Bound To The Savage Alpha

Chapter Ten

Claire's pov

A pounding headache dragged me out of sleep.

I winced, squeezing my eyes shut as pain throbbed behind my temples. The room was quiet, the morning sunlight filtering through the curtains in pale streaks across the floor.

For a few disorienting seconds, I didn't know where I was until the memories came rushing back.

I came to speak to Cole but then things went differently than I had expected.

He hurt me, laid his hand on me and then forced himself on me.

I pushed myself upright and winced. It throbbed between my thighs.

A sob escaped my lips before I could stop it.

My hands trembled as I clutched the blanket tighter around myself.

The man I had trusted, the man I had believed would protect me.

Had hurt me.

A strangled sound escaped my throat as tears streamed down my cheeks.

I need to go. I can't stay in here for another second. Moon goddess knows what he'd do when he returns.

I threw the blanket aside and got out of bed. With trembling hands, I gathered my clothes from the floor and dressed as quickly as I could. Every movement felt mechanical.

I had barely reached the door when it opened.

I froze.

Cole stepped inside and his eyes immediately landed on me.

"Going somewhere?" he asked.

My fingers tightened around the sleeves of my sweater.

"I..." My voice cracked. I lowered my gaze to the floor. "I have duties to do."

His expression hardened.

"No."

I looked up at him.

"You can't leave this room until I say so."

Fear twisted inside me.

"If I don't go..." I whispered, "...Cassandra will punish me."

The words had barely left my mouth when his expression darkened.

I winced as he yanked my hair. "If you're not going to obey me then I will punish you," he whispered. "So if you don't want that to happen you will start doing as I say, are we clear?"

I nodded, tears rolled down my eyes.

"Good," he murmured letting go off my hair. "Get in the shower and get dressed."

_____________________________________________________

Two days had passed and I'm still trapped in Cole's room.

The curtains remained drawn most of the time, turning the room into a prison wrapped in shadows.

I sat curled up on the edge of the bed, staring blankly at the locked bedroom door. Waiting for him to return and tell me that I could leave but I know it would never happen. Cole is a monster, how could I have been so stupid to trust him.

I pressed my hand over my heart, waiting for the familiar ache to pass.

It had happened again last night.

The pain was more excruciating than the first time and it lasted for a few hours.

I curled into a ball on the floor, gasping for breath and praying for it to stop.

Eventually, it had.

I wrapped my arms around my knees.

Outside the bedroom, I could hear distant laughter and hurried footsteps echoing through the hallway.

Today was Emma's birthday.

The grand celebration had finally arrived.

I'm sure Kimberly was too occupied to even think about me. She has a lot on her plate right now, managing the kitchen, attending to the guests and filling in for me since I'm not there but here, trapped inside like a prisoner.

I closed my eyes, exhaustion pulling me under. I hardly had wink of sleep, I had to stay awake incase Cole tried to force himself on me again or probably kill me whilst asleep.

______

A creak startled me awake. My eyes flew open and I immediately shot upright on the bed, panic flooding my veins.

My pulse raced as I saw the doorknob turning.

Cole, he was behind the door.

Why is he here? He should be down at the party.

"Kimberly?" I murmured.

She slipped inside the room before quickly shutting the door behind her.

Relief washed through me so suddenly it nearly hurt.

"Claire."

The moment Kimberly truly looked at me, her expression shattered.

Her eyes widened.

"Oh, Moon Goddess..."

I instinctively pulled the blanket tighter around myself.

"What are you doing here?" I whispered.

Kimberly crossed the room in seconds.

Tears filled her eyes as she knelt in front of me.

"You look awful."

Of course I did. My face was scarred with bruises.

A small chuckle left my lips. "Thank you for reminding me."

Kimberly gently touched my face and I winced.

"That son of a b***h hurt you," she said, her voice trembled with anger.

"He did more than that," I whispered.

Tears spilling down my cheeks.

"What did he do?"

"He-he r***d me," I whispered shakily. "Not once but twice."

"Oh, Claire," she whispered, pulling me into her arms. "I'm so sorry."

I buried my face against her shoulder and cried.

"He doesn't deserve you," she whispered fiercely.

I wiped at my tears.

