Page 87 of Stolen By the Alpha Hunter
I take a shuddering breath, nodding even though they can’t see me. Ephraim taps his foot against the floor in the corner, giving me a warning look.
“I don’t know what my dad has planned,” I say. “He’s keeping all the women here locked up. It’s horrible.”
“How many men does he have?” Reyes’ voice comes in the background.
I frown and think hard about it, looking back to the night when Javi caught me on the hunt.
“Um…about thirty, I think,” I say. “I don’t know how many women are here. We have to get them out.”
“You’re our first priority,” Frankie says. “And we only have so many resources.”
That’s what we said when we escaped last time…but something compels me to agree. Javi, maybe—because as long as I’m in danger, he will be too.
“I understand,” I say.
“We need you to be ready to go at a moment’s notice,” Frankie says. “We’re gonna help you first—and then take care of the others when we can get our bearings. It’s time to deal with the Gulf Pack once and for all.”
I glance over at Ephraim, afraid that he might react to that. To my surprise, he doesn’t seem to care, even though I’m confident he heard it.
He just taps his wrist where an old, broken watch is clasped.
Time to go.
“I have to leave,” I say, “but I’ll be ready. Just…you need to make sure you can bring two of us.”
“Two of you?” Frankie asks. “Peaches—we have to focus on you.”
“No, I get that,” I say. “But I found my mate, and I won’t leave without him.”
They’re quiet on the other end of the line for a moment, then Tilda clears her throat.
“We’ve got you,” she says. “Don’t let them steal your sunshine.”
I smile through the tears. “I won’t.”
“Good,” she says. “See you soon.”
And the line goes dead.
I take the headset off slowly, then set it on its stand with reverence. Ephraim gestures at me, shaking his head.
“Gotta get you back to your room before someone catches us,” he says. “You’re not supposed to be up here.”
I nod, starting to follow him—then I catch his wrist before he can go through the door.
“Ephraim, wait,” I say.
He glares over his shoulder at me. “Haven’t I done enough for you?”
I freeze.
I want to fight him on this.
Because no…he’s barely done a damn thing for me.
“Why?” I ask. “Why are you helping me?”
He turns around with a reluctant groan.
