He’s My Alpha by Cassandra M (Jake & Clair)
Chapter 66
Clair.
The car finally came to a halt. I don’t know how long we were in the van, but it wasn’t dark outside, though it looked like the sun was ready to set in this part of the country.
Although my hands and feet were hurting from being tied up, I was grateful that I was not blindfolded and that my mouth wasn’t bound.
I carefully studied the faces of the men around me. If I get my chance, they’ll be the first ones to face my fury.
Rain kept snarling in my head, castigating me for going out of the territory. She was blaming me for declining our mate’s offer to accompany us. If Jake were there, he would have never left us alone. And this would have never happened.
My chest constricted at the thought of Jake. Does he know now that I was taken? Would he be worried?
Of course. I was part of his pack, and knowing him as an Alpha, he’s protective over his people. But a part of me hoped that I was more than a member and that he would make an extra effort to find me.
I pushed negative thoughts out of my head, I needed to focus. Soon the door opened, and I saw several men standing outside, and they urged me to come forward, which I did after they untied my feet. “Lady Clair, I’m Beta Melvin. I would like to untie your hands if you promise that you will not shift or hurt the people around you,” he informed me in a cold tone.
My eyes squinted as I tilted my head to look at him, he was taller and towering over me with his slender but muscled-up figure. “Are you scared of me? Look how many of you are here around me. You’re stupid to think I will shift and try to take you all down.” Sarcasm was obvious in my voice.
He cleared his throat. A slight tint of red crossed his cheek. “I understand, but I was instructed not to hurt you as much as possible. But if you make one wrong move, I cannot promise my men will not spring to action. Just cooperate, and no one needs to get hurt.”
He turned his back to me and started to walk inside the building.
I was sure this was a packhouse as well. Although it was big, it wasn’t as neat and pleasing to the eye as our packhouse. My eyes scanned the area discretely, trying to memorize the way we came in, in case I had a chance to escape.
I was eventually led to an office. Only the Beta went in while the rest of his people stayed back. I followed him as he closed the door behind us.
“She’s here, Alpha.” I heard the Beta say.
My eyes squinted as I waited for the man in the swivel chair to turn his chair to face us. And once he did, my jaw dropped open.
I was looking at a man who was a replica of my mother, Camilla, only he was a man. Same sapphire blue eyes, hazelnut brown hair, and prominent cheekbones. He must be my mother’s brother.
“Who are you?” I asked, my heart beating hard. “You would have known me if your father hadn’t hidden you away,” he answered, his voice laced with sarcasm.
“I’m sure he has a good reason for it,” I snapped back at him, my brow raising as I crossed my arms across my chest.
“Hmmm.. no denying you’re Camilla’s daughter. A sharp tongue.”
“I bet I am. Why am I here?”
“Come here, Clair. Give your uncle a hug. It’s high time we acquaint ourselves with each other.”
“I’m sorry. My mother taught me a hug should be given freely, and I don’t want to give you one. I want to go home.”
“This is your home now, Clair. It’s about time you did your duty to your real pack and your family.” “Family? Are you kidding me? My family is out there. I’m sure they are going crazy looking for me right now. So again, I want to go home.” I huffed and added, “Don’t worry, I can find my way out.” I spun on my heels, ready to walk out when the Beta grabbed my wrist and put me back in place.
“Not so fast, Clair. As I said, this will be your new home. Give me your hand, and I will welcome you to my pack.”
“What do you mean?” I stepped backward, eyes narrowing at him.
“You will denounce your pack and join mine. And we ’ll discuss everything else tomorrow.”
“No.” I stepped backward again, I was thinking of running but I needed to weigh my options. There might be people outside the door.
“We can make it easy, or we’ll do it the hard way.” He threw some photos on the floor in front of me. My eyes flew to the floor, and I saw pictures of my father in the clothes he had on yesterday when he went to work and on the other days before that.
I dropped to my knees and gathered his photos.
“What do you think you’re doing?” I snapped at him.
“The question is, what will you do? I have people following him when he goes to work. Say no to me, and he’ll end up somewhere where you’ll never see him again.”
“You can’t do that!!!” I stood up and walked toward his desk, slamming my palms on it.
“Of course, I can. I never liked him. Never will. If killing him won’t make you follow me, then I’ll move on to your brother.”
“You can’t touch them within our territory.”
“Is that so? Look at this.” He threw another photo. This time it was of my brother on the training ground. It was a long shot, but I could see him and the warriors around him.
