The Alpha’s Mate Who Cried Wolf
Chapter 22

Chapter 22

“Happy Birthday!’ Amelia says as I wake.

“Happy Birthday, Luna!’ Seth cheers. I can't help but laugh.

“Who would have thought I'd be celebrating my eighteenth in a cold, dirty cell?” I chuckle. Seth andAmelia laugh. We all go silent in thought

“Astrid?’ Amelia says, concerned

I'm terrified. I'm meeting my wolf tonight. What if Ryker doesn't save us in time? What if Jamesmarks me?’ I worry.

“Let's see if I can mind-link Alpha Ryker. James and John injected wolfsbane into me. Butunfortunately, it weakened me and hindered our connection, Seth says. We watch on as heconcentrates, his eyes clouding over.

'Is it working?’ I ask. Seth nods.

I've gotten through to Alpha Ryker!" He says. I run to my cell door, hold the bars, and partiallysqueeze my head through them.

“Seth, tell him I'm sorry. Tell Ryker I am so sorry. I should not have left. I didn't want to leave!’ I yelldesperately.

“Ryker says he knows. Vanessa confessed everything. Did you’ know Alice poisoned him so Vanessacould mark him?’ Seth

says. I gasp.

“Please tell me she didn't?’ I panic.

“No, Kane and Leon were there just in time. They're both in the cells now. I relax with relief.

“He knows we're here. He will be here tonight with the warriors to free us,’ he says.

“Please tell him I miss him, and I just want to be with him.

Seth nods.

“Um, he says he can't wait to hold you in his arms and taste your sweet lips, Seth blushes. I giggleand blush in response.

'So, I guess we just have to wait it out until tonight, I say. Seth nods. I can't help but smile and hugmyself. I jump up and down and do a twirl.

I'm going to see Ryker tonight!" I say with excitement. Seth and Amelia smile at seeing me so happyand excited.

My joy is short-lived when John and James come marching down the stairs, smirking. John unlocksAmelia's door and drags her out.

“No, John. Please! Where are you taking me?’ Amelia cries.

“Let her go!’ I shout.

Amelia kicks and punches John.

“Stop fighting me! Alpha Zenith is ready for you. The longer you make him wait, the more lashesyou'll receive!’ He snaps

“Don’t you dare touch her!" I yell.

“Or what?" John yells.

I'll rip your head off the moment I shift if you lay a finger on her!” John glares at me.

“James, I think you need to put Astrid in her place!’ He warns.

John is still dragging Amelia up the stairs as she continues kicking and screaming. James enters mycell and steps forward, and I step back until I'm up against the wall with nowhere else to go. Hecups my cheek with his hand.

Tonight, we become one, and you become mine!" He whispers in my ear. Then he presses his bodyagainst mine, pinning me against the wall, and kisses my neck. I try to fight him off, but he has myhands pinned above my head

“Get off my Luna now!" Seth growls. James pauses with annoyance and turns to Seth.

“Astrid is my Luna and my mate! I will do as I please with her, so if I were you, I would shut your trapbefore I come in there and rip your head off!

James kisses my neck,

"Please! Stop!’ I yell,

'Stop? We could skip waiting and mark.each other now?’ He says, dead serious. His fangs protrude,and he scrapes them across my shoulder. I kick him in the shin as hard as possible, and he stepsback in pain. I punch him with full force, giving him a black eye.

"You little!" He snarls. I want to punch his face again, but he catches my fist in his hand, twists myarm behind my back, and locks me in a hold, so I can't move.

"You have become rather feisty, Astrid. You're not as weak as you used to be, but I can fix that!’ Hesays, shoving me into the stone bench and locking the cell door behind me.

Tonight, I won't be so lenient, Astrid. I suggest you get used to the idea of being my mate!’ He yellsas he walks upstairs.

“Astrid, are you okay?’ Seth asks.

I want to get out of here. I want to be with Ryker."

“I know Luna, I know. I would do anything to have Mia in my arms right now, too, he says with a sadsmile. John returns downstairs in a bad mood with a food tray. His face has deep scratches.“Where's Amelia?’ I yell. He drops the food tray on the ground, not caring that half of the food rollsoff into the dirt.

“The little cow went psycho, scratching the shit out of my face and ran off, but we have packwarriors spread out everywhere

if Ryker shows up. So, it's only a matter of time till she’s caught and brought back here.’

“We will see you tonight for your first shift, he says with a smile.

“Who are we?" I ask.

"Alpha Zenith, myself and your mate James," he says. I glare at him. “It's getting dark. I will see yousoon, he says, slinking off.

Seth and I look at each other in a comforting silence before the door creaks open and light shinesin. Amelia is screaming. John drags her down the stairs and throws her into the cell next to mine.“Amelia! Are you okay?" I ask. She nods.

"You're lucky, Ryker, and his warriors have entered our territory. Otherwise, you would get far worsethan lashes, Amelia!’ John yells.

“Ryker is here?’ I ask.

"Yes, but not to worry. I have prepared our warriors for this,” he chuckles.

'If you hurt Ryker, I will kill you!" I scream

“We will see, John says, walking away.

“Amelia, what happened? Are you hurt?’ I ask. I wait for Amelia

to catch her breath.

“They were going to give me twenty lashes. John tried to tie me up. I scratched his face as hard andas deep as I could. Then I shifted into my wolf and ran as fast as I could. There are pack warriorsspread out all over the place. I hid for as long as I could to evade them. Two of them caught me.They brought me back here to be lashed, but Alpha Zenith says it will have to wait. They havespotted alpha Ryker and his men entering our territory, she says.

I'm glad you arent hurt, Amelia. I'll mind-link Alpha Ryker and let him know that Alpha Zenith isaware he's here, Seth says. “He says they've brought Alice and Vanessa with them, hoping toexchange them for us!

Suddenly, a surge of pain rips through my body. I cry out in pain and roll across the cold stone floor.“Luna!’ Seth yells.

“It hurts! It hurts! Make it stop!" I cry.

“Shit! You're shifting! Seth yells. Amelia reaches through the bars and places her hand on my back,trying to soothe me.

I've told Alpha Ryker to hurry and that you've started shifting, Seth says. I continue to cry out inpain.

"How long does this take?’ I cry out.

“The first shift, on average, takes around half an hour,” he

replies. I let out another scream as the pain surges down my spine. It is horrendous.

“Ryker!" I scream.