Page 78 of Alpha Fate

“You’ll learn respect,” he growls. Gripping my chin, he forces me to meet his cold, empty eyes. “Or I’ll beat it into you. I was too good to you before.”

Too good? What a joke!

I stare back silently, defiance burning in my gaze. I won’t break for him again. No matter what he does to me.

Still, I recoil as Rack leans in, inhaling deeply along my neck and collarbone. His face is just inches from my skin, and I have to fight the urge to headbutt him. That would only make things worse. I shudder instead, hoping my expression tells him how disgusting I find him.

“You’ve been with another male,” Rack rasps against my cheek. “You stink of it.”

My thoughts flash to Gage. Those few precious moments we had together. God, how I wish I hadn’t been so stupid to run away the way I did. We should have had so much more time together. Time he could have been showing me that I was the most precious thing in the world to him.

How different he was from this monster pawing at me now.

Rack straightens, looking down at me with his one good eye. “No matter. I’ll soon rid you of his stench. From now on, you’ll wear only my scent.”

“I’ll die first!” I glare at him.

He grabs a fistful of my hair, yanking my head to the side to expose my neck. I clench my jaw, determined not to make a sound, as he drags his tongue up the curve of my throat. Bile rises in my stomach.

“Die? You think I’ll let you take the easy way out?” His laughter is ugly. “No, pretty wolf. You’re going to become mine to toy with. And I’m going to fill that belly of yours with my pups,” he hisses in my ear. “Until I’m done with you. Then…” he looks around at the others, “you’ll get to spend some time with them.”

Bastard!

Disgust and defiance rise in me in equal measure. I jerk my head away to meet his gaze steadily. “Too late for that. I’m pregnant,” I say, my voice ringing out clearly in the quiet warehouse.

Rack goes very still, the implications of my words sinking in. Behind him, I see his pack members exchanging glances.

“What did you say?” Rack asks slowly. Dangerously.

I lift my chin. “I’m already with pup.”

For a long moment, Rack just stares at me. I stare back unflinchingly, refusing to show any fear. Finally, he releases me and steps back.

“You’re lying,” he says. “I would have smelled it on you before.”

“Maybe your wolf isn’t as strong as you think it is.” My lip curls in contempt. “But why would I bother lying?”

Rack looks uncertain now. Behind him, I see his wolves murmuring among themselves. He grabs my jaw in a bruising grip. “I’ll know the truth soon enough, won’t I?” He shoves me away roughly. I barely keep my balance with my wrists still bound. “Either way, it doesn’t matter. I’ll-”

He doesn’t get further as the doors crash open, metal creaking and wood splintering as they fly off their hinges. And then a huge white wolf charges in, a whirlwind of fury and fangs, snarling and snapping as he barrels into Rack’s men.

I can’t believe my eyes. Deep down, I’d known he’d come for me, but part of me had given up hope. Deep green eyes lock onto mine, and I see the rage there – for me, for what they’ve done to me.

“Gage!” I choke out.

He came for me.

Chapter 27

Gage

The beast within me howls for blood as I tear through Rack’s mongrels. They may have evaded me before, but this time, I am prepared, fueled by purpose and an unrelenting fury.

Savannah is here, within reach at last. My wolf almost sighs with relief, his acute senses having drawn me here like an unstoppable force. It had been impossible not to feel her through our newly forged bond, a lifeline that guides me through the chaos.

I shift back to human form and scan the carnage surrounding me. Several of Rack’s wolves lie dead or dying, their blood painting the walls and floor of the large warehouse space I’ve burst into. The coppery tang of it fills the air as I step over their bodies, following my mate’s pull.

There, across the room, Savannah is standing, her wrists bound at her back. Behind her stands the devil himself. Rack. Half of his face is a gnarled mess of scars, no doubt Sierra’s handiwork. But his remaining eye burns with malice as he watches me.

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