ALPHA

The look in Rhy’s eyes made me want to say yes. Hell it would make me do anything he asked, but I couldn’t. Being that close to him, touching him, would lead to me making a stupid decision in front of the whole pack. He made me lose all my senses and right now, I had to stay in control of my feelings. I needed to show this pack I was in control.

I took a step back away from Rhys shaking my head “Sorry, I should probably go and watch with Selene. I need to see how my warriors fight.” I cracked a smile hoping to make things less tense.

Rhys jaw ticked “Right.” He cleared his throat then nodded his head towards me, “If you’ll excuse me, Alpha, I should probably find a partner to spar with.

Not waiting for a response Rhys turned around and left me. I opened my mouth to say something but the words wouldn’t come out. Sighing I turned and made my way to Selene who was watching her warriors pair up.

“I see you were talking to Rhys. Did you decide to give him a chance?” Selene questioned. I merely glared at her earning an unlady-like snort to come from her nose “I’ll take that as a no.”

We stood and watched as the warriors formed a sparring pit. The first were two females, one of the few who had become warriors. They stood in front of each other waiting for someone to make the few moves. One of the females, the taller one with short dark pixie hair moved first. I almost missed her attack and so did her opponent. The smaller female did her best to dodge the attacks but the other girl was faster. It didn’t take long for the spar to end.

“Who is that?” I questioned trying to keep my face passive. I didn’t want to show any of these warriors whether I was impressed or not. But with that girl, I was definitely impressed.

“Lisa Smith.” Selene growled out in annoyance.

I rose a brow in her direction “I’m guessing you don’t like her?”

“You could say that.” Selene huffed crossing her arms. “She’s a bitch but she’s a good warrior.”

I nodded my head knowing not to question my sister any longer. Selene was like a ticking bomb, push her in the wrong way and she’ll explode. I knew better.

The warriors all congratulated Lisa before Rhys and Kris moved to the pit. Now the attention was now on the two muscular men. “Are you sure it’s a good idea to let Rhys and Kris spar?”

I didn’t know how recovered Rhys was and Kris was one of our top warriors. He was Selene’s second in command for a reason.

Selene’s lips lifted up “Relax. Rhys is well enough recovered. Are you worried about him?”

“No.” I shot back crossing my arms. I knew she could tell I was lying by the smirk that appeared on her face.

Rhys watched Kris with no expression on his face. I could tell it made Kris uneasy not knowing when Rhys would strike. It happened quick with Kris making the first move.

Rhys dodged the fist that was aimed for his chest and countered with a kick that landed on Kris’ side making his growl in anger. Rhys merely smirked and got into a ready position again followed by Kris who was no longer smiling.

It was Rhys who moved first this time with a one two combo right at Kris’ face. Kris managed to block one of the shots but failed to do with the second that landed right on his kidney. Instantly Kris landed on his knees unable to keep himself up from the blow.

Rhys smirk was still plastered on his face. He knew he was making Kris angry and seemed amused by it. It must have been his wolf getting the satisfaction. He was an Alpha after all.

Kris swung his leg managing to knock Rhys on his back. In a flash Kris was on top of Rhys throwing punches, some managing to land on Rhys, others managed to be dodged. I felt my wolf growl at the sight of my mate’s blood and did my best to keep myself from marching down to that pit and taking on Kris myself.

“Relax Ad” Sel murmured sensing my anger rolling off in waves. It was like I couldn’t I control it. “Rhys has this.”

I inhaled deeply from my nose and exhaled trying to keep my emotions in check. Rhys has this.

Rhys was able to grab one of Kris’ fists and recountering with a punch to the other boy’s jaw. A loud crack rang through the field. Kris was now on his back, unconscious.

“Is he alright?” I asked worriedly seeing the flicker of emotion in Selene’s eyes at the sight of Kris laying motionless.

She didn’t reply but merely marched down to the pit walking straight to Kris. I could see Lucas not bothering to hide his glare of jealousy as my sister went to check on her friend.

The warriors all stood around Rhys congratulating him on winning against one of the best warriors in the pack. I cleared my throat getting all of their attention.

I did my best not to look in Rhys’ direction as I spoke “That’s enough for today. We will get Kris to the infirmary and I would like you all to resume your duties around the pack.”

They all bowed their heads in respect “Yes Alpha.”

Soon the warriors dispersed leaving Selene, Lucas, Rhys, Kris, and I. “Thanks Ad, I’m going to get Kris to Nat, Rhys got him pretty good.” She smiled towards my mate who rubbed the back of his neck nervously.

“Sorry Selene, I uh didn’t mean to hit him that hard.” Rhys mumbled out.

Selene waved a hand “It’s no big deal Rhys, besides it’s about time someone knocked Kris on his ass.”

Rhys’ lips lifted slightly trying his best not to seem too amused by her statement.

“Well I better get going, Nat is waiting for us.” Sel huffs doing her best to support Kris against her.

“I’ll go with you.” Lucas pipes up moving to help Selene. He went on the other side of Kris to brace some of his weight. He offered a grin towards his mate..

“Thanks.” She says unsurely.

I bit back a smile watching them walk away. I could hear Lucas throw flirty comments towards Selene earning a dry and unamused response from my sister.

“They’re an interesting pair.”

I turned around to see Rhys still standing behind me. “They are. Complete opposites. It’s actually really funny.”

