CHAPTER 6: TRAPPED

HAILEY

I'm stunned because I am finally leaving this pack in the dust; I am no longer going to be resented, abused, left behind, or abandoned. It sounds so remote and utopian, and while I'm In the Cidar pack, though, nothing ever remained uncomplicated for very long. I entered the kitchen and received a drink of water since I was thirsty. It was hard to move away from Ryan since he was looking at me but was talking to his beta, so I slipped away since it was the right time, but now it is too quiet, so it's becoming an unfavorable time. I shook violently the moment I caught sight of Thomas before even speaking. "Hailey," he whispered gently as he moved into my line of sight. Fearful, I stood still with a pounding heart. My heart pounds irregularly and my hands perspire.

"Pardon me, Alpha Thomas," I breathed softly, trying to stay calm. He did not stir. He leaned forward, his mouth curling into a smile. "Little Omega, you've kicked up quite the dust. The Alpha King wants you. Think you, after hearing the truth, will be able to keep an Alpha from having a maid without a wolf? My own breath was snatched." "I don't get it." "Don't play games," he leaned in and breathed in my ear, his fingers tightening on my wrist and his fingers clenched about my arm in a rigid hold. "You have always been a pest." Maybe I should remind you of where you are. I did have a flash of fear, but before I could act, someone moved behind him. Logan growled, his voice low, "Let her go."Logan's voice was low and menacing as he hissed. Thomas spun around, but he had me in his clutches. "Beta Logan, don't worry about this." In a stern voice, Logan said, "It does now." Logan quickly pulled Thomas's hand away from mine and pushed him back. As the two men stood there, nose to nose, the tray that I was holding fell to the ground. Logan's fists were clamped tight as he bellowed, "You're out of line." Thomas snarled and removed the blood from his lip where Logan had already punched him and said, "And you're overstepping." Logan cut him short. Thomas was slammed off his feet stunned as his punch made a brutal hooking impact with his jaw. Logan's strength and precision were too much for Thomas to handle in the short but nasty fight. When it was all done, Thomas lay on the ground groaning and bleeding. Logan spat, "If you touch her again, you aren't leaving next time." He is bowing to me. "Let's go, Luna Queen; what did you want?" I mutter "I'm thirsty" He laughs, "It's fine. When we depart, you will have a bottle of sparkling water brought to you. It's yours; let me know if you need anything. As we were departing the Cedar pack, I sat quietly in the back seat of the car. My chest still had tension from the events of the morning, but relief was beginning to replace it. I was getting out. With her palm on mine in soft sympathy, Flora sat beside me. "I'm happy you're leaving with me," I muttered. She gave a soft smile. "Me too." When the car suddenly pulled over, I looked up and saw Ryan outside with a strange expression on his face. "Logan," Ryan said sternly. Switch cars. Flora and you will ride in the second car. Flora scowled. "But-" "No buts," Ryan said bluntly. Groaning, Logan nodded and climbed out of the car. Flora hesitated for a moment, then squeezed my hand and climbed out of the car with him. I braced my chest as I stared at Ryan. "Why did you do that? "He slid into the seat beside me and stated bluntly, 'Because we need to talk.' There was silence on the car ride, but one of discomfort, not serenity. The room was tight with Ryan, and he was awkward to be around. I looked at him, awe and fear warring. 'Why are you doing this? ' I finally demanded. 'What are you doing? "His intense eyes gazed into mine. 'Because you belong to me.' 'I'm not yours; the bond makes you think of me in such a way but it's just a bond you can reject me'".

He remains silent to start and it is silent, so I figure he can't hear me, then he hovers above me and brings his hands to my chin. Little Spitfire, pay attention. Just because you feel like mates don't always reject each other naturally doesn't mean anything to you, because I wouldn't reject you. You see that Thomas was your destiny mate and that he rejected you, so now you are mine, my second-chance mate. I've looked for you everywhere for eons, but by no means are you going to get away. You're my own until we die and come apart, and if there exists an afterworld, then still you're my own. Escape is not an option for you."

As I attempt to step away from him, he grabs me around him tight and puts his tongue on my mouth. I'm too stunned to react initially, but later, I'm caught up in his kiss. I try to breathe out because all my feelings get mixed up. After we kissed, I am stunned and not in balance anymore, and he feeds me for what seems like days. The packhouse we had come to was enormous, roomy, and full of energy, anything I had ever dreamed of. The atmosphere in that place was different, lighter but fuller. Ryan motioned for me to move in behind him, and I did, my legs trembling as I got my eyes adjusted to the new scenery. "This is where you'll be staying now," he said firmly, and I nodded, not knowing what else to do. A knock at the door disrupted my getting settled into the room that they had readied for me, so I called out softly, and Ryan appeared, looking austere, closing the door and filling the room with his huge presence.

"There's something you should know," he told me quietly, and I asked, my heart racing. His next statement made me shudder: "Thomas and Marissa were not only cruel; there is evidence that they murdered your parents outright"