Chapter 426
Four hundred and twenty eight
A/N: My dearest readers, I deserve a small punishment for this one I somehow skipped a chapter before uploading the last one, so the chapter you just read was actually supposed to come after the missing chapter.
I’ve fixed the order now, so please go back and read the previous chapter first. It’s Alexander’s POV and comes before this one. A
I’m so sorry for the confusion! I promise this clumsiness will not happen again.
Emma POV
The hot bath had taken the edge off the soreness in my body after dealing with the prison wardens. Seeing Alexander had done more.
I fell asleep with an empty mug of hot chocolate on the nightstand.
Sunlight slipped through the blinds when I woke the next morning. I lay there for a moment, staring at the ceiling, then reached for my phone.
The pack could survive without me for a day. I had more important things to deal with.
My phone buzzed before I could set it down. Mom’s picture filled the screen.
I answered. “Hi, Mom p>
“Emma? Oh, sweetheart, good morning.” Her voice was already soft with worry. “Are you still in bed? Did you sleep well? How are you feeling? Any nausea p>
“I’m fine, Mom.” I sat up. “I slept well p>
“I was talking to your dad last night p>
Her voice dropped into that careful tone she used whenever she thought I might break.
“Emma, sweetie… we know this must be frightening for you. You don’t have to carry the embarrassment, and you don’t need to worry about what people will say. When the baby comes, we’ll take the child and raise it as our own so you can keep living your life. You don’t have to ruin your future over one mistake p>
My mother was trying to protect me, while assuming I was a victim of circumstance who wanted an easy exit.
“Mom, I appreciate that you and Dad care about me. But please stop talking like I was assaulted in a dark alley. I knew what I was getting into, and I knew the consequences. I’m not ashamed of this baby. I’m not giving my child away, and I don’t want you treating me like I’m living in denial. I’m handling my life p>
“Emma…” she whispered, sounding stunned. “We just don’t want you to be afraid p>
“I’m not afraid. I have to go, Mom. I’ll call you later p>
I hung up before she could probe any further.
Clearing the screen, I checked my notifications. A flurry of unread messages filled my lock screen.
Anita: Arrived at Haley’s Pack!
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naid and beaty right
+15 Bonus
Text me when you wake up.
Are you okay?
Isabella: Checking in. Did everything go smoothly last night? Destroy the pass.
Emma, please call me. Got a hold of Harrison but I still need to speak with you.
Charlie: Hi love. Thinking about you. Lunch today?
I typed quick responses to all of them but kept everyone at arm’s length, then pulled out my spare phone and typed a message to Cherry’s encrypted number:
I visited Alexander last night at the prison. He’s alive, but I need to speak with Lucas immediately. Send me his number.
I set the phone down on the counter and poured myself a glass of water. Less than three minutes later, the burner phone buzzed.
Cherry’s reply was brief:
Emma? You actually saw him? God. Here’s Lucas’s contact.
Cherry: I still can’t believe you went there. I’m grateful.
I rolled my eyes.
Attached was a ten-digit cell number.
I dialed it. It rang twice before a gruff voice picked up.
“Who is this p>
“Lucas, it’s Emma,” I said. “Please don’t hang up. We need to talk p>
Silence passed.
“Look, girl, I don’t have time for whatever high-society drama you’re running,” Lucas grunted. “I’ve got enough on my plate without playing messenger for Alexander’s little town girl p>
“I didn’t call to waste your time, Lucas,” I snapped. “Name a place. Somewhere close to your perimeter, but outside the camp p>
He grumbled under his breath before spitting out a location.
“The gas station. Don’t be late, and don’t bring your fucking pack guards p>
An hour later, my Jeep was idling on a dirt pull-off. A double tap sounded against my passenger-side window.
I unlocked the doors. The passenger door swung open, and Lucas slid inside, smelling of tobacco. Through the side mirror, I saw three motorcycles parked fifty yards back down the trail, with three rogue fighters leaning against them, watching us.
