Mated to My Fiancé’s Alpha King Brother

16 Chapter 16

Seraphina’s POV 1

The car was warm and comfortable, a welcome relief from the cold concrete and my bleeding feet. I settled into the soft leather passenger seat with a grateful sigh, still clutching the torn fabric of my wine-stained dress around myself. My rescuer-I realized I still didn’t even know his name-seemed genuinely concerned about my wellbeing, which was more kindness than I’d experienced in the past

several hours.

“Thank you again,” I said softly, watching the city lights blur past the window. “I really appreciate this. I’m Seraphina, by the way.”

“Michael,” he replied with that same warm smile. “Michael Harrison. And don’t mention it—I couldn’t just leave you walking around

barefoot and bleeding.”

As we drove through the quieter residential streets, I found myself relaxing for the first time since the disaster at the restaurant. Michael kept up a gentle stream of conversation-asking if I was too cold, whether I needed to stop somewhere for first aid, if there was anyone I wanted to call. His voice was soothing, almost hypnotic, and I felt my earlier tension beginning to ebb away.

“Actually,” he said as we stopped at a red light, “my place is just a few blocks from here. I have a first aid kit, and you could clean up, maybe get those feet properly bandaged before heading home. It’s the least can do after what you went through tonight.”

Something in his tone made me glance over at him, but his expression remained the same-concerned, caring, genuine. Still, a tiny alarm

bell went off in the back of my mind.

“That’s very kind,” I said carefully, “but I don’t want to impose any more than I already have. If you could just drop me off at the station—”

“Nonsense,” Michael interrupted, his voice carrying a hint of something I couldn’t quite identify. “The subways aren’t running this late anyway. Just let me help you get cleaned up, and then I’ll drive you wherever you need to go.”

As we continued driving, I began to notice a strange, sweet smell in the car-something floral and cloying that seemed to grow stronger with each breath. At first, I thought it might be air freshener or cologne, but there was something odd about it, something that made my

head feel slightly fuzzy.

“Michael,” I said, pressing a hand to my temple as a wave of dizziness washed over me, “what’s that smell? It’s very… strong.”

“Oh, that?” His voice sounded different now, less warm and more calculating. “Just something to help you relax. You’ve had such a

stressful evening.”

bells in my head suddenly became a deafening siren. I tried

my mind, but even her voice

words slightly slurred despite my efforts to

and

almost there.”

flooded through me as I realized what was happening. The sweet smell-it

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heard whispers about such things, black market substances

the car!” I tried to shout, but my voice came out weak and

expression he’d worn when he’d first offered

and hunger and promises of

were discussing the weather instead of kidnapping

enjoy parts

felt like it was made of cotton and lead, my limbs heavy and unresponsive.

cooperate, and it slipped from my grasp to fall somewhere on the car

house on a quiet residential street. The porch light cast everything in

I could see that the windows were dark-no

of the car,

he said, reaching for my arm. “Let’s get you inside where it’s

from his grip. My coordination was shot, but desperation gave me

in there. Take

laugh was cold and ugly. “Sweetheart, after tonight’s little performance at the restaurant, I don’t

a while. Did you see the way your precious Alpha looked at you? Like you were

words hit like physical blows, but they also sparked a flame of anger that burned

lending

said, my voice growing stronger. “I

wrench my arm free, but Michael’s grip tightened painfully. His pleasant mask

something cruel and hungry.

said, beginning to drag me toward the house

omegas-nobody really cares what happens to them. Especially when

me up the front steps. The

but the sound

as he fumbled with his keys while maintaining his grip on my wrist.