Page 54 of Stolen By the Alpha Hunter
Gideon makes a low sound of displeasure—half snort, half growl—and I can feel every set of eyes turn our way.
All of them alphas.
My heart kicks hard against my ribs.
My wolf yanks at my instincts, screaming at me to flee. To hide. To bare my throat and hope they ignore me.
"She’s not supposed to be here," Gideon says flatly.
His voice scrapes along my spine like broken glass.
Agreed. I’m supposed to be in Austin. I’m supposed to befree.
But I’m not.
And Javi answers before I can fall any further into the fear.
"Like I told your lackeys," he growls. "She goes where I go. She’s my mate. That’s how it should be."
The silence that follows hums with tension.
Someone shifts near the far wall. A boot scrapes against metal. I don’t look up.
"Yeah..." Gideon says slowly, drawling it out like we’re stupid children who’ve disappointed him. "We don’t really do things that way out here."
A pause.
"You have a lot to learn about the Rig, Javier."
I feel Javi stiffen beside me, his whole body coiling like a spring. His thumb flexes against my hip.
"I know how to follow orders," he says.
But the words sound like a threat.
I glance up from beneath my lashes—just a flicker of a look—and find his jaw clenched so tight I’m surprised his teeth don’t crack. The veins in his neck stand out against the damp collar of his shirt. His beard is messy, his hair unkempt, his expression thunderous.
He’s barely holding himself back.
And I feel safer because of it.
"Eyes down, girl," Gideon snaps.
I stare at the floor again.
I hate it here, I hate it here, I hate it…
Javi’s whole body radiates rage. “Why am I here?”
“Just wanted to check in with the family,” Gideon says. “And to get to know you a little better—and help you get to know me.”
“I don’t need to be trained,” Javi argues.
“Don’t you worry, son,” Gideon says. “I’m approaching this from a place of mutual respect—especially since having a little chat with your friend Boyd this morning.”
Javi just gets more and more tense, like his body is winding up. I wonder when he’ll snap.
“We’re leaving,” Javi growls.
