In the Alpha’s Arms Novel

I Promise Not to Hold Back

“Don’t look so relieved,” Maxim snorted as he took a forkful of food, “Unless you’re happy to get perhaps a glimpse of him before I put you out of my misery. Though I suppose I should thank you for playing your part.”

to

“It’s not relief,” Lita glared, showing him every ounce of venom she possessed, “It’s excitement. I’m going to get to watch you die soon… and I can’t

“Wishful thinking will get you nowhere, little pup. I know my son well enough to know how to offset his attack. Don’t you think I’ve prepared for this eventuality? Hoped for it, even? I mean why else would I hold you here? Why else would I let you live this long?”

Lita ignored the sting of fear. She wouldn’t doubt Cole’s ability or Andre’s planning. She wouldn’t doubt Ace or Alex or Mark or Brody or Stace. Hell, the whole pack was probably here for her. They were probably outnumbered but she was sure they would have a plan. They would find a way.

“Interesting that you think you’re prepared for whatever happens. Were you prepared for me to survive in the pits? Or for me to kill one of your top wolves without breaking a sweat? Don’t hold back now, Masle dear. Would you like an open casket funeral or closed? It’s important to iron out these details while you can still speak. Her smile was a thing of lethal beauty and Maxim had the good sense to look disturbed for a moment.

So much for pretending to be weak Nyx huffed a high pitched sound that must have been a laugh.

He pissed me off

Marie… ha! Pure gold, Nyx shook her for happily, a wolf wants to rip out your throat and eat it… If you were wondering.

I won’t, but thanks.

“Oh my dear you are full of fight aren’t you?” Carlisle grinned, eyes glittering as Maxim clenched his jaw tight enough to break teeth. Lita flashed a saccharine smile and took a sip of her wine, “Planning to find out just how much? I promise not to hold back. Her question startled Carlisle enough that he was quiet for a long while. And when Maxim seemed to decide not to kill her for the moment, merely taking a napkin to his lap and waving the auctioneer to continue, everyone went back to their casual conversation. Lita took a sip of water that burned her dry throat. Colle was here and there was no way in hell she could sit idle and wait for Maxim to do whatever he planned.

The sound of the door opening broke her train of thought momentarily as the man who won the first auction walked back into the room. His relaxed gait didn’t distract from the blood. He was covered. Splattered. Drenched as he dried his hands on a towel and flung it behind him through the open door.

“I assume you found your purchase worth it Austin?” Maxim mused. Lita felt faint.

“Oh I do think she’s starting to get an idea now, Carlisle laughed, pointing his fork at Lita’s face, a bit of meat still dangling from the tines. Something cold and wet slid down her back, moistened the fabric gathered at her hips.

Carlisle raised his glass to the auctioneer. Thirty thousand. Another man met his bid. And another. But he continued to raise all while meeting Lita’s frantic stare. They were paying for women… for pain or pleasure? Blood and relaxation? Her mind couldn’t quite compute.

“Sold!” The auctioneer clapped twice and shoved the woman forward.

Carlisle stole a small eternity to whisper into Lita’s still–stunned cars, “I bought her for you.”

She was still reeling, still trying to accept what her mind was trying to tell her about these wolves, monsters, as Carlisle pushed away from the table with a scrape and rounded on the woman. He motioned for the auctioneer to hand him a tray covered in white linen. Lita didn’t have time to register what was on the tray or the fact that he held her stare before he pulled the gun forward and shot the woman in her head.

Her body fell. The room vibrated with the reverberation. Air crushing and screaming in Lita’s ears. Screaming, sobbing sounds.

“You know I don’t like waste, Carlisle, Maxim growled over the noise, “Or staining on my floors.

Apologies. There’s something about the sound and weight of a gun, though. Something insanely stimulating don’t you find? Carlisle inclined his head a touch, with a terrible grin, “But I also wanted to see her reaction.” He pointed a solitary finger at Lita and the whole table turned. All eyes on hers. Wicked. Wicked eyes. How Cole had survived a life here…? It would have broken a lesser man.

the does make for an amusing night, Maxim huffed a laugh.

Litas cars rang. Her heart stopped. Every thight she had in her head was scared away. She couldn’t stop staring at the body on the floor. Or the manN who wiped his hands on his napkin as he tucked himself back into the table beside her. Or the men who stepped forward to bring the next wailing

I Promise Not to Hold Back

He looked at the battle again, seeing with better clarity now that he wasn’t running. Five wolves closed in on two. His heart slowed. One was Nyx. He leapt before he could even think. Her legs were bloodied, her stance slipping as she forced more weight on her injuries. Her eyes raged red as he nuzzled her in relief then tumed.

Mate. Mate. Mate, Midnight chanted through the connection.

I’m here. I’m okay.

You’re not. Who did it? He will die first.

He is already dead, Alpha. I am fine. Ren helped.

He didn’t know who the other wolf was as if just noticing him at Nyx’s side. But if they were fighting the others, they were in a temporary truce.

Still, as relieved as he felt to have her in one piece beside him, they were outnumbered. Especially as Maxim advanced on them too. Stalking, rumbling with barely–restrained rage.

Then came the howls. The signaling calls of Cole’s pack as they skidded through door, all teeth and fur and fury.

Midnight nudged Nyx back on her haunches, Stay out of it.

Not a chance in hell.

Please, mate

He breathed her scent for a moment more and roared. And the whole room was reduced to chaos.

Chapter Comments

my hearts thumping like a freight train

Tilepha