Page 56 of Cruel Alpha Daddy

“It was Tobias who came after your mates!” I cry, grabbing Bae’s arm. “Rider had nothing to do with it, and I can prove it. Rider has men who are loyal to him; they have been fighting against Tobias for a long time. All Rider wants is to protect the pack. He’s devastated by what Tobias has done.”

“I told you,” Kyle says to Bae. “He’s got a good heart. He’s not like Jethro.”

“He’s not exactly a nice guy, either,” Bae points out.

“He looks like fucking Father Christmas next to Tobias!” Kyle snaps. “You can’t keep this deal, Bae.”

“Bailey,” I urge, tugging on the alpha’s arm. “He knows I’ll tell you, and that Kyle will also defend Rider. He’s going to double-cross you, too. He has a plan.”

“I’m well-aware of that,” Bae replies. “But I don’t like the idea of just leaving Rider alive. He did keep you prisoner, and he was involved in the attack on us last time. He should pay for his crimes.”

My chest shakes with sobs so powerful, it feels like my ribs will break. A low moan comes out of my throat as I fight against the words I’ve never said out loud. Ever.

“He’s my son’s father,” I moan helplessly. “He’s Caleb’s father.”

I bury my face in my hands and cry, curled up in hopeless misery. The effort of shedding my secret has taken all the strength from me, and all I can do is weep.

I raise my head slightly, still choking on sobs. “I love Rider,” I whisper. “God fucking help me, I love him so much.”

“We have to help them,” Kyle states. “We have to support Rider and save the Sawpit Pack.”

I look up and see determination in Bae’s face. A tiny sliver of hope begins to glow deep inside my heart.

Maybe everything will be okay.

“We’re going to need reinforcements,” Bae says, his voice hard. “Let’s get moving.”

Chapter 21 - Rider

I stand in the empty house, my emotions warring inside me. I’ve broken under pressure so many times. All I’ve ever known is running.

It’s time to make my stand. This is it.

“Boss?”

Ryan’s voice shocks me, and I jump like I’ve been hit with a bucket of cold water. I turn slowly to see him standing in the doorway.

“What the hell is going on?” he asks, looking around the room.

“She’s gone,” I say, and as the words leave my lips, the reality of them truly sinks in.

I thought I was losing her to another man, and it was the worst thing that could happen. But no matter what the truth is, I can’t let her die.

“Tobias,” Ryan says in realization, looking around. “It looks like he’s made his move.”

“How is Jen?”

“The girls are taking care of her. She’s in her cabin. They say she’ll recover; she’s not badly wounded.”

“I’m surprised Tobias didn’t kill her.”

Ryan shrugs. “She might have given him the slip—she’s a wily old girl. Or maybe, he let her come back so he could fuck with us.”

“That sounds about right,” I grumble, shaking my head.

I stand there in silence, aware of Ryan’s eyes on me, knowing he’s waiting for my word. The gravity of the situationsettles on my shoulders, and I feel like I’m about to be crushed by the responsibility I’ve taken on.

All this time, I’ve been running. Even these last few weeks. I didn’t challenge Tobias because I was scared of losing the rest of the pack. Scared of losing their approval.

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