He really didn’t want to track her phone.
He had paired his app with hers while she slept that night in the hospital, and he vowed to never use it unless he absolutely had to.
Like right now.
Clever girl, getting a ride from her boss.
But it only takes a few phone calls to cancel the trip.
He sees the incoming text from Lita as it appears on Ellie’s screen:
I’m so sorry, my brother’s been in a car crash. Can’t come tonight.
Of course, once Lita gets to the hospital, she’ll realize it was a hoax.
But it buys him just enough time.
He knew Ellie would come to accuse him and try to end what they have.
But they’re more alike than she realizes, and he plans on showing her exactly how.
There’s a more pressing issue, though.
He could smell the start of her Heat as she stood in his cell. Her skin was clammy against his lips, her skin flushed as he touched her.
She even tasted different. She was sweeter, somehow.
He’s grateful for the suppressants they inject inside him, as he’ll still be lucid when he takes her.
His Rut is inevitable, his skin clammy and hot as well, but he’s able to think clearly.
And when Doctor Porter leads him into his office to deliver the bad news, he’s able to stay as calm as possible.
“Sorry I haven’t been here all day,” he apologizes, genuinely concerned. “Unfortunately, we lost Gerard. I can’t go into specifics, but he won’t be working here anymore.”
He nods, and the doctor continues.
“Ellie Winters will also not be with us anymore,” he sighs. “She quit this morning, likely due to the stress of what happened with Gerard.”
He internally scoffs.
That’s not why.
“That’s unfortunate,” he says evenly. “She was good at her job.”
Doctor Porter gives him a pointed look. “She was good for you, as well. You’ve done phenomenal work with me since she came here. You’ve opened up and been more comfortable talking about who you are.”
He shrugs, but he knows it’s true.
She’s the first person who made him want to start existing again.
He knew the consequences of avenging Cassandra’s death, and he had accepted them, even before he killed the three Alphas.
Something so evil could only be repaid with a heinous act, and he fully expected to be put to death himself. When he turned himself in to save the innocent Beta suspect, he accepted that he would have only a few years left to live.
But money had its way of talking, and he negotiated for a lifelong sentence, instead.
And he had never, ever expected to find a mate.
But then she had walked in, stubborn, beautiful, and determined to do good.
And the more he found out about her, the more he realized they were meant to be.
Soulmates.
“I am more comfortable, because of her,” he admits. “She makes me want to do things better. To be better.”
The admission stuns both of them, and the doctor smiles. “I loved having her here.”
“Me too.”
I loved having her here. I loved her.
I love her.
As a monster, love shouldn’t be in his vocabulary.
But with Ellie…
He wants to give her whatever shredded part of his soul he has left.
He wants to love her until she can’t see straight, and she realizes how perfect she is.
He wants her to realize that even with her trauma and pain, she’s still worthy of having someone care for her.
Whatever is left of his heart belongs to her.
His Alpha roars in approval.
He doesn’t want to hurt anyone else unless he absolutely has to. And even then, it would only be to subdue them, not cause permanent damage.
But things are messier than they need to be.
There’s an officer posted outside his cell, one much more competent than Gerard. One who happens to be an Alpha.
A possessive growl rises in his chest as he smells the Alpha’s putrid essence, and all he can think about is Ellie.
He needs to claim her before anyone else can.
Checking his phone, he’s able to see any outgoing calls or text messages she’s made.
There’s one to Doctor Porter, sent only seconds ago, which gives him pause.
I need your help. Please.
No, that simply won’t do.
He disables her phone, blocking out her signal entirely.
He waits for the Alpha guard to make his rounds, listening for his footsteps to fade as he heads towards the Beta ward.
Then he makes his escape, heading back towards the security room and to the circuit breakers.
