Page 102 of Alpha's Redemption

“In the trunk. Now, I am done playing your little game of cat and mouse, so I will release her the moment I have marked that pretty little neck,” he says, pressing closer, and I turn my face to the trunk. I can hear the faint banging and groaning coming from it.

“No. Release her, then we can leave. Let her out, Carter,” I tell him.

“I want assurance first. No one will risk your life, so you want her, you will let me mark you,” he says, trailing his nose across my neck. I swallow, trying to stamp down the urges of the bond to give in to him.

The crackles of electricity are relentless the longer he touches me, making a moan escape me. Carter chuckles, though I’m seething on the inside that he has this effect. But if it works in distracting him, I’ll use it to my advantage.

“Nowthereis the reaction I have been looking for,” Carter murmurs, nipping at my neck, and my breath comes in uneven breaths at the sparks as the bond reacts to my mate. Glancing around, I see the girl from the train waiting at the bus stop. If I can just get Carter to release Ava, I know the girl would help her.

“Not here. We have too many observers,” I tell him, and he glances around before reaching for the door handle and opening it. I glance at it as he steps away from me and nods to get in.

“You want her back, then get in. Once I have marked you, I will let her go and not a moment before,” he says. I bite my lip and reluctantly get in.

“You'll let her out?” I ask worriedly. What if all of this is some ploy? Carter leans in, clipping in my seat belt. When he pulls back, he smirks.

“Of course,” he purrs, pressing his lips to mine.

Instead of fighting the bond, I allow it, answering his kiss and internally cringing the entire time. Yet, this insane man seems to think the feeling is reciprocated and cups the back of my neck, deepening it. His lips trail down my neck hungrily, and I offer it to him. Tears burn my eyes at what I’m about to allow him to do. I just hope I’m strong enough to fight the bond afterward.

“Do it,” I whisper, and he pulls away to look at me.

“Ava can catch the train home from here. Do it, so you know I’m yours,” I tell him.

He observes my face for a few seconds before glancing around the parking lot, and I notice it beginning to empty. The girl is gone—she was by the bus stop, but now I can't see her.

“Carter?” I ask, turning my attention back to him.

“And you'll mark me?” he asks, pecking my lips.

“You'll let her out?” I ask, and he nods.

“Then yes, but–”

“I will let her out,” he repeats.

I suck in a breath and quickly nod. Carter kisses me and I kiss him back, playing along until he pulls me to the side edge of the seat so my feet are hanging out the door; the seat belt feels as if it will strangle me. He crouches in front of me, his hands trailing up my thighs when he turns his head, offering me his neck.

“You want me to go first?” I ask.

“Well, unless you can fight an Alpha mark, Love, you first. Because you won't be awake long once I mark you,” he says, and my heart beats like a drum in my chest as panic kicks in.

Carter grips my face in his hands. “I promised, didn't I?” he says. He offers me his neck, and I hesitate before leaning closer. I feel my canines tear from my gums as his scent overwhelms me, the bond flaring to life, and I sink my teeth into his neck.

The bond surges as my chest tightens and my heart swells, letting his soul intertwine with mine. Carter grunts, tugging me against him, holding me closer until the bond forges. When my canines retract, I run my tongue over his mark, sealing it. My body feels traitorous, and I try to remind myself I still have control.

“Good girl,” Carter purrs, pecking my lips before he yanks my head to the side and sinks his teeth in my neck. I clench my eyes shut as pain rips through my shoulder before pleasure makes my entire body tingle; I submit to the bond and let it forge. Yet as the bond forms and blossoms, I feel my body become increasingly heavy, and I sag back against the seat.

Carter turns me after sealing his mark, pushing me back in my seat and untangling the belt that’s caught around my torso.

“Ava,” I murmur, fighting the overwhelming exhaustion.

“I will release her. Sleep,” he says, kissing my head and shutting the door. As my head hits the glass and I slump to the side, I watch in the side mirror as Carter pops the trunk. He rummages around, then I see Ava stagger forward before falling on the ground as her legs give out from under her. Moments later, Carter climbs in the driver's door while Ava undoes the gag from her mouth and tries to get up.

In a fight I’m never going to win, my eyes flutter as I try to force them to stay open. I manage long enough to see the girl rush from the bus station toward Ava while Carter speaks soft words to me and starts the car. As he pulls onto the highway, relief floods me when I see she’s alright.

I smile sleepily.

She’s safe.

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