Bound By The Alpha

heart racing as she strained to

d again, the fury in his voice echoing through the

ered shakily, dread settling li

ore she could open it, the door slammed open with a force that made

narrowing as he took in her casual attire. "You're not

ike-" she started, her vo

left her stunned. Her jaw dropped, her hand instinctive

her shirt. His grip was tight, and she could smell the faint scent of

the weight of his fury. She tried to avert her g

voice low and menacing. "You better get your ass out of t

leased her, sending her s

g freely down her face. She didn't stop to look back; she couldn't. Her chest h

he kept running, her thoughts a chaotic swirl of fear and shame. She wasn't sure where

Meanwhile, A

in his hand. As he moved toward the front door, he bumped into

to?" she asked, setting her phone asi

eets," he replied casually, a

I know you, brother. You're up to

er suspicion. "Nothing for real," h

t before rolling her eyes. "Fi

ng. "See you later," he said over

ered, waving lazily at

erior welcoming him as he started the engine. The low hum of power vibrated thro

fting from sprawling forests to bustling streets. He had no particular destination in mind, l

less, like someone lost in thought or utterly out of place. Her dark ha

His sharp eyes tracked her every move, curiosity piqued by

ly audible over the buzz of the city. She never turn

hool. The gates loomed ahead of her, but she ling

tensity he couldn't explain. He didn't know her name o

one to ignore

stared at the looming structure. She knew she was already too late, and walk

breath, shaking her head. "I'd rather

red as she walked, considering where to go next. "A bar for a drink? A karaoke spot? A club?" she

said to herself, a humorless smile tugging at he

bag and walked off, leaving

here. Roberta stepped inside, her footsteps hesitant. She wasn't sure if she belonged here, b

ting as she glanced over the drink menu. When the bar

she said. The man nodded, q

the bar, loud and obnoxious. Her heart sank as she recognized the voices.

r behavior rowdy. She hadn't seen them at school earlier a

o it is!" he shouted, his voice dripping with mockery. "Little Miss

es echoing through the room as

e laced with derision. "Guess living with your uncle is rubb

n her drink as it was set down in front of her. She pick

her. "We know what's up. You're probably trying to drink away

mean, we all know he treats you like crap. Guess yo

s, but she kept her composure. She refused

nd silent. Roberta the Baddie, huh? Skipping school to drink

ta didn't flinch. She sipped her drink quietly, her eyes

nd movement, his attention fixed on Roberta. Though he didn't know her name yet, something about her seemed familiar. He

, Roberta?" one of the boy

to face them, slamming her hands on the table with a sudden burst of anger.

r, their amusement echoing

care about a scene?"

able life with my uncle. But that is none of your business. All I want right now is to be far away from you, from school, from my goddamn uncle!" Her voice

, muttered to himself as she walked away, "Hmm, not bad." His li

and the bullies. She barely heard the leader's sneering voice behind her. "If you tak

eyes before whispering,

entions clear. Before he could reach her, however, a shadow loomed b

aid coldly. "She said, 'Let me be.'

laughter faltering as they took in his to

u?" one of them spat, tr

eyes narrowing as he sized them up. "Let her go," he said simply

hest. "Oh, you think you're tough? Ge

s lips curling into a smirk that d

In less than a second, Ketax sidestepped smoothly, grabbing the boy's arm and twisting it until

ering a swift kick to his gut. Within moments, all three bullies were sprawled on the ground, gr

me," he said, his voice calm but menacing,

rta, who had been standing frozen nearby. Her wide eyes refl

he ground. Ketax moved swiftly, catching her before she could fall.

ispered shakily, "a

usually cold eyes softened, and a rare smile tugged at the corners of his lips.

lf, her cheeks flushing as

ng to leave. But before he could

she asked, her voice

cing over his s

she repeate

him as he shook his h

Roberta standing in place, her hear