Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 94234 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 471(@200wpm)___ 377(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94234 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 471(@200wpm)___ 377(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
“Bell,” Alek gasped, throwing his arms around Bell’s waist and yanking him to his heaving chest. “Thank gods he got to you in time.”
“I’m sorry.” Bell shook his head. “I was being silly. I should’ve known—”
“Hey, don’t apologize for having some fun with me, but you have to realize the wild can be dangerous if you don’t show it the respect it deserves.” Alek caressed Bell’s messy hair, plucking the larger twigs out of his single braid.
“Understood.” Bell nodded. “Thank you for sending Wolf.”
“He came on his own. He acted fast, coming the second he sensed your fear and my call was right on the cusp of that. He didn’t hesitate this time, he was brave and I’m proud of him.” Alek kept his link open, allowing his strong animal to feel how pleased he was for saving their mate.
“I am too.” Bell took a deep breath, and Alek could see he was still a bit shaken.
“Well, I’m glad you took us the ultra-shortcut way home, because the cabin is right over there.” Alek pointed into the distance, and Bell puffed a humorless laugh.
“Yeah. How smart of me.” Bell took another step, his hiking boots knocking something hard and unforgiving, and it wasn’t the cold earth.
Alek gulped when he realized where his mate stood. “Bell.”
“What is this?” Bell stomped his foot, listening to the hollow clang the metal door made. “Aleksei?”
Alek didn’t answer. He could only stand there with his heart in his throat, unsure how to explain Wrath’s dungeon. Bell became exasperated waiting for an answer. He glared daggers at Alek and went about investigating it himself. He watched in horror as Bell got down on his hands and knees, and started shoveling the little amount of ground cover away, pausing when recognition dawned in his dark eyes. He and Mac hadn’t had time to secure the top before they’d been rushed away on a jet. Then after the truce between the three of them, he hadn’t thought about this place. He never believed anyone would stumble upon it way up here. Finding the door unlocked, Bell flung it open, his hand quickly clamping over his mouth and nose when he caught the scent of Wrath’s anger. His distress.
“Aleksei… what did you do?”
He couldn’t take the way Bell was staring at him, almost judging him. He looked so, so disappointed.
“Bell, don’t.”
But, Bell was already moving down the ladder. Alek wouldn’t follow. He’d never set foot inside there again, and he desperately wanted his mate out of there, and so did Wolf.
“What the hell is this?” Bell yelled. Alek felt his mate’s anger spiking. “Did you lock Wrath down here behind these bars… like… like a prisoner?”
“Bell, a lot happened. Choices were made. Some good, some bad.” Alek stood at the entrance to the massive hole he’d dug in the mountainside many years ago.
“Was he so bad that you had to cage him like a rabid animal?”
Alek heard Bell rattling the bars in fury. “Please just come from out of there, love. Please.” Alek didn’t want that funk of desperation clinging to Bell’s pretty skin.
Bell climbed the rungs of the ladder, then reached over and slammed the door shut so forcefully that it sounded like the firing of a shotgun when it connected with the ground.
“I wish there was a way I could get you to understand. We’ve all made our peace with that terrible time in our lives. We need you to accept it as well. I’m begging you, mate.”
“How many times did he beg to be let out?” Bell asked, grinding his fangs together. “How long did you lock him in there at a time, Alek… a day… weeks… a month?” Bell got in Alek’s face, his rage smothering him and attacking his mind. “The sheer thought of Wrath in that tiny hole for even one second against his will is killing me.”
“I’ve spent years wanting to make it right… it took time, Bell. It took you.” Alek tried to bring Bell to his aching chest, but his mate pulled away, causing a surge of anguish to pierce his skull.
“I need a second, Aleksei… don’t follow me.”
“Bell wa—”
His mate flashed away from him, towards the dark cabin. Wolf howled sad and long inside him, and Alek had to clamp his lips tight to keep the cry from escaping. At least Bell didn’t flee in the opposite direction or farther into the mountain, where Alek would be terrified for his well-being, and would have no choice but to follow.
Alek folded forward and braced his hands on his knees. He stood naked in the cold since Wolf had shredded the clothes he’d had on when he shifted, leaving them scattered along the trail. His cooler and the other backpacks were up there as well, but right then it was the furthest thing from his mind. He needed to make it all right with Bell. Get him to understand.