Page 87 of Heat Hesitation

"Forgive me if you've lost credibility. You have abducted me, after all."

"We didn't mean to scare you," Dave adds.

"So… all this was just to make me hear you out?" Seems too elaborate, working with Bridgette, drugging me, just for that.

Lenny, who's been hovering at my back, leans close. A second later, I feel a cold spray on my neck, followed by the strong scent of lilacs. Lenny leans in again, closer. "Mmhm, that's better."

An involuntary shiver runs down my spine. I've been calm. Maybe it was the after-effects of the drug, but somehow, I've been calm. But if my situation was precarious before, now it feels imminently dangerous.

The four alphas look at me like I'm their salvation.

"That's the thing, Alma," Lenny whispers from behind my shoulder. "All this was to get you back. And you smell so good."

I look at the other three, shaking my head and chanting "No," but none contradict Lenny.

"We should take off. The Constantines will probably find us soon." Jackson states pragmatically, glancing at his watch.

"Where are you taking me? You can't just steal me; I'm not a toy. I'm not yours."

"You are ours, Alma. And when we bond you, we'll be yours too."

"I'm already bonded," I whisper.

"It'll fade. With time."

There's nowhere to go. I'm trapped in this room. Stall. Stall, Ophelia!

"Alma wouldn't want this."

"We'll do better this time. We'll do it right. We'll take our time, court you properly. We just need to get you out of here."

Fingertips brush my bare shoulder—why did I have to wear this stupid dress!?—and I flip around, out of reach, only to stare into the eyes of the now feral alpha. Lenny's eyes are black, fully dilated. His breathing heavies, mouth open, his teeth look like they've grown, and a growl emanates from deep within.

I take a careful step back. Someone mutters a curse. I am so fucked.

Lenny's growl grows more intense, and the moment he loses himself to the baser instincts of the alpha, Sven tackles him. The guys are shouting, and I get knocked down in the foray, but it takes me only a split second to realize this is my chance.

I bolt for the door. Dave and Sven are holding down Lenny, but Jackson chases after me. Barefoot, I dart for the trees, up the mountain.

"Alma!" Jackson screams after me. I don't stop, not when I stumble, not when branches whip me on the arms and across my face. I barely feel the sting, the adrenaline pumping so fast in my body.

I run like my life depends on it. "Alma! Get back here!" Jackson's scream cracks with desperation. "Alma, stop running!".

I falter but shake off the alpha bark, maybe because he called me Alma, not Ophelia. I step on something, a branch or a rock, something sharp, and it makes me cry out. Frantically, I search around for any direction to go, but it's too dark. There's nothing but trees and branches and darkness. I'm going to get lost up here on the mountain. With effort, I start running again, zig-zagging through the trees, but I'm slowing to a limp from the cut on my foot, and I can't catch my breath.

Whimpering, terrified, I don't know what to do. It takes so much effort not to panic. Picking a direction, I take off, but then a big body tackles me, and I scream, crying out, "Stop! Stop! No!"

Then I'm hit with sandalwood and cedar and the reassuring purr, "I've got you, Ophelia. It's me, it's Sully. You're safe now. I've got you."

He rocks me in his arms as I scream and cry and shake, all the adrenaline from the kidnapping, the scene with Lenny and the chase through the woods catching up to me. We hear Jackson approach, but Sully doesn't let go.

"She's mine, Constantine. Put her down."

Sully kisses my temple, then loosens his hold. I panic that he's letting go, but he whispers, "You're safe, Ophelia, I promise. But, we need to end this."

Reluctantly, I let my iron grip on his wrinkled, dirty tux release, and he stands, turning to face Jackson Olcene.

Side by side there's no competition. Jackson has the sullen, weak pallor of a man on a bender. Sully's rage for me, his fear and worry, the support of his brothers through their pack bond stand with him.

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