PLEASE, DON’T GO

DAPHNE

It was quiet inside the armored SUV, but the man sitting next to me was incredibly hot to the touch.

The Alpha's hand was clamped tight over my wrist, forcing my fingers flat against his chest. His skin was scorching beneath my palm. The smell of copper and wet pine filled the small space.

"Don't let go," he said. His jaw was clenched and his eyes were shut.

"I am not letting go," I said. My voice shook. I was shivering in my wet gown, and my body felt heavy and cold after Tristan broke our bond. "But your skin is burning."

"It is the Lycan blood," he said, holding my wrist tight. "My family carries an ancient cursei. Our wolves are violent and difficult to control. The silver in these wounds forces the wolf to take over. If I lose control tonight, I will become permanently violent." He explained, my breath hitched as I stared at him waiting for a semblance of lie only to find none, he was serious, I had heared the mysteries of a curse but that was all it remained to me, a Myth.

I looked at our hands. "Why does my touch stop it?"

"I do not know the exact reason," he said, opening his dark eyes to look at me. "But most people cannot stand near me when this happens. Their presence makes me restless. You are different. You are physically grounded, and your touch is solid. When you touched me on the highway, my head stopped hurting. You are keeping me sane."

I watched him. In my old pack, Tristan and the elders always told me that my weight and my curves made me slow, weak, and useless. They wanted thin, small women. But this Alpha was looking at me because my body was the only thing keeping him calm.

"I do not know your name," I whispered.

"Malakai," he said.

The SUV stopped inside a stone-walled underground garage. Beta Kane opened the door and looked at our hands.

"Alpha, we need to get you to the stone table," Kane said. "The silver is spreading."

"Move," Malakai said. He got out of the vehicle but did not let go of my hand. He kept his arm around my waist, keeping me close to his side as we walked past the guards and into his private room.

There were no doctors or medical machines. The room was made of dark stone with a large wooden table and a fireplace. Malakai sat on the edge of the table and pulled me to stand between his knees.

"Stay here," he said. "Put your other hand on my shoulder."

I put my palm against his bare shoulder. He exhaled a long breath, and his shoulders relaxed.

The heavy wooden doors opened, and High Elder Garrow walked in. He looked at my mud-stained dress and my curves with clear disgust.

"Malakai," Garrow said. "The border is secure, but you brought back a rejected, heavy female from the south. She smells of a broken bond. Why is she in your private room? Kane, throw her out."

I felt humiliated, and I tried to pull my hand away from Malakai to step back.

But Malakai grabbed my waist and pulled me hard against his legs, keeping me from moving away.

He stood up, towering over Garrow. His chest was bare, and the wounds were dark from the silver, but his posture was completely rigid. A low, deep growl came from his chest. The guards at the door immediately looked down at the floor.

"If you speak about her body or her status again," Malakai said, his voice quiet and level, "I will remove your tongue, Garrow."

Garrow took a step back. "She is a rejected female. She is a liability—"

"She saved my life tonight," Malakai said, stepping closer to him. "She has more dignity and strength than anyone in your family. You prefer weak people because you can control them. But she is under my protection. If you disrespect her again, I will take your title and exile you. Do you understand me?"

Garrow looked at Malakai’s eyes, then at me. He nodded quickly. "Yes, Alpha." He turned and left the room.

The room became quiet.

Malakai sat back down on the table and looked up at me.

"Do not step back from them," he said, keeping his hand on my hip. "And do not step back from me. I do not want you to hide your body."

"Why do you care?" I asked. "You do not know me."

"I know my mind is quiet for the first time in ten years," Malakai said, looking at me. "And I am keeping you here."