Chapter3
1509 Words
Jamie’s breath was ragged, her body stiff as she tried to process what had just happened. The last few minutes felt surreal. Her eyes still burned even when she was squinting, her knees ached, and her arms stung from the rough treatment. But none of that compared to the heavy dread in her chest.
She couldn’t see clearly, but she could still feel the pressure of a boot on her back moments ago, the humiliation of being forced to her knees. Her mind fought to make sense of the situation, but every time she tried, the pieces didn't quite fit.
Because the same man for whom she had just suffered was now speaking to her as if they were friendly acquaintances. As if he hadn’t just threatened her her freedom.
“Please…” Her voice was hoarse, and she hated how weak she sounded.
“So…”
They both spoke at the same time.
Jamie cleared her throat, her face heating with embarrassment.
“What were you going to say?” he asked, amusement clear in his voice.
She swallowed. Was he laughing at her?
“Can I get some water?” she forced out, trying to keep her voice even.
A second later, a bottle was pressed into her palm.
“Sure.”
She hesitated but uncapped it with shaky hands, gulping it down too quickly. She needed to get herself under control.
“So…”
“Spit it out, princess.”
Her fingers twitched around the bottle. First little one, now princess? The names irritated her more than she cared to admit. Maybe it was his tone, so casual, as if none of this was strange.
She forcibly pushed down her irritation and focused on something more important.
“Where are we going? I need to wash my face.”
Lucas didn’t respond immediately. Then, without warning, the car jerked to a stop, making her lurch forward against the seatbelt. His side of the door opened.
Her stomach dropped.
Someone was behind her.
A shiver ran down her spine as she turned her head, even though her vision was still blurry. She couldn’t see who it was, but she felt their presence, heavy and cold. Was that why Lucas sounded at ease? Because his plan was already in motion?
She gulped at the thought.
“Who…who is there?” she whispered.
The door beside her swung open, but before she could scream, the now-familiar scent of cedar and dark chocolate washed over her.
Lucas.
“What is it?”
“There’s someone else here,” she admitted quietly, barely holding back the tremor in her voice.
Instead of answering, he took her arm, helping her out. His touch was surprisingly careful, steadying her as she wobbled.
She felt like a lamb being led to the slaughter.
“He’s with me, Jamie” Lucas said, his voice calm and patient. “His name is Michael. He doesn’t mean you harm.”
Her body eased slightly at his words, but a voice in her head screamed at her not to be stupid. She’d believed those words before. Trusted someone because of a gentle tone.
She should have learned by now.
Still, when her lips parted, she found herself saying something completely different from what she meant to say.
“So you do remember my name?”
Lucas hesitated. “What?”
Her cheeks burned. “You called me Jamie.”
He still sounded confused. “You practically confirmed it earlier.”
“I know,” she muttered, cursing herself. Why did she care? This wasn’t some bonding moment.
To her horror, he laughed.
“Your name. I’m sorry, baby. I just call you whatever comes to mind. Don’t take it personally.”
She wanted to sink into the ground.
“Whatever. Just hand me the bottle.”
Still smiling, he did. She grabbed it and turned her attention back to her stinging eyes, ignoring the men watching her.
By the time she’d rinsed them enough to squint, she could finally make out Lucas’ face. He was still smiling.
“All done, sweetheart?” He put exaggerated importance on the last word.
She rolled her eyes.
They moved back toward the car, and her stomach knotted when she caught sight of the man waiting beside it. He stood with his hands in his pockets, stiff, imposing. Even as her vision adjusted, her body reacted first, and she took a step back.
Lucas’ hand settled on her waist.
“Careful, darling.”
Her pulse stuttered. She didn’t like how easily he touched her, like he had every right to.
Her focus snapped back to the other man, her instincts screaming at her to run. His icy blue eyes pinned her in place, his scowl deepening the scar that cut across the left side of his face.
Why is he looking at me like that?
“You really know him?” she whispered. “Am I safe?”
Lucas opened the car door, completely u bothered. “Of course you are.” Then, to the man, “That’s enough, Mike; you’re scaring Pearl.”
Jamie nearly choked.
Pearl? Really?
The man ignored the banter, only staring at her harder, his expression unreadable.
She climbed into the car, her body tense as they spoke in hushed tones outside. She couldn’t hear the words, but she saw the way they kept glancing at her.
Lucas got back into the driver’s seat, fixing her seatbelt with a sigh.
“Thank you,” she muttered.
He nodded and started the car.
“So,” he said after a long silence, “where are we headed?”
“To drop her off at her house,” Michael answered from his seat near Lucas’, his voice smooth but sharp.
Jamie bristled.
Lucas’ beta obviously didn’t like her. That was fine. She didn’t like him either. And how do you know he’s his beta? She ignored that voice.
Instead, she turned to glare at him. “And what’s it to you, mister?”
Michael sneered. “Cute. You’re headed home.”
“No, I’m not.”
“Yes, you are.”
“You can’t tell me what to do.” Even to herself, that sounded childish. She blushed but kept glaring at the back of his head.
Lucas cleared his throat, and just like that, the tension in the car shifted.
“While this is fun,” he said lazily, “I still need a direction to drive.”
Jamie’s heart pounded as she made her choice.
“Why don’t we go to your place?” she asked sweetly, peering at him beneath her lashes.
Lucas smirked. “Sure, why not?”
Michael swore under his breath.
“You can’t be serious, Alpha,” he snapped.
Lucas jerked the car to another stop, his expression turning cold.
“Yes, I am.” His voice was absolute. “Matthew, get out.”
The man stiffened. “But, Alpha…”
“I mean it.”
Jamie sat frozen as the air in the car turned suffocating. Finally, Michael let out a sharp breath and climbed out.
But before Lucas could drive away, Michael yanked open her door and leaned down, his scarred face filling her vision.
“I don’t know what you are or what your plan is,” he murmured, voice deadly quiet, “but if anything goes wrong, there is nowhere you can hide that I won’t find you.”
A chill ran through her, but she forced herself not to flinch.
He didn’t know. He couldn’t know.
Michael stared a moment longer, then slammed the door shut.
Lucas pulled onto the road again.
Jamie finally let herself breathe.
“What was that about?” she asked, watching his jaw twitch.
“He’s just protective.” His voice was edged with irritation.
“Protective about what?”
He sighed. “Never mind.”
She studied him, then glanced out the window, thinking.
She could still leave. He wouldn’t be able to find her. Not with the scent masker she’d used earlier. They were strange, but they couldn’t know. She couldn’t explain it herself, so how could either of them?
And yet…
“Were you serious?” Lucas asked, his voice quieter now. “I could still drop you home.”
She thought about it.
The girls could find her. They’d done it before.
This was safer.
And before things went bad, she could just disappear. She’d overstayed her welcome in this town already. It was time to move.
“Your place,” she said softly.
Lucas exhaled, something unreadable flashing in his gaze before he smirked.
She started blushing, “Or you could just drop me off at home.”
“Of course not, Estrella,” he murmured. “My place it is.”
she shook her head with a little laugh. She was a 22 year old virgin, and she’d just agreed to have s*x with a stranger. What could ever go wrong? At the very least, it was a suck you to the girls before she left.
- Writer
