Page 13 of Cruel Alpha Daddy

I can see the hurt on her face, and it forces me to take a step back. All the wonderful nights we shared together are coming back to me. The feeling of her in my arms made me indescribably happy.

That’s why I had to leave. Everyone I love leaves me, one way or the other. I couldn’t stand to get hurt like that again. And she deserves so much better than me.

“This is fucked,” I mutter, shaking my head and staring at the ground. “This is all so fucked up. I didn’t want to do this, Fiona. Now we’re stuck together, and there’s no way out.”

“I’m not surprised this feels like a burden to you,” she hisses at me. “After the way you left. Why didn’t you just let them have me if that’s how you feel?”

I look up at her, my eyes burning, but I refuse to let my emotions show. “I don’t want you to get hurt,” I say. “That is the truth.”

“It’s a bit late for that, Rider,” she snaps, turning away from me.

I back away slowly, going through the tent flaps to stand outside. It’s almost full-on night, with only a faint blush of twilight around the edges of the sky. I stare up at the stars, clenching my fists as the pain inside me forces my heart to constrict in my chest.

What am I going to do?

I want her back, I know that much. I’m dying to feel her in my arms again. I’m still afraid of love, of loss, and that I can never be the kind of man she deserves.

But I want to try. I can’t stand to lose her again. So I at least have to try, or I’ll never forgive myself.

Chapter 6 - Fiona

When I wake the next morning, I realize that Rider never came back. I expected another confrontation, but after our fight, it looks like he left me alone.

I’m curled up on the floor in the cushions, where I cried myself to sleep. My throat closes, and my chest feels frozen as I watch the light creep into the cabin.

I’ve been gone a whole day and night. Oh, Caleb, my baby. I’m so sorry.

Images of him crying and asking where I am haunt me. I can’t get them out of my mind. The feeling energizes me, and I get up to take a quick look around through the tent.

Rider really isn’t here.

I peek out the tent flaps and see him sitting nearby, slumped against a cut tree stump. Trying not to make any noise, I step slowly backwards, then run to the back of the tent. I can’t tear the canvas or pull it up, but the screened windows are easy to zip open.

My heart pounds frantically as I shove the netting out of the way and climb through. It’s still extremely early, and the camp is quiet. I stand still for a few seconds, listening for any activity. When there is none, I hurry forward into the thick trees ahead.

The robe I’m in isn’t a great choice for hiking or running, but I’m reluctant to take it off and shift into my other form. I want to get away from the camp a bit before I let my wolf out.

Hiking up into the mountains, I take a long, steep track. I have to get around the camp before circling back to head inthe direction of Silver Meadows. With every step, I look around eagerly, hoping to see signs of my own pack looking for me.

I’m just about to shift when I hear the howling.

Fear freezes me in place. It’s no use to try and run—these guys caught me easily enough before. The sounds come at me from every direction, and I spin around, trying to see where they are.

Maybe it’s not those biker guys. Maybe—

There is a fierce growl from the underbrush ahead of me, and my eyes lock toward the sound. Through the shadows of the leaves, I see Tobias’s pale blue eyes. He stalks me slowly, letting my fear build as he gets closer and closer.

Someone grabs me from behind, and my scream rings through the forest. Instinctively, I bolt forward and run straight into Tobias, who has now shifted back to his human shape. He grabs my arms and tosses me backwards, and I’m caught by one of the others.

Like before, there are five of them, standing in a close circle around me. They shove me back and forth between them, laughing as they watch me stumble and fall. Every time one of them grabs me, they feel me up, squeezing my breasts or slapping my ass, before shoving me towards one of the others.

Finally, I fall against Tobias, and he grabs my upper arms and presses himself against my back. I feel his hot breath on my skin as he nuzzles my neck.

“Got you, pretty she-wolf. You’re mine now.”

I’m so scared, I can’t speak. My breaths are short and shallow, making my head spin. I struggle a little, but he laughs and tightens his grip.

“Yes, little lady,” he whispers in my ear. “Wriggle around, just like that.”

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