Alpha Loren novel Chapter 117

When I woke, I was back on the cold floor of the cell. I sat up and took in the emptiness of it. No bed, no food, no water and most importantly: no Maximus Megestanis.

"Where's Max?" I questioned Luciano who I could sense lurking in the darkness.

"I figured that it is safer to keep the two of you apart. And besides, considering the state he's in, you probably don't want to see him," Luciano replied with an evil smirk.

"What did you do to him?!" I hissed hastily getting to my feet.

"Relax, babe," Luciano said leaning casually on the bars. "He's still alive and as soon as the wolfsbane is out of his system in an hour or two he'll start healing."

"Why? Why are doing this to him?"

"I can't hurt you because of the Alpha so he is currently taking the both of yours punishment," he replied with a fake smile.

"I will tell Leonardo everything that you have done, Luciano, and ensure that you never win back his trust."

"You will do no such thing," Luciano warned.

"And how are you going to stop me?" I asked. "Once Leonardo arrived you are no longer the most powerful wolf in this compound."

"Do you really think he gives a shit about what I do to Max? He tried to kill you remember? So I will be allowed back into the pack regardless of what you say to him and if I find out that you've been opening that little mouth of yours...oh sweetheart. I will make you and your cousin pay the first chance I get. Now that I have you firmly back in my grip, you will never escape it. Leonardo is going to thank me for going to so much trouble to get him his Luna and I will win back his trust no matter what you tell him about me. Words can't beat actions."

"Leonardo doesn't tolerate rapists, Luciano. You could keep bringing me back to him for decades but nothing will change that. Just before I left, he had killed a soldier for forcing himself upon a she-wolf from another pack and he didn't even get as far as removing her clothes. So what makes you think he is going to let you anywhere near his pack after what you did to Hestia?"

"That depends on how desperate he is to get you back. Are you aware that every Alpha in the world is aware of your disappearance? It is a miracle you have gone this long without already being dragged back to him, especially with that mark on your neck. He won't leave me unrewarded, babe," Luciano replied. "And besides, I have a way with words. I can talk my way back into your precious pack if it comes to it."

"I thought words couldn't beat action?" I mocked.

Luciano's face hardened and he opened the cell door and marched towards me.

"What makes you think that you can speak to me with such disrespect? You are just a girl, only just out of your teenage years. Your strength is immeasurable next to mine yet due to your abundance of courage and stupidity you still dare to give me this defiance. One day, a mouth like that could get you killed so why don't you do yourself a favour and start acting like a wolf of your status. You'd get yourself in far less trouble."

"My status is a Luna. And Alpha Leonardo Loren's Luna too. So maybe you should be the one treating me with more respect," I retaliated prising his hand off my arm aggressively and stepping away.

He lurched forward and raised his hand in the air before bringing it down towards my cheek. He paused just inches from my face and I could tell from his eyes that he was battling his inner anger.

I raised my eyebrow and smiled.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you," I warned. "I'm not sure Leonardo would be thrilled to see a bruise on his mate's cheek."

"One day, Ella," he muttered under his breath. "One fucking day you will get what's coming to you."

I shrugged my shoulders and sighed.

"I could say the same thing to you."

"Giovanni! Roberto!" Luciano called down the hall seconds before two guards appeared. "Watch this girl and don't take your eyes off her until Alpha Loren arrives. She can't be allowed to escape....again."

"Yes, sir," they said in time.

"And as for you, honey," he said crouching down to my sitting level. "Don't fucking try anything or Max will get it. Understand?"

"Sure," I spat turning away from him.

"Look at me," he ordered.

I refused.

"I said look at me," he repeated in a deeper growl.

I turned my head a few inches to the side and glared into his dark, volatile eyes. 

"I will not hesitate to kill him. Mark my words," he threatened, every word vibrating in his throat before slowly rolling off his tongue. "Keep that in mind the next time you feel like disobeying me too."

He then stood up and walked away without another word.

"Why do you follow his orders?" I asked the two men. "Can't you see that he's a fucking twat?"

"Shut up, woman," one of the men hissed.

"I mean what is keeping you here? Why work for him? Is it for money? For your mates and pups?"

"Do you ever stop talking?" the other question.

"I can't help but be curious. Why? Is he threatening you?"

"We don't have to answer any of your questions, hun."

"But seriously, why? He orders you around like slaves. What is your gain from this?"

"Do you want to be gagged? Because I can do that," he said taking the key off his belt.

"Unlocking that door is exactly what she wants you to do, moron," Luciano's voice said as footsteps came back down the hallway. "Allow me."

Luciano then unlocked the cell door himself and came towards me. If it had been one of the guards, I could take him but with Luciano, I didn't even want to try. Not after how he just almost hit me, which truthfully terrified me to the core.

"It appears I can't leave you unattended for even two minutes," he hissed grabbing my wrist and roughly yanking me towards him before tying a cloth tightly around my mouth. "Nice try though."

"Giovanni, Make sure Maximus pays for this," he ordered.

I shrieked a muffled 'no' through the gag.

"I tried to warn you," he said as I brought my hands to the cloth in an attempt to pull it off before I felt a needle in my arm. "Sleep tight, beautiful."