Bloodfire (Blood Destiny 1) - Helen Harper Page 0,104

my job to protect everyone he finally answered. So I’ll do this and help you. And you will leave Cornwall forever.

WHAT?

I am the alpha, his Voice stated simply. Your presence puts the pack in danger. Therefore I want you gone from Cornwall as soon as we return.

As much as I knew that Anton was relishing this moment with every fibre of his being, he was right. I did put the pack in danger by staying with them. Especially now. All this had happened because of me, and whilst I could acknowledge that I hadn’t asked for any of it and couldn’t have changed the molecular biology of my blood even if I’d known about it, I knew that I was still guilty. Leaving was the safest option. It was almost a relief to finally have someone demand my absence – perhaps it would help assuage my guilt.

Done.

Give me your word.

I almost growled aloud. You just had it. Now fucking deal with this.

“My Lord, I will take her,” said Anton somewhere to the left of Corrigan.

Corrigan was silent for a heart-stopping moment. Oh come on. He finally replied, “It’s fine. She weighs nothing.”

“I am her alpha. It is my responsibility – she is my responsibility. We have not always been on the best of terms but perhaps this way I can demonstrate to her that she can trust me.”

Nicely played, I thought. Now when I ran off, I’d be the ungrateful bint who couldn’t acknowledge that ’Lord’ Anton had rescued me. Bastard. Corrigan halted and passed me over to Anton’s arms. Instead of cradling me against his chest as the Lord Alpha had done however, he slung me over his shoulder in an incredibly undignified fireman’s lift. I was painfully aware of my bottom waving around in the air from above his shoulder.

“The others will be anxious for news, my Lord,” Anton continued. “I do not wish to move too quickly as clearly Mackenzie has many small wounds from which there is a considerable amount of blood. I have no objection if you wish to move ahead and let everyone know what has happened.”

I wondered if Corrigan would let himself be manipulated quite so easily. I sincerely hoped so.

Anton continued. “Perhaps then you can alert the doctor to move to the portal to help her as quickly as possible. Mackenzie is usually more hard-headed than this. I am concerned that she has fainted and not yet re-awakened.”

I tried very hard not to slap his back for his so-called ‘concern’. Nonetheless it seemed to work as, without a word, I sensed Corrigan begin to move away. After he appeared to go a few feet however, he called back, “You are very demanding when you want to be, Anton. I hope that the Way has chosen a true alpha for Cornwall. I would hate to spend more time down here babysitting you.”

Hah! Take that bear-man!

Take care, kitten, sounded Corrigan’s Voice in my head. I was startled by the unexpected gentleness of the sentiment. At least with my face stuck in Anton’s naked back, my surprise didn’t show. And with that he was gone.

Anton jostled me forward for a few more uncomfortable moments. I guessed that he was waiting until the Lord Alpha was definitely out of sight. Eventually, however, he put me down, feet first, and gazed at me stonily.

“You will not renege on this, human,” his eyes spat malevolent sparks.

I felt the familiar spark of heated irritation inside me and sighed tiredly, “I gave you my word, tosser. I’ll do this.” Truth be told, although my fainting had be feigned, I was starting to feel rather woozy anyway. I hoped I’d be strong enough to get out of Cornwall first. Talking also still hurt an incredible amount. “I just need to get cleaned up and talk to Julia and the others, and then I’ll be gone.”

He laughed shortly. “I don’t think so. As soon as we get back through the portal, you are gone.”

I began to protest but he interrupted me. “I don’t need to give the Brethren any more opportunity than necessary to find out what you are. I’ll inform the others what has happened once they have gone. Your friends,” he injected disdain into the last word, “are leaving for London anyway.”

Tom and Betsy. I cursed inwardly. I’d been hoping that they would change their minds but considering the alternative, being stuck here with Anton as alpha for the next several decades, I couldn’t exactly blame them anymore. Joining the