Saved By Alpha Slade: From Weak To Strong

Chapter SIXTY-SEVEN

ARIA

I tried to dodge the blows he was throwing at my stomach, and I escaped by minor chance. I fell to the floor with a loud thud, but he wasn't going to let me off easy, he came after me, adjusting his face mask as he closed the distance between us. Why wouldn't he let me see his face? When he crouched next to me, I curled into a ball to prevent any possible attack. Where the hell is Slade when I need him the most? Is he going to let them kill our child just like that?

My attacker had the same T-shirt on as always, a black T-shirt with the face of a wolf imprinted on it's shoulder. I try to scream, but I can't find my voice. I knew that I had to fight for myself, because no one is coming to save me. When he pulled my hair back, I clutched at his hands, biting deep into it. He cursed and staggered back, giving me enough time to jump to my feet. Then my eyes met his, and this time, I screamed, the sound vibrating through my chest.

I opened my eyes, my hands clutching at my chest, my heart pounding profusely. These dreams were recurring during my first days in Dark Wolf, but I haven't had any of these dreams in a long time. The driver cursed, said something incoherent and glared at me through the rear view mirror.

Where are we? I turned my head left and right frantically, trying to observe my surroundings, but I must have slept too much because I have no idea where I am, and it does not look like Slade is anywhere close either.

Why would you scream like that? Lennox pulled the car to a stop. He was angry, for reasons I'm not sure of. I didn't have to explain my dream to Lennox, and he's never been directly rude to me before, so I ignored his attitude and question.

I need to speak to Slade. Where is he? I demanded. It was hard to calm my already rising heartbeat, and I was beginning to get a creepy feeling about this place. It was deserted, without a single trace of any living thing.

It's a surprise, Lennox smiled awkwardly, before stepping out. He opens the door roughly pulled me out of the vehicle.

What are you doing? I screamed, but he just sneered and gripped my hands even tighter, pushing me forward.

Get your hands off me right now. Where am I? I screamed, trying to wrestle my hands away from his tight grip. He groaned and pushed me even harder.

You will behave yourself and not give me any reason to hurt you Aria, because nothing will give me more pleasure than putting you in pain right now, his features darkened, and I yelped when he pulled out a knife and aimed it at my neck. I flinched, swallowing hard as I realised what was happening. Slade hadn't sent for me, this was all a trap and my wolf had tried to warn me before hand.

She'd been overly restless all day, and I'd had the hunch that something was wrong. If I'd followed that instinct, maybe I wouldn't be in this position now. If I'd insisted on speaking to Slade first, I'd have avoided this. Lennox is the head warrior of Dark Wolf pack, I stood no chance with him.

Tears pooled at my eyes as he pushed me down a couple of stairs. The lower we went, the darker it got. I wrapped my arms around me protectively. I'd never have thought Lennox would betray Dark Wolf and Slade like this, just how do I get myself out of this mess?

He pushed me through a small opening that I had to bend to prevent my head from hitting against the concrete. The small room was dimly lit, and I almost yelped when I saw Daryl seated across the room, a small satisfied smile playing on his lips. Standing beside him is a face I'd hoped never to set my eyes on again- Sapphire's.

Unlike Daryl, Sapphire wasn't smiling. She'd changed a lot from the last time I remember. She has lost some weight, and she looks really pale, and - distant.

I turned to Lennox who awarded me with a cold stare, his eyes darting away to meet Sapphire's Now that you have what you want, can I have my money? he barked.

Slade is gonna kill - I was still saying when I felt something hit me behind my head, sending me to the ground with pain shooting across my body. Daryl dashed out of his seat towards me.

Don't do that, he yelled at Lennox.

What? So you care about her now? Sapphire accused.

I need my fucking money, Lennox yelled. We had a deal,

And have I ever failed you? Sapphire asked him. Her voice sounded different. It wasn't anything like the sweet sonorous voice I'd heard severally. It was bitter, and malicious. It made me want to cringe, but I was still feeling pain where Lennox had hit me behind the head, every other thing was secondary.

