Chapter 12
Jonah laid Alana gently on the couch as she drifted into unconsciousness and was glad she was now sleeping peacefully. It had torn at his heart to see the pain in her eyes and he’d felt helpless when Luca had turned to face him before laying his hands on her skin. He could never express his gratitude for what the male had done to help her as he knelt beside her, holding her hand in his. He could do nothing but stare at her beautiful face.
The soft line of her jaw had started to bruise, making him hold his head low. His love for her was growing and he couldn’t stop it, and didn’t want to. He knew they would have to talk about why she was at the cell, but her beauty was captivating his heart. Her soft cheeks were beginning to flush a beautiful pink as she slept and the long dark eyelashes that lay gently on her cheeks framed her eyes stunningly. He had never seen such beauty in a female before. His heart was falling like gravity toward hers.
“How’s she doing?” Elijah’s voice sounded as he entered the living area. He’d been in the security room, overseeing the setup of the camera system when Jasmine had come to tell him that Jonah had returned with the female.
“She’s sleeping. Those bastards fractured her arm.” Jonah’s tone told Elijah how troubled he was with her injuries.
“Looks like she’s in good hands.” Elijah smiled as Jonah turned and looked at him.
“I haven’t had a chance to ask her any questions yet,” Jonah stated.
Elijah knew what he meant. He knew his friend was in turmoil, his feelings torn between confusion and love. “Wait until she wakes and when she’s strong enough, then speak to her. I’m sure she’ll be willing to tell you everything.”
“She’s hiding something, but I don’t know what. When I tried to ask her before, she wouldn’t answer me.”
“We have to give her the chance to explain. We owe her that much for helping us.” Elijah could see the pain in Jonah’s face. His feelings for her were obvious.
Jonah turned and stared at her, listening to her inhale gently. He’d laid a cushion under her head and her long, silky hair spread gently across her face and down onto her shoulders. It was soft to his touch as he ran his fingers through the long strands, caressing each length. The touch of her sent sparks of desire through his skin, making his craving to kiss her surge through his mind. The idea of her soft lips against his had his mind soaring with intrigue. He wanted to feel her body against his and run his hands over her beautiful soft curves. He’d not ever wanted to be as intimate with anyone as he wanted to be with her.
Alana stirred to hear Jonah’s strong voice drift toward her as she slowly opened her eyes. The sensation of pain that she’d felt before had eased as her eyelids flickered open and she turned her head to see Jonah kneeling beside her. He smiled at her as she stared into his entrancing, vibrant eyes.
The ache from her injury thrummed gently as she tried to sit, carefully pushing up on her arms. The last thing she’d remembered was Luca touching her, but then everything had faded into a black void. She stared at Jonah and saw the concern in his eyes and smiled, hoping to elevate his anguish.
“Welcome to Genesis, Alana.” Elijah’s voice made Alana jump.
She hadn’t noticed anyone else in the room as she stared at the huge male that stood across the room. His vibrant blue eyes dominated his sharp facial features as she stared at his immense size. He was a tall as Jonah and his huge muscular shoulders exaggerated his frame through his tight fitting T-shirt.
“Alana, I’d like to introduce Elijah, our King,” Jonah said as he lifted himself from the floor and moved closer to her side. She still looked a little shaky as he lifted his arm and placed it around her back, pulling her closer to him.
Alana smiled gently as she slid into Jonah’s hold. She liked the feeling of his strong arm wrapped around her, making her feel safe. She watched as Jasmine entered the room and walked to Elijah’s side. Alana could see the intense love she had for him as he held her close.
“Hi, Alana, you feeling better?” Jasmine’s smile lit her face as she folded into Elijah’s embrace.
“Better, thank you. What happened?” Alana had been awake when Luca had walked over to her but she couldn’t remember much of what happened after that.
“Mr. Magic ran his hands over you!” Jenson said as he walked into the room and stood next to Elijah.
