Page 69 of Alpha Bond
What if he doesn’t come back?
The thought hits me so hard that I clutch a hand to my throat.
“Are you okay?” Bert’s face is wreathed in concern.
“When did they leave?” I try to keep my voice steady, but I fail.
“Not long ago. About an hour, hour and a half?” He rubs his jaw. “I don’t think they’ll be gone too long. Fast and furious, that’s how we roll. You’ll have him back before nightfall, I’m sure.” He’s trying to make light of it. It’s not working. Probably because he looks as worried as I am. Whatever’s going on is bad. Of course it’s bad! Rack is ruthless. An animal. My mate is taking on a beast with no morals or scruples.
That’s if he’s my mate at all. It still feels that way in my soul, but after what happened, I doubt he feels the same way.
I look around frantically. “I have to go after him.”
“Are you insane?” Bert’s voice is sharp. “You can’t do that. You need to stay here. Callum is holding the fort. It’s the safest place to be.”
“No, but I have to speak to him! I have to!” Panic colors my tone. Hysteria, too. Even I can tell that I’m not thinking clearly.
Bert puts his hand on my arm. “You need to stay here, Sierra. They’ll never let you leave. Besides, what are you going to do, anyway?”
I toss my head, hair flying about my face. I know he’s right, but I can’t come to terms with what he’s telling me. “Maybe I can go up and speak to Callum. Maybe he’ll understand and—”
“And what? Send you out there? It’s not going to happen.” His jaw sets. “This is crazy talk. And if Jagger finds out you’ve put yourself in danger, there’ll be hell to pay.”
Maybe there won’t be. Maybe he’ll be glad to get rid of me.
The thought comes out of nowhere, and it makes no sense, but I’m not seeing reason anymore. My heart is racing, my lips tingling with the rush of blood that seems to be surging through my veins.
“I can’t just sit here doing nothing.” I croak the words.
“That’s exactly what you need to do. If you go out, you’ll only put yourself in danger. And probably others too, if they end up having to save you.” He puts a beefy hand on my shoulder. “It’s for the best, Sierra.”
I sink heavily onto one of the nearby benches. I know he’s right. But waiting is going to kill me.
“Maybe I can help here somehow?” I look up at him.
“You could probably be more use down in the village. They’ve got the pups safe with the females. The security is concentrated around there. But it’s probably too late for you to do anything now. Just sit tight. It’ll all be over soon. I’m sure of it.”
Over soon. I’m sure he’s trying to reassure me, but the thought of all the things that are over just makes my heart hurt.
“Go down to the village, Sierra. It’s the best place to be.”
“No.” I lick dry lips. I want to be where I can still feel him. Where his scent still lingers. “No, I’ll go back to the apartment, and—”
A shattering boom has me shooting my feet.
Bert jerks in alarm. “What the fuck?”
Someone yells. I hear more shouting. And then another explosion has me clapping my hands over my ears. My head is ringing.
“Get back to your apartment!” Bert yells at me as he flings his washcloth down and starts running for the door. I turn in a dazed circle, trying to gather my wits. Boots are thundering, and more shouts are ringing out.
“They’ve blown off the door!” someone yells.
“Pull together! Man your stations.” It’s Callum Carter. I recognize his gravelly voice. Suddenly, the tone of the shouting changes. Gruff, aggressive. There are screams.
“They’re in!”
Oh, my God! Move, Sierra!