Page 15 of Sold to the Alphas

“You know he’s not going to stop,” I said finally, my voice low. “He won’t let it go. Elisabed humiliated him, and that kind of thing sticks with an alpha like Raol. He’ll come back. And next time, he won’t come alone.”

“I know,” August said quietly.

“So why are we still here?” I asked, turning to face him. “Neutral territory isn’t safe for us anymore. Too many alphas would jump at the chance to side with Raol if it meant taking us down. Hell, he’s probably at Marcus’ place right now, plotting our demise. We need to move. If the council retracts the decision, there’ll be nothing we can do.”

“I agree,” August said, surprising me. “But if we leave now, Elisabed won’t have the time she needs to adapt. She’s already overwhelmed. Rushing this could make things worse.”

“She doesn’t need time,” I said, shaking my head. “She needs us. The bond will settle her and make her stronger. You saw her last night. She’s ready.”

August’s jaw tightened, his green eyes narrowing. “She’s not fully integrated yet. Without a proper nesting period—”

“Fuck the nesting period,” I growled, cutting him off. “We don’t have the luxury of time, August. Every minute is a risk.”

August turned to me. “And if she breaks? What then, Marshall?”

“She won’t.”

“You don’t know that.”

“Yes, I do,” I snapped. “She’s tougher than you think. She fought Raol and lived. She faced six council alphas looking to punish her for it—and lived. She’s strong, August. She’s a fighter.”

He didn’t respond right away, his expression unreadable. I could see the wheels turning in his head, weighing the risks and consequences. That was August for you—always thinking ten steps ahead, always planning for every possible outcome. It drove me insane sometimes.

“We’ll bond with her on the road,” I continued, my voice calmer now. “We’ll run together as wolves, and it’ll be enough. By the time we reach our territory, she’ll be fully integrated, and we’ll be safer. You know I’m right.”

August let out a slow breath, his jaw tightening. “You’re sure about this?”

“Damn sure.”

He nodded slowly, though I could tell he was still hesitant. “Fine. We’ll leave tonight.”

“Good,” I said, relief flooding through me.

August turned to go back inside but stopped just before the door. “Marshall,” he said, his voice quieter now.

“What?”

“You’re right. She’s stronger than I thought,” he admitted. “But that doesn’t mean she’s invincible. Remember that.”

I didn’t answer, watching as he disappeared back into the house.

The door clicked shut, leaving me alone again in the morning silence. I lit another cigarette, the glow of the ember flaring as I inhaled. My wolf was quieter now, but not calm.

He wouldn’t be calm until Elisabed was fully bonded to us, and she was ours completely.

I was certain Raol wouldn’t stop trying to take Elisabed back. I knew he would likely come at us with every resource and ally at his disposal. But it didn’t matter. He—or anyone—wouldn’t take her from us.

Elisabed was ours.

I’d kill anyone who dared to think otherwise.

7

Elisabed

When I finally left the bedroom, I was immediately overwhelmed by how unfamiliar everything was—big and loud and filled with unknown scents and objects. I had to force myself to breathe to calm down.

You’ve already survived worse than this. You can handle it.

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