Page 80 of Alpha's Rejected Warrior
Rhiannon regains her footing. “Ropes! Now!”
Conan and Akila, back in human form, emerge with the rope and some chains for good measure. I grab a length of it,wrapping it around Jayme’s massive front paws while Rhiannon secures his back legs.
“Hold him steady!” Akila loops the chain around the beast’s muzzle.
Jayme’s struggles grow more frantic, his white eyes rolling wildly as consciousness fights against whatever force has taken control. His massive body bucks and twists, threatening to break free of our combined efforts.
Branson shifts back to human form while maintaining his grip on the beast’s shoulders. “Jayme, I know you’re in there. Fight it!”
For a split second, those white eyes flicker, a flash of recognition of the man trapped inside the monster.
Branson seizes the brief lull to drive his fingers against the thick muscles at Jayme’s nape, what must be a Lycan pressure point.
Jayme’s entire body goes rigid for a heartbeat, then collapses like a marionette with cut strings. The massive wolf form shrinks, dark fur receding as bones crack back into human proportions.
Within moments, Jayme is lying unconscious on the stone floor, fully human and, mercifully, simply naked, rather than torn apart by his own transformation.
The dungeon doors clang shut as we drag Jayme’s unconscious form back into the cell. His breathing is steady but ragged, his chest rising and falling in an uneven rhythm that reminds me of my own aching ribs.
Conan and Akila haul him toward the back wall where massive iron loops are embedded in the ancient stone, thick enough to restrain something far larger than a man. They hold him down as Rhiannon secures the iron shackles around Jayme’s wrists and ankles. Xander crouches defensively in hiswolf form, the silver in his eyes intense, his muscles coiled to pounce if Jayme awakens.
The chains rattle as they lock into place, reverberating throughout the chamber with grim finality.
Xander finally transforms back into human form, blue eyes scanning us for injuries. “Everyone okay?”
We exchange nods as the adrenaline rush fades. Relief washes over us, the immediate danger passed.
I lean against the wall. Somewhere in the fray, I must have picked up the iron rod again. My chest throbs where Jayme’s claws connected, and I can still taste blood, but I’m standing. More importantly, so is everyone else.
Branson stands just outside the cell, his naked form rigid, every muscle locked tight. His gaze is fixed on Jayme’s unconscious features, his shoulders sagging with resignation.
“He’ll be okay.” Akila places a hand on Branson’s shoulder.
Branson doesn’t respond. He glances at Rhiannon before heading toward the exit without a word. The way he moves reminds me of someone carrying the world on their shoulders, like he’s already given up.
That’s weird. Why isn’t he staying? What does Rhiannon know?
“Double the guard rotation,” Xander orders. “No one goes near him without my direct permission. Understood?”
“Yes, Alpha,” Rhiannon and Akila respond in unison.
“And Commander, see me in my office once you’ve secured everything here. I need a full report on what happened before I arrived.”
“Yes, My Lord.”
Finally, Xander’s gaze sweeps over me, lingering for a moment before he nods once and strides out of the dungeon. Even without Lycan instincts, the Alpha’s approval hits mesquare in the chest. Warmth spreads through me despite the pain.
Conan scrubs the back of his neck. “Well, that was fun.”
“Fun?” Akila shoots him a look that could melt steel. “You nearly got your head ripped off.”
“Nearlybeing the key word.” He gives a half-hearted grin. “Thanks to our human friend here.”
The attention shifts to me, and suddenly I’m acutely aware of how I must look, covered in dust and blood, clutching a bent iron torch bracket like it’s Excalibur.
“That was incredibly stupid,” Rhiannon says.
I brace myself for the lecture, but when I meet her eyes, there’s no anger there. Just a look of lingering shock that tightens my chest.
