christmas and the day following, drinking beer and listening to rock music. Then Mose joined us, and lastly, Jasper.

“Finally, you show up,” Ansel says as I join them.

He gives me my headphones, and moments later, I log into my account. Rueben passes me a bottle of beer and a cigar. I tried to quit a few years ago, but since Rueben and Ansel smoke as well, I find it impossible, especially since Mose and Jasper will occasionally have one with us.

I put the cigar between my lips, and Jasper takes a lighter from his pocket and lights it for me. As soon as the nicotine enters my system, I finally relax. I didn’t even realize how stressed I was because of this current writer’s block.

When I get up from my chair to go grab more beers, Jasper asks me to check on the b itch as well. I nod my head, but I have no interest in her person. She could die right now, and I wouldn’t even give a shi t. The world is full of wh ores like

her. You get rid of one, more pop out.

The day my father took me for the first time to the Blood Lodge, I knew I wanted to be a Priest and assist the other Lords in their ceremonies, but when the life plans I made for myself failed, I joined Rueben because, just like me, he isn’t interested in finding a bonded. Ansel usually does what Rueben says, so it was easy for us to point out the benefits of being single to him. Mose and Jasper are the only ones who want to have a family, but as long as Rueben is the leader, that will never happen. We are stringing them along, but in time, they will realize it is better like this. Women are who res, and no matter how good you treat them or how much you love them, they will always cheat.

After I put kimchi in a big bowl, I grab a box of beers from the fridge and my chopsticks I return to the basement.

“Did you check on Olivia?” Jasper asks as he grabs a beer.

“The bit ch is fine.”

Jasper doesn’t seem convinced. Apparently, the soup Mose made for her was ‘too sp icy,’ so he had to make something else, which she ended up not eating, and Jasper is worried about her.

Ungrateful bit ch.

Tyson

about Carlos or

bet I can make her talk after

thef**k didn’t I think of it

around to and f**k and show it to the world. A few hours with me, and she will

with me, I keep quiet. He always has a soft spot when it comes

in the game, I say, “I am going to check on my pets

my true intentions, as I always take care

bother putting on my coat despite the air being chilly and a few snow flakes falling from the sky. Once I am done with the bi tch, I will have to check on the horses and Juniper. Grooming them is therapeutic. It helps me calm my demon down. He hasn’t been the same for a long, long time, and I am still trying to understand why. The feeling

before going into the b itch’s room. She is sleeping, her

pid bi tch,” I

least, we are on the same page when it

Her eyes flutter open.

I are going to have a conversation about Carlos,” I say as

don’t know

Sure, she doesn’t.

was right about one thing-she is submissive. Good. It will make things easier. “If you try anything funny, I will

anyway,”

at any moment, but how can I know it is not an act she

on?

everything you know.” I jerk my head towards the door.

walks slowly, and I have to rush her, not wanting to be caught by any of my blood-brothers. When we

Tyson

are not out here for sightseeing,” I snarl, and she lowers

reach the shed I keep my

does so, and a smile crac ks

special lamps keep

Snakeshave

bi tch freezes a few steps away from the doorframe, and I have to shove her further inside so I can get past her. She almost falls but regains her

chair between the terrariums of

her lips nervously. “No, p-please, I am terrified of

or else I will lock

fingers twitch, and she stares at the snakes as if she