Page 76 of The Alpha's Stolen Mate

Was that why Axel had joined the Rogues? For more power? More money? Or did it all come down to the secret jealousy Axel had been harboring toward Gabriel?

Gabriel blinked rapidly. He seemed to be processing Axel’s revelation just like I was. Then, his eyes narrowed on the knife at my throat.

“Be smart about this, Axel. Your only chance at survival is to let Summer go and surrender,” Gabriel said.

By the savage way Gabriel was scrutinizing his former best friend, I didn’t think he actually had any intention of keeping Axel alive once I was safe.

IfGabriel could figure out a way to get me to safety.

My Mate stepped slightly closer to us.

“Don’t you dare take another step!” Axel yelled and pushed down on the handle of the long knife.

Damn it!

Axel had slightly cut me. Warm blood trickled down my neck and the wound stung with sharp pain.

How deep was the cut? Hopefully not too deep.

But what if the next cut was? Gabriel wouldn’t be able to stop Axel before he slit my throat. By the time he got to us, the damage would already be done.

Gabriel wouldn’t be able to save me this time. Axel was going to kill me.

An image of my son burst into my mind. My kind, funny, hyper, and beautiful son. I’d never get to see him grow up. At least he had Aunt Mia and his grandmother. And I was able to see him meet his dad. Gabriel would survive this. At least our son would have his father in his life.

I love you, Grayson.

I love you, Mom, Dad, and Aunt Mia.

I love you, Gabriel.

Glancing up, I met Gabriel’s eyes, wanting to look into them one last time. His eyes were full of agony and heartache.

How devastated would he be when I died?

No!

I wasn’t going to let that happen.

I would not give up. Just because I had a knife to my throat didn’t mean I was dead yet. I had to live. Not surviving wasn’t an option. Grayson needed me. My death would crush my aunt and mom—especially if my father never woke up from his coma.

And what about Gabriel?

We were just starting to make our way back to each other. There was so much we still needed to figure out, but now that he was back in my life, I couldn’t imagine him not being a part of it.

I had to survive for the people in my life that I loved.

I had to survive for myself.

Only a few seconds had passed since Axel had cut me, but my entire outlook had changed. I didn’t care that I couldn’t shift because of that potion Axel had given me.

I didn’t need my wolf to be dangerous. I just had to be smarter than Axel.

The nail!

An hour ago, Axel had gone into the office space for a minute. I’d contemplated trying to make a run for it when he was out of sight, but I knew either Axel would catch me or one of the Rogues he had stationed outside would. I wouldn’t have a shot in hell of fighting them off by myself, especially without my wolf.

But I did spot a large rusty nail on the ground beside me. Before I could overthink it, I had lowered myself to the ground—slightly leaning against the chair so I wouldn’t lose my balance because my arms were tied behind my back.

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