Her Subjugated Alpha

Chapter Three

Ellie

I jolted awake to the sound of my bedroom door opening. Fear lanced through me as Jaxon entered. Was he here to make good on his threat to kill me?

But he didn't look furious. If anything, his expression was somber as he approached the bed. I quickly shut my eyes, feigning sleep. The mattress dipped as he slid under the covers behind me.

What was he doing? I stiffened as he wrapped an arm around my waist. His skin was warm and familiar against mine. Once his touch brought me comfort. Now it put all my senses on high alert.

Jaxon pulled me close, spooning against me. I resisted the instinct to elbow him and run. As tense as I was, part of me still craved his nearness, the solid feel of his body entwined with mine.

But I couldn't trust him. This had to be some new trick. Though my exhausted body wanted nothing more than to sink into him and sleep, I stayed rigid. Eventually Jaxon's breathing slowed into slumber. Only then did I let my eyes drift shut.

Morning sun streamed through the curtains as I awoke. The scent of sizzling bacon wafted up from downstairs. For a moment I forgot everything that had happened and assumed Nana was cooking breakfast, like when I was a child.

Then memories of the previous night crashed down on me. Jaxon's betrayal and threats. Fleeing under the stars into an uncertain future. And now waking up in Jaxon's arms again, despite it all.

I crept out of bed, thrown off kilter. What game was he playing now? Downstairs I found Jaxon humming cheerfully at the stove. He glanced up with a smile.

"Good morning, El. Sleep okay?"

I hovered in the doorway, distrustful. "Well enough," I said neutrally.

Jaxon scooped eggs and bacon onto two plates. "Let's eat on the back patio. It's such a lovely day."

I followed cautiously as he led the way outside. The sun's warmth felt good on my skin, the birdsong sweet in my ears. But I remained tense, waiting for the catch.

We ate in silence for several minutes. Finally Jaxon set down his fork with a sigh.

"El, I need to apologize for my behavior yesterday. I was callous to announce Emma's pregnancy so bluntly. You didn't deserve that."

I narrowed my eyes, suspicious of his earnest tone. "Then why did you do it?"

"Because I'm a fool," he said ruefully. "I was so focused on securing an heir that I disregarded your feelings. I'm sorry."

His apology threw me. As did the open regret on his face. I searched for some proof of deceit but found none.

"You're sorry," I repeated skeptically.

Jaxon nodded, reaching over to clasp my hand. I fought not to jerk away reflexively.

"Let me make it up to you, El. We can go to the river today, like old times. Just the two of us.”

I stared at our joined hands, his thumb gently stroking my knuckles. A familiar tingle went through me at the contact. No, I mentally scolded myself. I can't let him back in.

But the earnest hope in his eyes crumbled my defenses. I found myself saying, "Alright. The river does sound nice."

Jaxon's face lit up. Impulsively he raised my hand to his lips for a soft kiss. "Meet me by the car in an hour." He squeezed my hand gently before releasing it and heading inside, leaving me in confused turmoil.

Upstairs, I debated what to wear. I settled on a sundress I hadn't donned in years, the pale blue one Jaxon always said matched my eyes. I even daubed on a touch of perfume.

The wolf in me eagerly anticipating reconnecting with her mate. But my rational side remained wary. This sudden one-eighty in Jaxon's behavior made no sense. What came next?

I said a quick prayer of guidance to Luna. Watch over me today. Help me see the path ahead clearly.

Impulsively, I decided to phone Sam, my one close friend outside of Emma. I urgently needed his perspective on Jaxon's behavior shift.

"It sounds fishy," he said bluntly. "He treated you terribly for ages, then suddenly acts the doting mate again? It doesn't add up."

I sighed, acknowledging the truth of his words. "I want to trust he's sincere, but..."

"I know. You wish things could just return to how they were at first." Sam's voice turned gentle. "Be careful, hon. He's likely got some agenda."

We said goodbye just as Jaxon called my name. "Coming," I responded. I took a steadying breath. Tonight I would be vigilant for any clue as to his true motives. No more letting myself get swept up in old feelings.

