Page 64 of Forced Alpha Bride
“And while they lay in bed, important evidence may be covered up,” Mitchell says. “We believe this was Valentine Creek, and if you want to prove us wrong, you need to move now while the trail is hot.”
Nerves sizzle under my skin as I watch the exchange. If Damon refuses to investigate, it will look like a clear sign he has sided with the enemy.
Last night, I wasn’t thinking straight! He made me feel so good, I just couldn’t stop myself. He was injured, and I thought I might lose him forever. It was unthinkable to not explore this feeling… to be denied it for the rest of my life!
I feel ashamed that I let my lust cloud my good sense, and a shudder runs through me as I realize I may have quite literally ruined my life with one impulsive decision. All my reservations about sex come roaring back, affecting me to the point I actually press my knees together.
A little late for that now.
“Alright,” Damon says. “I’ll make some calls and send out a few scouts. I want men on this I can trust, and most of them have been up all night, serving the pack.”
“If I may say,” Regina puts in, using a tone that clearly states she won’t be silenced, “if you put only your close friends on this task, and they come back with nothing, it will not look good for you.”
Damon tenses up, squaring his shoulders and planting his feet. Regina doesn’t budge, and neither does Mitchell. Itake a look around at the other council members, and they are watching us intently. It’s obvious they are all of one mind, and more than happy to let Regina and Mitchell speak for the group.
Finally, Damon sighs. “I will find a few of my personal council to send out. Mitchell, will you do the same?”
“On it,” Mitchell answers, pulling out his phone. The look on his face plainly states he’s planned this already and was just waiting for his opportunity.
“Wonderful,” Regina says with satisfaction. “This is the right move, Alpha. I still personally believe we should attack, but—”
“Attack while they are strong, and we are weak?” Damon asks. “They obviously have firepower, explosives, and a decent force of warriors. Most of ours are injured or exhausted after last night. Do you really think this is a good time to go head-to-head?”
Regina looks away, her mouth twisting a little. “You’re right,” she admits begrudgingly. “My need for justice obscured my good sense for a moment. We should fully recover before we attack.”
“If we attack,” Damon corrects.
“I appreciate your balanced view,” Mitchell says, implying he doesn’t appreciate it at all, “but you must be ready to act. This feud has gone on for generations, and we all want to see the end of it. We just want to be safe, and you owe it to us, especially now. I wasn’t happy you won the challenge. But I did hope that a wolf who could triumph in the ring would have the strength to act on this.”
“Understood,” Damon answers. “For now, my decision is made. When the scouts return, we shall discuss it again.”
Mitchell nods, clearly not satisfied but not willing to push further. I watch everyone make a few calls, then Damon turns around to take my hand.
He smiles at me, but instead of looking mischievous and cute, he looks malicious and deceitful. The big brown eyes aren’t soft and pretty, but dark and cold. When his hand closes around mine, all I can feel is his hard strength, pinning me to him, trapping me, and it doesn’t feel exciting at all.
It’s horrifying. What have I done?
“I need to go home now, with my mate,” Damon says to the others.
Regina and Mitchel look at each other, then back at Damon.
“You aren’t going out to search?” Regina asks.
“No, I have things to discuss with Winnie.”
I watch Mitchell and Regina, wondering if I could send them some kind of signal. If Damon goes out to patrol, then we might be able to figure out a way to topple him from power without anyone else getting hurt.
Especially me.
Mitchell gives me a questioning look, but he obviously doesn’t read my distress. “Alright, Alpha,” he says. “Tending to your mate is very important. I hope to see you return to the council before our scouts return.”
“I will,” Damon says, tightening his grip on my hand. As he turns to walk towards the car, he speeds up, forcing me to trot along behind him, almost stumbling to keep up.
I feel like a possession, a toy, and it’s not fun anymore.
We get into the car, and Damon finally seems to notice how nervous I am. I try to calm down so he doesn’t suspect anything, but his intense focus on me only makes it worse.
“Are you alright?” he asks.
