Page 102 of Aries
Despite Alessio’s efforts, my mate was eerily calm. He was locked in and I knew the moment he could, he’d snap this asshole’s neck.
I knew I should be freaking out. That part of my brain seemed to be shut off. Maybe because I wasn’t alone, or the fact that I knew how to fight my way out.
While he was distracted I looked up at the hook I was shackled to. My hands suspended slightly in the air. I wound the chain around my hands before lifting my feet, hanging there and listening to the old wood of the rafters groan.
With enough time, I would be able to get myself free. My pack needed me and he was the only asshole I saw down here. Just one of us needed to take him down and we’d be able to release the others.
The formation of a plan, even a lackluster one, was enough to hold on tight to the calm I’d been using like armor. I knew what was at stake and how badly we were hurt, but I couldn't let it stop me from fighting back.
No one was going to take my power away like that. It went against everything I’d worked hard to ingrain into myself and my students.
Something creaked above us, making me pause and listen. Maybe a footstep but it cut off too quickly to pinpoint exactly what it was.
Nikolai was keeping his half-brother occupied, giving me the time to try and free myself. I wasn’t bound like an alpha and that was Alessio’s biggest mistake so far.
That or double crossing Ronan. In the end, he would pay the price for his greed and jealousy. Ronan was playful with me and his pack, the rest of the world would get the unhinged side of him.
I also knew I’d be getting that tracker after this.
“Leon,” I hissed, stretching out and trying to nudge his foot. We were just far enough apart that I couldn’t reach him. “Luca.”
I didn’t want to raise my voice higher and gain the attention of the asshole across the room. I’d already been in pain before he lost his mind beating my ass.
Which I knew he’d pay for dearly. Hopefully with a knife to the knot. Fucking asshole alpha.
Nik’s attention fell on me and I rose up, showing him I was trying to weaken the chains. He quickly looked away, biting out fresh words to his half-brother while I focused on getting myself free.
I lifted my legs as I clung to the chains the shackles were attached to. They were rusted and old and I prayed to whatever gods were listening they’d loosen.
Using my bodyweight I bounced in the air, lifting myself up and dropping. Each time the groan wasn’t as loud as Nik’s booming voice or the whiny alpha’s argument.
After far too many attempts the metal finally let out a groan, then snapped. Despite the chains falling I kept my hands in the air like I was, hoping to fool him.
The alpha glanced back but quickly dismissed me.
Good. That was exactly the reaction I wanted. Nik sent encouragement through our bond as I slowly crept forward. Long pieces of the chain were still in my hands and I held them together, ready to wrap it around the alpha’s throat the moment I was close enough.
“Why are you so fucking angry? Ronan never put you down, you dug enough graves to handle that yourself. Your father just saw what a fuckup you were and cast you aside,” Nik snarled. HIs voice was dripping with venom and I knew he meant every word.
They hit his brother, the man letting out a warning growl as he launched forward, slamming a fist into Nik’s face. He was already weak and it barely made my alpha flinch. I might have laughed in any other situation.
I was only a few feet away now, my steps quiet and methodical, making sure he couldn’t hear.
He started to turn and I froze, ready to lunge regardless but Nik made a noise that had him turning back, giving me time to strike.
I jumped at the alpha, chain wrapping around his throat before I fell to my ass, feet braced on the cement floor so my full weight was holding him tight. He fought, trying to stay upright, but I crossed my arms, tightening the chain even further.
At this point, he could live or die, I didn’t care. As long as I could get to Nikolai and get us the fuck out of here.
I’d never be a victim again. That started now.
Chapter
Thirty-Two
Ronan
The wreckage was still smoking as lights and sirens approached, but I was alone. If I let them reach the van and my stash of weapons or Luca’s computer, I’d be fucked. I quickly grabbed one of the bags we’d stowed in the back and loaded up all the hidden guns as methodically as I’d put them in.
