Page 5 of Her Arranged Alpha
I was just moving. My mind went on autopilot as I tossed my purse aside, pulling on my boots. I yanked my jacket on, zipping it up tightly. I unlocked my door with shaky hands and stepped outside. I surveyed the area, knowing it was only a matter of time before someone arrived at my house, explaining we needed to move forward with this facade of a marriage.
The marriage that even Maddox didn't accept. At least the other guys got in line. They didn't flat-out deny their mates. But then again, the other girls weren't accused of trying to kill their Alpha or their best friend.
I started around the house, taking the back pathway that I had walked so many times. It was a bike path, but if you took a right instead of going straight, it led you deeper into the woods. It was only half a mile before we would hit the line between our territory and another's. Once I crossed, maybe they wouldn't keep looking.
It was a thought. I just knew I needed out. I couldn't marry Maddox. He had made his feelings clear, and I didn't want to move to another pack that likely wouldn't welcome me. My own pack had turned its back to me for a while. I still had people who sneered at me like I was a horrible human being. As if being a shifter that couldn't shift wasn't enough.
Katie's words had been true. I wasn't the person I used to be. I had been soft and welcoming. Now I felt like I was the onlyone who could protect myself. No one was on my side, and I had to do what was best for me.
I speed up, feeling adrenaline starting to kick in now. I could make it a good distance before nightfall. Once out, I could figure out my next step. I had money. That was what mattered most.
Someone reached an arm around me, and his eyes were on me. I paused for a moment before I heard the sound of footsteps behind me. I turned around, and my eyes widened as Maddox stepped into my pathway. My entire body froze up.
How did he get ahead of me? How did he even know I was out here?
He glared at me angrily. His bright green eyes were filled with rage, and his light brown hair was a mess like he'd been running for a while. "What the hell are you doing out here?"
My mouth opened, but no words came out. My voice seemed to no longer work. I couldn't find words as I stared at him.
"I'm talking to you," Maddox stepped closer, and I stepped back. Anger hit me. Who did he think he was?
"I'm getting as far away from you as I can," I snap back.
Maddox's eyebrows went up. "Oh, you think so, do you?"
"Yes." I stepped to the right to go around him, but he stepped to the right as well, blocking my way.
I curled my hands into tight fists. "Move out of the way, Maddox."
"You are not just going to run away. You can't run from this."
I threw my arms up. "Why the hell does it matter? You said it yourself that you didn't want any part of this. So, why do you care what I do?"
He gave me a fake laugh. "Do you honestly think the Council is just going to shrug this off like it's not a big deal? You heard them."
"It's not! If I disappear, you will be paired with another. I'm sure you love that idea. Just let me disappear, and you can fuck any woman you want."
I watched his jaw clench down and his eyes narrow on me. "That's not how this works. They will hunt you down. They are not going to just ignore you stepping away from your duties."
Even if that was true, I wasn't going to just take this sitting down. I didn't ask for this. I didn't want this.
"Well, sounds like it's worth a try." I took a step to the left, and Maddox followed me. I glared at him.
"You are coming back with me."
"I am not," I snapped. "You do not get to tell me what to do!"
An evil smirk grew on his face. "Oh, trust me, I soon will."
I hated him. I didn't think I could hate a person, but when I looked at Maddox, I felt pure rage. I wanted to smack him, kick him, do everything to him that I could.
"You're a terrible human being."
He gave me a laugh. "I didn't try killing my Alpha!"
"I was possessed!" I screamed back.
"Liar," he growled. "I don't believe that one bit."
