Page 69 of Her Broken Alpha
Naya almost sprung away from her mate, feeling guilty for her display of affection. He growled low at her and pulled her closer.
There was no door. The guard, Alreck she had learned, moved into the room. "Alpha. Seta asks to speak with you."
"No."
"Sir?"
"I will meet with him in the pit in two hours. He can speak to me then."
"Yes, Alpha." With a deferential nod, Alreck left.
Naya shivered. "What if something happens to you?"
"Nothing will happen to me." He bent his head over hers, still holding her close. His smell oozed arrogant confidence.
"Someone could be planning a betrayal. They might try something devious."
She could feel his smile against her head. It made her want to smack him. He would be fighting, risking his life. Shouldn't he take this seriously?
"Devious?" he said into her hair. "I am sure of it. Poison on a blade, a gun in the audience—it would not be the first time. But I am stronger than ever. Do not worry, little breeder. I will be fine."
"Poison?" Her voice climbed.
He laughed.
She hit him across the chest. She couldn't help it. The fool could die from poison. He needed to stop laughing, right now.
"Fierce little breeder, settle now. All will be well."
"You are one man. How are you going to protect yourself from the spectators?"
"You mated a monster, Naya, not a man." He moved both his hands to her neck, holding her gently, firmly, and tipped her head back to make her meet his black eyes. "And you gave me your blessing. I can't lose. Not in the pit. They might try to get to you when I'm fighting as a distraction, though. You need to pay close attention to our bond, you hear me? It will tell you what to do."
"How? How can you know that? I can feel you, but—"
"Treasure, close your eyes. Now."
She did.
He took a step back. "Keep your eyes closed. Take a breath."
She obeyed, but her breathing was shortened by her irritation. What was this silly game? They needed to talk about what they would do if he was betrayed while fighting for his life with an unworthy opponent, not play Blind Man’s Bluff.
"Take another breath. Count to ten. Eyes closed now. I want you to do what the bond tells you and find me."
She growled.
"Naya." Her name was a warning. She knew she was entertaining him with her poor attitude, but couldn't help herself. There was no point to this child's game right now.
She took a breath, long and loud, and counted to ten. When she said the last number, it echoed in an empty room.
He'd left.
Keeping her eyes closed was difficult. It went against all her natural impulses. But tucking her chin down, hands outstretched, she took small, shuffling steps forward.
The open doorway was here. She passed through and made her way down the main hall. She took a right, smelling the quiet drones—Sara, Tee, and the girls—who were watching her as she passed them.
Eyes closed, determined to do this, she followed her instinct. It led her back to the office.
