Girl from Jussara by Hettie Ivers Read Free Book Online Page A

felt completely lost. Overwhelmingly, devastatingly vulnerable. She needed that machete! Real or imagined, it had served as her anchor to safety in a world where otherwise she would always be subjugated and powerless. Without it, she already felt defeated.
    “I apologize, my Alpha,” Kai ingratiated. “The girl is my responsibility in Alcaeus’ absence. I accept full blame for whatever mishap has occurred here.”
    She very nearly giggled with hysteria at his formal tone and choice of phrasing. Mishap? A man had been beheaded. Another had been killed by less than a shrug.
    The Alpha’s expression was inscrutable as he retrieved the machete, pulled a handkerchief from his suit pocket, and proceeded to wipe the bloodstained blade clean.
    “I’ll take her home and see that all of this is appropriately taken care of,” Kai rushed on, stepping forward and grabbing hold of Lupe’s elbow, preparing to drag her away at the earliest opportunity.
    “No need. I will take her home,” Alex announced.
    Kai’s mouth opened and closed several times before words emerged. “My Alpha, she lives at Alcaeus’ home. It’s a long walk and quite late—”
    “I am aware of the time, Kai,” Alex cut him short, a wicked smile slowly curving his lips as he finished cleaning the blade. “As well as where the lady resides. I will see her home.”
    Kai’s Adam’s apple bobbed restlessly in his throat, working overtime. His grip on Lupe’s arm grew painfully tight. “There is no need, my Alpha. She is my responsibility in Alcaeus’ absence, and I am only too happy to—”
    “I. Will. Take. Her.”
    Silence.
    “Please, Alex? The girl is … terribly important … to Al. He wouldn’t—”
    “He wouldn’t what?” Alex prompted with a raised brow. “Wouldn’t want his own brother and Alpha to escort her home safely?”
    Kai scrubbed a frustrated hand over his face, fighting to rein in his anger and protective instincts for the girl, knowing his display of concern might only entice Alex to toy with her further. She had killed one of his soldiers. And regardless of her importance to Alcaeus, Kai knew Alex’s nature well enough to know he’d want to exact some form of punishment for her crime.
    “Please, Alex? Just … don’t? Don’t … do … anything that …” Kai stammered stupidly, preferring to be drawn and quartered any day than grovel to Alex.
    And Alex damn well knew it. He grinned, his perfect white teeth gleaming in the moonlight as he openly relished Kai’s awkward distress over the girl’s well-being. Kai had served as Alcaeus’ head Beta when Alcaeus had been Alpha. He and Alcaeus had been friends for most of their lives, and Alex knew Kai’s true loyalty would always lie with Alcaeus, even though he now served Alex.
    “Are you certain she’s only important to Al?” he taunted.
    “Alex, please? Please don’t—”
    “You’re dismissed, Kai,” Alex enjoined with a smirk. “Go back to your lab. Do not follow us. Do not report to Alcaeus. And do not seek to enter her mind or in any other manner check on the lovely Guadalupe sooner than daybreak.”
    Lupe’s stomach dropped out of her. It was a sure bet Alex planned to kill her.
    Kai emitted a grunt of disapproval that morphed into a full-blown growl of fury as his eyes shifted to the pale blue color of his wolf.
    The Alpha merely raised an arrogant forefinger and commanded, “Hold your skin. Release the girl. Walk away. Now.”
    One by one, Kai’s fingers relinquished Lupe’s elbow. Her panicked green eyes sought his distraught, feral blue ones as he backed away, muttering, “I’m sorry. It’s okay … you’ll be fine. Be calm and do as the Alpha says, all right? Please? For me? For Alcaeus?”
    Alex rolled obsidian eyes. “Goodnight, Kai.”
    Once they were alone, the Alpha stepped closer and extended his hand to Lupe again, palm up. In his other hand, her machete dangled casually at his side. “Shall we?”
    She hesitated, glancing from