Page 25 of Alpha's Touch
Oh god. Preston was going to be sick. His mouth filled with that warm, metallic taste. He shot across the hall and dropped to his knees, retching his guts out. But all he’d eaten today was mostly fruit, so he had nothing to give, which made his gut hurt even worse.
A cool washcloth was laid across the back of his neck. Zeppelin crouched next to him, brushing aside strands of Preston’s hair.
“That’s your trauma manifesting, sweetheart.” He sat on the floor then pulled Preston into his lap, gently urging Preston to rest his head on his shoulder. “You don’t have to carry this alone anymore. You’re now a part of our pack, and every last one of us wouldn’t hesitate to keep you safe. You tell me who needs their headstone carved and it’s done.”
Preston pushed away from Zeppelin, staring wide-eyed at him. “You just told me I have a pack of assassins at my disposal. You can’t give a guy that kind of power. I’ll have the mailman whacked for bringing me bills. Loud neighbors? Not anymore.”
Of course he wasn’t serious, but Zeppelin was. Holy. Shit.
“You’re mated to the pack alpha.” Zeppelin shrugged. “Though I wouldn’t advise siccing them on your neighbors just because they’re noisy.”
Preston smirked. “Why not?”
“Babe, we’re wolves. Not humans. Ninety percent… No, scratch that. All of them would get too much pleasure out of it.”
“I don’t know whether to feel impressed or terrified,” Preston admitted. “We’re just gonna forget this conversation ever took place.”
Zeppelin gently cupped Preston’s throat. “Tell me who he is and if he’s a current or former threat.”
When Preston stood, Zeppelin didn’t stop him. “Wait right here.” He wrinkled his nose. “On second thought, let’s stop sitting on the bathroom floor.”
Zeppelin followed him to his bedroom and sat back down on the bed as Preston retrieved his phone. He unlocked it and tapped on Antonio’s text thread.
“You can read them while I go brush my teeth.”
Preston was done carrying this burden by himself. Zeppelin was offering and Preston was accepting the help because he had no clue how to stop Antonio on his own.
All Preston wanted was to stop running, to set down roots somewhere, and to finally be able to breathe without constantly looking over his shoulder.
And Crimson Hollow seemed like the perfect place to start over, especially with Zeppelin.
His mate.
Chapter Eight
Zeppelin stared at the phone screen, rage burning like a hot coal in his chest. With each swipe, the texts grew darker, more calculated. Antonio had started with guilt trips, sprinkling in just enough concern to seem caring. Then came the demands disguised as requests, followed by thinly veiled threats wrapped in faux affection.
Miss you, handsome. Hope you’re taking care of yourself since I’m not there to do it. You know how forgetful you get when I’m not around.
Just checking in. Haven’t heard from you in days. Are you ignoring me? That’s not very nice after everything I’ve done for you.
Saw your dad yesterday. He mentioned you haven’t called him either. Should I be worried? Maybe I should come find you, make sure you’re okay.
The manipulation was so obvious it made Zeppelin’s teeth ache from clenching his jaw. This fucker knew exactly what he was doing, playing on Preston’s fears and insecurities with surgical precision.
The last text had been sent just an hour ago. That smirking emoji followed by those words—See you soon, handsome—made Zeppelin’s wolf snarl with protective fury.
Taking a screenshot of Antonio’s profile picture, Zeppelin sent it to Vaughn. Not even thirty seconds passed before his phone vibrated with an incoming call.
“Who the hell is that?” Vaughn asked without preamble.
“Antonio.” Zeppelin voice came out as a low growl. “The piece of shit who's been stalking Preston.”
Quickly, he took screenshots of the worst texts and sent those too, his finger jabbing at the screen harder than necessary.
“Make sure every pack member has this picture,” Zeppelin ordered. “If anyone spots him in town, I want to know immediately. Tell them not to engage—just call me.”
“On it,” Vaughn replied. “What’s the plan if we find him?”
