He really didnât 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 Ellieâs screen:
Iâm so sorry, my brotherâs been in a car crash. Canât come tonight.
Of course, once Lita gets to the hospital, sheâll 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 theyâre more alike than she realizes, and he plans on showing her exactly how.
Thereâs 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.
Heâs grateful for the suppressants they inject inside him, as heâll still be lucid when he takes her.
His Rut is inevitable, his skin clammy and hot as well, but heâs able to think clearly.
And when Doctor Porter leads him into his office to deliver the bad news, heâs able to stay as calm as possible.
âSorry I havenât been here all day,â he apologizes, genuinely concerned. âUnfortunately, we lost Gerard. I canât go into specifics, but he wonât be working here anymore.â
He nods, and the doctor continues.
âEllie Winters will also not be with us anymore,â he sighs. âShe quit this morning, likely due to the stress of what happened with Gerard.â
He internally scoffs.
Thatâs not why.
âThatâs unfortunate,â he says evenly. âShe was good at her job.â
Doctor Porter gives him a pointed look. âShe was good for you, as well. Youâve done phenomenal work with me since she came here. Youâve opened up and been more comfortable talking about who you are.â
He shrugs, but he knows itâs true.
Sheâs the first person who made him want to start existing again.
He knew the consequences of avenging Cassandraâs 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.
âI am more comfortable, because of her,â he admits. âShe makes me want to do things better. To be better.â
The admission stuns both of them, and the doctor smiles. âI loved having her here.â
âMe too.â
I loved having her here. I loved her.
I love her.
As a monster, love shouldnât be in his vocabulary.
But with Ellieâ¦
He wants to give her whatever shredded part of his soul he has left.
He wants to love her until she canât see straight, and she realizes how perfect she is.
He wants her to realize that even with her trauma and pain, sheâs still worthy of having someone care for her.
Whatever is left of his heart belongs to her.
His Alpha roars in approval.
* * *
He doesnât 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.
Thereâs 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 Alphaâs putrid essence, and all he can think about is Ellie.
He needs to claim her before anyone else can.
Checking his phone, heâs able to see any outgoing calls or text messages sheâs made.
Thereâs one to Doctor Porter, sent only seconds ago, which gives him pause.
I need your help. Please.
No, that simply wonât 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.