Page 9 of Cruel Alpha Daddy
Rider holds my hand as we walk to the top of the camp. The memories come again, and my grip on him tightens a little.
Why, Rider?
I look down at the grass, letting the memories come. I’ve kept it inside for so long it’s like cutting open an old, infected wound. It hurts like hell, but the relief from letting out the poison makes it almost pleasurable.
Six years ago… and the pain is as fresh as if it was yesterday.
After my aunt died, I sat by her bed for a long time. She had been very close to me even after she broke away from the rest of the family. I never knew the full story and didn’t need to. I was close enough to my family in Silver Meadows, but some secrets of the past were unknown to me.
All I knew was that Aunt Mabel loved me, and that she was alone at the end of her life, so I had to go. After she died, there was no one to call, no one else to mourn her or grieve with me. I made arrangements with the hospital and went back to the hotel to find Rider.
It was the worst night of my life, but I was hoping it could also be the best. I’d ask Rider to come home with me, and he’d accept, of course. We’d get married and live in Silver Meadows, embracing the future together.
Back at the hotel, Rider comforted me while I talked about Aunt Mabel. The pain was creeping up on me, slowly drowning me, so I reached out to the love of my life, knowing hewould save me. He was the only thing in this world that could heal me and give me a future.
Instead, he crushed my soul.
“I’ll be leaving for Silver Meadows in two days,” I said. “I can’t wait to show you my home and introduce you to my friends. We can finally be together and plan our future.”
“What?”
“I can’t stay in Delta forever. I was only here for Aunt Mabel. It’s time to go home.”
“What? No!”
“No, what?”
“No, I’m not going to Silver Meadows with you! What the fuck do you think this is?”
“Love! I thought you loved me… that you wanted to be together!”
“Not forever. Jeez, babe, I’m a drifter, I told you. I can get tied down. I’m surprised I stayed this long.”
“Rider—”
“No, look. I think I should just leave now. This is getting way too heavy for me. Thanks for everything, though. You helped me through a tough spot, and you’re a nice girl.”
The pain of his last words to me is so intense, I stumble, making Rider grab my hand and hold me up. The elder woman conducts the ceremony and asks my name, trying to reassure me. Everything is happening so fast, I can’t follow it.
The morning after Rider left, I was sick. I tried to blame it on my grief and broken heart, but I knew before I took the test that I was pregnant. I went home alone, and the only thing that saved me from complete despair was the child I carried.
Caleb. Light of my life, my son, my baby. I will always be strong for you, even if I can’t be for myself.
As the ceremony finishes, Rider picks me up and turns around, facing the cheering crowd. The nasty group who kidnapped me shift into their wolf forms and rush from the clearing to go hunting. Rider carries me into the trees towards a big, luxurious tent set some distance from all the others.
It’s almost the size of a small cabin, very tall and made with heavy folds of canvas. It even has little screen windows cut into it. I’m relieved that Rider claiming me has made the others back off. It’s also a great relief that his tent is set some distance away from the rest of the camp. I really thought I was going to get attacked by every male in the pack, maybe even passed from tent to tent. I suppress a shudder as I push those thoughts away.
Rider carries me through the zippered opening and puts me down on my feet. When he turns to secure the front, I bolt immediately for the back of the tent. He curses softly and chases me. The tent is a decent size, furnished with a small table, lots of cushions, some kitchen equipment, and even a bed. I take all this in as I run across the small space, slamming myself against the back wall and trying to tear my way through so I can get out.
The fabric is extremely tough, and the edges are hammered into the ground. I can’t rip through it or pull it up to get under. Seconds later, Rider grabs me, and I twist in his arms, slapping him across the face.
“Let me go!” I scream.
Rider grabs my arms and shakes me, keeping my hands by my sides, so I can’t slap him again. “Will you calm the fuck down?” he growls.
“No, I will not!” I shriek. “What the fucking hell is this? Let me go, you asshole, this is kidnapping!”
“By the old laws, it is a legal marriage,” he says softly. His beautiful green eyes are inches from mine, gleaming with that wicked intensity I fell in love with.