Page 6 of Her Arranged Alpha
I snapped my mouth shut, knowing this was an argument I would never win. People either believed me or they didn't. No amount of fighting was going to change that. I could repeat this over and over until I lost my voice, and it wouldn't matter.
"Well, I guess that's your opinion," I said, straightening my back and crossing my arms. "Now move. I'm not staying here."
Maddox crossed his arms, making a point he clearly wasn't going to move.
I ground my teeth together and went with the next option. I ran for it. I sprinted out of the pathway into the treeline. I felt my legs seize up in pain, but I forced myself forward. If I were getting free, this was my only way. I just hoped my legs moved faster than his.
But I didn't get far before arms were wrapped around my middle, and I was hoisted off the ground. I screamed, throwing my arms back, elbowing Maddox hard in the head. I felt my elbow connect with his jaw, and I heard the crack sound fill the air.
"Stop!" He yelled, tightening his hold around me. "Jesus, you're like a damn animal."
I wiggled and kicked my legs, trying to break myself free. We fumbled forward, landing hard on the ground. I kept fighting, shoving my knee up into his stomach.
Maddox grabbed my arms and pinned them down as he took a slow breath in through his nose. I watched as his face looked in pain. "Stop," he growled, grinding his teeth together. He looked in pain, and I was happy about it. But the moment only lasted for a second.
"Let go of me," I snapped, trying to get myself free. Maddox pinned my arms tighter, his body hovering over mine.
"You are to be my wife whether you like it or not."
"So very romantic," I snapped back, baring my teeth at him. "But I'd rather eat shit."
His nostrils flared. "If you keep fighting me, I will have to carry you back. And I don't think you want to go that route."
I paused for a split second, unsure if I had the dignity to have that happen. Did I want people to see me being forced away from my home, or should I walk? I didn't exactly want to lose my dignity.
I took a slow breath in, feeling trapped. There was no way out. I couldn't outrun him, and I certainly would win in a fight. I would have to think about this, plan something.
"Fine," I grumbled, feeling my muscles give out. "You win, Alpha. Happy?"
He let go, looking disgusted. "You think I'm happy about this? That I want to marry the person who tried to kill one of my best friends?"
I hate the words. Hate the accusations. I knew I would need to get used to it.
I had spent so much time trying to forgive myself, trying to understand that I couldn't do anything to stop myself. Frank and Nina had listened to me countless times, trying to explain. I knew they believed me, but I think that they were two of a handful who did believe me. I found myself starting to question whether I was in the wrong, if perhaps I had remembered everything incorrectly.
I looked away from him, deciding I just needed to take a moment. I just needed to sit and think. I might have failed to get away this time, but I won't next time.
Chapter 3 - Maddox
The drive to my house was quiet. Jillian sat in the passenger seat, silent. She had her arms crossed as she looked outside the window. Her body was turned away so I couldn't look at her, but I could feel her anger filling the car with each minute that ticked by.
I stared straight ahead, white knuckling my steering wheel. She had made this difficult, which surprised me. I swear, everyone said that Jillian was sweet, but the girl I encountered was not. There was no sweetness to her tone, not softness to her voice. She was fighting me tooth and nail about everything. I was certain I would have to carry her to my car after she ran for it the second time.
As we pulled into my territory, I headed straight for my house. I glanced at Jillian, who hadn't moved. If anything, she looked uninterested in everything. The change of view hadn't caught her attention at all, which I figured it might.
"We are almost there."
"Joy," she said with a grumble in her tone.
I sighed heavily, stopping at a light. We were just entering the downtown area, which I took pride in. We had a bustling town in Honeycomb Valley, and I made sure that we had everything we needed. We had a good money flow, and we were the top town in that regard.
Jillian, however, didn't look impressed. I had expected something, considering how Frank's downtown looked. He had an old town with history and character, while mine was… more modern. Both of them were great, but very different.
I glanced at her, waiting for her eyes to sparkle or at least for them to move around, taking in the space. But they didn't. They remain as uncaring as they were moments before.
I shook my head and pressed on the gas. We headed out and took the roundabout to enter a beautiful neighborhood. As we pulled up to my house, I glanced at Jillian again.
My house was a new build from two years ago. It had high ceilings, nice lighting, and a stunning kitchen. The front lawn was well-maintained, and the house itself was a light gray with white edging. There were some bushes in the front, but otherwise it was just grass. The perfect cookie-cutter home.
