Page 3 of Plus-Size Sold Mate
“Doesn’t matter. Dawson wants you back. He didn’t say why, but given how far you ran, I’m guessing that has something to do with it.”
They don’t know. Even the Voss family has kept the truth about me under wraps, likely to be used to his advantage when he’s ready.
“No one has to get hurt,” one of the others says, putting his hands out in a placating gesture, though his knowing expression doesn’t match up. All three of them spread out slightly, trying to cover me from all sides. “Come with us, and everything will be fine.”
It’s a lie…I can smell the anticipation on them, along with their eagerness to follow through on this.
“I’m not going back,” I mutter, glancing between them.
“Then you’ll just have to fight us,” the one muses, looking prepared to do exactly that without asking any questions. “But you won’t win. You know that.”
With my magic depleted like this, that’s more than likely. But instead of answering, my attention shifts briefly to the tree line behind them. Backtracking is the last thing I want to do, but I might have to just to shake them. I’m not sure I can even manage that right now.
“Come quietly, Sera,” Quinn says, features turning a bit more serious, like he’d rather be anywhere else than contending with me. “Save all of us the trouble and come back.”
Given how unprepared I am to take them down and how exhausted my entire being feels, it would be easy to surrender. But doing so would mean facing whatever’s waiting for me in Wraith Peak. Having to endure what Dawson and his spawn plan to do with me.
I can’t. I refuse.
“No,” I return, teeth gritting while I hold as much conviction as I can muster.
Drawing in a shaky breath, I try to reach inward for any drop of magic I might have left. It answers faintly, like an ember so close to dying under ash, but it will only get me so far. Now, there’s no warmth in it.
With aching limbs, I pivot as Quinn lunges first, barely avoiding his grasp before catching his throat with my elbow. The impact sends a rush of pain exploding through my body, forcing me to suck in a harsh breath.
It’s sloppy at best, since I don’t have the strength for finesse, but it’s all I have. All I can do is hold them off.
When one of the others tries his hand at catching me, I dredge up just enough of a spark into my legs, barely evading him. Immediately, everything shifts around me, and the ground almost races toward me before I steady myself. It’s too much.
Staggering, I try to back away, but Quinn is there in a flash, grabbing my wrist easily with more fury in his eyes now. He twists, pulling a cry straight from my throat.
As much as I hate the feeling, I’m so weak now.
“It’s over,” he mutters in my ear, pinning my arm behind my back while the others close in. “Dawson will have his fun with you.”
An agonizing cold front slides through my system like ice, forcing my heart to race far too quickly.
I want to keep fighting and protesting until they have no choice but to let me go, but my head aches in a way it never has before, and with no strength or magic left, I’m effectively useless.
Still, that same thought screams in my head again and again.
I will not go back. I can’t.
I’d rather die in this clearing than return to Wraith Peak, even if it leaves my life insignificant and cut short.
Chapter 2 - Luke
The scent of Dad’s authority still lingers in the old boathouse, even though I’m the Alpha now.
I think it always will, for the most part. Old cedar planks and murky salt water tangle with it, and I can only hope that one day, mine will exist here just as naturally.
My father used to stand at the far end of the structure on the main level, above the few boats still floating beneath its cover, while everyone else gathered around in whatever free space they could find. The pack listened because they trusted him, and they chose him. He never asked them to imagine a world different from the one they always knew, and it made his time as Alpha that much easier.
Now, I stand in his place while he hangs by my siblings, watching with that usual scrutiny. The others are still deciding whether to choose me now, even though my succession has already been decided.
It was only a matter of time before I returned and took up the role myself.
Gazing around the space slowly, I take them all in. As the Alpha’s son, I’ve been familiar with them my entire life, and I’ve always known the pressure of standing before a crowd, regardless of how difficult it can be at times, good or bad. They always expected greatness from me, but now, they want me to deliver on it.
