Page 11 of Her Arranged Alpha

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I tried to think of anything to keep me moving forward. I could start a new life over. No one would know what I've done, and they would never look at me like everyone here did. I could be a different person. I could find love, real love, and not a shame like this. I should embrace the change and look forward to it. Anything could happen. So much could happen.

But I felt the tug, the ache in my chest that I would miss so much. I would miss Nina and Frank. They had both been nothing but supportive and caring. Frank had watched after me, being what a wolf needed out of an Alpha. He'd never say it, but I knew he took extra care of me. Being unable to shift took a toll on a person's mind. He had been there more than most people even knew. He was a great Alpha, an outstanding one. Behind that ruggedness, I found almost a brother.

I would miss my sister and having a person to lean on. The thought of her brought tears to my eyes. She would be torn apart about this, but it was for the better. She wouldn't have to hear people whisper how much of a disgrace I was anymore. Shewould be able to push past the pain and focus on herself. She wouldn't need to worry about me and how I was doing. She could focus on her life and her family.

I wiped at my eyes, trying to force the tears back. I couldn't cry. Not now. This was what was best, and I had to think about that rather than what I was going to miss. Everyone would have a better life without me in the picture. I would have a better life.

I glanced at my phone, seeing it was almost one in the morning now. I didn't know how long I'd been walking, but I knew I had to be nearing another territory. Maybe. I didn't know Maddox's pack and where his borders were. I could still be in his land, but I also might not be. I should have looked at a map before I left. Or at least mapped out how far I needed to go before I hit another town.

There was a snap of a twig, and my entire body tensed up. I scanned the area around me, but found nothing. I swallowed, knowing someone was watching me. The darkness seemed to reach a hand out, ready to drag me down. I turned and bolted for it.

I heard footsteps behind me, and a tug in my chest told me it wasn't the darkness coming for me this time. It was someone else. A scent I had just left.

I took off in a full sprint, knowing damn well if he was going to take me back, he was going to have to drag me. My legs screamed in protest, and my lungs ached, but I ignored them. I forced myself to run for my life like it depended on it, because it did. If Maddox caught up to me, I was screwed. There was no getting away a third time. He was going to put a damn tracker on me before he left me alone again.

I could hear him getting closer, and I quickened my steps. I fumbled over rocks and ducked under branches. I was getting near water, and I could hear it. But then a body smacked into me, and we tumbled forward, smacking into the ground.

I instantly went on the defensive and started kicking and hitting. Maddox was quicker, grabbing my arms and shoving them above my head. His knees tightened around my legs as his body hovered over mine.

We were both panting as he pinned me down, his eyes zoned in on me. "Are you fucking kidding me?" he growled low. "Sneaking out in the middle of the night!? Are you asking to get murdered?"

I wiggled, trying to get one body part loose. His fingers only tightened around my wrist, his body pressing down against mine. The heat sent a different shiver down my spine, and my wolf purred at the contact.

"Let go of me, Maddox. You can't make me do this."

"No," he growled, his breath hot against mine. "You are clearly a fucking flight risk. I should have known your ass didn't actually want to go to bed."

I rolled my eyes. "And you're a dumbass for agreeing with it. You're an idiot to agree to any of this! You just agree with whatever the Council wants, no matter what it is."

He half laughed. "Oh, trust me, I won't be making that mistake again. You won't be getting any privacy until the ceremony now."

I buckled up, smacking my hips up into his. It was more of a grind, but anything to give myself space, anything to get him off of me and get myself free.

His fingers tightened on my wrist, and I could feel them imprint on my skin. His body pressed harder against mine. I swallowed, suddenly feeling too hot. His body was too close to mine. His scent was all around me. It filled my nostrils, and I almost relaxed. I hated how I reacted, almost like my body wanted this.

"Let go of me." I shook my head, trying to push the comforting feeling away.

"Not until you have used all of your energy. You are coming back."

I bucked again, and his thighs tightened around mine. His lips formed a line. "Stop that." He growled at me, his voice coming out clipped.

"Get off of me," I yelled.

Maddox leaned closer, his chest pressing against mine. I felt my lungs suddenly seize at the closeness of him. I could see his eyes were a soft green, like a plant just breaking free from the ground. His skin was smooth with that sun-kissed tan. Maddox had a sharp jawline but a soft face. His brown hair looked fluffy, and I felt the urge to run my fingers through it. Having him this close really showed just why women swooned over him.

With Maddox's body pressed against mine, I could feel that he was muscular. His muscles flexed as they held me, and I imagined how they looked underneath his clothes.

I felt my throat go dry as he remained quiet. Too quiet.

"What are you doing?" I asked, questioning why he was pressing so close to me now.

"Trying to mask your scent."

I felt my jaw drop. "Are you fucking kidding me? Who the hell…."

"Shut up," he warned, his voice changing.

And then I felt it. The presence of others. All the hair on my body seemed to rise, and I suddenly realized what Maddox meant. He was trying to cover my scent with his own.