Page 5 of Cruel Alpha Daddy

All of them have shifted and moved towards me. I’m shivering so hard, I can barely move. They look fierce, hungry and dangerous. All of them have bulky muscles, ragged hair, and elaborate tattoos.

Where did they come from? Are they from Sawpit?

“Get up,” Tobias growls. “Or I’ll kick you in the spine so hard, you’ll never walk again.”

Somehow, I get to my feet and take shuffling steps forward. Obviously, I don’t move fast enough, because they end up grabbing me and dragging me along with them. As my fear rises, so does their excitement.

All five of them crowd close around me, touching me and pressing their bodies against mine. Sharp cries burst out of my throat as I feel their hands on me, squeezing and pinching. I know my reactions are only urging them on, but I can’t help it.

I’m hoping desperately that they will hold back until I’m presented to their alpha, but really, what difference will it make? The alpha will be just as bad as they are. There is no hope, no salvation anywhere.

I’m so sorry, Caleb. I won’t be there when you wake up, and I never will be. Ever again.

Tears burn my eyes and pour down my cheeks. Sobs tear through my throat as I think about my son asking Lucy where I am.

Oh, my baby. Now you’ll have to grow up without a mom… or a dad.

Anger floods through me, a bright red wave of fury and desperation. I manage to shove two of the guys away and run towards the trees, but they catch me before I’ve run three steps.Their hands on me are even harder than before, gripping me tightly enough to leave bruises.

I struggle again, kicking and thrashing, trying to get free. Tobias reaches out and wraps one thick arm around my neck, yanking me against his body and forcing me to walk ahead of him.

Up ahead, I can see smoke curling above the trees. We’re getting close to a camp. Fresh coffee and sizzling bacon drift to me on the light morning breeze. I can hear people talking and, unbelievably, the sound of a child laughing.

What is this place?

The men start yelling again, mindless, excited shouts with no discernible words. They pick me up between them and rush through the final band of trees into a wide clearing lit by bright, warm sunlight.

I’m dropped on the ground, hard. My breath blasts out, and for a moment, I’m completely winded, unable to move or speak. Voices swirl around me, but I can’t make out any words.

Then, a dark shadow falls over me. Even though I’m shaking with fear, I manage to roll over and look up. The light is dazzling, a white-hot glow directly behind the man peering down at me. I can’t see his face clearly, but something feels familiar.

No.

Somewhere deep inside, my wolf shrieks with joy. Primal urges rip through me, making my heart pound and blood rush straight to my head.

No.

I blink hard, crawling away. I have to deny everything my senses are telling me.

When I look again, it will just be a random tough guy. It has to be. There’s no way it could possibly be…

Rider.

As I raise my head, the entire world freezes around me. I could never forget that face. The hard lines of his cheeks and jaw. The delicate curve of his mouth, and the long, jagged scar that runs down the right side of his face.

And his eyes. His beautiful green eyes.

I look into them every day… because Caleb has the same eyes.

His father’s eyes.

My lips part, and I can feel his name begging to be spoken. He shakes his head just slightly, giving me a hard look.

He doesn’t want the others to know.

Emotions are tumbling through me, shock, loss, confusion… and love. So much love, it swells inside me as if it’s going to break my chest.

I never stopped loving you. Not for a single day. You complicated, gorgeous, infuriating bastard!

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