The Alpha's Prisoner

Long Night

GEMMA

The rope burned at my wrists and the chemical taste coated my tongue.

“Finally awake.” Gina started as soon as I opened my eyes. She stood in front of the bars I was kept in. We’d grown up together and trained together. She left the pack at sixteen, chosen by a stronger pack and she’d sworn she’d make me pay for every time I’d beaten her in the ring. That was six years ago.

I had thought it was some childhood threat that held no water. Apparently, she meant it.

“I have to admit.” She crouched down. “I didn’t think you’d be this easy. The great Alpha brought down by a pretty face.” She let out a laughter that made my skin crawl. “I guess you’re just like every other weak b*tch who thinks with her genitals instead of her head.”

I tried to move forward but the ropes held me back.

“What did you do to my pack?”

“Your pack?” she mocked. “First of, they are not yours anymore but don’t worry they are safe... for now.” She leaned closer. “As long as you remain a good girl, keep that smart mouth shut and you remember your place.”

“What do you want from me?”

“Want?” She smirked. “I have everything I want. You reduced to exactly what you deserve.” She stood up and smoothed her dress. “It’s Nakoa’s coronation tonight as the Alpha. We are short of maids so we wouldn’t mind an extra hand. Try anything stupid and your people will pay for it.”

**

I was dressed like the maids, made to clean and scrub the floors. I carried wine through crowds of celebrating wolves and I lowered my head even as fingers pointed at me. The ‘Alpha’ on the other hand was at the podium with his father, mother and his beloved Gina.

I watched him accept congratulations and watched him smile like he wasn’t the same ‘innocent’ man back at my pack. My mate. My mother’s face flashed before me. I was so stupid. I thought I was different. I’d sworn I’d never be her but I’d become something worse.

Maybe my father had been right all along. Maybe I’d never deserved the title. An Alpha wouldn’t have folded; she wouldn’t have let desire cloud judgement.

“Wine for the new Alpha.” The head servant spoke, pressing a tray into my shaky hands before I could protest. “The first room at the right turn over there.” She muttered before walking out of the kitchen. I clenched my fist against the tray. I wanted to throw it off but then, this might just be an opportunity for me.

I pressed the kitchen knife against my thigh. I’d end this tonight and escape.

His chambers were quiet and beautiful. I took in a deep breath before pushing the door open. He lounged on a velvet chaise, his shirt unlaced to reveal the body I’d nearly surrendered to.

“There she is.” He leaned back, spreading his arms. “My little fallen Alpha. I had begun to wonder when they would send you.”

I set the tray down gently.

“Come now, don’t be shy.” He shifted towards me. “We have unfinished business, you and i. That night in your room, when you were so close to being mine, when I could have taken you against the door and you would have begged for it.”

I pulled out the knife swift and reached for his chest but he caught my wrist mid-strike and twisted the knife off my hands with an amused laughter on his lips.

“Did you really think that would work? That I wouldn’t see it coming?” He held me as I struggled to break free from his grip. “You’re not an Alpha anymore, Gemma. You’re just a girl who got played.”

“Why?” the word ripped out of me. “Why did you do this?”

“Duty, darling.” He released me like I disgusted him. “Something you clearly know nothing about if you threw yourself like a cheap sl*t to a stranger because he made you feel special.”

I shut my eyes as the words burned me deep in the chest. How had I been foolish?

“The scars....”

“I made my woman do it. How could I have been able to get you if I didn’t toil with your emotions. You know, I expected more of a challenge, honestly.” He settled to his sofa and picked up the drink before sipping it.

Maybe I should have poisoned it instead.

“All the reports I got said you were smart and strong and unbreakable.” He tilted my chin up to bear my face. “But it only took one night. One night of pretty words and you were ready to destroy yourself for me.”

“I hate you and I’ll end you.”

He snickered and suddenly pulled me against him, his mouth crushing mine in a kiss. I pushed him off and slapped him hard enough to echo.

“How dare you.” His jaw clenched but just before he could say another word, I ran out of his room, away from him and my legs gave out at the garden. Suddenly, I felt a familiar presence run past. My heart skipped a beat but then, I felt a hand on my mouth. I almost screamed but went mute when I saw him.

“Dontrell...” I staggered in disbelief. I could see the fear and pain in his eyes as he took in my appearance. “What are you doing here?”

“Taking you home. I can’t watch you be here.”

“No” I grabbed his arm, panic rising in me. “They’ll kill you. You can’t.”

“I don’t care about me.” He took a step closer. “I care that you’re here, broken because I failed to protect you.”

“Dontrell, please...”

“I should have trusted my instinct’s instead of respecting your authority. This is my fault.” He held my face in his hands and for the first time since I got here, I felt like home.

“Isn’t this precious?” Nakoa’s voice suddenly interrupted us and I shivered before standing in front of Dontrell. He however launched himself forward, straight at Nakoa before I could stop him. it was over in seconds.

Dontrell hit the wall so hard and before he could recover, Nakoa had wrapped his hands around his throat, lifting him off the ground.

“Stop.” I threw myself at Nakoa’s feet. “Please, don’t.”

“Give me one reason I shouldn’t.” He met my gaze, his eyes devoid of warmth. “One reason I shouldn’t kill the wolf stupid enough to come into my pack.

“Because I’ll do anything.” The words tumbled out. “Anything you want, name it. Just let him go.”

“Anything at all?” Nakoa’s grip on Dontrell’s throat tightened.

“Don’t.” Dontrell gasped, his face turning purple. “Don’t do it, Alpha... don’t.”

“I’ll make you a deal then.” Nakoa started. “I’ll spare his miserable life and let him return home whole....” He paused and his lips curved into a smile. “...but you’ll give me an heir.”

My heart skipped immediately.

“You’ll carry my child.” He spoke without mercy. “Bind our packs through blood, through your body and when the child is born, when you’ve served your purpose, you’ll sign over every inch of your pack. Your title, your name, everything that makes you Alpha, you’ll hand to me with a smile.”

My breath ceased.

“You’re asking me to...”

“Destroy yourself, yes.” He looked quite pleased. “I want you to become nothing more than a vessel for my bloodline while surrendering everything you’ve ever been. Your body, your future, your legacy, everything you are, given to me freely or I kill him now then burn your pack to ashes, starting with the pups. You have five seconds.”

“No!” Dontrell thrashed weakly. “I’ll rather die...” He struggled to breathe.

“Five.”

I remembered mother’s broken voice and the pain in her tone.

“Four.”

The memories of Dontrell training me as a child, crossed my mind.

“Three.”

Oh, how amused father would be right now, watching me crumble.

“Two.”

“I agree.” My voice croaked. “I agree to your deal. “

“Smart girl.” He crossed to me, tilting my face up with possessive fingers. “We start tonight. You have one hour to meet me in my room.”

“I need time...”

“Our hour or the deal is void and he dies while you watch.” He tilted his gaze to Dontrell and then back to me. “It’s going to be a very long night. Don’t keep me waiting.”