Page 69 of Wolf Claimed
“There’s only nine of them left. If they find you again, we will take care of them.”
“And what about the DSA? They have my photo and fingerprints on file, and we don’t know who else they’ve shown my picture to by now. Especially my dad. You can’t fight everyone, Rafe.”
“Just watch me.”
Chapter Eighteen
MADDOX
Maddox stretched as he got out of the SUV. The motel looked run-down, but the place was well off the main highway so their car wouldn’t be spotted. They’d driven an hour from the DSA training facility, far enough that the shifters and DSA wouldn’t find them by scenting either.
“I don’t understand how you paid for these motel rooms,” Rafe said as he opened the door to room seven and tossed the second key to Maddox for the adjoining room.
“I memorized my credit card numbers.”
“But the name you gave him. Joe Affino. Who is he?” Rafe asked, with a definite growl to his voice. The alpha sounded jealous.
“It doesn’t matter who he is,” Maddox snapped. “She belongs to Tiernan now.” A fact that grated on Maddox. He was relieved that they didn’t have to put Tiernan down, but Maddox couldn’t just let go of his feelings for Alyssa.
Maddox would have to keep his distance from Alyssa and forget her scent, her touch, and those stunning hazel eyes that held so much fire when she looked at him.
“It’s Jo as in Josephine, and that’s me,” Alyssa explained as she plopped on the edge of the bed. “I set up a second identity with credit cards, bank accounts, and documents in case I ever had to run. My father and the DSA won’t be able to track me. I set it up back when I was terrified he would find me, but it’s been years. I never thought I’d need to use it.”
“Why are you so terrified of your own father? I know why we are, but you’re his daughter,” Tiernan said.
“I’m half-shifter,” she said with a confidence she didn’t have before.
“Angel? Has something changed?”
“Instinct and logic, Maddox. It’s the only thing that makes sense.”
“Wow, back up,” Tiernan said as he looked from her to the others. “She’s half-shifter?”
“Shebelievesshe’s half-shifter,” Maddox added as he headed out to unlock the interior door from the room next door. He re-entered to see Tiernan leaning over Alyssa, scenting her neck.
“Catch me up, Alyssa. What’s going on?” Tiernan asked.
As she told Tiernan everything, he sat next to her, caressing her lower back as he patiently listened. “I agree with Rafe and Maddox. Your scent confirms what they’ve told you. You’re not shifter or half-shifter. Someone’s been playing with your head. Most likely your father.”
“I guess that’s possible. But there are times itfeelsas if there’s this thing inside of me trying to get out.”
Maddox leaned against the dresser. It was as close as he could get to her and still be considered respectful of a blood-bonded pair. He wanted to touch her, but wasn’t sure how Tiernan would react. He lifted a brow, silently asking Tiernan for permission to approach his blood-bonded mate.
Tiernan glared at him.
Alyssa caught the exchange. “It’s okay, Maddox. I don’t think the bond is there. You can come closer.”
“I don’t think that’s wise,” he replied, his eyes still on Tiernan.
Dauntless as ever, Alyssa rose from the bed, stepped right up to him, and tipped her head back, her lush blonde hair falling behind her. Maddox couldn’t resist. He stroked her hair down her back.
“You did nothing wrong, angel. You’re a victim of your father, like so many others. Nothing more.”
“I’m hardly innocent. I just kidnapped Gallagher and used an illegal truth serum on him.”
She was changing the subject again, avoiding her fears. He wished he knew what scared her more, being shifter or being taken by her father.
“The same drug he used on you,” Rafe said, still growling. “Except he used you as bait without even having the decency to tell you, so you’d be prepared. Fuck, I never should have let him interrogate you.”
