Love & Hate with Alpha Mate

Chapter 12

As the woman drew closer, Ava could feel her heart pounding in her chest. Elijah's eyes were fixed intently on the woman, his knife still at the ready.

But as the woman reached out a hand to Ava, Elijah's gaze flickered to hers, and Ava saw a flash of uncertainty in his eyes.

The woman's hand closed around Ava's wrist, her grip like ice. "You're coming with me," she said, her voice low and husky.

Ava tried to pull away, but the woman's grip was too strong. Elijah's eyes flashed with anger, and he raised his knife, ready to strike.

But as he looked into the woman's eyes, Ava saw something there that gave him pause. A glimmer of recognition, of understanding.

"Wait," Elijah said, his voice low and cautious. "Who are you?"

The woman's gaze didn't waver. "I'm someone who's been searching for you, Elijah," she said. "Someone who's been waiting a very long time."

As she spoke, her eyes seemed to bore into Elijah's very soul. Ava saw a shiver run down his spine, and his grip on the knife faltered.

The woman's gaze flickered to Ava, and for a moment, Ava thought she saw a glimmer of sadness there. But then, the woman's expression hardened, and she pulled Ava closer.

"We need to go," she said. "Now."

As she spoke, the air around them seemed to grow darker, the shadows deepening and twisting. Ava felt a sense of foreboding, of danger lurking just out of sight.

And then, everything went black.

When Ava came to, she was lying in a dark, damp cellar. The woman was standing over her, a candle flickering in her hand.

"Where am I?" Ava demanded, trying to sit up.

The woman's gaze was cold, unyielding. "You're somewhere safe," she said. "Somewhere where Elijah can't find you."

Ava's heart skipped a beat. "What do you mean?" she asked, her voice shaking.

The woman's smile was cruel. "Elijah's not what he seems," she said. "He's been lying to you, Ava. Lying to you about everything."

As the woman's words hung in the air, Ava felt a sense of shock, of betrayal. Could it be true? Was Elijah really lying to her?

And then, she heard the sound of footsteps, echoing through the cellar. Heavy, deliberate footsteps, coming closer and closer.

The woman's gaze flickered to the door, and for a moment, Ava saw a glimmer of fear there.

"It's him," the woman whispered. "Elijah's found us.As the footsteps grew louder, the woman's grip on Ava's arm tightened. "We have to get out of here," she whispered, pulling Ava to her feet.

But it was too late. The door to the cellar burst open, and Elijah strode in, his eyes blazing with anger.

"Ava," he growled, his gaze locking onto hers. "What's going on here?"

The woman stepped forward, her eyes flashing with defiance. "You'll never have her, Elijah," she spat. "She's mine now."

Elijah's eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched in anger. "You'll never take her from me," he snarled, his voice low and deadly.

As the two of them faced off, Ava felt a surge of fear. She didn't know what was going on, or what these two people wanted from her. All she knew was that she was caught in the middle of a deadly game, and she didn't know how to escape.

Suddenly, Elijah lunged forward, his fists flying. The woman dodged and weaved, her own fists flashing in the dim light of the cellar.

Ava watched in horror as the two of them fought, their blows landing with sickening thuds. She didn't know what to do, or how to stop them.

And then, just as suddenly as it had begun, the fight was over. Elijah stood panting, his chest heaving with exertion. The woman lay at his feet, her eyes closed.

Ava felt a surge of fear as Elijah turned to her, his eyes blazing with intensity. "Ava," he growled, his voice low and husky. "Come with me."

Ava hesitated, unsure of what to do. But as she looked into Elijah's eyes, she saw something there that made her heart skip a beat. Something that made her want to trust him, to follow him anywhere.

She nodded, her heart pounding in her chest. "Okay," she whispered.

Elijah's face lit up with a fierce smile. "Good," he growled, pulling her close. "We're getting out of here. Now."As Elijah pulled Ava close, she felt a rush of excitement mixed with fear. She didn't know what was happening, or where they were going, but she knew she had to trust Elijah.

