Chapter 35
Tessa
I follow Slater out to the garage. Zane’s dad and Joe, the enforcer, are already there.
Zane’s dad pockets his phone. “Tessa, come have a seat right here.” I walk over to the stool and sit.
“Slater will be right here the entire time, okay?” I nod and remind myself I have nothing to fear.
All we’re doing is taking off a stupid bracelet.
The door to the house opens, and Slater’s dad joins us, followed by Zane.
“I’m going to start by trying to break it open.
Tessa,” he waits until my eyes are on his.
“You tell me immediately if I start hurting you.” Slater makes a sound, but Alpha Blackwood ignores it.
He faces Joe and Slater’s dad. “You both know what to do.” I watch as they both step on either side of Slater and each take an arm, and panic rushes through me.
“Wait, what are you going to do to him?”
“It’s just a precaution,” Alpha Blackwood says calmly.
“Precaution for what?” I ask.
“To make sure Slater doesn’t hurt anybody during this process.”
I turn to look at the man in question. His eyes are locked on mine, and they’re glowing. “Your eyes,” I breathe.
“His wolf is right at the surface,” Alpha Blackwood explains patiently. “Our goal is to help you while at the same time keep him from hurting anybody.”
“Slater would never hurt anybody,” I argue passionately.
Alpha’s eyes don’t leave mine, and I see the seriousness there. “He would in a heartbeat if he thought we were hurting you. Or even if you’re just in pain; he and his wolf won’t be able to take it.”
“But he wouldn’t hurt you,” I argue.
Alpha Blackwood meets my gaze. “He would kill me in an instant if I were the one to hurt you, and he could stop it.”
Dread pools in my stomach, and I glance over at Slater, waiting for him to deny it. “But that’s not...he’s not like that.”
“I’m the same way, Tessa,” Zane says gently, moving until he’s in my line of sight.
There’s a sound behind me that sounds like a growl, but Zane continues.
“If anybody ever hurt Evie, they wouldn’t be breathing any longer.
That’s why Jace is dead.” His words are so blunt, and I try to reconcile the Zane I know who is so kind and attentive and protective of my best friend with the guy who’s saying he killed a guy because he hurt Evie.
“It’s the way we are, the way of our wolves. ”
“And I would do the same to anyone that threatened my mate or anyone in my family or pack,” Alpha Blackwood says calmly, as if he didn’t just talk about murdering someone.
I glance back at Slater once more. I hate the hold they have on him. “Okay, fine. Let’s just get this over with.” I look back one last time. “Everything’s okay, Slater. Please don’t do anything.”
His eyes meet mine. “I’ll be fine.” His words are gruff and barely discernable.
“His wolf is right at the surface,” Zane explains quietly and then looks at his dad.
“Okay, Tessa, I’m going to try to break this,” Alpha Blackwood says.
He fingers the chain and shakes his head.
“There’s not even links.” He fingers the bracelet.
“Ready?” I nod. He takes the bracelet in both hands and then pulls.
Instantly, that feeling of being electrocuted takes over.
It feels like every nerve in my body is suddenly on fire.
I scream and try to pull away. The feeling stops abruptly, and I whimper and try to control my breathing.
“Hold him!” Alpha barks out, and I hear the sounds of a struggle. I hear a low growl, and I turn around.
The sight nearly breaks me. Slater’s dad and Joe are using all their strength to hold Slater back.
He growls fiercely, and I shutter at the look in his eyes directed at Zane’s dad.
“Tessa,” Zane’s dad says in a low voice.
“We need to get this done before he loses complete control and shifts. Can Zane try?”
I swallow and force myself to nod, even though it’s the last thing I want. I don’t want to go through that pain again. But if it would get this bracelet off...I take a breath and nod quickly before I lose my courage. “Do it.”
“Zane,” Slater growls. “Don’t you dare touch her.”
Zane looks conflicted. “I’m sorry, Brother.
” He glances down at me, and I can see the apology in his eyes.
“I’ll make this fast.” Then without waiting, he grabs it with both hands and pulls.
The fire is all-consuming, and I can’t even scream this time.
It cuts off almost immediately, but I can’t catch my breath.
A sob leaves my lips, and I can feel my heart racing.
There’s a fierce growl, and then there’s a loud crash behind me.
I spin around to see Slater’s dad crash into the wall. Slater fights with Joe to get free.
“Stand down,” Zane’s dad says in a voice that sounds different than usual. I can tell right away that it does something to Slater. He ducks for just a moment before turning towards us. I shudder at the hate in his eyes. “Slate, get control of yourself, or I’ll have you removed.”
Slater laughs, but it’s cold and bitter. “I’d like to see you try.” He takes a step forward, even though it looks like it’s difficult for him.
“Slater, stop,” I plead. His eyes snap to mine, and he goes still. Seeing he’s listening, I continue. “They’re just trying to help.” My voice is hoarse and weak from everything I’ve just been through. “Please.”
He stops moving then. He stares at me a long moment. “What now?” he asks without taking his eyes off me. I know he’s not asking me; his voice was too rough.
“Now, we try tools,” Zane’s dad says.
Slater’s dad stops next to Slater. “Here, Son. Try these.”
Slater takes the tool after a moment and then approaches me. When he stops in front of me, I go still. “I’m sorry.” His words are soft and filled with so much anguish.
“It’s okay, Slater. You didn’t do this.”
His eyes start glowing again. “But I know who did, and she’s already dead. She just doesn’t know it yet.”
