Page 44 of Cruel Alpha Bully

“Please, Bae. Please don’t die.”

Chapter 16 - Bailey

As my eyes flicker open, I have no idea where I am. Bright orange light flickers across my vision, patterning against deep shadows and open wooden beams.

Unfamiliar ceiling. A cabin?

As soon as I try to move, my injuries scream at me, and I remember most of what happened, but not enough to know where I am or how I got here.

Gina!

I sit up quickly, making my head spin, but quickly throwing off the weak feeling. I toss off the blanket and swing my feet to the floor. My eyes adjust quickly, and I see Gina sitting in a chair by the front door.

I look around, slowly scanning the cabin. I have no idea where we are. It’s definitely not a place I’ve been before. It looks like a tiny cottage with small rooms attached to the central one, where the fireplace is.

A tiny, bright fire burns low in the hearth. Gina used old, dry wood so there wouldn’t be much smoke and kept it burning low to hide the light.

How the hell did she get us here?

I stand up carefully and stretch. The worst wounds, like the one on my thigh and under my ribs, are just pale bruises now. I can still feel a bit of a dent in my skull, and my forearm is a little tender. Otherwise, I’m fully healed.

As my senses return, so does my rage. They were going to hurt her.

I clench my fists, breathing deeply to stay calm. The only thing that will comfort me is making sure Gina is alright, so I hurry over to the chair.

She’s slumped to the side, completely passed out. Her long black lashes lay across her cheeks, giving her an angelic appearance. Even in the dull light from the fire, her skin looks like it glows. Her lips are a perfect ruby-red.

She must have been guarding the cabin and fell asleep.

I gently gather her up in my arms and walk over to the bed. She doesn’t stir, and her breathing stays deep and even.

She must be so tired.

I lower her down to the bed as gently as possible, but as I settle her on the mattress, her eyes flick open.

“Bae!” she cries.

I don’t get a chance to answer—she hurls herself at me and wraps her arms around me, squeezing hard enough to hurt.

“It’s okay, Gina,” I say softly, stroking her back. “I’m okay.”

She hugs me even tighter, and I hear her sob against my chest.

“You weren’t,” she whispers. “You were dying.”

I take hold of her shoulders and pull back a little. “Look. Not dead. I promise.”

“Are you sure?” she mumbles, wiping her nose.

“Well,” I say, grinning. “I might need a full examination. You know, real close up, inch by inch. You really should check, just to make sure I’m healed.”

She giggles, trying to wipe away her tears. “Every inch, huh? You mean that?”

“Completely serious,” I answer, giving her a straight face. “Leave no part of me untouched. Stroke me, squeeze me… hell, even use your tongue. Gotta be thorough.”

She cackles out loud, even though tears are still welling in her eyes. I sit back for a moment, and my stomach growls loudly.

“Damn,” I say. “I might need to hunt after healing like that.”

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