Page 7 of Cruel Alpha Daddy

Until her aunt finally died and she invited me to return to Silver Meadows with her.

Pain lances through me then, and the memories of my harsh words and her tears are too much for me to bear. I have tolook away, and I almost forget where I am. I don’t want to look at Fiona and remember the last thing I said to her.

I will never survive the shame of this. I can’t bear it.

In the few moments it’s taken me to immerse in the past and yank myself back to the present, a large crowd has gathered. Most of the pack has surrounded us. Some of them are closing in on Fiona and supporting Tobias while others are demanding he let her go.

“We can’t just let her go,” Tobias snaps. “We went to some effort to catch this little bitch, and now we want to send her back to Alpha Bailey in pieces to show him we mean business.”

Tobias glares at me, daring me to challenge him. I’m very aware of the reactions in the crowd around us. If I disagree with Tobias, his followers will start a riot right here and now.

It will be a bloodbath… and then what will happen to our innocents?

“It would indeed be a waste to just release her,” I agree, glaring at Tobias. “You’re right; it would make us look painfully weak. However, I can think of something even better to do with a tasty little she-wolf like this.”

Tobias leers over Fiona’s shoulder, practically drooling. His hands tighten on her shoulders, and she whimpers a little. It takes all my strength to keep from rushing over there and tearing Tobias apart.

“What could be better,” Tobias mutters, “than pleasuring every single male in this pack until there is nothing left of her? Then we drop her scarred corpse back in Bailey’s territory to warn him of what will happen to all his bitches if he dares to come after us.”

I walk forward very slowly, keeping my breathing steady. “Far better is that she should be a prize for me.”

Confusion flickers in Tobias’s eyes. I grin at him, letting my wolf rise so the next words come out as a threat.

“I think she’ll make a fine mate for me, and luna to the pack. It will stop Bailey from attacking us if we have one of his own, and keeping her is the greatest strength we could possibly show him.”

Tobias glares at me as furious mutterings explode around the circle. A lot of them are disappointed they won’t get to taste Fiona. But on the other side of the circle, quite a few males are showing obvious signs of relief.

Some distance away, the women are watching curiously. A wave of rage surges in me that Tobias intended to perform this vile act right in front of them.

I take another step towards Tobias, glaring at him. “She’s mine!” I snap. “Let her go, right now. I want to perform the mating ceremony immediately. All of you back the fuck off!”

I see fear and confusion in Fiona’s eyes, and all I can do is pray she stays silent.

Tobias growls, his eyes shimmering with a predatory glow. I answer his challenge, letting my wolf shine through me as I hold his gaze.

The world seems to fall quiet around us as we glare at each other. I will avoid a fight if I can, but if Tobias doesn’t let her go, Iwilltear him apart.

Finally, Tobias shoves Fiona at me, and she falls against my chest. I wrap my arms around her, relief rushing through me so powerfully, I feel weak at the knees.

Fiona looks up at me, her big blue eyes welling with tears. She clings to me as I start dragging her towards the camp, and I have no idea how she’s feeling. I can’t wait to talk to her. Maybe even explain why I had to do what I did all those years ago.

As we enter the first line of tents, a few of the women are there to greet us. Lilah appraises us with narrowed eyes, glaring at the rougher members of the pack but still too afraid of them to speak up.

“What is this?” she asks, gesturing to Fiona.

“This is my mate. Our new luna!” I announce it with as much enthusiasm as I can. “Tobias and his friends were extremely generous, thinking of me and the good of the pack. I could not have chosen better myself.”

Ain’t that the truth.

“A luna?” Lilah asks hopefully. The other women begin to talk excitedly amongst themselves, pointing at Fiona and waving.

“When will we conduct the ceremony?” Lilah asks.

“Now,” I answer firmly. “Immediately after, Tobias and his chosen hunters will go out and bring something back for our wedding feast… won’t you boys?”

“We will indeed, Alpha,” Tobias mutters.

Fiona trembles in my arms, her chest heaving as she bites her lip. I tighten my grip on her and give her a little shake, putting on a show for the others. She shoots me a glare, and I almost smile back at her, remembering how we used to tease each other when we were together.

---