The Alpha's Captive by A. J. Jarrett Page A

have to be able to let him go.”
    Devon’s breathing sped up, and his teeth started to elongate, and his claws grew. “I will. When Aiden’s father calls, I’ll be more than willing to trade him for Erik. I haven’t lost my focus, Brother.” His voice was raw with emotion. What he wanted and what needed to be done were battling for purchase in his brain and tearing his heart apart.
    “Am I really that easy to give up?”
    Viktor and Devon both turned at Aiden’s sad, whispered words. Devon released his hold on Viktor and took a step toward Aiden.
    “No, stop.” Aiden held up a hand. “I thought I meant something to you, but I guess you played me. You never had any intentions on being with me after all this. You just wanted your brother back. You used me.” Aiden turned and ran down the hallway and out the front door.
    “Fuck!” Devon roared as he gave chase. He really messed things up this time.

Chapter Twelve
     
    I’m such an idiot. How could I really think a man like Devon would be interested in someone like me? I just gave my virginity to a man who used me.
    Tears spilled down his cheeks as he threw open the front door and took off running. He didn’t have any shoes on, and the dry grass and broken twigs bit into his feet with every step. Pain shot up his leg as he stepped on a jagged rock, but he didn’t stop. He knew before long Devon would catch him, but he didn’t plan on making it easy for the man.
    The sound of heavy footfalls and leaves crunching under foot signaled his captor was getting closer. Aiden dug harder and dodged a low-hanging limb. Sometimes being short had its advantages.
    “Aiden,” Devon shouted.
    Aiden ignored him and kept running. His heart had just been shattered into a million pieces. The man he’d grown to love didn’t want him. Devon was ready to hand him back over to his father without any hesitation. Yeah they just met, but he’d never felt like this before. The thought of living without Devon seemed inconceivable to him.
    The wind got knocked out of Aiden as Devon tackled him from behind. He hit the ground hard, and they rolled down a small hill. When they stopped moving, Aiden wound up on the bottom with Devon holding him down. His body instantly started to react to having this beautiful man lying on top of him.
    Taking a deep breath, Devon’s wild scent filled his senses. His cock ached to be touched, and Aiden despised how his body betrayed him. Devon didn’t want him, or at least not for long-term, so he needed to get over this silly infatuation now.
    “Get off me!” Aiden screamed as he fought Devon’s hold. He kicked his legs and tried to flail his arms about but Devon held him down with brute force.
    “Aiden, stop fighting me,” Devon shouted.
    “You’re a liar, and I fucking hate you.” His voice cracked with each word. “I thought I meant something to you, but I’m nothing. You got what you wanted, and now you’re done with me.” A bitter laugh proceeded Aiden’s next words. “I’m the stupid virgin who fell in love with the first man to have me. I’m just a fool.”
     
    * * * *
     
    Devon’s breath hitched at Aiden’s words. He loves me. Devon couldn’t help it. He fell forward and captured Aiden’s lips in a bruising kiss. Aiden fought him, but his resistance soon slipped away. Devon bit at Aiden’s bottom lip and seized the opportunity to invade his damp, luscious mouth when he gasped in pain. The gasp faded to a long moan, and Aiden started to kiss him back.
    Reaching down, Devon pulled at Aiden’s shirt and pushed it up his body to settle at his neck. He didn’t want to break the kiss to remove the shirt, but he wanted to feel his mate’s bare skin on his.
    When Aiden tugged at his arms, Devon let him go. Aiden’s frantic fingers went for Devon’s shirt, hiking it up his chest. The heat coming off their exposed chests chased away the chill in the air. Devon got lost in the moment, and by Aiden’s grabby hands and cries of