Page 28 of Forced Alpha Bride
Before I realize it, my eyelids are drooping, and my body feels heavy. The floor feels like a soft bed instead of wood, and I drift off to sleep.
***
It feels like no time has passed at all when I open my eyes, except that the room is bright and the sound of the wind has stopped.
Oh no.
I try to throw the blanket off me, but I can’t move. I struggle stupidly for a couple of seconds, thinking I’m caught in it, and the truth is so horrible that I can’t even absorb it at first.
I’m tied up!
The realization streaks panic through me, a racing wave of fire that energizes me so much, I twist on the floor like a fish in a net. I fight the ropes desperately, trying to free my wrists and ankles.
“Winnie.”
I look up to see Damon standing above me, his face somber and his eyes dark.
“What have you done, you fucking jerk?” I scream at him. “How dare you tie me up. What the fuck is wrong with you?”
“I couldn’t take the risk you’d run again,” he answers. “I need you. The storm has broken, and we can get going now. I found some clothes for you and checked you over for wounds and frostbite. You’re ready to travel.”
I stare at him in disbelief, and my panic is slowly replaced by another intense feeling I can’t quite identify.
Did he touch me all over while I was asleep? Run his hands across my skin, treat my wounds, dress me? And tie me up so tight I can barely move?
I can feel my cheeks getting hot as arousal flushes most of the fear out of my system. I look away quickly, knowing I can’t face Damon’s eyes when I’m trying to suppress my desire.
Why does he have to be so fucking hot?
I blink hard, forcing the sexual thoughts from my mind before I look up at Damon again. He’s wearing a pair of faded, ripped cargo pants and nothing else. I can’t exactly see what I’m wearing, but the clothes feel soft and a bit oversized.
I don’t think there would have been much to choose from at that cabin. I’m lucky to have clothing at all, but it does make me wonder who lived out here.
I realize Damon is still staring at me, and I frown at him, holding my hands up.
“Are you going to untie me?”
He doesn’t answer at first, just stares at me with a thoughtful expression. “I don’t think so,” he finally says. “We just don’t have time. I can’t take the risk of you running because I can’t chase you all over this fucking mountain. We have to get back.”
“So what are you going to do, carry me?”
My comment was completely sarcastic, but to my shock, he takes one step towards me, grabs my tied wrists and ankles, and hurls me over his massive shoulders. I scream, shocked as he tosses me through the air. All the fight goes out of me as he walks out of the cabin with me across his back like a dead pig.
At first, I don’t believe he can carry me far, so I just stay still and wait for him to tire. By the time we get halfway up the mountain, I’m beginning to realize that might not happen. Damon moves forward with long, steady strides, pushing through the heavy snow. He keeps his arms up on his shoulders, bracing my ropes against his hands so my weight is spread across his back.
How strong is he? All shifters are strong, but this is something else.
I can tell by the slant of the sun that he’s moving quickly enough to get us back before the cutoff time. At this point, he’s obviously not going to get tired and stop.
Time to make some noise.
I start twisting and wriggling against his back, fighting his grip. At first, he just grunts and leans forward into the pressure, but I use all my strength against him until he lets out a sharp yell and drops me face-first into the snow.
“Dammit, Winnie, we don’t have time for this!”
“That’s exactly the point, asshole!” I yell, spitting out snow as I roll over. “Do you really think I want to get back there in time to marry you?”
He scowls at me, his eyes as dark as a violent storm. “Whatever your personal feelings are really doesn’t matter at this point. We have a contract.”
