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

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

to me that Aaron could’ve done this. He could’ve been a force of death, indiscriminately sweeping through. these hallowed halls and killing everyone in his

more powerful than Ryker. Far more

Is pure.

he hadn’t set out to destroy it. When faced

him a little more

basement?” James asks, shaking me from

“Let’s look.”

get there, we find that most of the underground level is set up like a

confusion, then wonder if this is where they were keeping Aaron, and how bad it must have been for him, down here

a voice calls

each other and then walk down until we stop outside of a cell where a man is

lot of it,” the man

eyes and a mess

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

wanted something from me I wasn’t willing to give. As to who I am,

Aaron?” I ask, worried that this confirms my suspicions about my

me for a

I reply, crossing

says. “Aaron was real torn up

say, looking up at the Beta. “We should

find some keys to the

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

sweetheart, you’ve got no idea

the guy

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

slippery with blood. No doubt James had to take them off one of the

cell and then turns to me. “We need to get

you looking for?” the

Al tech my family’s company built that a

guy nods. “Second floor,