Page 29 of Pack Owned
“Trust us.” Dale’s words hold a raw challenge that feels like he’s exposing my greatest weakness and how I hate feeling helpless.
“Easy for you to say,” I manage to retort, even though fear has thickened my tongue. “You’re not the one who has to worry about being on the other end of Nexus’ leash.”
“Kayla,” Liam interjects, his tone softer, a contrast to Ryker’s hard edges. “We’ve got you. We won’t let them get to you.”
“Why would you risk your life for me?” I ask with a shaky voice.
“Because you are ours,” Dane grunts through gritted teeth. Despite the pain evident in his voice, there’s strength there, too, a fierce protectiveness.
“Yours,” I whisper, more to myself than to them. The word should send me running for the hills. His possessiveness is a feeling I shouldn’t like, shouldn’t crave, yet there it is, a flicker of warmth blooming in my chest.
“We accepted a job and have never gone back on our word,” Ryker says in a tense voice.
“Let’s discuss that later.” Dane blows out a breath. “Right now, we gotta get these assholes off our tail.”
I don’t know these Alphas, and they sure as hell don’t know me.
The Jeep swerves again, dodging an unseen threat. My breaths jagged, I cling to the backseat, bent over, trying my best not to hyperventilate.
Dale pivots in his seat, the muscles in his arms flexing as he returns fire through the open window while Liam does the same on my other side.
Terror shreds my throat, a primal scream clawing its way out. Cold dread coils in my gut, squeezing the air from my lungs. Adrenaline surges, a sharp, metallic tang spreading on my tongue.
My vision swims at the edges, the world a blur of trees and shadows as Ryker wrestles the Jeep through the undergrowth. A guttural yell rips from him, the steering wheel jerking violently in his hands as he swerves to avoid something I can’t see from my hunched-over position in the backseat, my head between my knees.
“Make me a fucking path.”
“Got it covered!” Liam grits out between shots, and one must hit home because I hear a loud boom, then we drive through flames.
“Nice work,” Dane says, sparing Liam a swift nod.
We barrel through the streets, leaving the staccato beat of gunfire behind. The tension doesn’t wane, though. It only coils tighter within me.
“Clear,” Liam confirms, and we all slump a notch, the immediate threat receding.
“Dane’s injured. He needs medical attention.”
“Later,” he insists, jaw set. “I’ll take care of it when we get to the house.”
“You need a hospital,” I say, my gut twisting as Dane’s shoulder oozes blood.
“Nah.” Dane shakes his head but winces. “I’ve had way worse before.”
“Safe house isn’t far,” Ryker adds, eyeing the rearview mirror.
“Good,” I breathe, my fingers digging into the worn fabric of the seat. Every nerve in my body screams for safety, for the quiet absence of bullets and fear. Dane’s pain-wracked face swims into view, and something fierce flares within me—the urge to help him, to take away his pain.
We slip through the city’s veins, quiet now, the only sound our collective breaths and the occasional grunt from Dane whenever Ryker turns a corner or has to stop suddenly.
“Hey,” I whisper, nudging Dane lightly. “It’s okay to admit it hurts.”
He offers me a wry smile before closing his eyes. “Can’t show weakness,” he murmurs with a sarcastic grin. “Alpha code.”
“Don’t worry, Kayla,” Liam adds. “Dane’s gonna be just fine.”
Squished in the backseat between them both, our thighs touching, their scents heat me from the inside out.
My pulse kicks up as their Alpha pheromones wash over me. An unbidden shiver runs through me, raising goosebumps along my arms. I’m hyperaware of their bodies caging mine, their hard muscles and towering heights. Something primitive stirs inside me.
