Alpha Loren

Chapter 39 The Great Mate Exchange

Back to Ella's POV:

I sat in the basement with only the dim light bulb keeping me company. It had been hours and I was

absolutely STARVING. Just as I was beginning to feel like I was going to pass out from hunger the

basement door opened. A tall boy with curly black hair and tanned skin came down the stairs. His facial ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

structure resembled Haden's in some ways, he was also muscular and strong yet unlike Haden

seemed friendly and kind.

"I'm Ethan. Haden's brother," he said crouching infront of me and unpeeling the duct tape from my

mouth. "I brought you some food."

"Thank the Lord. I haven't eaten in like 12 hours," I said my stomach growling as he moved behind me

to untie my wrists.

As soon as I was free he held out the plate of bread and cheese along with a glass of water and I took

it gladly.

"Haden said your cousin brought you here?" He asked as I devoured the bread.

"Let's just say that side of my family is pretty fucked up," I said.

"Try having Haden as a brother," he replied quietly.

"Fucking psycho," I grumbled, before taking a gulp of the water.

Ethan smiled, "Poor Lia was terrified and I don't blame her."

"Do you know if Alpha Loren bringing her back?" I asked.

Ethan nodded gravely, "Haden didn't leave him much choice."

I was partially relieved but it also boiled me that Haden was getting what he wanted and I couldn't help

but feel for Lia.

"He did have a choice. Just a terrible one between his mate and his family," I replied. "I feel awful for

him. And Lia of course."

"I suppose he knows even Haden wouldn't kill his mate but he'd have no trouble killing you. He made

the right choice," he replied.

I nodded before drinking the last bit of water and eating the last piece of bread and cheese.

"Thank you so much Ethan," I said as he took the plate and glass, set it on the floor before going to

retie my hands back behind the chair but this time much more gently and much looser.

"Did Haden send you?"

"No," Ethan replied, "He knows I'm here though. I managed to persuade him on the basis that the deal

would be off if you were dead."

I laughed, "So not because he was feeling guilty about leaving me here to suffer then."

"Haden? Guilt? What's that?" he replied.

"Anyway, I should probably go back upstairs. Don't want to be accused of socialising with the prisoner,"

he continued taking the plate and glass and heading back to the stairs.

"Ethan," I said before he left.

"Yes?"

"Take care of Lia if she comes back," I said.

"I'll do my best," he answered before continuing up the stairs and through the basement door.

November 3rd

It must have been past midnight when a car rolled up into the drive. I heard the crunching of footsteps

approach the door. A few seconds later Haden came down the stairs.

"Looks like Alpha Loren is here to give me my mate back and luckily for you little Luna, a deal is a

deal," Haden said untying the ropes.

"Do you think Lia will ever be happy with you? You blackmailed her brother, you kidnapped her Luna,

you touched her without consent and now you are forcing her to move away from her friends and family

and live with you, not very romantic if you ask me," I said to him.

"I can still change my mind you know," he said pulling me out of the chair.

"You wouldn't though. You don't want to start a war as much as Leo and you also know that he can

beat you in a challenge," I said.

"Smart girl...but, you don't know the half of it. My entire pack would have plenty of time to securely

dispose of you both before any Stella reinforcements arrived, I have a pack behind me right now, whilst

you guys are 8 hours away from the safety of your own," Haden said dragging me up the stairs, one

hand on my upper arm. I squinted at the light as we came into the hallway, but once my eyes had

adjusted I could see Lia and Leo stood in the doorway, Ethan having opened the door.

Leo's eyes immediately landed on me, scanning my body for any injuries. I tried to get over to Leo, but

Haden pulled me back.

"Give Lia to me and you can have her back untouched and unharmed," Haden said.

"I'm not stopping her, Alpha Haden," Leo said calmly holding his hands up and showing that he wasn't

restraining Lia in any way.

"It's down to you then Lia, once you are by my side I will release your brother's mate," Haden said. Lia

nodded and turned to Leo. Haden flinched as she hugged her oldest brother.

Leo kissed her head and squeezed her hand before nodding to her and she slowly moved along the

corridor to Haden. Once she was in arms reached Haden let go of my arm and pulled Lia roughly into

him.

I ran straight into Leo's arms, clasping the fabric of his shirt in my fist. Leo nuzzled his nose into my

neck inhaling my scent and kissing my mark, he held me tightly for a good minute.

