Chapter 424
Four hundred and twenty-six
Emma POV
The drive across the border into Zachary’s territory was quiet. I kept my eyes on the road ahead, listening to the tires hiss over the wet asphalt and the wipers drag across the windshield.
I pulled my silk scarf higher over my chin and tucked a loose strand of hair beneath it. The sunglasses were unnecessary in this weather, but they hid enough of my face that I left them on.
Harrison drove. Thomas sat behind us. He’d retired from pack security years ago, but Harrison had brought him along as extra muscle, in case we needed it.
I knew Harrison had questions, like why send an accountant into a prison instead of Wesley’s private enforcers. He didn’t ask, and that was the part I appreciated.
The fortress appeared through the rain. Dark stone rose from the ground ahead, half buried in the hillside, with the perimeter wall cutting across the road. Harrison slowed as we approached the gate, then pulled the Jeep to a stop.
“Harrison, stay with the vehicle. You don’t have to come with me p>
“I’m not letting you walk into that facility alone, Emma,” he said. “I’ll wait in the holding area, but I’m crossing that threshold with you p>
I nodded, not in the mood to argue. We stepped out into the rain, the chill soaking into my coat. At the security checkpoint, two of Zachary’s guards stepped out from the guardhouse, their hands resting near their batons.
“State your business,” the lead guard grunted, squinting through the downpour.
I pulled the access pass from inside my purse.
“I’m Talia, representative of Alpha Wesley’s administrative council,” I said, keeping my voice cool. “I’m here for a mandatory consultation regarding the rogue detainee, Alexander p>
The guard scanned the seal, his eyes flicking from the official letterhead to my face.
Please, I prayed silently. Don’t call the main house.
Recognizing the authority of Wesley’s crest, the guard straightened and gave me a respectful nod.
“Our apologies, Lady Talia,” the guard said, handing the document back to me. “We weren’t notified of a review today. Pass through to the intake desk p>
Inside the gates, Harrison walked half a step behind me, his eyes scanning the corridor.
“Talia?” he whispered, confused.
“My middle name p>
At the intake desk, another warden checked the seal and stamped a visitor log.
“I require a private room,” I told the warden. “I have a sensitive line of questioning regarding his raids p>
The warden nodded. “A private interrogation room. We can arrange that, ma’am. But you need to be careful with this one. He’s a rogue, unpredictable and dangerous p>
“I’m quite capable of handling myself,” I replied, trying to wave off his warning and hide the tremble in my hands.
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“If he so much as steps toward you, hit the red buzzer on the wall,” the warden instructed, pointing down the hall. “We’ll be outside the door p>
“Wait in the lobby,” I said to Harrison, who caught my eye, his face tight with concern.
“Emma, are you sure about this p>
“I’m sure,” I murmured. “Wait here p>
The interrogation room was a windowless box of concrete. A wooden bench sat in the center, bolted to the floor. Overhead, a lightbulb cast shadows across the walls.
I stood near the corner, my chest heaving as I glanced around for cameras. Even if there were eyes on me, I didn’t care anymore. This was my only chance.
My heart banged against my ribs so hard I thought I might faint when I heard the clanking of iron bolts. The door swung open, and two wardens shoved a figure into the room.
“Move it, rogue,” one of them spat, giving him a push that made him stumble forward. “Don’t try anything clever
Alexander wore a tattered gray tunic. His wrists were bound behind his back with manacles. Seeing him like that, battered and disheveled, made my eyes water.
“Thank you,” I told the guard, my voice barely steady. “Leave us p>
“Yes, ma’am,” the guard said, shooting Alexander one last mocking glare. “Don’t get any ideas, trash p>
The door slammed shut, the lock clicking into place.
Alexander’s dark hair had grown out, falling around his face, and stubble covered his jaw. His eyes locked onto
mine.
“Are you here to mock me?” he rasped.
My heart broke for him. The pride was still there, but it wasn’t arrogance. He was exhausted and looked like a man fighting a war inside his own body.
“Alexander…” I choked out.
I rushed forward to his side and wrapped my hand around his upper arm, guiding him to the bench. He let me. Instead of sitting across from him, I sank onto the bench beside him.
Tears spilled over my eyelashes before I could stop them.
“Why?” I sobbed, my hand brushing against his arm. “I gave tokens. Why didn’t you take them? Why did you have to raid trade vans p>
Alexander chuckled dryly, staring at the floor. “I don’t take handouts from people like you. And this place…” He gestured with his chin toward the stone walls. “It’s not a hellhole I can’t survive. I’ve seen worse p>
Proud bastard.
My hands shook as I reached up, pulling off my sunglasses and pushing the scarf down to my shoulders.
When our eyes met, his gaze softened, a flash of pain crossing his face.
“You shouldn’t be here, Emma,” he murmured, his voice losing its edge. “You shouldn’t worry about me. Go back
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to your shiny house. Live your normal life, the one free of complications. Soon enough, I’ll let you go p>
m not here to fight with you, Alexander,” I said, reaching out. My fingers brushed the side of his neck, feeling the pulse beneath his skin. His skin was clammy. “You don’t even look like yourself. Do you have a cough p>
“I’m fine,” he gritted out, leaning into my touch before catching himself. “What are you doing here p>
“Let me help you,” I pleaded, tears trailing down my cheeks. “Please. I know you hate me, but let me help get you out of here p>
“There is nothing you can do,” Alexander interrupted, looking down at his manacled hands. “And why bother yourself over a rogue anyway p>
It was my own bitter word, thrown back at me from our past arguments, but there was no spite in his voice.
“Are you not exhausted from this endless back and forth?” I asked, my voice breaking.
I wiped my cheeks with the back of my hand.
“Alexander. I’ve been calling you. I’ve sent messages. Cherry’s line blocked me. I didn’t know you were in prison p>
He kept his gaze fixed on the floor.
“This isn’t about our pride anymore,” I said, my voice trembling. “It’s not about the mate bond, or severance, or whatever madness is going on between us.” I swallowed. “That night on the island… when we were together. We used a condom p>
His head jerked up, a frown pulling at his brow.
“I did p>
“There must have been a leak,” I whispered. “Because there is a life growing inside my womb p>
His eyes snapped to mine, widening in shock. His gaze dropped to my stomach, then returned to my face, searching for any sign of a lie.
“Pregnant?” he breathed.
I nodded, silent tears streaming down my face.
“It’s yours, Alexander p>
He shifted on the bench, his bound hands straining against the iron cuffs as he tried to press his palm against my belly, but the chains yanked him back, locking his arms behind him.
“Of course it’s mine,” he whispered, his eyes fixed on my stomach. “Who else could it be p>
He stared at my belly as if it were a miracle dropped into the middle of his hell.
“Emma…” He swallowed, his voice thick with sadness. “You don’t have to keep it. I won’t let my ruined life ruin yours. If you want to get rid of it p>
“Don’t
you dare tell me what to do with my body!” I snapped. “And have you forgotten what we are p>
“That doesn’t affect p>
“I went to an elder healer,” I explained, leaning in until our foreheads almost touched. “Because of your alpha
blood and because of the fated tie between us, the baby’s blood creates a shield. Trying to terminate an Alpha pup would kill me p>
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He blinked rapidly, his jaw clenching as he fought back tears. I leaned forward, wrapping my arms around his
eek and burying my face in the crook of his collarbone. He rested his forehead against my shoulder, breathing in mscent, trembling because he couldn’t wrap his arms around me.
I looked at his cracked lips before pressing a kiss to his mouth. Knowing the guards could be watching through a peephole, I reluctantly pulled back and held his gaze.
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Cedella
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.