Page 12 of Alpha Fate

The perimeter guards spot me emerging over the horizon at a dead sprint. The kid at the main entrance has the presence of mind to haul the gate open because I would probably barrel straight through if he didn’t. I don’t slow down to acknowledge any of them; just keep running full tilt for the main building. Bursting through the front doors, I finally take a second to shift. Wild-eyed, streaked with blood and dirt, I charge naked toward Greyson’s office.

“Heller! What the fuck?!” It’s Tarkin Redburn, my regular patrol mate. I don’t have time for explanations now.

“Jagger!” I bellow.

“Not there,” he yells back.

“Where?” I’m breathless, chest heaving.

“Main quad. The alpha ceremony.”

Of course. They’d want to do that as soon as possible with Titer out of the position. I almost forgot. But who could blame me? I keep running. “Jagger! Jagger Law!” I burst into the central courtyard and find myself surrounded by the rest of the pack. Shoving my way through them, I barge to the platform where I see my new Alpha standing.

I stop beneath him, gasping for breath until I’m finally able to speak. “Jagger! You have to come. They…they have her!”

He stares at me. “What are you talking about? They have who?”

“Your mate! They have…have…” I look beyond him. What the fuck? Sierra Barr is standing right there. “You’re here.” I blink a few times – maybe I’m imagining things. “But I saw you there. At Leadmills.”

She goes rigid, her face draining of color.

???

Gage

They’re all staring at me like I’ve grown a second head. And I’m probably looking at them the same way. At least I’m looking atherthat way. “You’re here,” I manage to choke out again.

“Of course she’s here,” Jagger snaps. “What the fuck is going on?”

“I got the fuck out of there, that’s what’s going on!” I snap back. “Afteryouleft me behind!” There’s a collective gasp. There should be. There should be shame mingled into it – at least from him.

“I had no choice,” he mutters, turning and making his way down the stairs of the platform. He stops in front of me. “I’m sorry.”

“Damn straight.” I’m not sure what else to say. I’m still breathless, my head reeling. I’d known exactly what to do when I got here, and now I’m at a complete loss.

“Tell us what you’re talking about.” He folds his arms over his chest. I look past him to where his mate has caught up with him. She’s hovering anxiously, a hand on his bicep.

“She was there.” I point at her. “At Leadmills. I saw her.”

“That’s impossible.” He sets his jaw.

“Jagger…”

He glances down at her. “Let him speak, beautiful.”

“Jagger, listen to me…”

I narrow my eyes on her. “How did you get back here?”

“She never left. What’s this about?” Jagger frowns. “Have you been drinking?”

“Why the fuck would I have been drinking, you dick? I just broke out of the enemy’s lair. Without your fucking help!”

“I said I’m sorry, dammit.”

“Jagger, for God’s sake!” Sierra raises her voice. We both focus on her. She stares at me. “You didn’t see me.” Her bottom lip quivers, and I sense she’s barely holding it together. “You saw Savannah.”

“Savannah?” Jagger’s frown deepens.

---