13. Chapter 13

Chapter 13

Bri

I n the last three hours, I have felt every emotion imaginable: excited, entertained, happy, scared, angry, anxious, hopeful, loved, and now dread.

Hearing Cain tell me he loves me feels like a weight is lifted off my shoulders. We didn't have all the answers to what the future would be, but we love each other, and that is a solid start.

As we walk to the elevator, I replay his words. Don't talk to anyone. Don't let anyone touch me. Part of me wonders if that is just because he's possessive or if touching me gives them some kind of control, another question I'll have to ask later.

When we step inside, a thought occurs to me.

"Can't they use command on me?" I ask, trying to keep the fear out of my voice.

A growl rolls out from the back of his throat.

"Not if they want to live. Command is supposed to be used by Alphas to control their pack. Not to order people to do things against their will, but it does happen. Avoid looking anyone in the eye for too long. It could be seen as a challenge. I aim to get you in and out of there as quickly as possible. I will be with you anytime I am allowed."

His words reassure me as he squeezes my hand. The small gesture gives me the strength I need. I pull my shoulders back and exhale, letting out my nerves as the elevator door opens, and we step out into the lobby.

Cain steers me to our left to the waiting area, where three men and a woman are sitting in silence. Tension hangs in the air as we approach, pulling all of their attention.

Two of the men are in full suits. Due to the salt and pepper beards and the lines around their eyes, both appear to be in their forties. Their faces show no emotion, and they both rise as we approach, a short nod of acknowledgment to Cain, who tucks me behind him slightly.

The other two stand and walk to either side of us, the woman coming to my side and the man flanking Cain. Standing next to me, the woman looks petite, maybe five feet tall. Her jet-black hair is pulled back in a ponytail that's pin-straight and shines when it catches the light, and her face is kind without being especially friendly.

"Gentlemen," Cain says, his voice cold.

"Miss DelaCourt's presence is requested at headquarters," The older of the two says to Cain, ignoring the fact that I'm standing right here. "She will be taken to processing at central and held until the board decides her pack affiliation," he finishes.

"Am I being arrested?" I ask, wondering how they have the authority to just take me. "Shouldn't I have a lawyer or a phone call or something?"

Irritation fills the man's face before he addresses Cain again.

"Your Alpha has been notified. His hearing will be held tomorrow at noon," he says, ignoring my question entirely and waving for his partner to take me.

"Understood," Cain says next to me before he steps closer to the man, all humor missing from his face. "We will cooperate with this request. However, know that if anyone touches her while in your care, I'll kill them. She's mine. My Mate. My Fated." The severity of his tone leaves no question that he's deadly serious, and, for a moment, all the fight leaves me as my heart flutters at his declaration.

Feminism: who is she? I belong to him.

The man appears surprised for a moment and looks at me for the first time before he schools his features and nods once before turning to leave.

Okay. Show time. I can do this.

Cain's lips lightly touch my forehead, and he squeezes my hand. When his eyes meet mine, I see he's struggling to let me go without him.

"I'll be fine, Candy Cain," I whisper, pulling a small smile.

"I love you, Firefly," he says, his intensity taking my breath away.

"I love you too, Candy Cain" I reply before turning to follow the man, his partner falling into step behind me.

***

Four hours later, I'm finally alone in my room. Well, alone-ish. A guard stands outside my door, so I'm not exactly by myself, but I'm not at liberty to leave either.

Neither of the men I left with spoke to me as we rode to the private airport or on the flight to Colorado. Once we landed, they escorted me to a hotel suite and left me with a guard posted up outside.

Quiet never seemed so loud. I wasn't sure if they weren't allowed to talk to me or if I had done something that led to the treatment, but they were about as far from friendly as you could get. I tried to ask questions, crack jokes, and even made faces at them, but they didn't react.

The next time either spoke was to explain to the guard standing at my door that no one was allowed in, and I wasn't allowed out.

I wish Cain were here, or even Ghost, well maybe more Snowball than Ghost.

Throwing myself onto the large bed, I consider my situation. My suitcase hasn't arrived, and I don't have my phone, the real one or the burner, and it's just after four in the morning. Part of me wonders how to explain my disappearance to Ethan and Tristan.

What will they do when I don't show up tomorrow?

It weighs on my heart to know that I'd blown such a fantastic opportunity. The company checked every box.

Well, all but one.

The one name still sitting on the ‘move to Boston' cons list.

Cain.

Despite him telling me he would follow me anywhere, I know how hard it would be for him to leave his pack. They are his family. Coming from a life without one, I couldn't live with myself if I took him away from them.

Not that it matters now.

No company is going to hire a candidate as flaky as I have been. At this point, I have to hope I can find another place where I can make my future.

If I have a future. As I drift off to sleep, my fears about being taken by Deacon Marlo slide back in, and the nightmares play on repeat. My screams echoing off the walls remind me how alone I really am.