Bad Love an Alpha’s Regret by Elise Sinclair

Chapter 281

LEAH

My breath catches in my chest as Ryker and Aaron rush at each other, clashing in the middle of the room in a flurry of splintering furniture, savage snarls and slashing claws.

I’m terrified for Aaron, but I can’t just stand there and watch him fight Ryker. I need to trust he can take care of himself.

James and I hurry around the perimeter of the room to reach the remaining Councilmembers who are cowering in the corner. These are older wolves, delegates. Not warriors or fighters like my husband or his adversary.

We urge them to run, keeping ourselves between them and Ryker.

He sees what’s happening at one stage, and rushes toward us, but James steps in and shoves Ryker back, while Aaron catches him and flings him into a nearby bookcase.

The whole thing comes crashing down on top of him, and for

a second we all pause, watching as Ryker drags himself from

beneath the pile of books and splintered wood.

Us can react, Ryker fully shifts and goes

streaking out of the room.

Aaron growls and then shifts as well, sprinting off after him.

I want to chase after them as well, if only to keep Aaron in my sight so I know he’s okay.

I’m terrified of losing him yet again, and for some reason my brain thinks as long as I can see him, I can stop that from happening.

But I don’t have the luxury of doing that.

We came here for a reason, and it’s time we took care of that.

I turn to James. “Come on, we need to find the tech.”

off, deeper into the

carnage and dead

this. He could’ve been a force

more powerful than Ryker. Far more

Is pure.

break him, he hadn’t set out to

him a little more

about the basement?” James asks, shaking me

“Let’s look.”

but when we get there, we find that most of the underground level is set

this was down here?” I ask James in confusion, then wonder if this is where they were keeping Aaron, and how bad it must have been for him, down here away from natural

voice calls

then walk down until we

scent blood, a lot of it,” the man says with a southern accent,

and a mess of sandy blond

rogue wolf slau htered most of the Council,” I reply. “Who are you? Why does the Council have

I wasn’t willing to give. As to who I am, that’s not real

that this confirms my suspicions about my mate being held

had the cell across from me for a bit over a week. Now, your

mate,” I reply, crossing

says. “Aaron was real torn up when he thought you were dead. Glad you’re

the Beta. “We should let him

find some keys to

like he thinks this is a good idea but nods anyway and then goes to do as I

sweetheart, you’ve got no idea how much

the guy says

down here, especially after he thought I died,” I reply with a shrug. “It’s the least I can

to notice how they’re slippery with blood. No doubt James had to take them

turns to me.

looking for?” the guy

company built that a faction within

nods. “Second