Alpha's Possession by Jessica Hall

Chapter 49  

I dressed quickly in the clothes set out on the sink before making my way to the door. I peered out, finding the den empty. There were no windows down here, and I knew that there was no escape from his wrath when I climbed those steps to the door. Dread pooled low in my stomach as my feet silently moved across the floor, only to creak as I set my weight on the first step. The sound was loud in the quiet room, and I suddenly didn’t want to leave the minimal safety it offered. 

Yet I knew if I didn’t go up there, chances were Thane would rip me out of his den and house by my hair. Sucking in a breath, I twist the handle and open the door to the smell of Chinese food filling the air. My belly growls hungrily, but I ignore it, calculating my chances of running to the door without them noticing, which means running past the dining room. 

Recognizing how stupid that thought was, I closed the door and moved toward the dining room. Better to get it over with. Just rip the bandaid off, as they say. I wondered briefly how long it would take to walk into the city or to Tal’s to see if I could maybe work. 

As I walked into the dining room, they sat at the dining table talking. While Thane watched them. Leon was beaming happily about something, while Thane’s glare was murderous when his gaze turned to me. 

Yet his words had them all turn their attention in my direction. I swallowed, my heart pounding in my chest as I sat at the end. All of them had plates in front of them untouched when Rhen got up, placing

gesture. I fiddle with my fingers under the table, wondering what is going on when they all start eating and chatting. Yet Thane hardly spoke, just sat at the other end observing his mates while I pushed food around on my plate. My appetite suddenly went away as I waited for the other shoe to drop and his rage to be unleashed. The man was impenetrable. His rage I could usually

others appeared as if this was ordinary behavior for him. He wasn’t even using his aura, and I wanted to run. I found this version of him worse because I didn’t know what to expect next. His rage, I

back down. I can’t even remember the last time I ate at an actual dinner table, maybe before my parents died. Even at the sanctuary, we lined up for our trays

was asleep, yet still,

can carpool with us to work daily,” Thane

is fine,” I

evicted from?” Thane says, and I chew on my lip, trying to find a way out of the lie I told.

I detest liars. I know you’re homeless, Zara,” Thane says, setting the wineglass