Page 77 of Nursing the Alpha

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Nothing answered.

I stopped and turned back to the path, heart hammering.

It was him. It had to be him.

I’d told him to do this.

Hadn’t I? Why was I scared?

Another sound. Closer this time. A low, deliberate growl that made the hair on the back of my neck rise.

I stumbled forward, adrenaline spiking. My body screamed to run.

So I ran.

My feet pounded harder against the ground, breath coming fast now—too fast. The cold air burned my lungs, my chest rising and falling with frantic little hitches.

It’s him.

It has to be him.

Leaves crunched to my left. Closer.

I dared a glance over my shoulder. Shadows blended between the trees. Nothing.

“…Seth?”

My voice cracked. Pathetic.

No answer.

Fuck.

My pulse shot higher, a drumbeat in my ears.

“Is that you?” I called again, louder this time, trying to sound braver than I felt.

Still nothing.

Panic crawled up my spine. My logical brain whispered—it’s him, it’s a game, you asked for this. But another part, older and rawer, hissed—what if it’s not?

What if someone else had seen me? Followed me?

God, what would they do to me if it wasn’t Seth?

Another sound, this one behind me. Closer. Fast.

I bolted.

My sneakers skidded on damp leaves as I pushed harder,my muscles screaming in protest. Sweat slicked my back, my curls sticking damply to my forehead.

The woods blurred around me. Branches clawed at my sleeves, snagging the fabric. My milk-heavy chest ached with every jolt.

“Seth!” I shouted again, more desperate now. “Seth, please say something!”

Let me know it’s you.

Still nothing.

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