From his scent to his aura, I could feel his insanity, his cruelty, and I knew what he was going to do. A dark bond would leave me at his mercy. I would have no choice but to follow his every command.
It was what I deserved—the only bond I was allowed to hope for, cursed as I was. Ishouldwant it, but his scent of sour whiskey made my nose wrinkle as it grew stronger, an affront to my senses.
His teeth found my skin, and I choked out another protest, flailing with all my might, kicking out, but I might as well have met a stone wall.
Then a dull click sounded, and he went rigid. A shadow shifted, though I couldn’t see properly with this alpha so close.
“One drop of blood spills, Holden, and I’ll blow your brains across the cafeteria.” The voice was low and deadly, though no scent came with it.
Very, very slowly, the alpha shifted back. I could feel the tenseness of his frame, the faintest rumbling growl with each exhale, but his teeth released my neck.
I saw the one who’d stopped him, then.
A small handgun was jammed against my attacker,Holden's, chin.
My eyes were locked on the newcomer, though, and I couldn’t look away. He had messy, midnight hair, pale skin, and a sharp, lean jaw. What was most shocking about him were his eyes, which were blood red. As I stared, dumbstruck, I thought he was the most beautiful alpha I’d ever laid eyes on.
Hormones talking, a little voice whispered.
They won’t save you.
Still, this newcomer felt safe, and it couldn’t get worse than this horrible alpha who’d threatened to claim me in front of everyone.
Slowly, Holden drew back, grip loosening on my throat. “Dangerous game, flashing that out here,” he growled, eyes flicking down in the direction of the gun.
I struggled, finding his grip weak enough to break, and I didn’t pause before diving toward the devil-eyed alpha.
The moment I collided with him, his arm came around me as if on instinct, drawing me against his chest. I looked up at him so quickly, a sharp pain shot through my neck.
His skin was cool, a little damp with sweat, but his touch… His touch didn’t trigger anything I’d come to fear. None of the lust and temptation that had landed me in this nightmare.
His touch was nothing but safety.
What did it mean?
Still, he didn’t look down at me, focused on the other alpha.
Around us, the fighting was bloody. I dared a glance to the side in time to see one alpha slam another into a table, sending trays and food flying. And closer, a dark-skinned alpha with a long red braid, slammed another into the wall. In a flash, his teeth closed around his neck and he—oh Lord!
I squeezed my eyes shut with a whine of shock, pressing back against the one now holding me, but the arc of red that had sprayed outward was burned into the back of my eyelids.
Each breath I took was painful, my lungs threatening to shut down completely.
The sounds around me were hard to follow, even when I finally found the courage to open my eyes.
There was less fighting now… Fewer auras in the air.
Holden, the alpha who’d wanted me dark bonded, had backed up, expression furious. A few more were standing around, almost like sentinels.
I watched as more ranks closed, pushing the horrible alpha out, and then Holden, along with a few others, turned tail and left.
I didn't miss the unfettered hatred in his eyes as he shot one last look back at us.
I finally dared draw back, fingers digging far too hard into my saviour's arms.
His eyes found mine at last and it felt like I’d missed a step on the stairs. His finger curled beneath my chin and tilted it, examining me, pupils blowing so wide I could barely catch a hint of crimson.
My lips were parted, I realized. I was staring at him like a fool. My gaze darted around. Every eye in the room was on us.