Page 53 of Captured
I would like nothing more but to hold her as close as I can, crush her fragile body against mine and take her, here and there in this cave. Mark her as mine as I know she is.
But first, I have to get rid of the apex.
The alpha moves first. His cold gaze set on me and I recognize him instantly.
This is the large beast that attacked us on the beach. With his superior size and attitude, I know he must be the king of his entire territory, the uncontested master of this land.
As his talons scratch the ground, I know he recognizes me, too. On each side of him, the smaller apex waits for a signal to attack.
This is where everything hangs in the balance. If this alpha is a good leader, he won’t lead his family into a disastrous encounter with a superior predator. He will cede the way for me to take my female and leave.
If he’s vain and resentful, he will attack, thinking he now has the better of me.
Seconds slip by as I stand my ground, protecting Juliet as much as I can.
The alpha moves, stepping in front of his followers. I can’t be sure, but I have a feeling he’s not just the dominant male, but the protector of a close family unit. That he’s intelligent and caring.
It could be as much a good thing as a bad one.
The alpha hisses, his collar spreading wide in an intimidation attempt. I don’t move, don’t answer the threat. He needs to understand I’m not willing to give up Juliet. I’m willing to fight to the death for her.
He needs to know this is a fight he’s not going to win, even with his two females to back him up.
I purse my lips, exposing my own fangs in a silent answer. The alpha digs into the rocks, his talons leaving deep gouges into the hard rock. His hiss turns shrill, the wrath of the sound enough to make the dust fall from the ceiling.
I don’t flinch, don’t move. All I do is flex my talons, remind him of the last time he challenged me.
There’s a moment where I think he’s going to leap, throw caution to the wind and chance his revenge.
Then he turns his back to me, ignoring me pointedly. This is a message, a statement. He can’t lose face in front of his females. He needs to show them he doesn’t fear me.
As the alpha returns to his feeding, the females’ gazes linger on me. They’re not sure what to do, if they should follow their alpha’s lead or not. Then one turns away and feeds, soon followed by the other.
Only then do I turn to Juliet.
My Amara sits on the rocks, her body trembling so hard her teeth shatter together. I bend in front of her and reach for the soft velvet of her cheek. As our skin comes into contact, my exoskeleton retreats in an involuntary, instinctive reaction. The electricity that spreads into my entire body as we touch is like lightning. It takes all I have not to pull her to me and kiss her.
She brings her small fist between us, palm up. When she opens it, the small crystal form of the data frame catches the faint glow remaining in the darkness.
I stare at it for a moment, unable to take my eyes away from it. I had forgotten all about the data frame, about the List. All that had mattered was Juliet.
When I look back into her eyes, I want to tell her that she’s it. All my life had been just a waiting game before her, something of little importance.
Like she understands she cannot attract attention to herself, she stays completely silent as I gather her in my arms and leave the cave.
As I do, I can feel the burning stare of the apex predator on my back.
He took care of Henrick for me. It’s only fair I spare his family just as he spared mine. He’s no threat to me anymore.
No, the real threat waits for me wearing the face of a friend. The traitor is still out there, lying in wait.
