SPIRAL

RIONA'S POV 

Time stopped. And I could've sworn with everything I have, I saw lightning bolts splintered out of Alpha Theron's head. He grinded his teeth, infusing a deep sense of fear to my very core. 

Still, I managed to keep a straight face, despite the fear that spiralled through me. I couldn't let myself drown in the claws of fear. Especially not in the presence of this man, staring down on me with a cold gaze, and his subordinates, pacing the length of the open space. 

He tightened his grip around my hand, in a way that made the area with the most impact, flare with pain. I held back a groan that threatened to spill from the corner of my lips. “Please…let go. You're hurting me.” I pleaded. Much to my surprise, my voice came out shaky. 

One. Two. Three. Three beats passed, and he hesitantly let go. I collapsed to the ground. My veins trickled with equal parts apprehension, and equal parts relief. 

Alpha Theron, snarled. “Try that nonsense one more time, and I will scribble your name in my bad book,” He taunted, his voice sounding like a rumble. “Riona Lukas, you don't want to be in my bad book.” From the way the words fell out of his lips, it was obvious he wasn't bluffing. 

I pressed my lips together, shaking my head slowly. My hands trembled, from my close range encounter with Alpha Theron. He seemed to have seen through the thoughts going on in my mind, because he said. 

“These people will not hesitate to—” he grunted, spreading his hands to push back the gamma warrior that broke out of the crowd. 

She growled, shooting her fist in the air. I flinched. My hands wrapped around myself, while I stared at her blankly. “Let me finish her off Alpha Theron!” For the way her toned muscles flex, her high-pitched voice came as a surprise. 

Alpha Theron gave me one last cold glare, then he turned to face her. “Kanesha, get a hold of yourself!” He chided her. 

Kanesha spat. “Who the hell does this thing think she is huh?” She quipped. Her face turned the colour of a hydrant. “Leave her to me, Theron. And, I will teach her never to make an Alpha go through the hurdles to get her back.” 

I managed a weak but demeaning scoff. Which didn't go well with either of them. Alpha Theron turned back at me, his eyes narrowed with an emotion similar to disdain. Kanesha on the other hand was a mess of various negative emotions. 

The veins in her hands bulged with brutality. I was part grateful there was a restrain between Kanesha and I. After hours in the cold, and the injuries I'd sustained. I was too weak to fight. 

Elara sprouted her head up, before I got a chance to push her back. ‘Well, I wouldn't mind taking the challenge. She sounds like a bitch. I can't stand her!’ She seethed through her fangs. 

“I swear by the moon goddess Theron, she's pretending,” She advanced towards me in two calculative strides. But Theron's Alpha vibes kicked in, before she even got a chance to land a punch in. 

Kanesha’s face was coloured in disappointment. But her green eyes glowered with sheer hatred. My guts told me, I was going to see more of this angry, brutal female around, and not in a good way. 

Her eyes widened. “Why not! Last I checked you don't spare those that try to escape from the pack!” Her breathing was heavy. From the hasty rise and fall of her chest, Kanesha wasn't quite satisfied. I was still given the privilege to breathe. 

With his back still facing me, he pointed a finger at me. And the simple action flung the muscle on his entire arm into a masterpiece. The way they flexed screamed an unhealthy amount of masculinity, and cocky natured self-awareness. 

Elara stirred inside of me, dripping with disgust. ‘They won't see our back next time we try to escape.’ She hissed when she sensed the streak of attraction that flickered in Kanesha's eyes. 

It lasted for a few seconds, before it morphed into full blown disdain. “She’s mine.” His voice was curt, but heavy enough to drag the right emotions from his subordinates. 

From the pain that blurred my vision a bit, I couldn't quite take in their facial expression. Their gasps of surprise was enough for me to know. 

Slowly, Kanesha's fist uncurled. She blinked rapidly, as if she was in a dream. “Wh-wh-what do you mean Theron?” She stuttered. Then, she snapped back from her reverie, and pointed at me. “She doesn't even look like she has a wolf.” 

“Doesn't change the fact that she's mine,” he said in the most casual tone, like he'd just asked for a cup of coffee. “Now get the blanket, let's get out of here. This is no safe space.” 

She nodded. “Right away.” Kanesha turned to walked away, when Alpha Theron beckoned to her. 

The muscles in her hands stiffened. When she turned back to face him, her face was pale. “Yes, do you need me to do anything for you?” 

He ignored her question and said. “You would in fact be the one owing me a great favour, if anything happens to her,” he paused for a beat. “Kanesha, you know me. Nobody touches what belongs to me.” 

She hesitated, then said, “I'd rather die than to see her hurt.” 

“More like it. Now get the blanket.” He snapped his fingers, and two of the gammas stepped forward, and held me up. 

They led me to the waiting cars parked by the roadside . “Here!” Kanesha held out a thick blanket. I made to reach for it, when she dropped it to the ground. “Oops, it slipped.” She spun around and walked away. 

Alpha Theron's jaw clenched. “Get into the car.” One of the gammas held the door open. I scrambled into the car, and the nerve-wracking journey back to the Silverfang pack started. 

I was going to suffer for this. Especially with Kanesha, and an Alpha who wanted me alive for the fun of it.