Page 9 of Fated Alpha Protector

Gasping when his eyes flit to the rest of my body, I'm made aware of one tiny detail.

I don't have any clothes on.

My hands fly to my breasts in an attempt to remain decent. The man chuckles snidely before turning and disappearing into the shadows.

It gives me time to get familiar with my surroundings. I'm in a metal-barred cell only large enough for a mattress on the floor. That's where I'd been curled up, probably since I fainted in the woods.

My relief is limited to the fact that I'm in human form again. Instinctively lifting a hand to my face, I sigh with that relief when I can feel my familiar features.

Thank Goddess!

Of course,I am not relieved about the sound of imposing footsteps just outside the cell. I can't see much thanks to the dim lighting of my surroundings. It’s enough just to see that I'm in a dungeon made of stone.

The footsteps grow closer, and I'm wary when I see a pair of sneakers in front of me. Too ashamed to look up, the man pushes a set of clothes through the bars.

“Get dressed,” he instructs me.

Doing as I'm told, I grab the white cotton clothes from him. Luckily for me, he turns his back to me, allowing me to dress in privacy.

I feel embarrassed as I slip the clothes on. Why didn't he dress me, instead of leaving me naked in this cage?

“You shifted in your sleep,” he says as if in reply to the question in my mind. “I brought you here after you passed out in the woods.”

“Thanks.” I clear my throat to indicate that I'm done dressing. That's when the man turns around to face me.

“Why didn't you shift when I asked you to?” His brows knit to a frown as he stares into my face. This time, his question doesn't come imposingly. It's gentle and more curious than demanding.

Sitting on the edge of the mattress, I push my hands under my thighs. I have to tear my gaze from the man, my pounding heart threatening to soar out of my chest.

I've never felt so attracted to a man. So carnally drawn to him, that I imagine tearing through metal to fling myself forward. I have to physically shake off those thoughts when I reply, “I–I don't know how to.”

My honesty earns me a disparaging grunt, prompting me to look up.

“You expect me to believe that?” he snorts. “Tell me the real reason why you didn't shift.”

His calm composure is the only reason I don't burst into tears. It radiates off him, filling the air with a sense of calmness. It's why I repeat that I don't know how to shift on command.

A frown flits past his face before he huffs.

“Fine,” he sniffs. “I'll have to command the truth from you, then.”

He presses his eyelids shut for a second, taking a deep breath. “I am Theo Marrock, Alpha of The Nightwalker Pack. I command you to answer my question truthfully.”

It's no wonder his presence had been imposing. Even now, his command must be heeded.

I do so by getting to my feet.

“I tell no word of a lie, Alpha,” I admit again. His eyes meet mine, and I see a flash of remorse in them. At least he believes me now.

“Who are you?” he asks with a deep frown.

“I am Mia Alverez, Omega of the Blackclaw Pack.”

As I give my name and the name of my pack, the color seeps from the Alpha's face.

“Blackclaw?” he grates through gritted teeth as his eyes narrow at me.

The fear that courses down my spine is enough to send me stepping back. In front of me, the Alpha of Nightwalker appears to be losing his temper.

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