Chapter 76

Alyson

I squirm on my cot, watching the eyes through the bars circle my body without a care of the state it is in. I attempt to stand, to face this monster that pins me up almost every day now, ever since the Alpha started getting sick and needed some good blood to be pushed into his system at the ready.

That's where I used to come in to play.

My legs give out, though. I fail instantly and hit the cell floor, exhausted and drained, in need of water and maybe something to nibble on, but I can't expect that to happen. I've been in this spot too much to know that the more I suffer, the easier it is for them to drain me without tying me down to do so.

"Little blood pet," the voice snickers, taunting me from above. "You aren't looking so good today, blood pet. You look pale, and worthless, but you know what? Alpha Jacob needs his fix of blood for the night, and that means I'm going to need you to provide just that."

I struggle to respond, knowing that even if I muster the energy to do so, I could very well be beaten for a remark later. I know my lesson has been learned by now but even then, I have to at least try to save some of my pride here. I spit toward his shiny, leather boots, watching his eyes darken at the pathetic attempt to fight back.

It's pointless, as I suspected.

The warrior barges into the cell, throwing me onto the medical cot and snatching the needle set off the wall and pulls my arm toward his body, sneering the entire time as he looks for a spot that isn't already fresh with a puncture hole. I would be able to heal myself, especially since my blood is superior, but being under cared for has made it impossible to heal.

"Here we go, blood pet," he growls, snatching up a vein with an unnecessarily long needle. I cough a breath, shocked and forced into the draining process all over again. He laughs, shamelessly, and it makes me weep as usual. "I love seeing you struggle.

I gust awake in a sudden, sweaty panic, my body trembling all over until I catch my balance and see those concerned eyes yet again. Ryan sits before me, his hands holding me upright by my shoulders as I sway in place in our bed, my side of the long, silky sheets normally untouched and cold.

Ryan holds a hand to my cheek, begging that I look up to meet his eyes, and I do, only to shoot them back down to the ground again. I wish I could meet him with pride, with strength, but after that damn memory nightmare, I've never felt more like a disappointment in my life.

Stop thinking that, Ryan growls through the link, saying it on impulse.

His exterior relaxes and he gives me a sad grin. "Darling, are you feeling better?"

I open my mouth to speak, too stunned and anxious to mumble a word.

He nods. "I understand, Alyson, I do. I saw the entire nightmare. I know the pain you felt in the field this morning, that was rough, and then having to relive what you went through before—before everything was resolved, and I want you to know you can talk to me about it all. Everything, Alyson. Everything."

I only look aside, my eyes wet in pain and in terror. The only thing worse than reliving those days in my dreams is having to talk about it with my adorning mate. He only wants to help and I should love him for that, but he doesn't know the extent of everything I went through. He has seen some through the link of our mating bond, and some he has heard me cry out in my dreams about, but I would be in angst if I had to explain it all right here, right now.

"You should rest, darling," he hums, reaching forward.

I flinch back, whimpering a noise I didn't know I could make. "I can't, Ryan. I just can't. There is no way out of the nightmares. I don't want to feel them again."

"I know," he admits, sullen. "I just wish you could get some rest, anyways, or you will collapse again like you did out there in the field."

Raising a brow, I replay the moment we had together. "I think it was because I was in heat, Alpha, not because I am exhausted." It's true though, I am very depleted and if my dreams weren't tainted, I would pass out again so quickly, it would make Ryan think I've died.

"You were in heat," Ryan sighs, shaking his head. "I wish you weren't in so much pain in that moment but I tried to help, darling, I truly did."

"Thank you," I say, sure that he helped more than he thinks he did.

"Anything for my Luna, of course."

"Anything?"

"Yes, darling, anything."

Looking aside, I see the sun over the pack lands, shining through the walkways and on the innocent pups that run and play through this clan, without fear. Without pain. I wish I had been one of them, but that's not what I can ask for, that option has long since been taken from me, my childhood so much in contrast to theirs.

"I need you to tell me you will keep me safe, Ryan."

He gives me a puzzled look, and one of hurt, like my request has wounded him or something. "Darling, my Luna, you know I'd never allow anyone to hurt you like that again. After everything we've been through, you know that, Alyson. You know I will always protect you no matter who or what goes against us."

I nod, knowing it may just be a simple promise but it helps my stress. I lay back down, my hand interlocked with my mate's and I squeeze it as tight as possible, hoping he takes that as his cue to stay here with me. I worry what I will dream about, hopefully nothing at all, but for now it is helpful having Ryan here.

He nestles the blanket around my body, a gentle brush of his other hand across my forehead making me shiver. I love when he touches me, caresses me, and my heart sputters at the feeling of being so close to him again. He has always been gentle with me, maybe screwing that up once or twice in the heat of a salacious moment but he would protect me, I know it.

"My Luna is always safe with me."

"I know—"

The door to our bedroom is thrown open abruptly, the entire palace shivering in response. "Alpha, please excuse me, we have an emergency."

Ryan stands but keeps his hand on mine. "What is it, Ike?"

"Our hunters said they came across something in the woods, something you're not going to like, Alpha." The warriors blinks at me, then to the Alpha again, breathless and flushed in the cheeks. "There's a group of rogues, at least a few hundred, and they seem to be forming a pack, it's hard to tell but—well… the hunters saw someone familiar."

"Who?" Ryan growls, his grasp hard on my fingers.

Ike looks down to me, eyes wide in horror. "Jennifer Clark."

My breath hitches. "My sister."