Page 25 of Reclaiming Quinn

QUINN INHALEDdeeply. Even in a polluted city like Chicago, nature was there if you knew where to look. The park was lovely. A little too manicured and perfect for Quinn, who liked the roughness of the woods, but it was still a balm to his—

Quinn, I’m so sorry. If this keeps you safe, then I’ll do it for you. Stay well, baby.

He jolted up. Why had he heard Master’s voice? And why was he so sad? Had what Quinn done hurt him? His stomach clenched at the thought. Master had been good and kind, more than anyone else in Quinn’s life, and he’d assaulted him.

A moment later, panic filled Quinn. No, it wasn’t what he’d done. Something was wrong. He hurried out of the park and rushed back the way he’d come. His heart seized with every step. Master was in trouble, Quinn was certain. He kept running faster, his pulse thundering. When he got to the hotel, he realized he didn’t have a key. He was about to go to the desk when a familiar voice called out to him. He turned and found Lyram striding across the lobby toward him. Now Quinnknewsomething was wrong.

“Alpha!”

Heads turned in their direction, and Quinn winced. When Lyram got to him, he clutched Quinn and pulled him into a hug.

“Where have you been? Everyone has been worried sick.”

“No, my master. He’s—”

“He’s fine. He’s up in the room waiting for you.”

Oh, how Quinn wanted to believe that. “No, he’s not. Something is wrong.”

Quinn’s gaze darted through the lobby and landed on something familiar.

“Master’s chair.” He pulled away from Lyram and made a beeline for it. “Where did you get this?” he demanded of the man behind the desk.

“Someone left it out on the sidewalk. Why? Is it yours? It’s not safe to—”

“Where’s the man who was in it?” Quinn shrieked.

“Quinn, stop.” Lyram put a hand on his shoulder. “Calm down.”

His voice washed over Quinn, tamping down his fear but not quelling it.

“Something’s wrong, I know it is.”

“Let’s go upstairs. Deke is probably waiting.”

Quinn spun on his heel, anger surging through him. No one was listening! “Without his chair? How the hell do you think he got up there?”

When he realized he’d just mouthed off to his Alpha, Quinn wilted.

“I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t worry about it. I can feel your fear. We’ll figure this out. Let’s go upstairs.”

“I don’t have my key.” He fluttered his hands. “I left in a hurry and…. Please, Alpha, I’m scared.”

Lyram slid an arm over Quinn’s shoulders. “Let’s go.”

He went to the desk where a young man was standing, staring down at a computer screen. He peered up as they approached, and his eyes went wide when he saw Lyram.

“Can I help you, sir?”

It was obvious the guy was taken with Lyram. His cheeks flushed and his nostrils flared.

“We need a key to Deke Simmons’s room.”

The man bit his lip. “Oh, I’m sorry, but we don’t—”

“Now.”