You know I can't go back to Dark Wolf, and I don't want to be stuck here with you two either. So I need my money, I want to be far away from here when the heat comes, Lennox spat.

Daryl laughed so loud, drawing all their attention to him. I crawled away from them, calculating how fast I could make for the door before they could get to me. I don't think I can go far. Everyone of them here is a pure breed, and each of them is strong. I didn't need any more bruises because I was already beginning to feel sore all over. Whatever their plan is, I hope it doesn't involve hurting my child.

So you are scared the alpha will find you out after all, Daryl says amidst laughter. You big baby, I thought you had some balls,

Lennox gripped Daryl by the collar and sends him flying in the opposite direction. You think I have time for your pettiness? he scoffed, anger radiating from every part of him. Lennox is big, almost two times the size of Daryl I don't care about Dark Wolf anymore than either of you do,

I care about Dark Wolf, and I care about Slade, Sapphire says dryly, flashing a malicious look at Daryl. Something has definitely changed in her. When she turned to me, there was nothing but hatred in her eyes, hate for me and everything I stand for I was living my best life before this blood sucking leech came along the way. She took away everything from me, and now I have to hide here like some common criminal while she enjoys what belongs to me, she moved closer to me while I staggered back to my feet.

We are all in here because of her, she continued She put us all in this position,

Not me, Sapphire, Lennox interrupted I lost my mate because of your almighty Alpha and his father. She was in that battle because of me and I couldn't protect her. It has nothing to do with this stupid half-blood, he hissed.

No one forced your mate to come to war. If she wasn't strong enough, she could have stayed back and made you dinner like every other weak maiden whose mate was on the battlefield did, Sapphire quickly defends.

Shut the fuck up Sapphire, Lennox growled, If you speak about my mate, I promise it's going to be the end of you, the room fell silent I don't have anything to loose here. I grew up in Dark Wolf, but I have lived in pretense for the last three years. Y'all don't know what it feel like to loose a mate. You don't! He thundered.

So join us, Sapphire cuts in Instead of running away like some chicken, Join us,

You think I'm as gullible as that stupid mate of yours? Lennox nodded towards Daryl A deal is a deal, and I want my money,

I don't have it now, Sapphire gritted her teeth.

Give us a few more days. Slade is going to pay the ransom, Daryl chipped in.

But we are not going to let her go, Sapphire added eyeing Daryl as she said the words.

You two are more stupid than I thought, Lennox shook his head You have to be out of your minds to think you can get away with this. This is his mate and heir we are talking about now. We all know what his heir means to him. When he finally catches up with you two, I'll be far away by then,

Slade will not hurt me, Sapphire says with so much force, I wondered why she was so sure. But would Slade really hurt her? I didn't want to stay here one more second and listen to all their nonsense. I needed to make an escape now , so I made a run for the door, running as fast as my legs could carry me. But I didn't get too far. Someone pulled my hair from behind just as I got to the tiny door, then I feel huge fists coming down hard on my face. Little white dots danced in my vision, and complete darkness followed.

Chapter SIXTY-EIGHT

ARIA

My eyes fluttered open slowly and I groaned as an unfamiliar pain surged through my head. I gasped, trying to stand from the chair I was seated in, but I realised I was tied to it. Shit. I wriggled my arms and legs, but I was only hurting myself as the rope was too damn tight. I was fucked.

A hollow laugh brought my attention to the door where Sapphire was standing. I'd not noticed her until then. She had a small knife in her right hand, and her left hand was tucked into her pant pockets. She moves close to me and starts to walk around me in slow circles, a smile dancing on her lips.

Ariaaa… she elongated the last letter of my name till it annoyed me. I tried to be friends with you, you know. I tried to like you, she paused in front of me, leaning slightly forward But how can I like someone who has hurt me so much? she sighed.

My stomach churned and I swallowed the bile that rose to my throat. I hate this place, not just because I'm being held against my will, but something about it was just off. I hate the smell, and I'm beginning to feel sick.

