Hiding the Alpha’s Baby

c Chapter 87

AYLA

I don’t know what I am saying. But my words have caused a heavy silence among people.

My mind spins. I grin, pointing towards a tall, blurry guy in the crowd.

«

Will you—marry me? “I stutter, stumbling over my feet again.

It will destroy Mom and Dad’s plans for me if I can just change the course of my life by getting married to a man they don’t get to choose. The thought keeps hammering my hazy mind.

But whoever I point to, just runs away.

Who would dare to marry—Ayla Alvarez?

My lips pucker out. “1—I am not that bad. I just- -can’t let

any- -any man-

The words feel heavy on my tongue. I can’t let any man touch me. It’s like my fight-or-flight response activates as soon as a man gets close to me. I am either, inclined to hurt them or run away.

I chose to do the latter with Henry. Whenever he got close, I made an excuse and ran away.

But he figured out I was only running from him. And he pressured me more into getting intimate.

It made me sick.

Why am I only realizing it now?

He made me sick when he told me he wanted me in his bed without caring if it was alright with me.

But Dad and Mom shouldn’t have pushed him away. They had no

right.

“So—Someone, just— “Marry me.

Marry me and end this misery. Let me be free for once.

66

Ms. Alvarez.”

two men, dressed in

sway, planting my hands on

wants

to-marriage–I mean marry

me?”

marry you. “The one

eyes to get a better view but end up only hurting my

want to sit down and shake my head a few times to

is waiting for

you think you are doing?” Hazel’s screechy

land on my butt, pain shooting throughout my tailbone. I wince, closing my

is slow because I have only ever shifted three times in 1 year. Mom says she was like this

even think about taking advantage. You don’t know what Alpha Alexander will do to you people if he gets to know you tried to take

man commands the

open my eyes: My blurry vision adjusts just enough

you don’t want to go with them.” Hazel

I can’t see anything clearly. People’s faces are zooming

my mind goes on high alert

mumble, getting dragged towards an

Ex

someone to marry you, Ms. Alvarez. Our

seal this deal.”

me that I am not

bigger. The need for a single breath of freedom is profound. The desire to ruin my life runs deep in my

up a flight of stairs. Hazel continues to shout in

would I do

by side as I am pushed inside some space. I

inside the red-themed room is cold. And the presence behind

arms around

touch my arms. The touch makes me freeze. The roughness and size of his hands prove that he

A man.

PC 60

Danger.

his hands down my arms, reaching for the back of my palms. Electricity runs down the path