Page 38 of Our Deceptive Heat

I can’t move. They keep locking me down with alpha commands. Don’t move, stay still, shut up.

His hand coils around my stomach and pulls me back painfully. I cry out, and the three of them laugh.

I feel so gross, so dirty.

So afraid.

I move into myself. Everything feels so far away. I’m aware of their touches, the laughter, and the hideous sounds of them eating, but I’m also on the beach, staring out at the ocean. The water is cold on my feet. Two images overlaid over the top of each other.

I feel numb and cold, but my head is floating.

I spot movement and watch it curiously. A figure storms into the restaurant. I know that person.

The world comes back to painful focus. Hope ignites in my chest.

Please. Please. Forgive me. Don’t leave me here. I will do anything. Just please save me, just this once.

Tyr, I need you.

“Get up!” Alpha Tyr Fate barks with a strength that has me almost weeping in awe.

I obey at once, even though Yardly holds me tight, even though it hurts.

“Let go of her!” Tyr thunders. The sound is so deep and furious that it seems to reach every corner of the room.

The arm immediately disappears. I scramble towards Tyr and snatch up my dress.

“Let's go.”

I don’t listen to their arguments with Tyr. The threats or shouts. All I know is that Tyr’s bark is stronger. He’s stronger. He saved me.

Saved.

I am saved.

We get to the front of the restaurant, and I resist, gasping and struggling to breathe properly. He pauses at the door, turning back to look at me. With so much gentleness, he helps me pull my dress on, and then, with my wrist held in his firm hold, he leads me from my terror and out into the hotel.

In the lift, I keep my eyes down and ignore everything. It’s not until I’m back in the suite that I explode into action, freeing myself and rushing to the bathroom to be violently sick.

I’m covered in sweat and shaking when I’m done, but I can still feel his touch on me, so I turn on the and step in. I don’t even bother pulling off my clothes. I just sink to the floor in the shower stall, under the cold water, and start to sob.

“Ryn?”

I refuse to look up.

“Aura?” The familiar nickname pulls me back to the here and now. I didn’t think I’d ever hear it again.

I peel open my eyes and find Digs in the shower with me. He reaches out, but hesitates when I flinch.

“Okay, okay, I won’t touch you. Just tell me how to help you. Tell me what makes this better?”

I shake my head and put my face back on my knees.

He waits and then lets out a curse.

His arms close around me, heavy and warm and not at all like Yardly’s. I relax in his arms, leaning into him. My Digs.

“You’re safe. Nothing’s going to hurt you now.” He rocks me, whispering the words over and over, until finally, he stands up and carries me into a bedroom.

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