What do you want Sapphire? I screeched, but she laughed harder, clutching her stomach as her shoulders vibrated due to her laughter.

I want everything Aria, her voice went as hard as ice I want everything you took away from me. I want my life back, I want my pack back, and most importantly, I want my man back,

Slade was never yours, I spat.

She narrowed her eyes Shut the fuck up, her grip on the knife tightened and the veins on her hands became more prominent. Oh goddess, I am literally fucked. What if this is how I die? There's no way I'm giving up without a fight, I thought.

Slade has always, and will always be mine, she screamed I have been the only constant woman in his life, I love him. I fought for him. Hell, I'll give my life for him, and I'll get rid of anyone that stands in my way, her eyes had grown misty as she spoke Do you know I would have been his Luna by now if you hadn't showed up? She shook her head.

If Slade wanted you as his Luna, he would have made you that a long time ago, I challenged. I'm his mate, not you Sapphire. Why not let me go and focus on your mate? I nodded towards Daryl who'd just entered the small room.

Sapphire turned in his direction, scrunching her nose as she did I don't want him, the knife dropped from her hands and she cleaned the tears that had poured to her cheeks.

Of course you want me, Daryl grinned, You are carrying my mark Sapphire, you can't possibly want any other Wolf but me, your beloved mate, he say with a smirk.

You - you two marked each other? I gawked at them. I knew something had changed about Sapphire.

You forced your mark on me! Sapphire thundered.

But you wanted it, Daryl's face darkened. Maybe not initially, but you liked it eventually. You screamed my name while I fucked you Sapphire, not that silly alpha of yours,

That was the mate bond you moron, She cursed.

But you can't possibly want him now that I already marked you! Daryl exclaimed. You are mine now, he moved closer to sniff her, twirling a strand of her hair in his finger as he did. The sight of the two of them disgusts me, and I wonder how long I'd have to watch them argue.

Sapphire jerked violently from his touch and raised her hands to smack him in the face, but he caught her hands mid-air, pulling her to him roughly. I could see her chest rising and falling rapidly, and her lips quivering, then the smile returned to Daryl's face.

You are getting weak, he whispered into her ears. I was only able to hear the words because of my wolf. I'd not have been able to hear it if not for Xaria's heightened hearing.

Let go of me, she screamed, releasing herself from him to face me again You still want her even though you marked me, don't you Daryl?

He didn't answer immediately and I avoided looking in his direction, because I already know what his reply would be, and it irritated Xaria.

She was mine before him, he scowled And she's still mine,

Sapphire growled, but he paid her no mind Lets get to business Sapphire. There's no time for this back and forth. What's done is done. I marked you, you are mine now, and we better move quickly before your alpha finds us out, Daryl snapped

He's not going to look here, Sapphire says.

Well, I don't trust Lennox, Daryl growled He's going to spill if he doesn't get his money. So we need to act fast, he reached behind me and pulled out a camera from a drawer, and I watched in horror as he starts to set it up while Sapphire smiled sheepishly.

What the fuck are you going to do? Film me? I screamed, wriggling my hands again.

Of course, and you are going to co-operate, he nodded at Sapphire who moved quickly to get a duct tape. I shook my head vehemently, but I couldn't do much considering my hands were tied. She covered my lips with it, cursing and smacking me in the process to keep still.

Easy Sapphire, Daryl snapped The only time we hurt her is if her mate doesn't co-operate. Once we get him to pay the money, we still leave with her. We need her in one piece if our plans must be successful,

I closed my eyes and allowed the tears roll down my cheeks. Once he was done setting up the camera, he moved closer to me, picking up the knife Sapphire had abandoned on the floor a few minutes ago. He traced his fingers on my cheeks, his eyes softening as he did. Sapphire stood behind the camera, a scowl on her face. She raised three fingers in the air and counted down to one, a signal that she was about to start filming.

Daryl positioned behind me as soon as the recording started " I