Lucas slammed the door shut and crossed his arms. He didn’t look at me.
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posed med brenty right
+15 Bonus
“I know you can’t stand me,” Lucas said. “And trust me, the feeling’s mutual. So skip the pleasantries and state your business p>
An insult sat on the tip of my tongue. I was one second away from telling him to fuck off, but I swallowed it. Petty fights wouldn’t get Alexander out of a cell.
“I want to help Alexander out of the Iron Wells p>
Lucas looked at me as if I’d grown two heads. Then he barked out a mocking laugh. “Are you being serious right now? You want to help a rogue break out of a maximum-security prison p>
“I’m serious,” I said. “Alexander is my fated mate. I’m not letting him rot in there p>
Lucas froze. His jaw dropped, and his eyes widened.
“What… what the hell did you just say p>
I sighed, realizing that Alexander had kept the bond a secret from his own second-in-command.
Of course he had. Lucas was a disaster.
“He’s your… your mate?” Lucas stammered, staring at me. “That’s why that fucker saved you, yet he didn’t say a single damn word to me about you being his mate p>
“Lucas,” I cut in, wanting to steer away from our complicated history. “We need to get him out. What plans do you have p>
Lucas rubbed a hand over his face, still processing the revelation, before letting out a sigh.
“We were trying to track down an old pack cook, a woman named Anna. She worked in the kitchen at Alexander’s father’s estate fifteen years ago. She knows details about the night his father died, but she vanished years ago. I haven’t been able to get across the border without triggering patrols p>
I made mental notes. “I can help with that p>
Lucas raised an eyebrow. “Finding her is one thing. Getting her to talk is another. If she’s hiding, she won’t just hand over statements to a stranger. We might have to abduct her and force the truth out p>
I flinched at the word abduct, but stayed quiet. The world they operated in was rough and lawless. I didn’t agree with their methods, but I wasn’t going to lecture a rogue.
“You know,” Lucas said, leaning back against the leather seat, “you’re more useful than Alexander wanted to admit. You’re inside the Alpha’s inner circle. You could speak directly to your dear uncle or the regional council on his behalf, or better yet, get us the documents we need from the archives p>
“You mean steal them p>
“Call it whatever helps you sleep at night,” Lucas smirked. “Whatever it takes to get your mate’s freedom, right? Since you’re his fated female, I’m sure a little high-level theft isn’t beyond you p>
I glared at him. “I’m not going to turn into a common criminal p>
Lucas chuckled, shaking his head. “Lady, you forged a pass to break into a prison last night, and right now you’re sitting in an alley negotiating with a rogue. You’re already waist-deep in illegal activity. Don’t start
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wood and twenty might
+15 Bonus
playing the innocent pack girl now p>
I bit my lip, unable to offer a counterargument.
He wasn’t wrong.
“I’ll find Anna,” I said, putting my hands back on the steering wheel. “Now get the fuck out of my car p>
Lucas smirked, popping the door open. “Looking forward to working with you p>
He stepped out, slamming the door behind him. I watched in the rearview mirror as he walked back to his men and sped off into the trees.
Left alone in the cabin of my Jeep, the silence returned, heavier than before. I rested my forehead against the steering wheel, my mind spinning.
Finding this cook was going to take more than an administrative search. I also needed access to Alpha Kieran’s inner circle without drawing suspicion from Wesley or the regional guards.
Charlie was my only clear path to that access.
My breath caught as the realization settled in.
He was Alpha Kieran’s son and had unrestricted access to his father’s house and networks. Charlie wanted me to give him a chance, offering to step up and claim the baby as his own.
If I resumed a relationship with Charlie, I could move through his father’s estate and pull the necessary files from the Alpha’s desk.
A wave of guilt washed over me.
Charlie wasn’t a monster. He genuinely cared for me. Using his feelings as leverage was a dark path.
I could either use Charlie, or I could stop playing games entirely and walk into Wesley’s office right now and confess everything.
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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.