The male that had entered stood as big as Elijah and his electrifying green eyes were astounding against the defined features of his face. His kind smile warmed her as she looked away, embarrassed that she’d been staring at him.
Jonah growled. It was bad enough that another male had touched her without Jenson making a mockery of it. Luca walked into the room, smiling at the sight of Alana sitting, looking much healthier.
“I love it when you sing my praises.” Luca looked at Alana and winked.
Alana giggled, making Jonah turn and stare at her. He loved the sound of her sweet chuckle. He’d never heard it before and it made him smile even though he was still pissed about Jenson’s flippant comment.
“Hi, Alana, I’m Jenson.” He knew better than to try and shake her hand. Jonah never really appreciated it when he was trying to be friendly.
“Hi.” Alana could only stare at him. All the males of the Order she’d met had been hugely muscular and each with unique vibrant eyes. She’d never really seen many males of her kind before except Harvey and the guards at the Headquarters.
Jenson stared at her. She was very pretty and her long, silky hair was strikingly beautiful. Jonah’s claiming of her soared through his mind, but he frowned as confusion spread. Jonah had not found out what he was searching for yet and it was frustrating him. He could feel his anger at her being injured, but it was being overwhelmed with his desire for her.
“You must be hungry, Alana. Jasmine, could you make some lunch for our guest?” Elijah asked, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead.
“Of course, I’ll be back shortly. What would you like to drink, Alana?” Jasmine’s velvety tone was so kind, it made Alana smile.
“Anything. Thank you.”
As Alana watched Jasmine walk from the room her gaze was drawn to Jenson. His intense stare was unsettling.
Jonah hadn’t missed the tension he could see in Jenson’s features and knew the male was reading something that had shocked him. His ability to read the minds of others was powerful, even if you didn’t want him in your head.
“Alana. You have to tell him,” Jenson spoke directly to Alana. The pain and suffering he could read in her mind overwhelmed him as he struggled to accept the torment she’d suffered at Harvey’s hands.
Elijah turned and looked at Jenson worryingly. What was it that he’d read in her mind? He turned to face Alana, noticing the concern on Jonah’s face.
Alana froze, anxiety making her shake as she stared at Jenson. Ice trickled down her spine, making her shiver as she felt her heart chill. She looked at Jenson questioningly before turning her gaze to the King. She’d been careful not to give anything away. If anyone found out, then it would cost her everything and she’d tried to be so cautious when it came to her secret.
“Jenson can read people’s thoughts,” Jonah said as he saw the fear in her eyes.
“Alana. I know what happened. You have to tell them.” Jenson could see the pain he was inflicting on her, but if they knew, they would forgive her.
Alana tensed, panic souring through her. Her breath trapped in her throat as she tried to speak, fear causing each word to constrict inside her. Tears welled in her eyes as she stared at Jonah. He wouldn’t understand, and it scared her. She was beginning to feel emotions for him, and it terrified her, but that would all be gone the moment he found out. He wouldn’t forgive her, even though he’d shown her such care and affection.
Jonah stared at Alana, seeing the pain in her eyes as tears fell gently onto her flushed cheeks. He wanted to take her in his arms, hold her, and ease her suffering. He knew she wanted to run and hide.
“Tell me, beautiful, whatever it is you can tell me.”
“I can’t. Please.” Alana sobbed as she lowered her face, her hair covering the distress in her eyes.
“Alana. Whatever it is, we can help you,” Elijah spoke softly.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t want to hurt anyone in the cells that day. Seeing Jonah being attacked by the guards was awful, but I didn’t know what was going on. I couldn’t stop it, and it’s haunted me ever since.” Alana couldn’t help the wavering in her voice.
Jonah held Alana’s hand tightly. “Whatever the reason, we can help you. Please let me in.”
“I had to work there…I had no choice.” Alana stared at Jonah.
“What do you mean you had to work there?” Jonah asked, frowning.
“Harvey knew I was a nurse. He made me come and work for him but after what I saw that day, he took me to the Headquarters and…” She couldn’t face telling him more.
