Page 15 of Her Arranged Alpha
I looked at the clock hanging on the wall, seeing it was a little past four in the morning now. The house was dark, with only a few lights providing a little illumination. I was exhausted and wanted to sleep.
I headed for the stairs, not bothering to say anything to Maddox. If I must stay in the house, I might as well go back to my room and try to actually sleep this time. I was too tired to try slipping out again. I knew I wouldn't be going on foot, at least. I'd have to think about how to get myself a ride.
"Where are you going?"
"Upstairs," I grumbled, grabbing hold of the banister. My legs shook, and I didn't understand why. I was fine just a moment ago.
"Are you okay?" Maddox asked in a gentle tone, and I hated it. He might have just saved my ass, but he wasn't a good person. He was forcing me to marry him, just like the Council was. He wasn't a decent person in my book.
"I'm fine," I said as I straightened my back and forced my legs to move up the stairs. Each step seemed to hurt, and my legs strained as I walked. But I knew just how close a call tonight was. I knew how badly things could have turned out if Maddox hadn't been there.
I couldn't deny that even now, I was scared. I had kept it together while in the tree, but I wanted to run so badly. I was soscared they were going to find me, and something was going to happen. There were so many of them, and even if Maddox was an Alpha, it would have been hard to fight them all.
I had only made it up maybe five steps before I could hear Maddox moving behind me. There were footsteps, and then I was yanked up, cradled like a child. I was stunned for a moment as he hoisted me up and started up the stairs.
"Put me down!" I bark, pushing at him, trying to put distance between us. I wiggled, not wanting to admit how much I enjoyed his heat.
"I don't have all night to stand here and watch you take the stairs," he said. "So, just let me get you up here."
I glared at him, turning my head away from him. My face felt hot, and I knew it was because of the pull I felt again. I didn't understand it.
"You don't want to look at me while I carry you up a flight of stairs? I thought I was pretty to look at."
I rolled my eyes at his joke, hating how natural it was for him. Compliments seemed to slide off his tongue.
Once upstairs, he let go, and I pulled away as fast as I could. "I could have walked."
"And I could have aged during that."
"You're so funny," I said sarcastically, and he raised an eyebrow at me.
"Most women do find me funny as well as other things."
I turned and stepped towards my room, but he cut me off. He stepped into my path, placing a hand on my door, making me freeze.
"Are you going to thank me for tonight? For saving you for god knows who?"
I rolled my eyes. "I did thank you."
Maddox shook his head. "No, I'm pretty sure those words never left your mouth. You said I'm sorry, but not thank you."
I crossed my arms. Rather than allowing myself to fall apart, I tapped back into my anger. "Fine. Thank you."
He smirked. "I don't feel you mean that. How about you put a little heart into it?"
I took a step closer to him. Irritation coating over me. "Thank you for stepping in and dragging me back here. Thank you for destroying my chance at a different life. Thank you for fucking everything up."
I watched his jaw strain. That clearly wasn't what he wanted. "How about thanking me for stopping you from getting caught in another territory and possibly being raped? How about thanking me for saving you from the Council finding out and doing worse? How about thanking me for giving you my jacket while I froze my ass off?"
I was suddenly aware I was still wearing it. I quickly yanked it off, including his shirt, and threw it at him. "Here, have it back. It didn't keep me warm anyway."
Maddox gave me a fake laugh. "That's a bold-faced lie. You were comfy wearing my jacket and even more comfy having me carry you home."
"I wouldn't have had to be carried if you didn't throw my god damn boot!" I snapped back.
"I wouldn't have had to throw your boot if you had just kept your ass in your room instead of climbing out of the house like a god damn monkey. Honestly, who does that?"
"I'm not one of your people; you get to tell what to do."
