Alpha Of Aberdeen novel Chapter 52

I stand next to Paisley’s crib, holding the note in my hand. “I’m watching you,” I mutter the words. “Who could this be from,” I think to myself. As my eyes search the darkness, I only find silence and emptiness. At this point, fear doesn’t cross my mind. Nothing surprises me anymore. I wander over to the bed with Paisley’s plush blanket pressed securely against my chest and the note still in hand. My energy is drained, so I couldn’t resist plopping myself back against the unmade gray cotton sheets.

I stare up into the white popcorn ceiling, releasing a sigh, still holding Paisley’s blanket tight in my grasp. My eyelids grow heavy and I find myself taking deep breaths. The fresh scent of wood and musk fills my nostrils. “I know that smell,” I bolt upright on the bed. “There is no way,” I think in disbelief. My thoughts are put on hold when I hear a scraping noise against the closet wall. I stand, quickly darting my eyes around the room in search of a weapon, but I’m shit out of luck.

As I creep towards the closest door, stopping inches away. “Who’s there,” I shout with my hand slowly reaching for the knob. “C’mon, Chloe. Just freaking open it already,” I thought, scolding myself for hesitating. Finally, I build up the courage and yank the doors open. “Come out you bastard,” I shout, blindly throwing my hands in all directions.

My fist makes contact with a rough and scratchy face. I don’t stop. I continue to throw punches, but suddenly a hand grabs my wrist. I use my other hand to slap the person across the face but am knocked off balance when the person moves forward out of the closet, the light from the moon illuminating his face.

Malachi’s scruffy face stares deep into me and I gasp at the sight, my eyes growing round with surprise. “How,” I say, barely a shaky whisper. “Why do you stay with this man? Do you love him,” he asks with no emotion. I’m too distracted by his presence, as my eyes take in his form. I notice there is something different about him. He seems empty, but after realizing what he asked me I stare into his eyes. “What? I could never love anyone but you,” I profess, reaching out to caress his face.

I pang of hurt shoots through me when Malachi turns his head away, and I am left dumbfounded. “You don’t believe me,” I state, stepping away from him. Malachi’s eyes narrow, full of judgment, which answers my question. “You can’t tell me you have spent the last six months with this strange man and haven’t fallen for him. You thought I was dead,” he growls. “You don’t know me then,” I retort, turning to walk away from him. Malachi reaches for my arm and spins me back around to face him. “Why would you wait for me if I was dead,” he questions, searching my features.

I stare at him, annoyed that he would even think I could love someone other than him. My heart aches at just the thought. “After everything we’ve been through, you really think I could love someone else,” I ask, not hiding the hurt in my voice. “If you thought I loved him, why are you here,” I ask, then I feel the note still in my hand. “Is this note from you,” I ask, shoving the note in his face.

Malachi grabs the note from my hand. “Yes, I wrote it. I have been here watching you for months, wracking my brain with all the reasons why you would stop trying to escape,” he says, ripping the paper into pieces before dropping it to the floor. I give Malachi an agitated look as I bend over, picking up the little pieces. “Have you forgotten that I am in a coven of witches? They put a spell on me, since the first escape where they shot you. I’ve tried every day, but I can’t leave, and I have not let that man touch me once,” I defend, my voice strong with the truth.

My agitation grows the longer Malachi keeps his gaze on me. “Where is my daughter,” he asks, folding his arms across his chest. My blood is now boiling at this man. I cannot believe he’s acting as if I am to blame here. “I did what any good mother would do. I saved her from this hell,” I answer, irritation thick in my tone. “Sukie has her safe until she can break the spell,” I clarify.