Alpha's Mate (Completed)

Chapter 9

Finishing my peach, I pondered about what to do. Brinley is- well, I don't know where Brinley is, that's part of the problem.

Brinley could be anywhere, Ryker's in his room (not that I would want his company anyway), and Ashalyn and Elison are preoccupied with each other. So I drag myself all the way to my room, choosing to read a book for the entertainment.

When I get bored with reading and being cooped up in my room, I exit, almost tripping over Elison, who happens to be sitting outside my room.

''Uh hi. What are you doing here and where is Ashalyn?''

''Guarding you. Ashalyn is in the shower.''

''Guarding me?'' I make a face. ''Why?''

''You're the Luna. You're one of Ryker's only weaknesses. If you get kidnapped, it's game over.''

''I don't need a babysitter, thanks.'' I hiss.

''Don't argue with me, argue with Ryker.'' I decide to take his advice, and do just that.

''RYKER!'' I holler, not bothering to knock as I storm in. He stretches across his bed lazily, in only his boxes. Cambria is going a bit crazy at the sight (and mayby me, a little bit, too), and I have to admit, he has a nice set of abs. I wrench my gaze to avoid being caught checking him out.

''Why is Elison outside my door?''

He rubs his forehead. ''You need a guard.''

''I beg to differ. I can protect myself.''

''No, you can't.''

''Yes, I can.'' He slowly gets up from the bed, inching closer. In a flash, he has pinned me up against the wall, his hands around my wrists, trapping them there. The rest of his body is pressed against mine, rendering my legs useless. I huff in frustration. ''Get off me!''

''You think a kidnapper is going to leave because you ask them too? Any guy could take advantage of you, abduct you.''

He continues his little speech, but I tune him out, instead devising a way to escape and prove him wrong. When he seems thoroughly distracted, I buck my hips against his, surprising him.

His body moves back a bit, giving me some free space, which I use to place my foot firmly on his stomach, pushing him away. His grip breaks free, and I'm free.

''I can take care of myself.'' I spit, eyes flashing.

Before he can reply, I leave the room, slamming the door. When I reach Elison, I inform him that I don't need to have a guard- Ryker's order. I don't even feel a drop of guilt over this blatant lie.

Since I currently have free time, I decide to go explore the forest, as I had wanted to. Walking casually out the back door and doing my best not to draw any attention to myself. I set a brisk pace in the direction of the forest. I begin my search for wild blackberries.

After a few minutes I find myself some blackberries, my hand is hovering over the first berry when I hear the snap of a twig. My head whips up to scan my surroundings, all sense alert.

It would be extremely embarrassing if I got abducted right after that speech of Ryker's.

''Who's there?'' I ask the forest, trying to sound tough and threatening, my feet move in a circle, spinning me in a repeated pattern of slow 360s in order to see all around.

Without a warning, a hand snakes around my waist, another around my mouth. And yet another hand -there must be two people- shoves a cloth over my nose. I've never experienced the scent, but my deductive reasoning leads me to believe that it was chloroform, if my head spinning is any indication.

The hand from my mouth is removed so that the cloth can cover that also, too.

I flair my arms and legs, holding my breath. I elbow the person behind me, who lets out a grunt, but doesn't let go.

I dig my nails into the skin of the person holding the cloth over my mouth. With a cry of pain, the cloth is released, and I rip the other hands away from me, gasping for air.

My relief doesn't last long -perhaps three seconds- as someone tackles me from behind, slamming my jaw into the ground. I moan as blood fills my mouth.

Then the cloth covers my mouth again. I still struggle, but to no avail, and eventually I succumb to darkness.