“What do you mean, took you?” Jonah could feel his anger building quickly as he stared at the distress in her face.
“One day, one of Harvey’s guards came to my work and took me. He drugged me and took me from the clinic and put me in the back of a truck. He took me to the Headquarters. Harvey was there and told me I had to do exactly what he said,” Alana replied, her breathing coming in short rasps.
Jonah could see her struggling to tell them but he needed to know the truth. His anger was boiling and he could feel the heat of his fury through his skin.
Elijah could see Jonah’s control coming close to exploding. Harvey was a piece of scum and they knew the lengths the bastard would go to get what he wanted.
“You need to tell them why you were there and why you stayed at the Headquarters,” Jenson said softly. Alana’s pain was deeper than she was revealing and he didn’t want to be the one to blow her world apart.
“I can’t…” Alana replied as she placed her head in her hands, letting the tears fall.
“Why?” Jonah asked, his tone becoming harsher at the anger he felt about what Harvey had done. He’d taken a defenseless female and imprisoned her in his Headquarters.
Alana stared up at him. She understood his anger. He would never forgive her but she could never forgive herself if anything happened to the other half of her being.
“He took me…and he also took my sister.” She stared at Jonah, her eyes full of tears for the future she knew she would have to deal with. She was going to lose the only one she had spent years trying to protect.
Jonah sat shocked, his eyes staring straight at the female whose life had been destroyed by their enemy. His breath had stilled in his chest as he tried to comprehend her words. She’d been taken by Harvey and so had her sister.
“He took her and has kept her prisoner in a cell…and I had to do everything he wanted in order to stop him from killing her. I’m so sorry I was there at the cells but I had no choice.” Alana turned and looked at the King.
Elijah stood as shocked at the other males in the room. He’d never imagined that Harvey would be so callous, but he’d tried to kill Jasmine, the Queen, so he wouldn’t hesitate in killing a defenseless female. His heart hammered in his chest as his anger flared through him.
“Alana, do you know where’s she’s being held?” Elijah asked, his voice deep with compassion for her obvious distress.
“No. I’ve been searching the security system at the Headquarters but I can’t find her.” Alana had tried on so many occasions to speak to her sister through her mind. It was something they had done as children but no matter how many times she’d pleaded with her sister to answer her, it looked like they no longer possessed the telepathic ability they’d had as children.
Alana turned and stared at the shock on Jonah’s face. Her heart was beating with such force she thought it would explode at any moment. Her cheeks were damp with the tears that refused to stop falling and she longed for Jonah to say something, anything instead of just staring at her.
“That’s why you asked us to help you find a premises that belonged to Harvey,” Jonah said, trying hard to keep the venom from piercing his tone.
“Yes. I knew the danger she would be in as soon as I left the Headquarters. He’ll go for her and kill her. Please Jonah, help me. I need to find her before he gets to her,” Alana begged.
Jonah hated to hear the distress in her voice. The deep frown of her pleading fueled his fury. She’d already suffered being taken with the threat of her sister’s life had been held over her. His anger erupted at the pain she’d endured for years.
“Jonah, you need to care for your female. I’ll get Lucian to run the new program and see if we can’t find her. I’ll come and find you once we have any news.” Elijah nodded to Jonah as he turned and walked from the room.
Jonah stood, turning to Alana and held out his hand. She took it willingly and stood, her legs shaking as he led her toward the entrance hall. As he approached, Jenson placed his arm on Jonah’s shoulder.
“Go easy, I know what you’re thinking, and you’re wrong,” Jenson said, aware of Jonah’s anger at her ordeal.
“I have to know.” He had to know exactly how far Harvey had made her suffer.
Confusion set in Alana’s mind. What was it he wanted to know? She’d told him everything now and couldn’t understand what was making him so mad.
Jonah walked from the living area, leading Alana up the long staircase and down the large corridor until they reached a set of white doors. They’d passed several doors similar to this one except the one that lay opposite. It was embellished with a beautiful red S entwined in gold swirls that Alana thought it was exquisite.
