Page 9 of My Forbidden Alpha

Is she hurt?!

Worry seeps through me as the coppery scent of blood fills my nose and I instantly wrap my arm around her, finding the source. Her waist.

“Fuck, Red, you’re bleeding,” I murmur, wondering how deep it is, as I shield her the best as I can until the car finally comes to a stop. She groans in pain, her heart beating wildly. “Hush, I got you.”

Kicking the door off its hinges, I roll out, holding her against me, her head buried in my chest. I stand up, my eyes flashing as I look at the three wolves that are standing a few feet away, growling with hostility.

They aren’t rogues… their scent is enough to tell me that. Two are bigger than average, most like a beta and delta wolf.

But what gets to me is the way their eyes are fixed on her, not me.

“What do you want?” I ask icily as I move Scarlett behind me. As much as I want to hold her, if I need to take them on, I need her safe. She’s a small thing and fits behind me perfectly.

The largest of the three now shifts into a young man, he’s not wearing anything and he isn’t bothered by it, but that’s the normfor our kind. He seems to be around my age. His sharp brown eyes meet my blue ones. A sudden harsh wind blows around us, rustling the grass on the roadside.

“Her. Leave her and you are welcome to pass unharmed,” he answers challengingly. He’s from somewhere up north. His accent is enough to tell me that. I sense Scarlett tense behind me, and I cock a brow.

“You’re talking to a fucking alpha. I don’t take fucking orders from no one, I give them. Nor do I tolerate disrespect,” I snarl warningly, my voice deepening as my wolf comes forward, my aura radiating off me.

Unease flits across his face and he raises his hand, almost as if in peace, and steps back. “I understand that, but can I speak to her?” he asks tersely. At least he’s fucking smart enough to know that he won’t be able to take me.

“No,” I growl, ready to shift, when suddenly Scarlett steps forward and places a hand on my arm.

“Scarlett,” he says, stepping forward as well. She frowns deeply, watching him intently. “It’s Cade. You may not remember me, but I sure as hell can recognise those green eyes anywhere.”

Scarlett’s heart is thundering loudly in her chest, and I look at her sharply. Whoever he is, he knows her, and it’s clear she knows him. But before my mind can run through all possibilities, I quickly rule out any that might be pleasant.

She’s afraid. I can smell the fear in the air around her, feel her grip tightening around my arm and in that moment she’s no longer the feisty redhead who acts like she can take on the world, but someone who needs protection.

I place my hand on her waist protectively, taking care not to be rough with her. She’s bleeding profusely. We need to take care of them fast so she can get the medical attention she needs. I glare at Cade threateningly, my eyes blazing, a silent warningthat I will fuck him up if he dares hurt her.

“Ah, mates?” he asks, looking at Scarlett. I catch the faint blush that coats her cheeks despite how serious this situation is. My gaze snaps back to Cade.

“Maybe that ain’t your fucking business,” I growl, as he looks at her observantly. A strong sense of possessiveness courses through me and my anger flares. “Can someone share how the fuck you two know each other?”

“He’s… he’s from my old pack,” Scarlett answers quietly, as she leans into me, her breasts pressing against me, something I’m way too aware of. Her words take a second to register, and I look up in surprise.

Her old pack?

“And you need to return and take your place. The Alpha has sent me,” Cade says quietly, watching us intently. His gaze flickers to Scarlett’s neck, which only irks me more. It’s almost as if he’s checking if she’s marked. “I’m the new Beta, the Beta that will take my place by your-”

“Just leave! I don’t want anything to do with that pack! Now leave before I tear you all to pieces!” Scarlett cuts in, her anger rising, her eyes flash dangerously. “Get out of here!”

Her heart is thumping, but it’s obvious she doesn’t want this conversation to continue.

What does he mean by her place? I don’t need to try hard to guess the rest of the sentence. ‘…the Beta that will take my place by your side.’

Is she an alpha’s daughter? Or betrothed to an alpha? There’s something I’m missing, and I want to know exactly what it is.

“I’m afraid that isn’t an option,” Cade replies quietly. His eyes glimmer and I see the tiny signal he gives the other two wolves. Scarlett pulls away, ready to attack, only to double over and grip her injured side.

I got this,I say to her through the mind-link that connectspack members to one another, just as they lunge at me.

Well, I guess that seat on the plane was tight enough that I could do with a stretch, and what better way to do that than shift into my wolf. My light brown fur shines in the sun, and I feel power roll through me.

My wolf is big, bigger than both the assholes who race towards me. I can take them easily. I lunge forward, meeting them head-on and tear into the smaller one’s neck, ripping it right off the body. Scarlett gasps as blood splatters across the ground, dripping from my jaw as I slash into the other wolf’s chest with my paw.

The smell of blood only fuels my bloodlust.