Big Bad Alphas novel Chapter 40

Alpha Kenn's tightening grasp causes my face to scrunch up in protest. My teeth clench, I whimper like a hurt puppy, yet he continues to drag me away from the house and towards the tree line. The burn on my chest throbs. I wonder what kind of monster it takes to be shot and to walk away fine.

"Let go," I seethe, attempting to yank my wrist from the cuff that is his hand, "you bastard! Where are you taking me!"

Adrenaline brings my vocabulary to that of a sailor's.

"You piece of shit, you think you—"

"Please, darling," he groans, "resisting is not going to get you anywhere. You had your shot at me; you failed, now let us move on."

"Move on?" I gape. "You have ruined everything I have. What have you done? Whose blood are you wearing?"

"If it will shut you up, then it's not your mates. You know, you were much sweeter before—"

"My sister—did you hurt my sister?" I ask desperately. "Where is she? Where is Eric? Caroline? Lucas? Please, I'm begging you."

Alpha Kenn glances back at me, noting my sudden obedience. "Well, if you're willing to cooperate, then I suppose you have earned some information. We arrived almost—well I haven't been keeping track really—but I'd say an hour ago. What have you been up to? What kept you so busy, Isabella? By the looks of it, you've been crying, haven't you? All alone in the big house, all by yourself, such an easy target—it's a little sad. No mate to protect you, though I do appreciate the extensive border protection, that took down almost half of my men. Sadly, he does not protect his dear Isabella."

All of his words toy with me, making my knees wobble as we walk. "He protects me," I mumble, my voice growing quieter with each word, falling into his trap.

"Oh, of course, he protects his dear mate, though, you are in my hold now, aren't you? I have seen your mate, Isabella," my chin lifts up, "yes, he put up a good fight. Some of this blood is mine, not all of it, but some. He got me good, but, not good enough."

My eyes trickle down to the wound below his ribs, directly on his side, most of it hidden from me. I have begun to trail behind him again, his arm stretching only so far before he tugs me back beside him. My feet get caught on rocks and roots as we enter the trees, nearly tripping as I struggle to keep up with him.

"Where is he, my mate?"

Alpha Kenn glances back at me again, not enjoying the conversation topic. "I was your friend once, you know. My mate—well, I would have run to her first—but Eric finds other things more important, no? I mean, I did arrive an hour ago, an hour, Isabella. That is a long time to have your mate in a vulnerable situation, and look what happened, the bigger," lies, "stronger, " lies, "more worthy Alpha snatched her away." Lies!

I clench my jaw. "You're a liar, Alpha Kenn. A manipulator."

"Let's not become irrational."

A group of men are huddled up between the trees, and Alpha Kenn pulls me towards them. I start to sweat, and I know my heart must be near an attack. The men look furious, fueled, blood-thirsty, some coated in blood, their own or others. They are amused at the sight of me.

Alpha Kenn shoves me up against his chest, like a rag doll, and I frown at the metallic, iron stench emitting off of his warm body. He latches onto me like a trophy and the crowd smiles and hollers with victory, with pride. "I have retrieved my Luna," Alpha Kenn cheers to the crowd, like a newly wedded King. "Where is my dear old friend, Alpha Tate?"

One man from the bunch steps forward, nearly naked, and my eyes roam around me, watching the circling wolves. One, a large, dark brown beast, has black fabric between its teeth. Man against wolf, how cruel.