Page 80 of Chased By My Grumpy Alpha
“Will you leave me alone if I give you my body?” I reach for the hem of my shirt, but his hand shoots out, stopping me forcefully.
“Don’t.” The word comes out as a growl.
“Why not?” I ask with false sweetness. “Isn’t that what you want?”
He grabs me by the back of my neck, pulling me forward until our lips are inches apart. His breath is warm against my face, his gaze so fiery that it makes my knees weak.
“I do want your body,” he says, his voice raspy with what appears to be honesty. “But I also want you. All of you.”
“I don’t understand.” Confusion and anger war in my chest, making my speech shaky. The way he’s looking at me, thepossessiveness in his touch—it’s too much, too intense, and I don’t know what any of it means.
“That’s why I was angry.” His grip on my neck tightens slightly. Protectively. “I didn’t think Andrew deserved you.”
His gruffness sends heat racing through my veins.
“I will prove to you that I will never betray you,” he promises. “And the first thing I’m going to do is help you get revenge.”
“Revenge?” I breathe hoarsely.
“Don’t you want Andrew to know that he didn’t manage to break you?”
I try to move away from him, but his hand still grips the nape of my neck. “I don’t want to see him.” I hate that I sound so small, so broken.
“You have a soft heart,” Lucian says, his voice gentling slightly. “That’s fine. I’m cruel enough for both of us.”
“I can’t—”
“Andrew tried to kill Luna.” His voice turns sharp again, cutting. “He’s the reason you almost died. He abused your trust, made you believe you were loved.”
Tears burn behind my eyes. “I was a fool—”
“No.” The word rings out like the crack of a whip. “Just because Andrew betrayed you doesn’t make you a fool. He’s a master manipulator. He’d been grooming you for years.”
His hand moves to seize my jaw, forcing me to meet his gaze. His blue eyes are burning with an uncompromising intensity that steals my breath.
“You’re not weak,” he says, each word deliberate and fierce. “And you’re not someone to be pitied. You are both brave and reckless. You saved my life without hesitation. You venture into woods that terrify grown warriors. You survived years of abuse and still managed to keep your kindness intact.” He releases me, but I don’t move. “I don’t care whether you have a wolf or not. Iwant to be with you. And I’m going to make sure nobody hurts you ever again.”
I stare at him, a warmth unfurling in my chest at his words. But I don’t trust this feeling. I don’t trust my own judgment anymore.
I step away from him now, putting distance between us even though every movement sends aches through my healing body.
“I won’t be foolish a second time,” I say, wrapping my arms around myself. “I won’t trust anyone again.”
“I’m not going anywhere.” His tone is no-nonsense, unshakeable. “Unless you plan to outrun me, you’re stuck with me.”
He’s right. I’m barely healed, weak, and alone in the middle of nowhere. Even if I wanted to leave, where would I go? Back to my pack? They’d kill me on sight. To another human settlement? After what happened with Andrew, the thought nauseates me.
“Then, I’ll wait for you to get bored of me,” I say quietly.
“You’ll have to wait a lifetime.”
The certainty in his voice makes my heart twist in confusion. I don’t understand why he’s doing this. What could he possibly want with someone like me?
Luna chooses this moment to spring elegantly onto Lucian’s shoulder and nuzzle his neck as if she has known him forever. He reaches into his pack and pulls out some dried meat, offering it to her with gentle fingers.
I watch this interaction with growing bewilderment. Why would this dangerous mercenary be interested in me? I have nothing to offer. No money beyond those few silver coins I already gave him. No skills that could benefit someone like him. No beauty or charm that might attract a man. He says he wants me, but I find that impossible to believe.
But then I remember his words: “I had the healers treat her before me. I know how important she is to you.”
