Page 28 of Wolf Trapped
The click of the lock makes me cringe. The door opens, and I stay where I am, not wanting him to see me right now with red-rimmed eyes. “I know you’re awake, Jara. Is this how it’s going to be?”
“You leave me locked in a single bedroom with only Angela for company when she’s not busy, with nothing to do, not even a book to read, and you expect me to be happy and greet you when you decide to show your face?” I say with a scoff.
“Whatever, Jara. I’m going to sleep.” He moves around the room, nearly silent, and undresses before lying on the other side of the bed. The bed dips with his weight, and a sigh of frustration fills the room.
Do I care? Not particularly. Guilt eats at me with the thought. He just lost a member of his pack because they were on patrol at his request, but I tried to talk to him and comfort him, and he not only ignored me but lashed out at me.
“Good night, mate.” He whispers, but I don’t respond.
My emotions are raw, and I fear what I will say if I let myself speak. I don’t want to say anything I can’t take back.
The bed dips slightly again, and his lips kiss the back of my head softly. He must think I’m asleep because he wouldn’t usually be so tender with me, especially when I told him I won’t mate with him as long as I am locked away here.
Tears prick my eyes at the gesture, but I can’t let this go. He needs to stop being like this, talk to me, and treat me like a partner instead of a prisoner.
10
ARCHER
“Did you get what I asked for?” I ask Jordan on the phone in my office.
“Yes, sir. It should be delivered to your office in the next few minutes.” He answers, and I’m glad he didn’t call me alpha this time because he runs my human businesses, and with the humans recently scented in my territory, I am not taking any chances.
“Good, I need it as soon as possible. We have trouble here, and my mate is unhappy in her current situation.” I grumble. I hate locking her away, but I can’t tell her that. Mates and cubs are supposed to be always protected.
My father practically beat that idea into my head. You can’t show them your emotions or weaknesses, but you must do whatever it takes to protect them. “Do you have her card ready?”
“It’s on the way along with the package, sir. What’s happened that would warrant your mate needing these things?” he asks, confused.
I don’t blame him. They are strange requests. I just hope they ease her suffering some. I don’t want her to be unhappy here, and after what Angela said, I need to tread lightly with my beautiful mate.
The knock on the door startles me, and my grip on the phone tightens as I call out, “Come in.” Angela walks in the door with a package in hand and a raised eyebrow.
“Are we being a kiss ass now?” she grins, waving the package at me and holding up the black credit card.
“She mentioned she was bored.” I shrug. “She mentioned she didn’t have any books to read. I figured those would be helpful.”
“Or, you could stop locking her in the bedroom.” She grins.
“You locked your mate in your bedroom?” Jordan shouts into the phone. “Alpha, you realize how bad that is for her wolf, right?”
“Jordan, stop using words like that in a human office. I swear to the gods I should not have to tell you this every time I speak to you on the phone.” I say and groan.
“But you could damage her if she is cooped up too long.” He argues.
I pinch the bridge of my nose in frustration. I am no weak alpha and having my pack question, my decisions is pissing me off. People need to stop worrying about my mate and let me fucking handle this.
“Let me worry about my mate. I have to go.” I snarl into the phone and hang up.
“You know he’s not wrong.” Angela sings, handing me the package. “Are you going to show her how to use it?”
“If she will stop ignoring me,” I grumble.
It’s been a week, and she has barely even looked at me. She has turned on her side away from the door when I come in at night and doesn’t say a word even though I know she’s awake.
It’s frustrating. I would rather she argue and yell at me. This despondent woman who ignores me is so much worse.
Did I break her fiery spirit? Maybe I should let her roam the house only? No. I can’t fucking do that. She has to stay protected. I reach up to scratch an itch on my mate mark. It has been itching like crazy. Is it because we are fighting? Does she regret her choice? I hope not.