"I was so worried Ella," he said before looking up at Haden and Lia. He pulled me behind his body

taking my hand and holding it tightly like he never wanted to break physical contact again.

"You reek of Loren men," Haden said to Lia after inhaling her scent and coldly glaring up at Leo.

"I'm sorry Haden, it's only my brothers and Dad," Lia said lowering her head. I looked over at Ethan

who was still stood at the door. He nodded his head referring to what we had agreed earlier about him

taking care of Lia.

"You may leave my territory now, Loren," Haden said. Leo paused for a second, looking at his sister

and nodding.

"Very well, but I will be back to visit my sister shortly," Leo said.

"Not without permission you won't," Haden said.

"You will give me permission Haden, remember who won the challenge? The only way you can beat

me is targeting my only weakness, the weakness I have at my side right now. So unless you would like

the first war between our packs in 750 years that would cause destruction in this beautiful, peaceful

Canadian territory you have here I suggest you do not go against my commands," Leo said. He then

farewelled Lia with a nod and lead us both out of the house.

"The boy with the curly hair is Haden's brother. He promised to try his best to take care of Lia," I said as

he led me to the car still holding my hand.

"She will be fine Ella," he said. "And there's something I need to ask you. Did you really run away from

Max in the grocery store? Have we not been through this? How dangerous it is for you to be alone,

especially off territory?"

I stayed quiet.

"Why do I feel like your debating whether to tell me something or not?" Leo said looking down at me.

"Because I am," I answered as he put me in the front seat of the car, before going round to his side.

"Come on then," he answered as he starting the engine. "Spit it out."

"Still debating,"

"Tell me," Leo said sternly.

"It's something I should probably have told you days ago..." I said.

"What?" he asked.

"You have to promise not to be angry," I said as the car rolled out of the drive.

"Ella, tell me what it is now," Leo said already getting angry.

"You're already getting angry and I haven't even started!" I said.

"Tell me," Leo ordered slightly calmer.

"Okay, well..." I started. Over the next half hour I explained EVERYTHING Max did. The stuff about his

brothers, the threats to Scarlet, her kids and Connor, all the perverted stuff he said and finally how he

was the one to take me to Haden, how he slammed my head into his car and knocked me out and and

how he was stood just behind the camera during the broadcast.

"And you didn't tell me," Leo said. "Are you out of your mind! This lead to you almost getting killed!"

"He threatened to kill someone else," I said quietly.

"I don't give a shit! You are more important and you should have told me immediately and then this

would not have happened," Leo said.

"What are you going to do to Max?" I asked.

"Kill him," Leo answered without hesitation.

"I thought Megestanis' have a right to a court trial," I said remembering from when I read the pack book

one afternoon.

"True, but what he has done will without a doubt get him a sentence to death," Leo said.

"What if he kills someone first?" I asked.

"We'll keep him in the pack prison until the trial. Scarlet, her kids and your brother will not be harmed,"

Leo said. Taking his phone out of his pocket. "Can you ring Blair please," he continued handing it to

me. It was the middle of the night, but Blair still picked up.

"bonum vesperam Alpha," Blair said meaning good evening Alpha.

"Blair, have you seen Maximus Megestanis recently?"

"He was at your parent's house a few minutes ago," Blair replied.

"Take him to the pack prison immediately," Leo ordered.

"I'll send some men to find him. But why?" Blair asked.

"Just do it I'll explain when I get back to Stella," Leo answered hanging up.

Hours later we were back at Leo's house, I had slept pretty much the whole way, partly because it was

really late and a really long drive and partly because of the baby. It was making me feel REALLY tired.

Leo carried me into the house and up the stairs. Damn did it feel good to have him back.

"Promise me that if anything like this ever happens again, you don't hesitate to tell me," Leo said

placing me on the wooden floor. I nodded my head and Leo pulled me into another warm, long, tight

hug. "We're a unit now, remember? I'm here to help you."

"But what if it means someone else might die?" I asked.

"I have the power to stop it, Ella," Leo replied before he carried me over to the bed and placed me

between the thick, comforting covers.

He climbed next to me and held me close against his chest.

"I just can't have this happen again," he said. "It made me realise how much I care about you."

"And it made me realise how much I don't ever want to be separated from you again," I replied.

He kissed my head and hugged me even tighter.

"Sleep," he said. "You must be exhausted."