Chapter 429
Tag hun tired and thirty one
+15 Bonus
Four hundred and thirty-one
Emma POV
The ride back to the pull-off was quieter than the trip into the camp. Lucas drove the Jeep and seemed lost in thought.
I glanced over at him, breaking the silence. “In two days, I’m going to send someone to pick you and some of your men up. We need to get supplies into the main camp p>
Lucas scoffed. “Supplies? You mean more of your charity handouts p>
“I mean food, Lucas,” I said. “Bags of grain, flour, and meat, enough so the kids and elders don’t go hungry. But you can’t show up looking like rogue insurgents p>
Lucas shifted gears. “What’s wrong with how I look p>
“Your leather jacket, dyed hair, edgy look,” I said, raising an eyebrow. “You stick out like a sore thumb. I need you to keep it simple and look like regular people so the border guards don’t second-guess p>
Lucas let out a sarcastic chuckle. “Right. Beggars can’t be choosers, can they? You want me in a sweater, town girl p>
“If it keeps you from getting arrested before we free Alexander, yes,” I shot back.
He didn’t reply, but his silence told me he understood.
A few minutes later, he pulled the Jeep to a stop at the pull-off. The truce between us lingered. Instead of getting out, Lucas rested his arms over the wheel and looked at me.
“Why don’t you just come clean to your family? Tell your uncle and your dad that Alexander is the father. With your family’s influence, they could push for his release tomorrow p>
I sighed. “It’s not that simple, Lucas. If Alexander were just some rogue caught on our border, maybe. But he’s accused of killing his own father, an Alpha, and committing high treason p>
“He was framed,” Lucas gritted out.
“I know that,” I replied, turning to face him. “But my family doesn’t. If I drop this on them right now, they won’t focus on clearing his name. They’ll view him as a threat who compromised me. And it’s not just Alexander locked up down there. The royal guard is facing treason charges too. A hasty confession from me won’t save them. It’ll just lock the cell doors permanently p>
Lucas grumbled under his breath. The frustration showed on his face, but he couldn’t argue with the reality of the situation.
“I’m not ashamed of Alexander,” I added, wanting him to understand where I stood. “When I first found out I was pregnant, I panicked. But there’s nothing to cover up now. If I wanted to take the easy way out, someone is already offering to step up and take full responsibility for the baby p>
Lucas’s head snapped toward me. “Who the fuck is that p>
“Alpha Charlie,” I said.
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Four hundred and thirty one
+15 Bonus
Lucas let out a disbelieving laugh. “Charlie? The ruling Alpha’s son? The exact family keeping Alexander in chains p>
“Which is precisely why we need him,” I countered. “Charlie has access to the regional alpha. I haven’t told him the truth about Alexander because pissing him off or turning him into an enemy would destroy our best vantage point. If I handle him right, he becomes an asset in getting Alexander out, not a roadblock p>
Lucas stared at me. “You really are playing the long game, aren’t you p>
“I’m doing whatever it takes,” I replied, opening the passenger door. “Remember, two days. Wear normal clothes p>
Lucas grunted, slamming his door shut as he stepped out into the night. “Yeah, yeah, town girl.” 1
I chuckled as I slid into the driver’s seat and pulled onto the highway. By the time I unlocked the front door of the apartment, it was nearly midnight. My head was pounding with exhaustion, and all I wanted was to kick off my shoes and collapse into bed.
I could’ve slipped down the hallway and gone straight to my bedroom unnoticed. But as I took off my coat, voices caught my attention from the living room. I paused and turned the corner.
Haley sat on the sofa, her face flushed and tears running down her cheeks. Anita sat beside her, an arm around her shoulders as she handed her a box of tissues.
My fatigue vanished. I walked into the living room. “What’s going on? Haley, are you okay p>
Haley wiped her eyes with a crumpled tissue and drew a shaky breath, but she was too choked up to answer.
Anita seemed pissed. “It’s her parents. They’re being insufferable again. They’re trying to force her into an arranged match with some high-ranking Alpha from the eastern district p>
“An arranged match? That doesn’t make any sense. Don’t her parents know she likes women p>
“Of course they know!” Anita snapped. “They just don’t care. They think a political marriage to a wealthy Alpha will ‘fix’ her. It’s disgusting p>
She turned to Haley. “Don’t worry, Hales. I’m going to have my dad talk to your parents tomorrow. He’ll shut this down p>
I hated when parents kept imposing their expectations on the people they were supposed to love.
Haley offered me a weak smile. “Sorry for making a scene, Emma p>
“Don’t apologize, Haley,” I said, stepping closer and resting a hand on her arm.
Anita looked up at me. “Where are you coming from, Em? It’s almost midnight p>
“Just… late office work,” I said, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.
Anita gave me a searching look, but she was too preoccupied with Haley to push further. “Right. Well, go get some sleep. You look exhausted p>
“I am,” I murmured, backing toward the hallway. “Goodnight, guys p>
2/3
hard and thirty one
+15 Bonus
I closed my bedroom door and leaned back against it, watching the window as lights flickered beneath the night sky.
In a week, the council session would convene.
I placed a hand over my stomach.
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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.