Page 82 of Alpha Brock
“So, what’ll it be?” he asks, cocking an eyebrow patronizingly. “Full moon’s tomorrow, so the timing really couldn’t be better as far as marking and sealing the bond goes.”
I swallow hard, blinking back the frustrated tears of defeat that are stinging behind my eyes. I force a hoarse whisper past my lips. “I’ll do it.”
“Excellent.” Xavier’s mouth spreads into a smug, self-satisfied grin. He takes a step back, then suddenly seems to think better of it, getting in my space again and leaning in.
He stinks. Everything about him makes me recoil.
“Since we’re to be mates, how about a little preview to last me until tomorrow, then?” Xavier murmurs, arching a brow. He reaches a hand down, grasping the hem of the oversized t-shirt I’m wearing and dragging it up my body. I stand frozen in place, my jaw clenched and my cheeks burning as he brings the fabric up to bunch at my collar. He leans back, his gaze sweeping over my bare form.
“Very nice…” He licks his lips as he lets go of the t-shirt and it falls back down my body, and it’s a miracle that I don’t vomit all over his boots. The humiliation makes my eyes water and my guts churn.
Xavier turns on a heel, striding in the direction of the exit as I release a breath, sliding down the wall. I scooch further away from the pool of Chris’ blood, turning my head so I don’t have to look at it. A tear slips from my eye, trailing down my cheek as I pull my knees into my chest again.
I feel like giving up right now, but Brock’s voice echoes in my head: ‘stay alert, stay alive’. Those words may have been meant for the battle, but they apply now more than ever.
As defeated as I feel, I can’t allow myself to crumble. I have to stay strong. I have to hold out hope. Because as scary as Xavier is, Brock’s pretty damn scary himself. I don’t doubt for a second that my big bad wolf could take Xavier down if given the chance.
I still believe that Brock is coming for me; that he’ll burn down the world to find me. That we’ll have the future I saw in those visions. And until he gets here, no matter what hell I go through, the hope for that future will have to sustain me.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
Astrid
“Put this on,” Kara growls, shoving a wadded-up ball of black chiffon at my chest.
I’ve been afforded the great pleasure of her company to prepare for the full moon tonight, which so far has consisted of a freezing cold shower in a dirty bathroom and Kara throwing things at me. A towel, a hairbrush, and now this chiffon garment, which I’m assuming is a dress. I hold it up in front of me, turning it around until I can discern what’s right-side-up.Definitely a dress.
I slip into it, relishing in the feel of the clean, delicate fabric against my skin. I’ve been living in that disgusting t-shirt for the past three days, so a change of clothes feels like a luxury. Once it’s on, I glance at myself in the mirror, tugging the straps onto my shoulders. I have to admit, the dress is beautiful. It’s simple, but it’s stunning in its simplicity- thin straps, a plunging neckline, and an open back. Somewhat fitted down to the waist, then flowy with a slit on one side that runs all the way up to my hip.
“Here,” Kara grumbles, tossing a small, zippered pouch in my direction.
I snatch it out of the air, turning it over in my hands and dragging the zipper open to see what’s inside.Makeup.
“Wow, he really wants me to go all out, huh?” I chuckle wryly, pulling a tube of mascara out of the pouch.
Kara watches me, narrowing her mean little eyes as I drop onto a stool in front of the mirror and rummage through the makeup. “Guess if he has to breed you tonight, he wants you to look halfway decent.”
The vulgarity of her words makes me cringe. Ever since Xavier made his intentions clear about mating me, Kara has been even more of a nightmare. It’s fairly obvious that she’s obsessed with the man, and based upon a very disturbing vision I picked up from her this morning, I know the two of them have had a physical relationship at some point. Clearly she thought their hookup would lead to more and she’s blaming me for getting in the way of that.
As if this is my choice.
I start to apply makeup in the mirror, feeling like I’m readying myself for my own execution. I’m cooperating, going through the motions, while racking my brain as to how I’m going to wiggle out of this- because actually being mated to Xavier would be a fate worse than death. I’m still holding onto hope for a rescue mission, but time’s running out. And if it does, I’ve got some serious doubts as to this plan that Xavier’s cooked up… and my own safety if it fails.
The fated mate bond is fairly straightforward, but sealing a bond between chosen mates is trickier. From what I understand, the two people have to have a very strong emotional bond between each other beforehand as a foundation for sealing a chosen mate bond. I’ve never heard of two people without any prior relationship trying to seal a chosen bond- so will it even work?
I guess we’ll find out, if it comes to that. The rest of the logistics for sealing a chosen mate bond are simpler- we just have to be in wolf form under the light of the full moon when we mark. Similar to the way the fated bond snaps into place, but the rules for marking are different since you’re creating a bond that didn’t exist before. Then once we’re both marked, supposedly fate will work its magic and seal the two of us, while dissolving any other bonds. Meaning that if Brock and I are fated, and Xavier and I successfully mark under the full moon tonight, it’ll override my bond with Brock. Yet another reason why I need to find a way out of this mess.
“You know he won’t let your brother live, right?” Kara murmurs, sinking onto a metal folding chair behind me and picking at her fingernails.
I grit my teeth, pulling a compact of bronzer out of the makeup bag. The way these people are so cavalier about the lives of others is maddening.
Kara’s eyes meet mine in the mirror and her lips spread into a smile, like she knows she’s struck a nerve. She glances back down at her fingernails, continuing to spout off her callous commentary. “Even if you go through with this, he can’t let another Alpha live while he takes control of their pack, they’d always be a threat. Any male in pack hierarchy has to go. But he’ll keep the she-wolves with alpha blood around for breeding heirs to his kingdom.”
I can’t control my reaction; these people are completely unhinged. My eyes fly wide, meeting hers again as she flickers her gaze back up to mine in the mirror. “That’s barbaric.”
Kara shrugs, flashing a smile. “That’s Xavier.”
I shudder, dropping the bronzer back into the makeup bag and pulling out an eyeshadow compact next.