Page 39 of Curvy Alpha Bride
He still has no idea who he really is. He never met his mother or father. I can’t imagine what he’s going through.
“Get up and follow your mate to the cabin,” Finnah says to Xavier, her voice hard. “Wewillhurt you if we have to.”
Xavier’s face pales, and his jaw goes slack. I can tell she’s never spoken to him like that before. Growling, he gathers himself as if he’s about to shift and fight.
The twin sisters break apart and give themselves room to shift as Hector and Ivan crouch down, teeth bared and hackles raised. There’s absolutely no doubt that they are serious, and between them, they could easily rip Xavier apart.
“Try not to injure him too badly,” Serra says. “A broken arm or leg will immobilize him. Go for a clean break rather than tearing up his hide.”
“Xavier!” I yell, twisting against the hands of the women. “Don’t! Please don’t fight them!”
“I have to!” he yells, getting up from the ground. “This is insane! They can’t just take us prisoner!”
“We already have,” Serra says harshly. “We’ve done it for your own protection, you arrogant little pup, so why don’t you shut the fuck up and get your ass back to the cabin before this situation gets really ugly.”
I see the tension race through him as he stares her down. His fists clench by his sides as he glares at her. Serra barely moves, looking down her nose at him with cold, empty eyes.
“Do as she says,” Finnah warns, stepping forward, drawing Xavier’s gaze. “I won’t tell you again.”
Hector and Ivan growl louder, and Eileen, Rhiannon, and Ninette shove me up the path. I struggle against them, not wanting to leave Xavier.
“Don’t hurt him!” I scream, fighting them. “Please don’t hurt him! Xavier!”
“I’m here,” he answers, appearing beside us. The elders flank him, keeping him level with us. I stop fighting the women and walk calmly between them as we’re escorted back to the cabin.
“What now?” Xavier asks as we stand before the open door. “Are you going to lock us in?”
“Yes,” Serra says. “Until further notice.”
“What the fuck—” he starts to yell, but Serra gives him a hard shove in the chest. He falls against me, and both of us tumble through the open door, crashing to the floor. The door slams shut with a loud bang, and I hear sliding and knocking sounds.
“What the fuck is that?” I mutter, getting up.
“It’s a barricade,” he says. “They’ve put something across the door.”
A couple of seconds later, I hear sharp knocking that confirms they are nailing planks across the outer frame to make sure we can’t get out, even if Xavier somehow manages to get the door open.
My fear is so intense, it’s like a living thing, coiling in my guts, rushing through my blood, and emanating through my skin. I start shivering, and moans rise in my throat as I listen to the sounds of the elders securing the perimeter as well.
“Hey, are you okay?” Xavier asks, hurrying over to me.
“No!” I wail. “I’m not fucking okay—none of this is okay!”
Xavier puts his arms around me, and I snuggle against his chest, gasping as I try to control the sobs tearing through my ribs.
If I let them out, I might start to scream, and then I’d never stop.
Chapter 14 - Xavier
With Mabel held tightly against my chest, I glare at the elders through the wide windows around the cabin’s living area. They’ve set themselves up as sentries at every corner, and I notice for the first time that the windows are solid, thick panes of glass that don’t open.
This place is a fortress—or a prison.
Fury rages through me, and my body feels so strong, I could tear through the big stone bricks that make up the cabin walls. I even scan my eyes across the floor, wondering if I could break out that way, but it’s solid stone as well.
I hear Serra talking out front, telling Ivan and Hector to stay and guard us. Eileen also volunteers to stay. The others say they are going back to town to deal with “the situation.”
What situation? What the fuck is going on?