They made their way through the winding corridors of the cellar, Elijah's hand gripping Ava's tightly. They could hear the sound of footsteps echoing behind them, and Ava knew they had to move fast.

As they reached the door, Elijah pushed it open and pulled Ava through. They found themselves in a dark alleyway, the only light coming from a faint moon overhead.

Elijah pulled Ava close, his eyes scanning the alleyway. "We have to get out of here," he whispered. "Now."

Ava nodded, her heart pounding in her chest. They started to run, their footsteps echoing off the walls of the alleyway.

As they ran, Ava felt Elijah's hand tighten around hers. She looked up at him, and saw a fierce determination in his eyes.

Suddenly, they heard the sound of horses' hooves behind them. Elijah pulled Ava into a nearby doorway, and they watched as a group of riders thundered past.

Ava's heart was racing, and she felt Elijah's chest heaving with exertion. They stood there for a moment, catching their breath.

And then, Elijah's eyes locked onto hers. Ava felt a jolt of electricity run through her body, and she knew that something was about to happen.

Elijah's face was inches from hers, his eyes burning with intensity. Ava felt her heart pounding in her chest, and she knew that she was on the brink of something incredible.

And then, Elijah's lips crashed down on hers, sending Ava's world spinning into chaos.As Elijah's lips touched hers, Ava felt a rush of emotions she couldn't quite process. She had been drawn to Elijah from the moment she met him, but she had never expected this.

The kiss deepened, and Ava felt herself getting lost in the sensation. She had never felt this way before, like she was melting into someone else's arms.

But just as she was starting to let go, Elijah pulled back, his eyes locked onto hers. "Ava, I'm sorry," he whispered, his voice husky with emotion. "I didn't mean to do that."

Ava's heart was racing, and she felt a pang of disappointment. "Why did you stop?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Elijah's eyes searched hers, and Ava saw a glimmer of uncertainty there. "I don't know if I can trust myself around you," he admitted, his voice low and rough.

Ava's heart skipped a beat. "What do you mean?" she asked, her voice trembling.

Elijah's eyes locked onto hers, and Ava saw a flash of raw emotion there. "I mean that I want you, Ava," he growled, his voice low and husky. "I want you more than I've ever wanted anyone or anything in my life."

Ava's breath caught in her throat. No one had ever spoken to her like that before, with such raw emotion and desire.

And then, just as she was starting to process what Elijah had said, they heard the sound of footsteps echoing down the alleyway.

Elijah's head snapped up, his eyes locked onto the entrance of the alleyway. "It's them," he growled, his voice low and deadly. "We have to get out of here. Now.As Elijah pulled Ava through the winding streets of the city, she could feel the adrenaline pumping through her veins. They were being chased, and Elijah seemed to know exactly where they were going.

They ducked into a small tavern, the sign creaking in the wind above them. Elijah pushed Ava through the door, his eyes scanning the room for any signs of danger.

The tavern was dimly lit, the only sound the murmur of conversation from the patrons. Elijah's eyes locked onto a figure in the corner, a hood pulled up over their head.

He pulled Ava towards the figure, his hand on the small of her back. As they approached, the figure looked up, its eyes locking onto Elijah's.

"Ava, this is Ryker," Elijah said, his voice low and urgent. "He's going to help us get out of the city."

Ryker's eyes flicked to Ava, and she saw a glimmer of curiosity there. "What's going on, Elijah?" he asked, his voice low and smooth.

Elijah's eyes locked onto Ava's, and she saw a flash of emotion there. "Ava's in danger," he said, his voice rough with emotion. "We need to get her out of the city, now."

Ryker's eyes narrowed, his gaze flicking between Elijah and Ava. "What kind of danger?" he asked, his voice sharp with curiosity.

Elijah's jaw clenched, his eyes flashing with anger. "The kind that will stop at nothing to get what they want," he growled.

As Elijah spoke, Ava felt a shiver run down her spine. She knew that she was in grave danger, and that Elijah was the only one who could protect her.

And then, just as she was starting to feel a sense of safety, the door to the tavern burst open, and a group of shadowy figures strode in.