Page 19 of Cruel Alpha Daddy

Stop this! Don’t let yourself get caught up with someone who could treat you like that!

I moan into the pillow, crying even harder. It doesn’t matter. Everything he said to me, the way he left me—none of it matters. My heart is still bound to him, and I can’t let him go.

Now I’m trapped in a marriage with a man I can’t have… a man who doesn’t want me, and never will. The man who abandoned me when I needed him most.

I clench my fists, willing strength back into my body. My gasps turn into long, slow breaths.

I can do this.

The only thing that matters is getting back to Caleb. I’ve been strong for the last six years to protect my son, and I can do it forever if I have to.

My feelings don’t matter. I just have to get out of here!

I sit up and wipe my eyes. I’m painfully thirsty now, as well as sore and bruised, but I force myself to ignore the pain.

There must be a way out of here.

I go over to the door and press on it gently. I hear the clank of the chain against the handle and give it a hard shove. The door bounces a little in the frame, but it won’t open.

I run my hands around the edges of the door, checking the edges and paying close attention to the hinges. Most people forget that doors have two sides, and you can usually undo the hinges with a screwdriver or crack them with a crowbar.

The hinges are old and rusty, but still strong. If I had tools, I might be able to get it open, so I search the room.

The old cupboard has nothing in it except layers of dust. In the drawers underneath, there is quite a bit of paper and some old-fashioned pens. The dresser has just a couple of old dresses, pants, and shirts.

The room is fairly dark, so I have to poke around in every corner and under the bed to look for anything I might be able to use to get the door open. Recoiling in disgust after finding a few piles of rat shit, I return to the door and stare at it with determination.

Then, the sound of approaching voices sends fear streaking through me.

What if it’s Tobias? I’m locked in here. Easy prey!

Heavy footsteps enter the cabin and approach the door. My heart pounds in my chest, and I can hardly breathe as I back away towards the bed.

“Are you in there, my luna?” an unfamiliar male voice calls.

Surprised, I take a few steps forward.

“Yes, it’s me, Fiona,” I answer hesitantly.

“My name is Ryan, and I am friends with Rider. He has asked me to keep an eye on you.”

“Good,” I reply. “Open this door immediately.”

“I’m afraid I can’t do that, I am under direct orders from the alpha. Is there anything else I can do for you?”

My mind races. Obviously, I can use this situation to my advantage, but I’m not sure how.

“Food and water would be nice,” I say, making my voice hard and commanding.

“As you wish. I’ll return shortly.”

His footsteps fade away, and I wait anxiously by the door. I’m hungry and thirsty, but my plan is to just shove past him and run the second he opens it.

When Ryan returns, I’m dismayed to see he’s brought two other guys with him to block the hallway. I have no choice but to accept the handful of protein bars and bottle of water and back away again.

“We will check on you regularly, my luna,” Ryan says respectfully. With a short bow, he leaves, and I hear the chain again as he locks the door.

I sit miserably on the bed, eating a few protein bars and gulping down the water. I was hoping they might bring me some utensils. Even a butter knife can be extremely useful.

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