Chapter 4 Can't Let Go

Tyler's POV

Nikita thrashes in my grip, her body tense with resistance, but she's weak, too weak to fight me off. Her scent is different now, laced with pain and something else I can't quite place. It unsettles me.

She was supposed to be my mate, but I rejected her. So why the hell can't I just leave her here? A part of me can't let her die. If the pack finds her trying to escape she'll be beheaded like I instructed.

Well, why did I pass such a verdict on her? I don't know exactly what came over me. Maybe I'm trying to please the pack; maybe I'm trying to be hard and not let her bond with me cloud my judgment.

What matters; I can't let go of her. I want her. My wolf desires her desperately. However, I can't be seen with her. I can't break my own command and verdict.

I tighten my hold, hauling her over my shoulder as I stride through the forest. She pounds against my back, her muffled curses sharp in the night air.

"Put me down, you bastard!" she growls, her voice laced with exhaustion.

I ignore her.

Her rejection should have freed me and severed the unwanted connection between us. But when I caught her scent drifting through the woods, something primal inside me snapped. I found her collapsed in the woods, broken and alone; she was in tears, and I sensed her pain. Instead of walking away, I claimed her.

Damn it. This wasn't supposed to happen.

"Tyler!" She kicks her legs, but she's running on empty. "I swear to the Goddess if you don't put me down..."

I grip her thigh, silencing her with a warning squeeze. "Stop fighting, Nikita. You're not in any shape to go anywhere."

She lets out a ragged breath, her body sagging slightly. "I don't need your help," she whispers, but there's no conviction in her words.

A bitter chuckle escapes me. "Yeah? Because you were doing so damn great on your own?"

She stiffens, but I don't wait for a reply. I carry her past the thick tree line until the looming sight of my packhouse comes into view.

The house is a multimillion-dollar building in the midst of several other buildings in the estate. The estate belongs to my pack alone, but the packhouse is a general house for all my subordinates.

A few of my wolves linger outside, watching curiously as I approach. Their gazes flicker to Nikita, some confused, others wary.

"She's coming with me," I state, my voice firm. A warning.

No one questions me. They know better.

I push through the doors and head straight for the pack's medical wing. My Beta, Richard McCarthy, meets me halfway, his brows raised.

"Tyler," he calls. Apart from the elders, he is the only one who calls me by my name. I look in his direction, my eyes misted with uncertainty.

"Didn't you reject her?" he asks bluntly. I can see his gaze rolling over her face, and she raises her head to look at him.

I shoot him a sharp look. "Not your concern."

His lips twitch, but he wisely keeps his mouth shut as I move past him. I kick open the door to an empty room and lay Nikita down on the bed.

She immediately tries to sit up, but I press a hand on her shoulder.

"Stay down," I order.

Her green eyes burn with defiance. "You don't get to tell me what to do." She's so stubborn, and her stubbornness was a turn-on for me. I can't explain it.

A muscle ticks in my jaw. "You're in my pack now. That means I do."

A bitter laugh escapes her. "I'm not yours, Tyler. You made sure of that."

My wolf bristles. For a second, I want to argue, to tell her she's wrong. But she's not.

I did this.

Before I can respond, the pack doctor steps in. I step back, letting him check her, but I don't leave.

I tell myself it's because I need to make sure she's not a threat, and she's not in danger, but deep down, I know that's a damn lie. I just can't walk away from her. Not yet.

"Alpha," the doctor called his voice soft and respectful. I looked up. "She's 100% fine, just a little flesh wound that will heal by itself. What she needs is rest. She's tired, she's scared," he says.

I look at Nikita, and her dimples pinch. My goodness, this woman is so beautiful. How did I manage to reject her? Fuck me!

"Thank you, doctor, I'll take it from here," I say, and the doctor walks outside, leaving Nikita and me all to ourselves. I looked at her, and our gaze met.

She shoots a glare of scorn towards me, and I swallow hard-a bit scared by the stormy cloud gathered in her eyes. She's quiet, pretty, sexy, hot, and yet, I just know she's very dangerous.

"So what now? What are you gonna do?... Alpha?" The way she addresses me as Alpha feels like a mockery, and I can't speak. She's correct.

What's the next move? I can't go back on my words. The wolves will take me for a joke. I have never taken back my words and I can't start today.

Well, how do I stop Nikita from leaving? How do I protect her from harm in my pack? My eyes twitch, and my breathing becomes heavy as she looks into my eyes, desperate for an answer.