Jaxon waited by the idling car, the picture of casual contentment. The sight of him made my heart skip traitorously. "Stop it," I chided myself. "He's up to something."

I slid into the passenger seat, prepared for an awkward quiet drive, until I saw Emma in the back seat. My guard went up immediately. I should have known Jaxon's scheming new mate would be here too. Whatever they had planned, I resolved not to let my guard down this time.

Jaxon kept trying to engage me in reminiscing about our childhood here along the river, but I gave only one word responses.

At the bank, Jaxon stripped down to swim in the river, beckoning me to join. When I refused, a look of frustration flashed across his face before the earnest mask returned.

"Watch me dive from the rock over there! Just like old times." He gestured to a large overhanging boulder nearby.

As he prepared to jump, warning bells went off in my mind. The river was swollen and rapid from snowmelt. This stunt was dangerous even for a werewolf. But Jaxon seemed oblivious, focused only on playing his part.

He leapt into the churning water and I lurched forward in dismay as his head went under. He didn't immediately resurface.

"Jaxon!" I cried out, panic rising. His ploy to get my attention seemed to have gone horribly wrong.

I dove into the frigid rapids without another thought. The icy torrent stung my eyes as I searched for any sign of him in the murky depths. Finally I caught hold of his arm, inert and limp, and kicked desperately for the surface.

I hauled Jaxon's lifeless body onto the bank. "He's not breathing!" I gasped out. Dread nearly choked me as I tilted his head back to give him air.

Emma dropped to her knees beside me, eyes wide with fear. "Hurry Ellie, go get help! I'll keep trying to revive him!"

Nodding, I sprinted for the mansion where our pack dwelled. My lungs burned and my soaked clothes clung to me, but I didn't slow down. I had to get back to Jaxon. The breeze filtered his faint scent - please let me not be too late!

I burst into the mansion to find several elder wolves in meeting with Sam and Diego, our beta. Gasping out a rushed explanation, they raced back with me to the river. I pushed my aching legs faster, praying Jaxon would hold on just a little longer.

We reached the riverbank and my legs nearly gave out in relief. Jaxon was awake, though pale and shivering. Emma held him tightly, her dry clothes and hair making it clear she had stayed out of the rapids.

Jaxon met my eyes over Emma's shoulder, and his gaze hardened with malice. I froze in dismay and confusion. Why was he looking at me with such hatred, when I'd just risked my life to save his?

Before I could react, he shoved Emma aside and lunged straight for me! I stood paralyzed by shock as his claws sliced toward my throat.

Sam tackled Jaxon before he could tear my flesh. "What are you doing?" Sam demanded, pinning Jaxon down. "Ellie saved your life!"

Jaxon snarled and thrashed in Sam's grip. "She's the one who pushed me in the river! She dragged me under and left me to drown!"

I gaped, unable to comprehend what I was hearing. "What? No! You jumped in, I pulled you out!"

Jaxon ignored me, glaring venomously at Sam. "If not for my loyal Emma, I would have died!"

Emma gave me a tragic, tearful look. "I'm so sorry Ellie wanted to hurt me and our baby by killing you, Jaxon. I tried to stop her but she shoved me away too and ran off!"

No. This couldn't be real. They were spinning lies, painting me as some deranged murderer! But the elders and Diego were nodding along, believing every poisonous word.

"She was always jealous of Emma," Diego rumbled. "It clouds her judgment, makes her dangerous."

My mouth fell open in shock. "What? No! I was trying to save her!" I pleaded, but they weren't listening.

"You've always been jealous of her," Jax sneered. "And now you're so threatened you would try to murder my unborn child?"

I reeled, unable to form a response. How could he believe I was capable of such evil?

With chilling clarity, I suddenly understood. This had been his ploy all along. Make me lower my guard, then frame me for harming his precious Emma.

Feeling sick, I searched Jaxon's cold features, begging him silently to take it back, to say he knew I'd never hurt Emma. But he only glared with undisguised contempt.

The truth was written plainly across his handsome face. The mate who I'd loved and lost had never really returned to me at all.