He looked surprised at the fact that I was speaking to him. I could see the light in his eyes, he wasn’t smiling but the happiness was there.

“Adira….” He looked like he couldn’t get the words out but I knew what he was trying to say. I couldn’t deal with this right now. I wasn’t sure I was ready for more heartbreak. It wasn’t hard to tell that Rhys is a perfect Alpha and I knew he wouldn’t want to give up his position for me. And I wouldn’t give mine up either. Not after all of my hard work.

“I’m sorry Rhys but I should probably go.” I cut him off taking a step back beginning to make my way back to the pack house.

“Adira wait.” He called out but I ignored his calls. I could feel my heart break as I walked farther and farther away.

A loud snarled rang through the air. I turned to see Rhys has shifted into his wolf and took off into the woods. My throat closed with emotion and I inhaled deeply. I couldn’t dwell on my emotions, I had a pack to get back to. They needed me more than Rhys.

The day had gone by quickly. It was filled with meetings, paperwork and visiting the town like I had originally planned. I met so many pack members, some had even expressed their concerns when they hadn’t seen me around for a few days. It made me feel good that my pack cared for my well being.

“You have a meeting with some of the locals from town tomorrow, they have some concerns they’d like to discuss with you.” Lucas explains as we walked towards the pack house.

It was nighttime and we had recently gotten back from our time around the town and I was exhausted. My bed sounded nice right about now.

“Got it. Anything else?” I yawned out walking up the stairs with Lucas behind me.

“Just some paperwork, a few other meetings, and maybe you talking to your mate?” He suggests avoiding eye contact with me.

I whirled around to look at him with narrowed eyes “What was that last thing?”

“Come on Ad, you should see that poor guy. He wants to make things right.” Lucas threw his hands up in the air in annoyance.

“Did he tell you these that?” I questioned crossing my arms. I knew Rhys, of course, didn’t. That man wasn’t exactly the type of guy to talk about his feelings.

“Well no…” He admits.

“Then I don’t have to.” I turned to make my way towards my bedroom.

Lucas grabbed my arm to spun me to face him again. He gripped both of my arms and bent to eye level with me “Adira. I would give anything to have my mate accept me. I’m in pain nearly every day knowing that my mate may never say yes to our bond. To see her, work with her, hell even training with her makes the hole inside of me grow larger and larger.” He huffed through his nose “You have a chance to be happy with your mate Ad. Don’t make him wait. And being a male wolf myself, I know Rhys wants to make this right. I know I would. Give him a chance.”

My heart ached for my best friend. I had no idea he felt that deeply about Selene. I’d have to talk to her soon. She couldn’t keep doing this to Luc, it’s tearing him apart. But he’s right. I’ll have to talk to Rhys sooner or later.

I let out a deep sigh and pried his hands off of my arms “Maybe. Why are you so adamant about this?”

Lucas cracked a smile “Because you deserve to be happy, Ad. You’re my best friend.”

I smiled up at Lucas “Thanks Luc. I’ll think about it okay?”

He held his hands up in surrender “That’s all I ask.”

I shook my head with a chuckle and entered my bedroom. Leaning my head back into the hard wood of my door I let out a deep breath. I needed to get that mate of mine out of my head.

Running a hand through my hair I began to go through my nightly routine. It didn’t take long and soon I was ready to lay in bed. My cotton sheets and feathered pillows sounded heavenly at the moment.

I froze in my steps as I emerged from my bathroom. I suddenly didn’t feel alone anymore. Glancing around my bedroom I didn’t see anything out of the ordinary. Everything was exactly how it should be. That didn’t stop the weird feeling that wouldn’t go away.

“You’re going crazy Ad. It’s that mate bond I’m telling you.” I grumbled letting my guard down shutting my light off and getting into bed.

“It’s all in your head.” I mumbled and shut my eyes letting myself drift off.

Pain.

That’s all I could feel as my eyes snapped open feeling the oxygen leave my body. A hand was wrapped around my throat, blocking any airflow. My body began to struggle, trying to get whoever was on top of me off. Fear began to envelop me as the thought of suffocating. If I didn’t do something quick, I was a goner.

My bedroom was dark not allowing me to see the face of my attacker. I had to do something. I was not going to die this way. Reaching my hands up I began to claw at my assailant trying to damage any area on his face. He was strong that was for sure but he couldn’t keep his hands on my throat and try to stop my claws from reaching his face.

I somehow managed to slice at his eye causing him to cry out in agony releasing my throat. I let out choking coughs and sat up. I tried to rise from my bed but couldn’t get to my feet and fell backwards onto the mattress. The man tried to come at me once more but stopped at the sound of banging on my door.

“ADIRA!”

Knowing he was about to be caught the man wasted no time in jumping out of my bedroom window causing the sound of shattering glass to fill the air. There was a loud bang that seemed to shake the walls as I was still trying to take in precious air not noticing the swarm of people entering my bedroom. My head was spinning and black dots clouded my vision. I couldn’t respond to the voices calling my name even if I wanted to. I thought I was going to be sick.

I felt the familiar sparks as large warm hands cupped my face. I looked up to see Rhys staring down at me with so many emotions in his blue eyes.

Worry, sadness, fear.

“Rhys.” I rasped out before collapsing in his arms allowing the darkness to consume me.