Page 74 of Trust No Alpha

My pulse thrummed. I took shallow breaths trying to listen for any sound, any sign of Thorne and whoever had been pounding on the front door.

I thought I heard voices but I couldn’t be sure. Were they inside the house or still on the porch?

I didn’t dare move. I had the bizarre thought of getting down on the floor and crawling under the bed. For weeks I’d hidden away here and felt safe. But how could I be so naïve? My father had ways like no other Alpha to accomplish whatever he wanted. Even though Thorne’s house was fairly isolated, someone still could have seen me walking about the backyard or side yards of the house. I’d been a fool to relax my defenses.

Shoulders hunched, hands clasped tight in my lap, I stayed as still as I could.

I thought I heard more talking. Then I heard what sounded like Thorne’s raised voice.

I couldn’t take it anymore. I stood and walked as quietly as I could to the bedroom door and put my ear to the wood.

I heard at least three distinct tones. Thorne said, “Show me.”

Another voice, “It’s all in order.”

Silence.

After what seemed like far too long where I heard nothing, a voice said, “Search the house.”

I jolted back from the door like a trapped animal, turning. Immediately, I went to the window and pushed back the shades. As quick as I could make my fingers work, I undid the window latch and opened it.

The roof jutted out before me. Just as I straddled the sill and started to pull myself onto the roof, the bedroom door slammed open.

My heart leaped into my throat.

Men rushed into the room. I heard one say, “I knew I smelled him in here!”

One of them grabbed my leg, tugging hard. I kicked out, catching him hard in the chin.

But another was on me, and then another.

I yelled and struggled.

They dragged me, kicking and yelling, out of the room and down the stairs.

Thorne was nowhere about. Even as I pushed and pulled to get these men to release me, I kept looking for him.

The men half-carried me out the front door and that was when I saw him standing on the front porch. His face looked wild, his hair still a mess. He came toward us, reaching out for me.

“You cannot take my Omega! I’ve staked a legal claim!”

“Varian Vandergale has legal claim!” someone replied starkly.

“A father cannot make a mate-claim. He is here of his free will. We are bondmates,” Thorne argued.

“Produce the proof.”

I stopped struggling for a moment and met Thorne’s gaze. We both knew he had no proof.

“We aren’t fully mated yet, but the paperwork is in process!”

It was a good try and a good lie, but if he couldn’t prove it, what were my rights?

“He’s telling the truth,” I said, struggling again. “You can’t take me away from my bondmate!”

I wasn’t even sure if I was allowed to choose without permission of Father in this matter.

“Tell that to your father,” snarled the guy to my left.