Page 27 of Alpha's Arranged Mate

Even as Dash nodded his agreement at Braxton's words, the rebel demon wolves scoffed.

Molly jerked Lottie up with the arm around her waist, forcing her flush against her torso. "Are you willing to play a dog on a leash just to get your precious Silverdale bitch?"

Fury raged inside Lottie, and her she-wolf threatened to spring forth. Yet, she knew that if she even tried, her throat would be torn to shreds in the process.

"Call her that again and I'll make sure those cuffs never come off!" Braxton snarled, and the defense in his tone warmed Lottie's heart. "Continue with this rebellion, and I shall step aside and let the witches turn you to ash and brimstone."

"And here we were thinking we were your pack!" Molly snarled at him. "You're no better than them!"

Braxton growled through gritted teeth and turned on Dash. "This is getting us nowhere. Dash Silverdale, release me so I may take care of my pack properly."

Braxton held out his hands to show the runed cuffs at his wrists.

Dash, who had remained utterly silent throughout the exchange, watching like all other others who were slowly creeping out of the woodwork, looked thoughtful. Lottie's stomach twisted as she imagined what might happen were her cousin to say no.

Would Molly take it as a sign that the alliance was over? If that were the case, then she would have no need left for her. She might as well tear her throat out and be done with it. To a demon wolf, it was likely a better world with one less Silverdale wolf in it.

"Dash…" Lottie began, meaning to plead for her fiancé's true release. She never quite got the chance.

Dash gave the nod and Malia stepped forward to remove the cuffs from Braxton's wrists. Lottie watched as the silver bracelets glowed, and Braxton's teeth bared with pain glinting in his eyes.

When he shifted to fully face them once more, Lottie watched his eyes begin to glow a bright amber that shifted and transformed into a brilliant flaming red.

Before her eyes Braxton shifted from human to wolf, and from wolf to bright, flaming demon wolf. The flames lapped higher and higher. Heat rushed off him like a tidal wave of temperature, and she had to hold her breath in order to stop the smell of brimstone burning her lungs.

He advanced slowly then, growling deep in his throat, his brilliantly white fangs bared and shining against the flames of his pelt.

Lottie watched in astonishment. She couldn't remember ever having seen something so terrifyingly beautiful. She quivered at the sight of him, watching as he advanced upon the other defenseless demon wolves. And though she herself stood right in the firing line, she somehow felt no fear, only adoration.

The other Silverdale wolves watched on in uncomfortable silence, and it was as if the entire square, even the plants in the flowerbeds, was holding its breath waiting to see how the situation would unfold.

The animalistic growling was a mixture of throaty sounds accompanied by the crackling of flames. Braxton glared at the rebels as if he could turn them to ash with a single look, and it wasn't until each one of them had reluctantly bowed their heads with submission that he finally transformed back.

As he did so, Molly stepped away from Lottie, removing her grip from her so that she could breathe deeply for the first time in minutes. Her breath was gone just as quickly as she caught sight of Braxton once more. His borrowed clothes had been burned away, and he stood naked in all his glory.

"You are to return to your cells until the alliance is complete and I have decided whether or not you are worthy of your freedom!" Braxton boomed at them. "Rebellion is no more tolerated now than it ever was. If you do not wish to accept me as your alpha, speak now!"

Though he had aimed the words at the rebels, he turned his gaze on the demon wolves who were dotted around the square, those who had not been part of the rebellion, clearly giving every one of them the option to challenge him.

"How do we know you can even stick to your word?" the burly wolf who appeared to be Molly's second demanded. He reached out and gripped hold of Molly's hand, holding her close as if to protect her.

"Malia!" Dash spoke up before Braxton could say a word. He stepped forward and held out his hands. "The cuffs, please?"

Dipping her head silently, Malia placed Braxton's cuffs in his hands. Lottie watched with a lump in her throat as he carried them to Braxton and held them out.

"These belong to you. Do with them as you wish," he announced, looking Braxton deep in the eye. Something passed between the two alphas then, a look of respect that no other wolf could quite comprehend.

Braxton dipped his head to the other alpha and said, "Thank you. I shall keep them as a reminder of our alliance. Not that I shall need another."

He turned to look at Lottie then and the swell that erupted in her heart had her racing toward him. The sheer strength and domination she felt coming off him was so intoxicating that she threw herself into his arms.

The cuffs in one hand, he wrapped his other around the back of her head and gripped the roots of her hair to pull back her head just enough to look her in the eye. "Are you hurt?"

Trembling with relief and warm with affection as she melted into his arms, she shook her head. Though she could still feel the sting of Molly's claws at her throat, she thought it best not to mention. There was little harm done.

Seemingly satisfied with her answer, Braxton turned his glare upon Molly and the others once more. In a booming voice he ordered, "Return with the Silverdale guards to your cells to await the completion of the alliance, or I shall make good on my problem to unleash the witches upon you."

Lottie's breath caught again. Was that defiance she saw in Molly's eyes?

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