Page 134 of The Reluctant Alpha

"Tell that to Christopher," he shot back. "He took me down in seconds. Seconds! And now because I'm too weak to break these chains, too useless to sense him coming, we're both sitting here waiting for Bayer to sacrifice himself."

“When we escape this charming dungeon,” I said, voice low but firm, “you’re calling Estrelle.”

Ben started with “if we escape—” I cut him off. “When, Ben. We’ve seen enough prison‐break flicks to know the hero always wins. And if Bayer and Phoenix show up, they’ll have a plan—probably involving explosions and dramatic slow‐mo. I—”

The sound of the metal door scraping open cut me off. We both froze, our eyes snapping to the top of the stairs as dim light spilled down into our prison.

Christopher descended the stairs slowly, savoring each step. Behind him, he dragged a figure that made my heart stop—Bayer, hands bound behind his back, his face swollen and bruised. Blood matted his hair and dripped from a cut above his eye.

But it wasn't the physical injuries that terrified me. It was his posture—shoulders hunched, head bowed, eyes downcast. This wasn't the proud alpha who'd carved me a pendant, who'd stood up to Phoenix for me.”

"Bayer!" I scrambled to my feet.

Christopher shoved Bayer forward, and he stumbled down the last few stairs, landing hard on the packed dirt floor. He didn't even try to catch himself, just lay there like he'd given up.

"Look at him," Christopher said, his voice dripping with contempt. "The mighty bear alpha, reduced to this." He circled Bayer like a predator toying with wounded prey. "I expected more of a fight, honestly. But once I mentioned what I'd do to you and those cubs..." He shrugged.

I stared at Bayer, willing him to look at me, to give me some sign that this was a trick, that he had a plan. But he just lay there, shoulders shaking.

"Bayer," I whispered, my voice cracking.

He didn't move.

Christopher laughed, the sound echoing off the stone walls. "Pathetic, isn't it? This is what the bears chose to lead them. A coward who won't even fight for his own offspring."

"That's not true," I said. The man I loved would never just surrender.

"Isn't it?" Christopher moved toward me, his metallic-gray eyes gleaming in the dim light. "He walked right into my trap, just like I knew he would. Alone, unarmed, exactly as instructed. Didn't even put up a fight when I beat him." He kicked Bayer's side, not hard, but enough to make him grunt. "Did you, Alpha?"

Bayer said nothing, just curled in on himself.

My chest constricted. Something was wrong. This wasn't right. Bayer wouldn't—he couldn't—

"Now," Christopher said, rubbing his hands together with theatrical glee. "I find myself in a delightful predicament. I'm absolutely ravenous, and I have three potential meals to choose from." His eyes swept over us. "The cowardly alpha, the useless half-breed, or..." His gaze settled on me, and I felt my blood turn to ice. "The pregnant omega carrying three helpless cubs."

Christopher moved toward me with inhuman speed, and I scrambled backward until my back hit the wall. "I think you'll do nicely," he purred, reaching for me. "After all, you're feeding four. That's quite the feast."

"No!" Ben's voice cut through my terror. "Take me instead!"

Christopher paused, turning to look at Ben with mild interest. "You?"

"Yes, me." Ben's voice was steady despite the fear I could see in his eyes. "I'm half silver-skin. My blood will be richer, more satisfying than a human's."

"Ben, don't—" I started, but he cut me off with a sharp look.

“I'm Alessandro's son,” Ben continued, his chin lifting with a defiance I'd never seen in him before. “You want revenge? Take it out on his bloodline."

Christopher tilted his head, considering. Then he turned to Bayer, who still hadn't moved from his position on the floor. "What do you say, Alpha? Should I take the boy instead? Or should I feast on your cubs one by one?"

The question hung in the air like poison. Bayer finally raised his head, and what I saw in his eyes made my stomach drop. Shame. Defeat. Fear so profound it seemed to have hollowed him out from the inside.

"I'm sorry," he choked out, his voice barely audible. "I'm so sorry, Danny."

Christopher's laugh was victorious. "There it is! The alpha admits what he truly is—a coward who won't even die for his unborn babies." He released his grip on me and turned toward Ben. "Fine. The half-breed it is. At least he has some spine."

"No!" I lunged forward. "Ben, no!"

I barely made it two steps before an arm wrapped around my waist and yanked me backward into a chest hard enough to knock the breath from my lungs.