“Let me go!” Marissa desperately tried to pull away from him, the need to run and hide almost overbearing.
“Or what?” Brandon ran his cheek over her hair. “You are mine. And you will be coming back to the territory with me.”
Tears filled Marissa’s eyes. This wasn’t happening. This couldn’t be. “No.”
“What? Don’t want to leave your lovers?” He spat at her. “Just how many of the wolves here have you spread your legs for?”
Marissa shook her head and again tried to pull away.
“I already know you are fucking the Alpha and his Beta. Is it just those two or did you take them all?”
As he shook her, Marissa’s head snapped back painfully. They heard a growl before she was knocked away from him. Looking up from where she’d fallen on the ground, she saw a blur of movement as two males went down on the ground.
It took a moment for Marissa to recognise the man fighting with Brandon as one of Gage’s guards.
“Stop!” she yelled to the two men. They didn’t hear her…or choose to ignore her.
It wasn’t until there was a second growl and Gage ordered, “Stop” that all movement ceased around her.
Marissa looked up to see his furious eyes boring into her. The muscle in his cheek jumped as he clenched his teeth. Marissa immediately dropped her eyes.
“Sam, go to my office,” he told his guard, keeping his voice even, not giving away what he was thinking.
Sam picked himself off the ground, looking one last time at the man he’d taken down. “Yes, Alpha.”
“Marissa, come here,” he ordered next.
Marissa moved quickly to obey. Wrapping his hand around her wrist, Gage held her next to him. Logan stepped into the middle of the group and nodded at his Alpha.
“I believe our guests have overstayed their welcome. Now that the couple has left, they shall be escorted out.” Gage’s voice was low and deadly. Daring anyone to challenge him.
“I’ll see to it, Alpha.” Logan nodded and reached for Brandon, who pushed his hands away.
Standing on his own, Brandon faced off with Gage. “I agree we should be leaving. We’ll just be taking Marissa with us,” he said smugly.
Marissa stepped behind Gage, using him as a shield. She wasn’t going with Brandon. She didn’t think Gage would make her, but if what Brandon said were true, he might not have a choice.
“I don’t think so.” Gage didn’t sound amused as Brandon stood in front of him.
Brandon smiled. “As her Pack Alpha, I will be returning her home.”
“Pack Alpha?” Gage looked over his shoulder at her. Marissa shook her head. “I think not.”
“She was born into my Pack.”
“And left your Pack at the request of your Alpha.”
“Really?” Brandon challenged, crossing his arms over his chest. “I have no paperwork supporting that.”
“Of course not.” Gage nodded as if he understood.
Marissa panicked. “Gage.”
“Hush,” he ordered. “Well, then I suppose you have the paperwork stating that she does belong to your Pack.”
The smile faded on Brandon’s face. “I do. Not with me though.”
Gage shook his head. “I cannot in good conscience turn over a female who I don’t know truly belongs with you.”
Brandon took one step forward. “You would start a war over this slut?”
Marissa gripped the back of Gage’s shirt. She didn’t think Gage would turn her over to the other man, but doubt still made her stomach tighten with nerves.
Gage didn’t move but met the other Alpha’s stare. “Would you? You are in my territory now.”
Brandon relaxed his stance. “We’ll see about this.” He turned and walked away, his Pack members following him.
“Make sure they all leave, Logan. Then I want you in my office.”
Logan nodded first to his Alpha and then to the other Enforcers who had surrounded them. They all left silently.
Turning, Gage grabbed Marissa’s arm and pulled her towards the house.
“Party’s over,” he threw back over his shoulder at the other members of his Pack, having them disperse quickly.
Marissa remained quiet as Gage led her away. In the shoes she wore, she kept tripping. Gage didn’t slow his steps, however, he just tightened his hold. Marissa didn’t fight, scared and unsure of her future and what Gage would do.
Sam jumped up when Gage walked into his office with Marissa. Gage pointed to the couch and waited for Marissa to sit before turning to his Enforcer.
“I apologise for my action, Alpha. I have no excuse for starting a fight with another wolf without your permission.”
Gage nodded. “Yes. Especially another Alpha.”
Sam’s eyes widened. “I can only say that I was protecting the woman that my Alpha had taken as his own.”
“And for that I thank you. Stand down, Sam, you are not in trouble.”
Sam relaxed. “Is everything okay?”
Gage shook his head and walked behind his desk. “I don’t know. But I have a favour to ask.”
“Anything, Alpha,” Sam agreed without second thought.
“We have a problem with the other Pack. Marissa will be staying here at the main house. I would like for you to go to Elizabeth’s house and bring Marissa’s belongings here.”
Gage saw Marissa open her mouth and then close it quickly.
“Then we are on high alert. I want a full watch. Especially around the house.”
Sam nodded. Logan knocked and entered the office. Gage acknowledged him with a tilt of his head.
“Then I would like you stay here at the house with Logan and I, in case there is any trouble.”
“Of course, Alpha.”
Gage dismissed Sam and turned to Logan.
“They’re gone. The gate is closed and locked. I have four men on guard there,” Logan informed him.
“Good. Make sure Sam has the others doing rounds.” Gage told him even though he knew Logan would take all the precautions that were needed. Still he felt better knowing everything would be in order to protect Marissa.
“Yes, Alpha. No one will get in without permission.”
Gage wanted more security than that. “I want no one else leaving.”
“I’ll make sure of it,” Logan promised and Gage knew he would be taking care of things personally.
Gage looked over at Marissa. She had been silent the entire time. “Get me what you can, Logan.”
He didn’t need to tell Logan more for his friend to understand that he wanted everything on Brandon and the other Pack. Logan glanced at Marissa before he nodded and silently left the office.
Gage walked to Marissa and wasn’t surprised when she leaned away from him. Now was the time for comfort.
“Come here,” he said.
Slowly Marissa stood and took his hand, keeping her eyes down at her feet. Gage gently led her from his office and up the stairs. Once they reached his bedroom, he let her enter first. Marissa walked into the large room and sat on the edge of the bed.
Dropping to his knees in front of her, Gage gripped her hands. “Marissa.”
Marissa didn’t hold back her tears any longer. “I’m sorry, Gage! I’m so sorry.”
Getting up and sitting next to her, he wrapped his arms around her. It broke his heart to see her so upset. “Shh.”
“I…I…don’t know what to do!”
Gage held her close to him and tried to make her feel protected. “I’ll take care of it. Take care of you,” he promised her and meant every word.
“He’ll start a war. I don’t know why. But I know he will,” she managed to get out between sobs.
“Shh. Baby, let him try,” Gage told her as he stroked her back.
“I don’t want anyone hurt because of me. I don’t understand why he’s doing this.”
Picking her up, Gage took her to the head of the bed and pulled the covers down. He placed her gently down. “Please don’t worry, Marissa. I will take care of this.”