“Whose is that room?” Alana asked questioningly.
“That belongs to the King and Queen. This is our room,” Jonah replied.
Alana felt confused with his tone. He’d been so caring downstairs, but was he now angry with her? She knew it would be hard for him to understand her reasons for being in the cells, but this felt like more. She watched as he turned the large brass handle and pushed the door open. Alana stood, realization hitting her at what he’d just said. Their room. She’d never shared anything with anyone since the day she’d been taken and it made her heart skip at the thought of sharing his room. She stepped cautiously through the doorway and was taken aback with the glorious sight of his quarters. Turning, she watched as Jonah closed the door behind him and turned to face her.
“Did he hurt you?” Jonah held his breath as he watched her reaction.
“What?” Alana replied questioningly.
“Did he hurt you?” Jonah asked again.
Alana smiled as she realized the reason for his concern. She’d worried that he would never forgive her for betraying him in the cells but now she realized he thought Harvey had tried to physically make her follow his instructions.
“No. I would never let him near me,” Alana replied.
Jonah crossed the room and took Alana in his arms, wrapping them tightly around her as he buried his face in her hair. She was his and nothing would ever come between them. He’d claimed her no matter how hard he’d tried to deny it, his heart controlling his mind and he felt pure joy as he held her against his body. Life would never be the same now and he wanted to share everything with her as he lifted his head and stared into her deep, alluring brown eyes. He had fallen in love with her, a feeling he thought he would never experience but she’d woken his heart and given him a reason to hope. His duty had been to protect the King, Queen, and The Order, but now he had another duty, to Alana. She’d become his world, his reason for breathing, and his reason to live. He was hers, wholly and willingly, to love, pleasure, and protect. Forever.
Chapter 13
Alana felt Jonah’s strong arms envelope her as she closed her eyes and inhaled his deep masculine scent. He smelled divine and her mind cascaded into a bliss of tempting pleasure as she grasped his firm muscles through his jacket. She felt him nuzzle at her neck, making her skin tingle at the light brush of his lips against her
skin and it excited the nerves of her pussy. The obvious effect of his desire pushed hard against her stomach, the length astounding her, making her want to feel his hot, delectable skin against hers. She needed him naked, brushing bare against her, needed to feel his lips touch every inch of her eager body.
Jonah lifted his head to stare into her eyes. The beauty he saw enslaved him as he inhaled her sweet, enchanting scent. His heart pounded to touch her, to run his hands over the soft curves of her body, and the thought of her delicious mouth on his had his mind blazing with lust. He moved his hand to nestle softly at the base of her neck. Her hair felt smooth as it slid between his fingers, and she fit his body perfectly.
The touch of her lips against his sent electricity exploding through him. Waves of desire flared though his mind as his tongue forced her lips apart and he pushed inside, tasting her seductive sweetness as he explored every inch of her mouth. He growled deeply as his hand pulled her closer to him.
Alana responded passionately as he took her mouth. The strength of his desire drove deep inside her, making her insides clench as pleasure flooded through to her body. His taste intoxicated her and her breathing hitched making her whimper softly. She was captivated by him, the feel of his taut muscles as she ran her hands up his arms and through his long blond trusses. His mouth owned her, possessed her, and she savored every minute sensation of his tongue against hers. She’d never imagined he would taste this good. It made her want more as he pulled away, leaving her panting hard.
“Lift your arms for me, beautiful,” Jonah said softly.
Alana followed his instruction willingly and Jonah grasped the end of her T-shirt, pulling it upward and lifting it gently over her head. He took care to ensure he passed it gently over her injured arm, worried that it could cause her pain. As her hair fell onto her shoulders, Jonah growled. The sight of her supple skin on her neck had him exhaling deeply as he leaned forward and trailed gentle kisses across from one side to the other.
Jonah's Salvation [The Order of the Mist 2] (Siren Publishing Classic) Page 11