I shiver at the coldness in his eyes and wait for someone to correct him, but nobody does. “Is it the same feeling when they try to break the bracelet as when I touch you?”
I nod. “It feels like my insides are being lit on fire,” I say in a weak voice. His jaw tightens, and he takes a deep breath. I can tell he’s trying to hang on to his control.
He turns and hands the tool to Zane. “I can’t be the one to hurt her anymore than I already have.”
Zane takes the tool. “I’ll do it.”
“Do you need to leave the room?” Zane’s dad asks Slater.
He swallows hard. “No.”
“You have control of your wolf?”
Slater gives a short nod. Alpha looks at Joe and Slater’s dad, and they come on either side of him again. When they try to take his arms, Slater jerks out of their hold. “I’ve got it.”
“Ready, Tessa?” Zane asks softly. There’s regret in his eyes, and I try not to think about what’s coming.
“I’ll be fast.” He lines up what looks like pliers of some kind around the silver bracelet.
Before I’m ready, he pushes down with all his force.
Instantly, a jolt of fire sears me; and I fall backwards.
Somebody catches me, and my body lights up again.
I scream in pain, and then the hold is gone.
It takes me a minute to come back to reality.
When I do, it’s a mess. Alpha Blackwood has his hand outstretched towards Slater, who looks like he’s practically foaming at the mouth.
Zane stands a few feet behind his dad with blood coming down the side of his face.
The chair I was sitting on is now smashed to pieces.
“What happened?” I gasp out. “Zane, are you okay?” I ignore Slater’s growl.
“I’m fine, just knocked my head,” Zane says easily. “No worries.”
The garage door opens a moment later. “Zane? I felt your—what happened?” Evie cries out, coming into the garage.
“Don’t come any closer,” Zane says quickly, and she freezes.
“Slater, go for a run,” Alpha Blackwood says. “That’s not a suggestion.” His voice is hard, and even I can practically feel the command in his words.
Still, Slater turns to look at me. “I’m fine,” I tell him, meeting his gaze. He takes a small step forward, and Alpha Blackwood grunts.
“Go.”
I watch the two of them; it’s a will of battles.
“Slater, please go,” I tell him. I don’t want him to get in trouble or hurt somehow.
He looks over at me. “Please. Just cool off and then come back.” He stares at me a long moment and then finally turns and walks over to the side door that I’m assuming leads outside.
He steps outside and slams the door behind him. The garage shudders, and silence falls.
Alpha Blackwood takes a breath and then turns to me. “Tessa, are you okay?”
Defeat washes through me. “I’m fine.”
“Don’t give up. We’ll figure something out.” He puts a hand on my shoulder, and I appreciate his kindness. Exhaustion suddenly slams into me, and I feel like I can’t even keep my head up anymore.
“Are you okay, Tess?” Evie asks softly. She meets my gaze with pain in her eyes. “I heard you scream.”
“I’m okay.” I don’t say anything else. What else is there to say? We tried everything and failed. I look up at the alpha. “Why?”
He doesn’t pretend not to know what I’m asking. “I think it’s to keep Slate away from you.”
“But why?”
He hesitates. “Has Slate told you anything about bonding or mating?”
I shake my head. “No.”
“He will soon,” he says confidently. “I believe it’s their way of keeping you from bonding.” Before I can ask any more questions, he turns to Zane. “Can you and Evie get Tess back to campus? She needs to sleep.”
I don’t bother to argue with his words because I’m exhausted. Evie puts an arm around my shoulders. “Let’s get you back.” Her voice is gentle, and it makes me want to cry. I manage to keep my emotions under control and even manage to thank Zane’s dad.
“No reason to thank me as we weren’t successful.” His voice is flat, and I don’t say anything in return.
Evie and I go out the same side door Slater left through.
She leads me to Zane’s truck, and we wait for him to unlock it.
He comes out a minute later and unlocks it for us.
I climb in the back, and Evie sits up front.
“How did it go with Slater’s parents?” Evie asks quietly as Zane backs out of the driveway.
“They hate me.”
“I’m sure they don’t.”
I don’t bother arguing; I’m too tired. “What about Slater?” I ask.
“He’ll make his way over to your dorm once he’s run off some aggression,” Zane tells me.
“Is your head okay, Zane?” Evie asks worriedly.
“It’s already healing.” She sucks in a breath. “Zane, what happened to your hands?”
His voice is quiet, but I still hear him. “It’s from the silver.”
Guilt churns inside me. “I’m sorry.”
“You have nothing to be sorry for, Tessa,” Zane says.
Evie asks him something else, but I zone out. When we get back to my dorm, Evie insists on walking me in. Zane comes with as well. He waits outside while Evie and I go into my room. I glance at Stephanie’s bed, but it’s empty. “Try to get some sleep, Tessa. You look exhausted.”
“I will. Thanks.” My voice is hoarse. She gives me an uncertain look. “I’m okay,” I try to reassure her.
She puts her hand on my arm. “I’m so sorry this is happening.”
“It will be okay.” Then she steps forward and gives me a big hug.
“Get some rest, Tess. I’ll check with you tomorrow.”
As soon she leaves, I change into pajamas and get ready for bed. I debate texting Slater but don’t know what to say. I finally decide to keep it simple.
Me- I'm not sure when I’ll see you tomorrow. I’m working the day shift from eight am to four tomorrow. Just wanted you to know. I’m asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow.