Ch. 4: You're Mine

Alice

The sound of revving engines wakes me up. An unfamiliar ceiling fan turns lazily above me, wobbling a little under the wooden roof. My head feels foggy, heavy like I’ve been asleep for days. I blink hard a few times, trying to remember what the hell happened last night. The last thing I remember is that I had a crash and Jackal refusing to let us go even though I made him way more than the fucking amount we agreed on before his men dragged Gabe and me, then… someone came. Someone who felt both danger and safety in one body.

I try to push myself up, but pain slices through my ribs like someone cut me with a knife. My breath catches and I groan. Every part of my body hurts, but that pain damn it…it's sharp and deep…reminds me I’m still alive after the whole trouble.

The air around me shifts suddenly as a scent whips into my nose, it’s sweet and makes my skin tingle. Strong, wild, masculine. My chest tightens. I know that scent. The same one from the chaos last night…the man who saved us. My mind flashes back to the word he whispered in my ear before everything went dark. “Mate.”

It’s familiar in a strange way, comforting yet dangerous. I don’t even understand why I react to it like this. Maybe it’s just my body still in shock, confused from last night.

My brow furrows. What the hell was that supposed to mean? Mate???

The door creaks open and that same voice fills the room, snapping me from my thoughts instantly. Speak of the devil… “You shouldn’t be moving around, even though you’re that strong. You broke three ribs.”

He steps inside, and for a second, I forget how to breathe.

He’s tall, way taller than I thought when everything was dark and spinning last night. Shoulders broad enough to block the light coming through the doorway. His black shirt stretches against his chest, and there’s a faint tattoo crawling up his neck. His beard is neat, trimmed close, clean, and somehow makes him look even rougher. His eyes…Gods, his eyes are sharp and piercing, a color between steel and smoke. The kind of eyes that see through everything.

His gaze sweeps over me, but it’s not hungry like I expected. It is measured, controlled, like he is forcing himself to stay calm. There’s power in the way he stands. The kind that doesn’t need to shout to be heard.

My heart starts to pound like it’s trying to escape my chest.

“Where’s my brother?” I manage to ask, my voice dry and hoarse, ignoring the sensation in my chest.

“Oh, the boy?” he says with a little smirk. “He’s outside… still breathing. Is that how you say thank you for saving your life?”

My lips part, and a scoff almost slips out. I know I should say thank you, but gratitude isn’t something I give easily. Especially not to a man like him.

“Who are you?” I ask instead, narrowing my eyes, ignoring the pain shooting through my ribs.

He raises an eyebrow, his smirk widening like he expected that. “Reign Conner.”

The name hits me like a jolt. My stomach twists. Of course. I should’ve known. The BlackReign patch on his leather vest hanging over the chair should’ve told me enough.

I glance around the room, my mind catching up fast. The rough walls, the faint sound of metal clanging, the smell of oil and smoke…yeah. This isn’t just a random biker hideout. I’m in BlackReign territory.

My pulse quickens. Reign Conner…the rogue alpha biker. The ruthless bastard everyone talks about everywhere you go…I never thought I'd ever meet a man like him. The same man rumored to be Black Justice…he arrogantly shows up when packs oppress rogues, kills, and disappears. Some call him a savior. Others, a monster. Depends on which side you’re on.

Rumor says he’s fought and beaten entire packs alone, that powerful alphas have begged him to be their beta. He always refused. Said he’d never serve anyone, he's the Alpha himself…such cocky asshole. He fights for whoever pays him, mostly weaker packs or rogues who can’t defend themselves. Still all he wants is money, no need to label him a judge for the weak.

And he’s Jackal’s enemy. Arch enemy.

So why the hell would he save me and Gabe, knowing damn well it would piss Jackal off?

I watch him carefully as he moves closer, the faint sound of his boots against the concrete floor filling the silence. He looks too calm for a man who just defied one of the most dangerous alphas alive.

My throat tightens. “Why did you save us?” I ask quietly, though there's an edge in my tone. He probably did after learning Gabe and I are the best riders…I don't intend to be part of anything that will ruin our peace. “You know Jackal won’t take that lightly. You just dragged the BlackReign Club into his mess.”

Reign lets out a short laugh, low and deep. “That’s funny,” he says, stepping closer until he’s right in front of me.

“Are you telling me I shouldn’t have saved my mate?” His smirk falters for a second, like he almost doesn’t believe what he is saying.

The word makes my chest tighten. My breath hitches and I freeze. Mate. He said it again, this time looking straight at me. My pulse races, heat crawling up my neck, but I shove it down fast.

For a heartbeat, silence stretches. His eyes flicker, like he’s wondering if fate is playing a cruel joke on him.

“If that’s the case,” I say, straightening up even though the pain burns through me, “then you made a mistake. Because I’m not accepting that damn thing used to cage people.”

His smirk fades. His expression turns totally straight, hard as stone. For a moment, he doesn’t say a word. Just watch me. Then slowly, the corner of his mouth curves again.

“Alice Wyatt,” he says my name like he’s known it his whole damn life. “I don’t think you’re in any position to reject our bond.”

Something unreadable flashed in his eyes, maybe disbelief, anger or fear. My heart skips.

“I can and I will,” I shoot back, my hands gripping the sheets tightly. “Because I love someone else.”

The words come out before I can stop them. It’s the truth, but half shield. But it works…he flinches, his jaw tightening. He goes still, his eyes dark with anger and pride. He feels challenged.

For a second, something flickers in his eyes before it disappears behind that cold look again.

He steps closer, close enough that I can feel his heat, smell the mix of smoke and forest on his skin. His breath brushes against my ear when he leans in.

“Oh, honey,” he murmurs, his voice smooth and dangerous. “I’m not asking you to love me. But since you’ve rejected our bond, you don’t get the luxury of loving him anymore.”

His lips graze my ear lightly, his tone cold and darkening. “You’re mine,” he almost laughs after saying it, like part of him hates himself for wanting what fate forced on him.

I don’t know whether the bond scares me more or the way he sounds broken by it.

The words send a shiver through me, it feels like a threat rather than mere words…something tells me I won't be escaping this. But I push it down, my nails digging into my palms.