Chapter 8
Chapter
Eight
REID
My heart was going crazy as I glared at Zander and Melinda. Zander took half a step toward me and I flinched, already anticipating a blow. It was stupid to make demands from an alpha, I knew that, but I was so not knowing what to expect.
Right now they were acting like I wasn’t their prisoner. I might not be in chains, but I was captive all the same and them trying to make things seem different than they were just confused me. It would be easier if they used me like I was accustomed to without all of the prevarication.
Zander noticed my flinch and he stopped immediately, turning his palms outward as if to show me that he meant no harm.
I didn’t know what to think. In my experience, Alphas always meant harm. The only time they showed kindness to someone was so they could manipulate them. But then, he’d brought me pastries the other day and had left when I’d told him to just get on with the mating.
I wanted to believe his pretty words, but I couldn’t bear the disappointment if I did and then found out I’d been wrong.
“All I want is for you to be happy and healthy. I said that nothing would happen to you against your will, and I meant it,” Zander rumbled, a hint of emotion in his voice. “You won’t be forced into anything.”
I shook my head. “I don’t believe you.” No one ever gave me a choice. They just wanted to use me, either for my body or my magic. “It would be kinder to just be honest.”
I hated waiting and wondering when everything would blow up.
Melinda backed away. “I think you two have some things to—”
“Please don’t go,” I cried, suddenly regretting everything I’d said and done in the last two minutes.
Why had I thought it was a good idea to ask for answers when I wasn’t ready for this temporary moment of peace to end?
I’d been fed and given clothes and a nice bed.
Why would I question that? It would only make them mad. “Please. I d-don’t—”
Melinda froze in place. Her gaze slowly met Zander’s and they exchanged a look that I didn’t understand.
“Okay, Reid. I’m not going anywhere.” She started to move toward me, her hand coming up as if to touch my face, but then she stopped. “I’m right here, okay? I’m right here and no one is going to hurt you. You’re safe now.”
A bitter sob wracked me. Could I ever truly feel safe again?
Zander frowned, the shadows hiding his dark eyes. “Jesus, sweetheart, you’re holding onto so much pain.”
I wrapped my arms around myself.
I won’t fall apart. I won’t fall apart.
I hadn’t given in when my parents siphoned my magic from me and gave it to our coven’s High Priest. Nor had I given in when I’d been kidnapped and violated. Now, every part of me wanted to finally crumple. To crack and shatter and not worry about picking up the pieces.
But I couldn’t let go because no one else would protect me. If I didn’t do it myself, I’d lose everything I had left.
“For as long as you’re in Grizzly Ridge, I promise you’ll be protected,” Zander said, as if reading my mind. “I won’t let anything happen to you.”
I didn’t believe him. Couldn’t allow myself to believe him.
Despite that, it was nice to hear the words. Even if they were a lie. It was the first time anyone had said they’d protect me.
“I don’t understand what you want from me,” I whispered. It was exhausting trying to figure out what his next move would be and when it would happen. Being constantly on alert was draining on the best of days, but after having just lost a mate—consensual or not—it was almost debilitating.
Zander’s expression gentled. “Right now, all I want is for you to heal and to make sure your baby is healthy.”
Excuse me, what?
“What baby?” I demanded, looking down at my flat stomach.
I looked to Melinda, and she nodded as if to confirm that yes, I was growing a whole other life in there.
“Reid, sweetheart, you are pregnant.” She said it as cautiously as if she were a doctor sharing a terminal diagnosis. “I assume the baby is Trent’s.”
No.
A piercing shrill filled my ears and I backed away from them.
“No, I’m not.” I held out my hands defensively. “I’d know if I was. I’d sense it or something.”
I couldn’t be pregnant and not know. That was ridiculous. Especially since shifter pregnancies progressed so quickly. But then, human pregnancies didn’t and perhaps my biology was slowing the baby’s development.
“I can smell it.” Zander sniffed as if to emphasize his words. “I’m sorry, but you’re definitely pregnant.”
I yanked at the cuffs, suddenly needing them off. If I had access to my magic, I might be able to sense a change in the well of magic inside me. I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to tell that I was pregnant, per se, but surely if I paid close attention, something would feel different.
I dug my fingernails in and levered the edges, not caring that welts appeared on my skin and blood welled beneath my nails.
“Are you sure?” I asked Melinda, swatting at Zander when he tried to stop me. The cuffs tightened and bit deeper into my wrists, no doubt as a result of some kind of spell designed to prevent prisoners from escaping.
She shook her head. “Zander’s sense of smell is more sensitive than mine, but I believe him.”
“Then let me out of these so I can check. Please!” A tremor wracked me and heat burned behind my eyes, but I managed not to cry.
Her tone was apologetic as she said, “Dr. Black told us not to remove them.”
“But you can?” I asked, getting straight to the salient point.
She bit her lip and glanced at Zander. “All magical cuffs in Grizzly Ridge are spelled to react to the Clan Alpha and his family.”
“So get them off. I’m begging you.”
I needed to know if I was pregnant with my rapist’s child.
My mind was already spinning with the potential ramifications. But what if telling me this was just some way to control me? I couldn’t let anyone manipulate me that way. Not again.
Melinda stepped closer. “Emotions are high right now and we’re just worried you might do something you’ll regret.”
Like what?
What did I even have to lose?
The fight drained out of me and I slumped against the wall. My wrists stung and I couldn’t bear to look at them. Tears dripped down my cheeks and I turned away so Zander and Melinda wouldn’t see.
If they didn’t want to free me, there was nothing I could do to change that. Once again, I was trapped with no access to my magic, no control over the situation, and I might be growing the spawn of a man I hated with every fiber of my being—but kind of loved a little too.
Zander heaved a sigh. “We’ll remove the cuffs. Temporarily.”