Chapter 6 Don’t Hide From Me, Bunny
INDIGO
Zade's gaze softened, reverting to their usual color. And in a blink of an eye, he was by my side, scooping me into his arms. My heart pounded faster as his intoxicating scent caressed my senses. Rain stirred in my consciousness, her sudden excitement startling me.
'Mate!'
My eyes bulged in their sockets, Zade's hypnotizing violet eyes locking with mine. I gaped at him, unable to comprehend what was happening. Did he know? Could he sense our mate bond?
"Who do you think you are?" West's mother demanded, and I stiffened.
"She is mine, old hag. Tonight, she will be leaving with me. Anyone who tries to stop me will suffer a fate...." He droned. "Worse than death."
"You bastard. You can't take her anywhere. She belongs to—" West began.
"Silence." Zade's compulsion was so strong, it sent him to his knees.
I could tell that he was still holding back for my sake, so I tugged at his coat, desperate to leave. To my relief, he started to walk away.
Was Lila watching me? The thought crossed my mind, making me curl further against Zade's body, burying my face against his chest. Thankfully none of the warriors attempted to stop him. That in itself was odd, considering that Ironfang's pack security was filled with madmen.
Outside the hall, a group of men in black suits awaited us, my former pack's sigil tattooed on the side of their necks. A crescent moon and the head of a wolf with its teeth bared. Mooncrest pack.
They all lowered their heads in greeting. One of them moved closer, the breeze ruffling his long blonde hair.
"Alpha, we have secured the perimeter," he said, and Zade nodded.
"We're leaving right away."
I still couldn't believe that this was real. Swallowing past the lump in my throat, I clutched at his coat tighter, tears pricking my eyes. A few minutes later, we were seated in a car, the escorts following behind us.
Zade held me close, his arm wrapped around my waist as I rested my head on his shoulder.
"You did nothing wrong, Bunny. You should have left that place a long time ago," he said.
I knew he was only trying to comfort me, but I didn't feel any better. All I could think of was what would have happened if I had never met West. Would my life have been easier?
I glanced up at Zade's profile, my throat going dry. His long lashes fluttered, a muscle ticking in his sharp jawline. He was impossibly beautiful. How was I supposed to overcome this temptation knowing he was my mate?
"This is not a dream, is it?" I croaked, and he looked down at me, his violet eyes glowing subtly.
"A dream?" His mouth twitched. "No, Indie. This is your reality. Back then, I let you go because I didn't know better. You're trapped with me now, bunny."
I gulped.
"It doesn't mean I have to give in to you. I'm still..."
His eyes darkened. "Married?"
My breath caught in my throat.
"You don't have to worry about that, bunny. I will personally deliver the divorce papers. And yes, you will give in to me every day and every fucking night until your body and soul learn who they belong to."
Those words sent my pulse roaring as I clamped my thighs together, suddenly breathless.
He pressed a kiss to my temple, that same terrifying smile tugging at his lips.
Dear Mother Selene, how am I supposed to survive him?
For as long as I remembered, my stepbrother had always been abnormal. He never felt emotions the way they should be felt. Everyone was creeped out, including me. But he'd claimed me as his own, trapping me into becoming his friend. Eventually, I learned to understand him, and something real bloomed between us.
But there was something different about him now. I couldn't pinpoint it, but I had a strong feeling that he'd gotten worse.
Closing my eyes, I tried to turn off my brain. But the sickening sensation from earlier returned at full force.
I was growing more faint by the minute, but I didn't want to alarm him.
'Tell our mate! We need him!" Rain protested, and I winced, squeezing my eyes shut.
My body suddenly began to heat up, my dizziness worsening.
"Bunny?" Zade said, his voice laced with worry as he placed a hand on my forehead. "You're burning up. Why didn't you say anything?"
I groaned, leaning closer against him as warmth settled low in my belly. Horror washed over me when I realized what was happening. I could smell my scent. It was thicker now, filling the air.
I was in heat.
How was this possible? I had never experienced heat while my menstrual cycle was still ongoing.
A growl rumbled from Zade's chest, and I whimpered.
"You're in heat," he said, his arm tightening around me.
In the front seat, the driver suddenly let out an animalistic sound.
My eyes widened as he slammed hard on the brakes, panting. Zade's nostrils flared, his chest heaving.
"Out," he commanded. "Get out, Ambrose."
The driver mumbled an apology and got out of the driver's seat. A lump formed in my throat.
Cursing under his breath, Zade took off his blazer, draping it around my shoulders. Then he got out of the car and slipped into the driver's seat.
"S-sorry," I whispered, and his gaze met mine through the rearview mirror.
"Apology not needed. You should reserve it for yourself."
I lowered my gaze, biting my lower lip.
"Has your heat period always been this intense? Anyone would be able to smell you from miles away," he pointed out, and I shook my head, heat rushing to my cheeks.
It was never like this.
Why was this suddenly happening?
My mind strayed as the memory of my daughter's face replayed itself in my head. I was a terrible mother, wasn't I? How could I abandon my own child?
...
The pain in my lower belly had reached its peak by the time Zade pulled up. I sat up straighter, wincing as I looked around the place. I could barely recognize the packhouse. So many things had been changed already.
Zade got out of the driver’s seat, striding over to carry me out of the car in bridal style.
“You’ll be okay,” he assured me, and I nodded weakly.
He took me straight to the Alpha’s quarters. At this point, I was disgusted by my own skin. Sweat trickled down my spine, my body drenched in sweat. I thought I was going to die from the embarrassment.
“W-what are you doing?” I asked Zade as he took me straight to the bathroom.
The last thing I wanted was for him to wash me up himself.
Gently, he set me by the bathtub. Then he took off his wristwatch, moving over to place it on the sink. I watched with wide eyes as he rolled up the sleeves of his shirt to expose his veiny arms.
“Are you shy?” He asked, his tone serious. “You don’t have to worry about anything—”
“I can wash myself!” I said and he halted.
Slowly, he blinked, cocking his head.
“Go on. Get up.”
I froze. Could he tell that my legs had become as limp as soggy noodles?
Still, I had to try…
Gritting my teeth, I held onto the bathtub and tried to push myself up. More sweat broke out on my skin. I was convinced that all of my efforts were working. So, I grunted, pushing harder.
“What are you doing?” Zade droned, and I lowered my gaze to find that I hadn’t moved an inch.
My face went hot.
“I—”
He simply walked over to me, squatting. Even like that, he still towered over me. He reached for the straps of my dress, and my throat went dry.
“Zade, please… I…I’m on my…”
He arched a brow. “Your period? I know that.”
My eyes bulged in their sockets, and I was instantly hit with the strongest urge to vanish into thin air.
He knew?! How could he just say it like that?
Slowly, he helped me up, taking off my dress before I could stop him. Instantly, I brought my hands to my boobs. Desire clouded his eyes as his gaze slowly trailed from my panties to my face.
“Don’t hide from me, bunny,” his deep voice sent shivers down my spine.
Slowly, he wrapped an arm around my waist, sliding his hand up my spine. A gasp slipped from his lips as he unhooked my bra, leaving it hanging loose.
“Z-Zade—”
“Alpha, it’s urgent! You have to see this!” Someone yelled outside, and I let out a breath of relief, already planning my escape out of his arms. But then he tugged me flush against his body, the air whooshing out of my lungs.
“Where do you think you’re going?”