“Warren can’t see me in another alpha’s clothes,” I reply, quickly buttoning my blazer.
“Yes, of course,” Calder nods briskly, his eyes flickering everywhere but on me. “Good idea.”
I march toward the exit. “I should go before they tear down your wall.”
“Wait.” Hale grabs my arm. “You don’t have to leave. We should talk. All of us. There’s something I need to say.”
“You don’t need to say anything,” I shut him down. “I’m sorry for causing so much trouble. I know you were only trying to help me. You won’t have to see me again after all of this.”
I wince as a loud bang comes from downstairs, presumably a door being knocked off its hinges. Footsteps grow closer, thundering up each step like a tribe of rhinos. Before I know it, the apartment door flies open, and a group of men in SWAT-type gear descend on the apartment.
Calder springs into action like he’s been dropped in a boxing ring. He’s surprisingly lithe on his feet, dancing around and ducking to avoid getting hit by an officer drawing his fist back.
“Calder!” Hale uses his alpha bark, compelling him to stop fighting before it’s too late. “Stop! You’ll only make matters worse.” Hale turns to the officer, holding up his hands. “We’re happy to compl?—”
Before Hale finishes his sentence, another officer tackles him to the floor. They’re breaking at least three laws with the unnecessary, excessive show of force.
A low, menacing growl tears from Ezra, making him an easy next target for another officer to launch himself at. He’s on the ground in seconds, arms forced behind his back.
Riven puts his wrists together, offering them to the nearest officer to avoid being manhandled.
“Can you loosen them a bit?” Riven asks as he’s put into cuffs. “The metal’s kinda cold.”
“Sorry to disappoint, sunshine.” The officer looks at him like he’s mad. “We don’t offer heated handcuffs.”
“Maybe you should,” Riven suggests. “They’d be more comfortable.”
“Kady!” Warren’s dry hands lock around my wrist, holding me in a vice-like grip. “Are you okay?” He peers at me in the same way a doctor would inspect a particularly unpleasant wart. “Are you hurt? What did they do?”
I shrug him off. “I’m fine, Warren.”
Although the same can’t be said for Hale’s pack, who are all restrained in some shape or form.
Calder’s fuming glare finds me from his spot on the floor. “Does every meeting with you have to end with me being pinned down?”
If it wasn’t for the Taser pointed at his neck, it’d be funny.
“Quit it, smart ass,” the officer hisses from on top of him. “You’re in trouble here.”
As much as I’d like to revel in Calder’s misfortune a little longer, I step in. “They did nothing wrong. I came here of my own free will. They were helping me.”
No one listens to what I’m saying, looking straight through me to Warren for directions.
“Hello!” I talk into the void. “Didn’t you hear me? I told you, I’m fine.”
“Take the Valen Pack to the station for questioning,” Warren orders the officers.
“They don’t need questioning!” My anger boils over. “I’m absolutely fine. This is a breach of their human rights. I major in law!” Some of the officers hesitate. “You can’t do this. I’ll sue!”
Warren nods with an air of finality. “Take them away.”
The guys are wrenched to their feet.
Hale looks back at me over his shoulder. “Kady, we?—”
“No talking!” Warren roars. “You’re coming with me, Kady.”
“I’m not a child anymore, Warren. I don’t have to do what you say. I’m going back to Stella House, and you can’t stop me.”
