Page 80 of Alpha Bond
Gage
They’re all staring at me like I’ve grown a second head. And I’m probably looking at them the same way. At least I’m looking atherthat way. “You’re here,” I manage to choke out again.
“Of course she’s here,” Jagger snaps. “What the fuck is going on?”
“I got the fuck out of there, that’s what’s going on!” I snap back. “Afteryouleft me behind!” There’s a collective gasp.
“I had no choice,” he mutters, turning and making his way down the stairs of the platform. He stops in front of me. “I’m sorry.”
“Damn straight.” I’m not sure what else to say. I’m still breathless, my head reeling. I’d known exactly what to do when I got here, and now I’m at a complete loss.
“Tell us what you’re talking about.” He folds his arms over his chest. I look past him to where his mate has caught up with him. She’s hovering anxiously, a hand on his bicep.
“She was there.” I point at her. “At Leadmills. I saw her.”
“That’s impossible.” He sets his jaw.
“Jagger…”
He glances down at her. “Let him speak, beautiful.”
“Jagger, listen to me…”
I narrow my eyes on her. “How did you get back here?”
“She never left. What’s this about?” Jagger frowns. “Have you been drinking?”
“Why the fuck would I have been drinking, you dick? I just broke out of the enemy’s lair. Without your fucking help!”
“I said I’m sorry, dammit.”
“Jagger, for God’s sake!” Sierra raises her voice. We both focus on her. She stares at me. “You didn’t see me.” Her bottom lip quivers, and I sense she’s barely holding it together. “You saw Savannah.”
“Savanah?” Jagger’s frown deepens.
“My sister,” she tells him. Her throat works as she swallows. “You saw my twin sister,” she says to me.
“You have a twin sister?” Jagger gapes at her. Others have gathered around us, and they’re muttering among themselves.
She nods. “We’re all twins. All of my line. It’s why we’re…wanted.”
“You never knew this?” Callum has joined us, and he’s addressing Jagger.
Jagger rubs his face with both hands. “We haven’t had time, dammit. With all that’s happened…” He draws in a breath, then reaches for Sierra’s shoulder and gently turns her to face him. “Let’s start this from the top. Rack abducted you from your pack; you escaped and ended up here. With me.” He leans forward and brushes his lips over her forehead.
“Yes.”
“But your twin sister was taken too.”
“I didn’t know.” She takes in a stuttering breath. “I’d hoped that… I’d prayed…” When she raises a hand to her eyes, it’s shaking. “I just prayed that the others had gotten away. Sometimes, some of us get away.”
“Sometimes?” Jagger’s eyes narrow. “You mean this happens a lot.”
“Every few years. They wait for us to be…to be of breeding age. Then they take us.”
Fuck. Is she serious?
“Who does, Sierra?” Jagger lifts her chin with his fingertip. “Who takes you?”