“I have people everywhere, my dear niece. If you love your only family, as you say, then I’m offering a bargain. Their lives for yours.”
“What do you want from me?”
“We’ll discuss tomorrow, but for now, denounce your pack and your Alpha.”
“You’re bluffing.”
“I’m an Alpha for a reason. I don’t eat my words. I took action. Your call.” He stood from his chair and came around his desk to where I stood. “Denounce the pack, and I can a*s*sure you that I will not touch them or harm you, given that you don’t give me a reason to.”
“Clair, I’m waiting.” He looked bored as he tapped his fingers on the table.
I pursed my lips. I was doomed, but all I could think about right now was protecting Dad and Aaron. I didn’t know this man or what he could do.
“I, Absaline Clair Montrell, denounce the Black Shadow Pack as my pack and Alpha Jacob Galhart… as my Alpha.” The last words hurt.
“Aarrghhh…” The pain hit me right in my chest as I clutched my heart. The pain was bearable, but my heart shattered as I felt a connection snap from my head.
I wanted to cry, but I took all my emotions off. I couldn’t be weak.
Instead, I looked at the man in front of me, my eyes throwing daggers at him.
“Ok, that should be it. Did you feel any connections break? “Let’s proceed with your pledge to me.” He brushed his palms together, grinning widely. “I didn’t feel any bonds breaking.” I lied. “Doesn’t matter. Let’s do this fast so you can get to your room and rest. Now, pledge your allegiance to me.”
“I don’t knowhow. I’ve never done it. And I don’t even know your name or whatever pack this is.” I rolled my eyes at him.
He scoffed at me. “Repeat after me…”
My eyes followed his movement as he took a dagger and sliced his palm with it.
Jake.
We were gathered in my office. David and Aaron were seated at the round table while I leaned on the wall in front of them. My Beta was on the other side of the table, standing behind a chair.
“Do you think Alpha Aeon might be behind this?” Gavin asked, his hand holding the chair. The cut on his lip from my attack had healed already, and he was just left with a scab.
“No. They seemed to be okay together, and I’m sure she’ll go with him if he asks her,” I answered him void of emotions, but my heart was breaking. A part of me hoped that she had gone with Aeon, it would kill me, but at least I knew she was safe.
“F*uc*k Jake! Cut that crap! Do you know what she told me on the way to the city? You suffocate her sometimes! You f*uc*king accused her of fooling around with Aeon when you f*uc*king know yourself you would have felt something if she had done it with another man!” Gavin was shouting, his hands gripping the back of the chair tightly.
I stiffened at his words. What the f*uc*k did I just do? I was so consumed by my anger that all rationality had gone out the window, and I had failed to consider the most important thing about our mate bond.
I was knocked out of my thoughts when a hard screeching sound from a chair erupted in the room. Aaron stood up, his eyes glaring at me.
“Am I missing something here? Why would you feel anything if…?” His breath hitched when Gavin cut him off.
“Tell him! Tell him what you’ve been trying to hide from everyone.” Gavin spat out coldly, his eyes never leaving mine.
I threw a death glare at my Beta but before I could speak, David opened his mouth.
“The Alpha and Clair, they’re fated mates, “ he said, pursing his lips into a thin line.
Before anyone could react, Aaron launched himself at me. He was aiming to hit my jaw with his knuckles. “Andyou f*uc*king rejected her?!!!”
With fast reflexes, I blocked him and grabbed his fist with my hand, shoving him off the floor. He might be my best warrior, but I was the Alpha.
I stood before him, rolling off my Alpha aura. “We need to find her first! Then you can hit me as much as you want! But just so you know, I didn’t reject her!”
I reached out my hand to him. Aaron looked at it for a second before grabbing it, a scowl still on his face as I pulled him up to his feet.
“You f*uc*ked this up, Jake!” he muttered under his breath before slumping onto the chair and leaning his head on the desk.
“Everyone calm now?” David spoke calmly, but his eyes were stormy. I was starting to admire this man for keeping himself together all the time. “What’s the plan?” he asked.
All of a sudden, everything blurred as the pain hit my chest. My hand flew to my chest as I winced in pain, gritting my teeth. I knew what this was. My breath hitched, and just like that, in an instant, it was gone, and I felt a bond disconnect.
I combed and tugged my hair before I grabbed one chair and sat, palming my face with my hands as I leaned on the table.
“Alpha?” Beta Gavin moved beside me in a flash, his hand on my shoulder.
“She denounced the pack,” I said in a hoarse voice, while my wolf howled in agony inside my head.