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.”

we rush off, deeper into the Council

more carnage and dead bodies, but don’t turn up anything

been a force of death, indiscriminately sweeping through. these hallowed halls and killing everyone

more powerful than

Is pure.

to break him, he hadn’t set out to destroy it. When

him a little

the basement?” James asks, shaking me from my

“Let’s look.”

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

you know 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 light and fresh

voice calls

until we stop outside of a cell where a man is locked

there? I can scent blood, a lot of it,” the man says with a

eyes and a mess of sandy

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

something from me I wasn’t willing to give. As to who I am, that’s not real important. The question is, who are

confirms my suspicions about my

across from me for a bit

I reply,

you must be Leah,” the guy says. “Aaron was real torn up when he thought you were dead. Glad you’re still

looking up at the Beta.

see if you can find some keys

he thinks this is a good idea

got no idea how

it,” the

owe you for helping Aaron stay sane and not going rogue while he was down here, especially after he thought I died,” I

set of keys, and I try not to notice how they’re slippery with blood. No doubt James had to take them off

and then turns to me.

are you looking for?” the guy

company built that a

guy nods. “Second floor, restricted