Alpha’s Black Furred Slave Mate
Chapter 52

Odette and Moira stumbled backward in utter shock as they stared at my dark hair. Their eyes were large and wary; Odette looked as though she was about to burst into tears. The halls grew quiet as everyone stopped to stare at me. None of them knew what to say and how to say it. I looked at Bob who was staring at me also with dismay; he was still in shock. I half expected him to yell for guards to come to collect me; I wouldn't put it past him. Neither he nor Alex ever liked me, and this would be the prime opportunity to finally get rid of me. I glanced around the halls to see if I could spot Alex, but he was already gone. I wasn't sure if he saw me at all yet, but I knew word would get around school fast enough.

I began walking backward; I was afraid I would get jumped at any moment.

Making eye contact with Bob, he blinked a few times as though he was being brought out of a trance. After a pause he stepped towards me, straightening his back. He pressed his lips in a thin line and pointed at me, just as I thought he was going to.

My heartfelt heavy in my chest once again; I thought I might pass out. I had no idea how I was going to make it out of here alive. How was I going to make it back to Mateo? This was it for me, I knew it was it for me. I could feel it.

I wanted to take off running, but I was too slow. I would never be able to get out of here on time.

"Dirtball!!" Bob yelled, still pointing directly at me.

I felt the heat rising in my cheeks as he stared at me. I wanted to crawl up in a ball and start crying, but I refused to show them that kind of weakness. Not now. Not ever.

"I will discard the slave properly," Bob said as he grabbed onto my arm forcibly.

I didn't fight him, I allowed him to pull me through the crowd; everyone was still too stunned to speak. A teacher poked their head out of their classroom and gaped at me. "What..." they began to say, but Bob threw his hand up.

"I'll deal with it," he assured the teacher. "Tell no one what you saw here, we don't need the bad rep getting around the kingdoms."

My body was trembling as his nails dug deeper into my skin; he pulled me along with him and I nearly tripped over my own feet. I kept thinking to myself that Marlon was never going to protect me; his one condition was that I am to never be found out. Now everybody in the academy knew of me; I confirmed their suspicions and the rumors that were going around the kingdom.

As we neared the back exit of the school, I couldn't help but wonder what Bob was going to do with me. Was he going to bring me home and have Marlon deal with me? Or was he going to deal with me himself? Would he dare kill me without letting Marlon know first? Would Marlon even care?

Bob was the son of the highest-ranked noblemen in all the kingdoms, which meant he was the most respected in the school. Nobody would dare go against him and try anything; especially if Bob tells them to stand down. So, I knew nobody was going to follow us. But would they actually stay quiet? Or are they going to spread the word around like wildfire?

As he pushed open the backdoor, outside, I stumbled over my feet and nearly fell into him. He stopped quickly and turned to me; his nostrils began flaring and there was something in his eyes I didn't recognize from him.

I opened my mouth to say something, but he turned away quickly and continued walking with me trailing behind him; he still had a grip on my wrist and was pulling me along with him. We weren't going in the direction of the town; we were going in the direction of the woods.

He really was taking me to be slaughtered.

I felt the freedom of the woods enclosing me as my feet dug into the dry dirt and twigs that surrounded us. The smell of the pine brought me back to my commoner days when I wasn't a prisoner and was able to explore the woods openly and freely. I could feel my wolf growing impatient as it wanted to break free and finally become one with her true nature.

Bob stopped walking and turned to me; this was it. He was going to kill me. I knew he was going to kill me. There was no other choice at this point; I put his entire family in jeopardy by being at that school. I couldn't blame him for being angry with me. I couldn't blame him for wanting me gone. Much like Alex, with me and Mateo being around, it proves to be more difficult for him to become the sole heir. He needs to eliminate the competition, and this is the perfect chance to do just that.

He reached into his back pocket; he was probably reaching for a weapon. I wondered why he didn't just turn into his wolf form and hunt me right then and there, but maybe he didn't want the blood on his fur. Perhaps he wanted to make it look like an accident. I ducked my head slowly, waiting for the blow that will end fatally for me.

But it never came.

I glanced up at him and realized he wasn't holding a weapon; it was my headscarf that I wore at the school. My eyes widened as he gripped it in his hands; he had finally released me, and he was holding the scar out to me.

I frowned, staring at it with dismay. I wasn't sure if he was testing or not. His face was unreadable.

"I'm taking you back to the manor," he told me, answering the questions I had in my eyes. He was staring at me with such aggravation I felt uncomfortable. I wasn't sure what to say in response. "But I can't bring you through town with you looking like that, so put this back on."

I hesitantly took the scar from his grip and wrapped my hair back up.

He sighed and began walking towards the opening we came through, the one that lead back into town. I followed sheepishly behind him; I was confused.

He wasn't planning on killing me? What just happened?

"Why did you help me?" I asked him.

For a long while, he didn't say anything, he just continued walking until we reached the town.

"Because father would kill me if I let anything happen to you," he finally answered.

I frowned.

"Your brother would have let me die," I told him.

I could practically feel his eyes rolling to the back of his head.

"Yeah well..." he began. "I'm not Alex."

That was true; in the beginning, I thought Bob was much worse than Alex. He was less serious than his brother and seemed like he just wanted to have fun. He was the first to want to have his way with me, regardless of what anyone thought. He was quick to get me undressed and try to rape me. Then he wanted me to help him cheat on his studies; I thought he was a prick and Alex was the nice one. Turns out, it was the other way around.

Bob just saved my life.

"Thank you..." was all I could manage to say.

...

We got back to the manor; Marlon was in his study when we entered. Mateo was sleeping on the mat beside him. Marlon seemed surprised to see us standing there, together. Especially considering we were home early from school. Did I mention we were together?

Staring between the two of us, he stood to his feet. He was ready to defend himself against his son, but Bob cut in before he had the chance.

"She was found out," Bob said quickly.

Marlon's eyes widened as he stared, accusingly, at me.

"It wasn't her fault; her disguise was fine," Bob said, surprising us both. "These girls pulled her scarf off."

"Who saw her?" Marlon asked quickly; panic was clear in his voice.

"A lot of students and some teachers," Bob answered. "I told them I was taking care of it. I made sure they saw me bring her into the woods." Marlon sighed in what seemed like a relief.

"What were you thinking about allowing her to attend the noble academy?" Bob surprised me by asking.

He didn't seem as afraid of Marlon as most did. Marlon opened his mouth to speak but I interrupted.

"I made him," I answered. "I wanted to broaden my education."

Bob narrowed his eyes at me.

"The commoner academy wasn't good enough for you?" He asked.

"I just..." I tried to say but Marlon stopped me.

"Enough of this. You don't need to answer him," Marlon said, staring at Bob. "Did Alex spot her?"

"No," Bob answered. "As far as I know, he has no idea."

"I'd like to keep it that way," Marlon told him.

Bob nodded; he was being oddly complying.

"What are we going to do?" Bob asked, staring between Marlon and me.

We both looked at him confused.

"We?" I asked him, peering up at him.

He rolled his eyes.

"This is my family, and I will do what I can to protect my family. If my father wants you protected, then I will do what I must to keep you protected." My cheeks reddened; he was serious.

Marlon nodded at his son.

"Then, we need to get Deonna and Mateo hidden.