Page 187 of Ruled By The Alpha

My eyes roam higher of their own accord, taking in the alpha’s firm abs and sculpted muscles, until I reach his face—his perfect face that’s lit up from the bathroom light, giving him an almost ethereal glow. This alpha has brown hair, carelessly tousled in a way that should be illegal, and his eyes are so green it’s like looking at the forest, or what I envision the forest to look like outside Whitshell’s walls. It’s been many years since I’ve seen it, but my mind paints it as a vivid splash of color that takes your breath away, much like his eyes.

Eyes that are focused on me.

I suck in a breath and sharply look away, face burning and grinding my teeth at my own stupidity.

“You can look, little omega. You can even touch.” His words twist my insides up, and I do my best to ignore the need building inside my core.

The alpha drops down into the nest—because there’s no doubt that’s what this is—and I scoot back, not wanting to accidently brush my body against his. Wes is being remarkably calm despite the fact his bonded alpha is flirting with another unclaimed omega, and that said omega is clearly a little enamored with his alpha. And seeing as I’m in a nest withhisalpha, I don’t want to continue trying my Weston’s patience.

“Why am I here?” I start, glancing down to pick at the fur blanket keeping me toasty warm.

“Firstly, let’s start with an introduction.” I can’t help but shiver when he speaks. He’s leaning back on his hands, legsoutstretched, unconcerned with his nudity, watching Wes and I closely. “I’m Maddox.”

“Eve,” I whisper, suddenly shy.

“My male and I found you hanging from the execution pillar. Weston asked me to help you, to save you, and I obliged.”

My eyes slam shut at the realization that Wes saw me like that, saw me beaten and bloody. He’s soft, sometimes too soft for this world, and I wanted to protect him from the worst of Whitshell and the shit I’ve seen as a rebel. I know he’s seen a few executions—they’re impossible to miss, since they happen almost weekly in the center square of the low zone—but seeing me hanging there is different.

“I took you both back to my den in the high zone and had a healer see to your injuries.” The last word is bitten out through gritted teeth, and the venom in his voice has me jerking up in shock. He looks furious, but furious about what, exactly? Alphas are savage, though this one has been nothing but kind so far, and they don’t care who they hurt or who others hurt, save for their bonded mates. “Once you were healed, I gave you both a shower, and then you woke up shortly after we got out.”

“I... see. And the guards just let you take me?”

Maddox smirks. “They required some persuading, but it’s nothing to worry about.”

And if Maddox saw me hanging, then he knows I’m a rebel. He clearly already knows I’m an omega; the moment he got close enough to bath me, he’d have smelled my omega undertones that had been hidden beneath my soiled clothes.

“I’ve bonded you both,” he continues, “and it’s my duty to care for my mates, regardless of what occupation you held in the past.”

It takes me a moment to absorb his words, but when I do, I freeze.

No.

No, he couldn’t have. He couldn’t have bonded us both. It’s impossible.

Ithasto be impossible.

Chapter 8

Weston

Eve’s face pales, and I know things are about to get worse. She hates the idea of being mated to an alpha even more than I do, and truthfully, I’m not sure how she will take knowing she’s bonded to an alpha who’s also bonded to me. We’re close, thick as thieves, and I’ve harbored love for her beyond friendship, so the idea of us being mated to the same alpha doesn’t bother me. Dare I say I’m actually happy about it?

I just don’t know how Eve will feel once the shock of all of it wears off.

“Bonded?” she mumbles, eyes unfocused, staring at nothing. “To an alpha? Me?”

“Yes,” Maddox starts. “It was necessary to ensure your survival. Youarea rebel, little omega, and the residents of the high zone don’t think fondly of traitors. Weston told me you wouldn’t be happy about my mark, and I am prepared to deal with your anger or hatred, if it comes to that.”

I pull Eve to me, enfolding her in my arms under the blanket, offering her comfort while also asking for forgiveness. It’s my fault she’s bonded to this alpha, and while I don’t relish dealing with her rage, I couldn’t just let her die. I don’t regret what I did; I only regret whatever distress my actions might cause her.

“What now?” Eve’s voice is a little stronger, her cheeks less pale, and she leans into me, seemingly accepting my silent apology. “Are we to stay here in the high zone?”

“Yes, it’s safer in this zone, and this den is more secure than most.”

His words settle something inside me, something I didn’t realize was lingering in my stomach like a lead weight.

“And my sisters?” she asks.

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