Page 22 of Cruel Alpha Daddy

It was still his own choice to turn into a violent monster.

This thought sends a flash of pain through me. No one knows more about being a violent monster than I do. If I can change, then so can he. I can’t just murder him in cold blood without giving him that chance.

By the time we reach the valley, I’m so tired, I could drop where I stand. I’ve spent most of the day running, and I’ve got no reserves left. Still, I’m very careful to keep a tight hold on Fiona, even as exhaustion creeps up on me.

When we enter the town, it’s still and quiet. It looks like everyone has moved into the buildings and is sleeping soundly. I see Ryan standing outside the main hall, keeping watch, and give him a nod. He waves back, indicating that all is well.

Even though I was angry with my brothers for letting her escape, I didn’t waste much time yelling at them. Fiona is so determined to leave, no one could have stopped her. Punishing my friends won’t fix the situation.

Back in my cabin, I find the others have left some food and bottled water for us. I sit down at the table, bringing Fiona with me, and I reluctantly let go of her hand as she takes a seat.

“Are you going to hold my hand forever?” she asks, her eyes glinting angrily.

“If I have to,” I snap, glaring back at her.

There is a terrible rage in me, a burning hot fury I haven’t felt for a long time. I know I should be directing it at Tobias, but I can’t help being angry with Fiona as well. I try to focus on my food, but images of what Tobias and the others would have done to her keep running through my mind. Each one brings a new stab of fear that only fuels my rage.

I look up at Fiona. She looks so soft and fragile in the low light. I only lit one lamp on the way in, and most of her face is hidden by shadows. The golden glow of her hair shimmers against the dark, and I can see the deep blue of her eyes, like endless oceans.

She looks up at me, and I want to let go of my anger, but along with the images of her being hurt, I also have thoughts of her in the arms of another man.

Laughing and happy as he holds her and kisses her…

No, no… I can’t bear it!

“Are you done?” I ask abruptly, standing up. She jumps a little.

“I guess so.”

“Come with me.”

Her eyes turn hard, but she gets up and lets me lead her to the bedroom. I take the chain off the door and see her look of surprise, but it quickly turns to anger when she realizes what I’m going to do with it.

“You can’t chain me to the bed!”

“Watch me.”

“This is barbaric! Rider, stop!”

“No!” I pull on her arm, making her stumble against the bed. I attach the chain around her wrist and secure it with a small lock, then wrap the end of the chain around the bedpost. It’s a very old wrought-iron, four-poster bed, extremely heavy and solid as a rock.

“Rider,” she gasps, crying. “Please, don’t.”

“Get on the bed.”

“What?”

“Lie down right fucking now!”

Trembling, she does. The chain is too short for her to move much, so she curls up close to the bedpost.

I get into bed with her, spooning her gently and wrapping my arms around her. “I won’t be able to fall asleep unless I know you’re safe,” I say, stroking her hair. “I’m not going to hurt you.”

She cries, small sobs slipping out from between her lips as she tries to hide her sorrow from me. I’m tired and too confused to think much about it, so I let myself drift off to sleep.

When I wake in the morning, Fiona is still in my arms, her eyelids flickering a little as she dreams. I slip out quietly to find some breakfast. Outside, the village is bustling. Seeing my pack hurrying around, cheerfully cleaning up the town to make it a home, warms my heart.

“Tucker!” I call, seeing my pack brother by the main hall. “What’s the word?”

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