The Alpha’s Mate Who Cried Wolf
Chapter 22
Chapter 22
‘Happy Birthday!’ Amelia says as I wake.
‘Happy Birthday, Luna!’ Seth cheers. I can’t help but laugh.
‘Who would have thought I’d be celebrating my eighteenth in a cold, dirty cell?’ I chuckle. Seth and Amelia laugh. We all go silent in thought
‘Astrid?’ Amelia says, concerned.
I’m terrified. I’m meeting my wolf tonight. What if Ryker doesn’t save us in time? What if James marks me?’ I worry.
‘Let’s see if I can mind-link Alpha Ryker. James and John injected wolfsbane into me. But unfortunately, it weakened me and hindered our connection, Seth says. We watch on as he concentrates, his eyes clouding over.
‘Is it working?’ | ask. Seth nods.
I’ve gotten through to Alpha Ryker!’ He says. I run to my cell door, hold the bars, and partially squeeze my head through them.
‘Seth, tell him I’m sorry. Tell Ryker I am so sorry. I should not have left. I didn’t want to leave!’ I yell desperately.
‘Ryker says he knows. Vanessa confessed everything. Did you’ know Alice poisoned him so Vanessa could mark him?’ Seth
says. I gasp.
‘Please tell me she didn’t?’ I panic.
‘No, Kane and Leon were there just in time. They’re both in the cells now. I relax with relief.
‘He knows we’re here. He will be here tonight with the warriors to free us,’ he says.
‘Please tell him I miss him, and I just want to be with him.
Seth nods.
‘So, I guess we just have to wait it out until tonight, I say. Seth nods. I can’t help but smile and hug myself. I jump up and down and do a twirl.
I’m going to see Ryker tonight!’ I say with excitement. Seth and Amelia smile at seeing me so happy and excited.
My joy is short-lived when John and James come marching down the stairs, smirking. John unlocks Amelia’s door and drags her out.
‘No, John. Please! Where are you taking me?’ Amelia cries.
‘Let her go!’ | shout.
Amelia kicks and punches John.
‘Stop fighting me! Alpha Zenith is ready for you. The longer you make him wait, the more lashes you’ll receive!’ He snaps.
‘Don’t you dare touch her!’ I yell.
‘Or what?’ John yells.
I’ll rip your head off the moment I shift if you lay a finger on her!’ John glares at me.
‘James, I think you need to put Astrid in her place!’ He warns.
John is still dragging Amelia up the stairs as she continues kicking and screaming. James enters my cell and steps forward, and I step back until I’m up against the wall with nowhere else to go. He cups my cheek with his hand.
‘Tonight, we become one, and you become mine!’ He whispers in my ear. Then he presses his body against mine, pinning me against the wall, and kisses my neck. I try to fight him off, but he has my hands pinned above my head.
‘Get off my Luna now!’ Seth growls. James pauses with annoyance and turns to Seth.
“Astrid is my Luna and my mate! I will do as I please with her, so if I were you, I would shut your trap before I come in there and rip your head off!
James kisses my neck,
“Please! Stop!’ I yell,
‘Stop? We could skip waiting and mark.each other now?’ He says, dead serious. His fangs protrude, and he scrapes them across my shoulder. I kick him in the shin as hard as possible, and he steps back in pain. I punch him with full force, giving him a black eye.
‘You little!’ He snarls. I want to punch his face again, but he catches my fist in his hand, twists my arm behind my back, and locks me in a hold, so I can’t move.
‘You have become rather feisty, Astrid. You’re not as weak as you used to be, but I can fix that!’ He says, shoving me into the stone bench and locking the cell door behind me.
‘Tonight, I won’t be so lenient, Astrid. I suggest you get used to the idea of being my mate!’ He yells as he walks upstairs.
‘Astrid, are you okay?’ Seth asks.
‘I want to get out of here. I want to be with Ryker.’
‘I know Luna, I know. I would do anything to have Mia in my arms right now, too, he says with a sad smile. John returns downstairs in a bad mood with a food tray. His face has deep scratches.
‘Where’s Amelia?’ I yell. He drops the food tray on the ground, not caring that half of the food rolls off into the dirt.
‘The little cow went psycho, scratching the shit out of my face and ran off, but we have pack warriors spread out everywhere
if Ryker shows up. So, it’s only a matter of time till she’s caught and brought back here.’
‘We will see you tonight for your first shift, he says with a smile.
‘Who are we?’ | ask.