Was that… a doorbell?
Asher and Mason exchange looks. None of us are expecting anyone, so it’s clear where everyone’s first thought goes: the police found us. Or, rather, they found me, and they’re here to drag me back to my aunt, who will toss me with a pack as quickly as she can, and I’ll have no say in it.
My heart is suddenly in my throat. “Who’s at the door?”
“I don’t know. I’ll get it.” Asher stands, and Mason is about to stand with him, but he holds out a hand and says, “No, you stay here with her.”
Mason nods, and together we are rooted in place as we watch Asher leave the living room. Eventually, we lose sight of him andcan’t see what’s happening. I meet the über’s hazel stare as I sorrowfully whisper, “Shit. Maybe it was naive of me, but I really thought this plan would work.” You’d have to be deaf to not hear the desolation in my voice, the utter despondence.
His jaw tenses, and for a few seconds I wonder if he’s going to snap at me and tell me some version ofI told you so, but what he says actually surprises me: “We won’t let them take you.”
It’s the last thing I expect him to say, mostly because it’s such a switch from what he said before. And, more than that, he’s so earnest about it too, like he put every ounce of his belief behind each word.
If my heart wasn’t already in my throat, it would be after that. Just a simple statement. It wasn’t like he just confessed his undying love for me or anything like that, but still—that’s how my body takes it. I melt, as pathetic as it is. I melt for him even though I know there’s no way in hell he meant it as anything more.
He’s only doing this to protect his brother, not me. I need to remember that. The absolute last thing I need is to get caught up in my feelings for an alpha like him.
Every second that passes feels more like an hour. It’s tense and unnerving, and I feel like I want to throw up as I sit there on the couch with Mason, waiting and waiting for something to happen. For the police to storm the cabin and forcibly take me away.
When Asher comes into view, he wears a strange look on his face, and it takes only a few seconds to know why.
He’s not alone. Behind him, someone else stands, pointing a gun at his back. A freakinggun. But the man doesn’t wear a uniform belonging to any police officer; he wears all black, straps everywhere on his body, along with a multitude of weaponry.
All I can do is stare at Asher’s face, and though we lock eyes across the living room, I know he’s not frightened for himself. No, he’s scared for me, for what this means for me.
It’s why I stand, and because I stand, Mason stands with me.
The alpha behind him growls out, “No one moves a muscle other than the omega. The omega is coming with me.” He doesn’t use his dominance, but he doesn’t have to. With a gun in the equation, things are different.
You can posture and growl all you want, but a gun changes things.
“Like hell—” Mason tries to say, but I’m in front of him, blocking his easy path.
The intruder cocks his head. “Shut it. I’m not here to argue or kill anyone. My job is to take the omega home, and that’s what I’m going to do. Come here, Jessica Dryers.” The way he says my name is familiar, but I’m so out of it I can’t think too much about it, just like I can’t really focus on the alpha’s face.
I don’t see a way out, not from here. Shit.
I toss a glance over my shoulder at Mason and give him a look that I hope tells him to not start anything, not with the alpha with the gun. Not when Asher’s life is in danger. Just because he’s not here to kill doesn’t mean he won’t if the need arises, so we should avoid letting said situation arise.
I have to go with him, as much as I hate to think it.
Though it’s the last thing I want to do, I march across the space. Behind me, Mason lets out a growl, while Asher only gives me a pleading look. His life is on the line, and he still doesn’t want me to give myself up. It’d be sweet if the situation wasn’t so crazy.
And it’s all my fault. I brought this upon them. This is only happening because of me, and I can’t let either of them get hurt.
When I make it to Asher’s side, I give him the same look I gave Mason, and then I take another step forward. The alphawith the gun reaches for me with his other hand, and with a few expert movements, he heaves me up and literally tosses me over his shoulder, like I’m nothing more than a ragdoll.
“Good choice,” the alpha says. “Let’s not make this any more difficult than it has to be. I’m leaving with her, and you two will stay right here if you know what’s good for you. She seems unharmed and unclaimed still, so for your sakes, I won’t be contacting local law enforcement.”
The alpha is tossing them a bone, a lifeline, and I hope they take it. They need to take it. If they try to fight this… there’s no telling what’ll happen.
The alpha carrying me has a firm, strong hand on the curve of my ass. He takes solid steps back, away from Asher. My top half is bent over his back, and I feel so immeasurably hopeless it stings my pride. I hate it, honestly. I frown to myself.
Back to my aunt. Back to the same old shit. Back to her scheming behind closed doors for wealth that doesn’t belong to her in any way. Back to the life I didn’t want, the life I would do anything to avoid.
And I meananything.
As I have that thought, my gaze fixates on something on the alpha’s lower back, something sharp peeking out from one of his many sheaths.