"I don't know what to do."

Kimberly pulled back just enough to look at me.

Her eyes burned with determination.

"We're going to leave. I've decided this since you've been stuck here. I had a feeling Cole would hurt you."

I stared at her.

"You mean as in leave the pack?"

"Yes, she said, tonight while everyone's distracted and drunk."

Fear twisted inside me.

"What about Cole?"

"Don't worry about him, once we leave he would never find you."

She squeezed my hands.

"You and I both know it's dangerous for you to continue staying here especially now that Cole's your mate."

She was right. If I stayed here anymore longer I will either die by Cole's hand or this stupid bond.

"If we're going to get out of here how are we going to do it?" I asked.

"I'm sure there's guards everywhere."

"There is a way," Kim smirked. "And it's in the omega quarters."

I frowned. "I don't understand? How could there be a way there?"

"There's a tunnel there which leads to the forest."

_____________________________________________________

I tightened my grip on Kimberly's hand as we hurried through the pack house corridors.

Emma's birthday celebration was in full swing.

The scent of perfume and roasted meat filled the air.

The pack house was buzzing with activity.

Omega's rushed through the halls carrying trays of food and bottles of alcohol. Laughter echoed from the grand ballroom while elegant guests drifted through the mansion dressed in expensive gowns and tailored suits.

Kimberly's fingers tightened around mine.

"We're almost there," she murmured.

I glanced toward the entrance that led to the omega quarters.

But before we could reach the doorway, a sharp voice stopped us.

"And where do you think you're going?"

I froze.

Kimberly's breathe quickened besides me.

Slowly, we both turned around and faced

Evelyn.

Cole's mother stood right behind us, dressed elegantly in a dark emerald gown. Gold jewelry glittered around her neck while her perfectly styled hair framed a face twisted in disapproval.

Her cold eyes swept over us.

"Why aren't you two attending to the guests?" she demanded.

Kimberly and I exchanged a quick glance

Now what do we do? I wandered.

I could feel the panic rising inside me.

Kimberly forced a polite smile.

"Claire isn't feeling well," she said smoothly. "I'm taking her to the infirmary."

Evelyn scoffed.

"As if I care."

Her gaze settled on me.

"You look perfectly capable of working."

I lowered my head instinctively.

"Mrs Parker ," Kimberly tried again, "she really isn't—"

"I said I don't care."

The older woman's expression hardened.

"There are guests to serve."

I squeezed Kimberly's hand gently.

"It's fine," I whispered.

Kimberly looked at me in disbelief.

"I can manage," I whispered.

I hardly could stand on my feet. I felt weak and exhausted. My body ached.

"Now stop wasting time and go do your duties."

I lowered my gaze.

"Yes, Mrs Parker."

Kimberly's jaw tightened, but she didn't argue further.

As Evelyn walked away, disappearing toward the ballroom, Kimberly turned toward me.

"We need to come up with another plan."

I offered her a small, tired smile.

"Do you think we really have a chance of leaving?"

My chest ached. I didn't want to stay here not even for a second but what choice did I have?

"Don't lose hope," she said.

"We just have to wait until tonight."

_____________________________________________________

Crystal chandeliers glittered overhead as music drifted through the grand ballroom.

I balanced a silver tray in my trembling hands, weaving through clusters of laughing guests dressed in expensive gowns and tailored suits.

Most people didn't even look at me as they took a glass.

I lowered my gaze and moved on.

The ballroom was beautiful.

White roses adorned the tables, Omega's hurried between guests, and Emma stood near the center of the room basking in the attention.

But beneath the glamour, my heart pounded with one thought.

Tonight I'll be gone, start my life afresh.

Kimberly appeared beside me, carrying her own tray.

"Are you alright?" she whispered, glancing around.

I nodded.

"I just want this to be over."

"We'll leave soon," she assured me. "Once everyone's distracted."

I swallowed and forced myself to continue serving drinks.

I had just offered a glass to one of the guests when the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end.

I felt someone watching me and I had a feeling who it was.

I looked up and saw Cole. He stood across the ballroom, clad in a black suit, his hair was neatly styled. He looked breathtaking, yet the look in his eyes sent a shiver down my spine.