Page 13 of Alpha Bond

He gives a curt nod, leaving me wondering if this is good news to him or an unwanted complication. Either would be understandable. I know the urban packs are always in need of more females. If I stay here, they’ll expect me to go through their ranks, seeking out a bond, a male to have pups with.

That’s not going to happen. I’m not going to stick around long enough. Certainly not long enough to seek a male. And, more importantly, not long enough for them to find out my secret. I don’t need a bond to conceive pups. That’s the trouble with my kind. And our gift.

Before the conversation can continue, the door swings open, and Jagger fills the space. Relief floods me, though I can’t explain why. Maybe because he’s already proved he won’t hurt me. He strides into the room carrying a tray that has my mouth watering. There’s a tall glass of orange juice alongside a plate piled with steaming vegetables and a mound of meat, cooked bloody, just as I like it. He sets the tray on the desk, and I abandon propriety and bolt toward it.

Filthy fingers are ignored as I snatch up a hunk of beef and shove it into my mouth. Nearby me, I sense the pair looking on in surprise, but I don’t give a fuck. I’m ravenous.

God…when last did I eat?

Long seconds pass, with the silence broken only by the desperate sounds I’m making as I cram food into my face. I still don’t give a damn. I reach for the glass, greasy fingers leaving dark smudges on the surface as I gulp frantically, almost gagging in my eagerness to quench the thirst that consumes me. When I glance down again, half the plate has been devoured.

I slant a look at the two, who are staring at me as I eat.

“Good?” Greyson asks, humor creasing the lines around his eyes. I nod mutely, too busy chewing to answer with words. He turns to Jagger. “Law, I need you to make our guest comfortable. “

I see the younger male’s jaw tighten. I’m guessing this wasn’t in the game plan.

“But, sir—” Jagger begins but is cut off by his alpha.

“We have no more accommodations in the family sector,” Greyson says firmly. “Your unit is spacious enough. You’ll have room for Sierra to be comfortable until I can make more suitable arrangements.”

He glances at me. I’m staring at the alpha. Is he suggesting I should be bunking down with this male? He’s clearly unmated, and so am I. That’s a recipe for disaster.

“You’ll be fine, girl,” Greyson says. “Law here is celibate.”

My mouth drops open as I stare at the dark-haired shifter. He doesn’t meet my eye. Probably aware that I’m remembering how he’d pressed up against me, hot and hard, back in the wastelands. That was not the behavior of a sterile male. Has he taken a vow? Is it something religious? I’ve heard of it, but it’s rare. Our kind are too primal, driven by our nature to procreate. Still, the revelation surprises me, and my cheeks flush with embarrassment. I hadn’t meant to make assumptions about his intentions, but given our current situation… Well, it’s only natural that I’d feel vulnerable.

“Make the arrangements,” Greyson is saying to Jagger, who nods. He doesn’t appear happy. I can’t blame him. I’m about to turn his life upside down.

He looks at me now, then at my plate. I realize I’ve cleaned it, though I’m still scraping up the last drops of animal fat and juice with my fingertips, licking them. His eyes move to my mouth, then back to my eyes. I give a tight nod, rising quickly, then sway. The room spins for a second, and Greyson reaches out a hand to steady me.

“I think a trip to the medic bay first,” he says firmly. “Beatrice should still be there.”

Jagger snaps a nod, reaching for my arm. I almost pull it away, but an unsteady step changes my mind. I’ve eaten too quickly, and nausea joins the mix.

Oh God, please don’t let me puke!

They’re staring at me again as I realize I’ve gone still and quiet.

“Can you walk?” Jagger asks.

“Definitely,” I say through gritted teeth. Celibate or not, I’m not comfortable with him offering to carry me again. Greyson moves to open the door, and as it swings open, I see half a dozen pairs of eyes glowing in from the dark.

“Clear out!” Greyson barks, then turns back to us. “Make it quick, Law. I’ll make the announcement of her arrival in the morning, but till then, you’re going to be fending off questions.”

I feel Jagger’s hand on the small of my back as he guides me to the door. I pause on my way out.

“Thank you, Alpha Titer,” I say meekly. “I appreciate your sanctuary.” It’s not lost on me that these people are saving me. My defenses are flaring, but I sense that I’m safe…for now. His silver head dips, and he smiles before glancing over at Jagger.

“Try to keep it tidy, Law,” he says. Jagger says nothing, and I get that sense of tension from him again. He respects the other male, but there’s something uneasy between them. However, as we leave the office, I forget these thoughts when I realize the eyes are still out there. And along with them comes scrutiny. Scrutiny that takes physical form as footsteps ring out, then stop, and I’m staring into the eyes of a grim-faced female.

“What the fuck you got yourself into now, Law?” The woman runs cold eyes up and down me before turning back to him without actually acknowledging me. I find myself bristling, though without realizing it, I’ve taken a step away, putting Jagger between me and her.

Holy shit.

Alpha bitch. I’ve never seen one before. This place is crawling with anomalies. Though I guess I’m one to talk. There are probably more of her kind than there are of mine. Still, it’s unsettling to be so close to the aggressive female.

“Orders from Titer,” Jagger says. He hasn’t stopped me from hiding out behind him, but I realize he’s stiffened when I curl my fingers into the fabric of his shirt.

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