ALPHA

-Rhys -

The strong smell of something burning filled my senses followed by the pungent iron scent of blood. The urge to open my eyes came but felt myself unable to. There was an intense pounding in my head that throbbed harder with each passing moment.

Screams and the sound of snarls echoed in the distance making me know that this was no accident. We were under attack. I needed to get up but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t will my body to get off the hard ground I was laying on.

What the fuck was wrong with me?

“Rhys?! Thank God!” A familiar voice says over my body. Who was that? His name was on the top of my tongue but I couldn’t remember. Why couldn’t I remember?

“Hey man, we need you to get up. The pack is under attack.” The man above me was desperately shaking my body.

“Did you find him?” Another voice called from the distance. Sam. I recognized his voice instantly.

“Yeah. Sam go and try to find the pack doctor. See if she’s still alive! Looks like Rhys needs help.” He ordered. I could feel him check my pulse “Okay you’re alive. Fuck Rhys. We kinda need you-Oh shit- SAM!” A cry of pain came from the man at the sound of multiple growls followed by a high pitched yelp.

Instantly I could feel the sever in the bond, Sam was dead. My wolf howled in my head in agony at the loss of my best friend, my brother.

“Come on Rhys!”

My eyes snapped open to see a pair of dark brown eyes looking down at me. “Fucking hell Rhys! You scared the shit out of me.” He pulled me into a hug.

Killian. My best friend and Beta.

“What’s happening?” I demand coarsely. My voice was dry and rasped when I spoke.

Killian’s face turned dark with anger “We have no idea, they came out of nowhere. The pack was unprepared.” His dark hair was matted and covered with dirt and what looked like blood. He was a mess.

“Any survivors?” I asked allowing him to help me to my feet as I glanced around at my pack burning right in front of my eyes.

“Not that I know of. The pack connection is all screwed up. We need to-“ Before he could continue his eyes widened in fear at something behind me. Suddenly he pushed me out of the way just as a wolf came leaping towards from behind.

It’s large body crashed into Killian’s instantly dropping to the floor. The wolf’s mouth was instantly on him, tearing through flesh and ripping his body apart. Killian’s screams of pain rang through the air, a sound I’ll never forget.

I felt red hot anger burn through me. Unable to control myself I shifted into my wolf and charged towards the assailant.

“No Rhys!” Killian managed to rasp out, blood trickled down his chin.

I halted in my steps and let out a wine. He shook his head “Run Rhys. Get out of here!”

I growled letting him know I wasn’t going anywhere. Killian let out another scream of pain as the wolf continued his assault. With one last look of desperation Killian gave his final order.

“Go Rhys! Now! Run!”

I gasped and sat up in my bed with my chest heaving. A sheer layer of sweat covered my body reminding me of the intensity of my nightmare. Or was it a memory? I couldn’t tell but I knew it was a glimpse of my past.

I felt a tearing pain rip through my heart at the realization of what truly happened to my pack, to Sam, to Killian. My brothers and my family were truly gone.

Knowing I couldn’t stay in here I rose from my bed and briskly left the confinements of my bedroom. Deciding to get a glass of water I made my way towards the kitchen, not paying attention to my surroundings I collided with a body.

“Oof-hey watch it.” The voice whispered into the dark.

“Selene?” I asked raising a brow surprised to see her awake at this hour. She was wearing nothing but a large t-shirt that reached her mid thigh.

“Oh shit. Hey Rhys!” She replied nervously avoiding my gaze.

“Hey?” I crossed my arms “What are you doing?”

“Just heading back to my room.” Selene replies still not looking at me.

“Isn’t it back that way?” I pointed to the door of her room that was behind her.

“Oh right.” She laughs nervously “Well you see I was just going to-“

“See Lucas.” I finished for her trying to hide my grin. It was amusing to see Selene so flustered.

“Damn it Rhys. Wipe that smile off your fucking face.” She snarled in annoyance “I wasn’t going to go see him.”

I chuckled and ruffled her hair “Sure you weren’t. I’m happy for you Sel. Now get going, I’m sure Lucas is waiting.”

“Shut up.” She grumbled with a blush on her face and continued on her way to Lucas’ bedroom without another glance towards me.

I chuckled and shook my head. It’s about damn time.

Now alone I could feel my thoughts of my nightmare consume my head once more. The pain in my chest returned and I knew it was my wolf and I mourning our loss.

As I walked I passed by the large wooden door that I knew my mate was residing behind. Adira had finally moved back to her bedroom since the last attack a couple of weeks ago and we hadn’t had an incident since.

A new feeling of longing replaced the loss in my body as I stared at the door. I needed my mate, only her touch, her scent, her words, could comfort me.

I remembered the events that occurred earlier today regarding our date and a smile tugged on my lips.

“Go on a date with me?”

Adira’s eyes widened in surprise and I instantly felt regret come over me. Shit, shit, shit. It’s too soon. I’m going to scare her off.

Nice job idiot.

“Like a date, date?” She questions curiously.

Unable to help myself a laugh escaped me “Yes, love, a date, date. You, me, dinner, the whole shabang.”

“The whole shabang huh?” She was smiling. That was a good sign. Maybe I didn’t screw it up.

“Okay fine. I’ll go on a date with you. Only after the Gathering of Alpha’s. I don’t want any distractions for my first date.”

“Wait, your first date.” There was no way Adira of all people has never been taken out. I could feel the primal side of me growl in satisfaction knowing my mate was pure in every way. She was all ours. Fuck that was hot.

“Hey Ad, we have another meeting we need to get to.” Lucas says interrupting our conversation.

“I better go. See you later Alpha.” She winked towards me before she was whisked away by her beta.

The mere thought of that encounter made me want to go into that room with no other thoughts.

But I couldn’t go into her bedroom while she slept, it would be creepy. Right?

Fuck I needed to see her though. Putting all sense of reasoning behind me I opened the bedroom door and quietly entered.

The sound of pained whimpers met my ears and my feet quickly led me to the side of the bed where I spotted my mate curled in a ball. Her eyebrows were scrunched and the occasional whimper left her mouth.

She was having a nightmare. I wasn’t sure how to help without waking her up.

“Rhys, help.” She murmured in her sleep.

Fuck it.

I knelt down and put a hand on her forehead and pushed her hair away from her face “Adira, love, wake up.”

It took more seconds of speaking her name to finally wake her up. Her green eyes snapped open and a gasp escaped her mouth. She stared at me blankly before blinking her eyes “Rhys? What are you doing here?”

“I heard noises from outside your bedroom, I came to make sure you were okay.” The lie escaped my mouth but I didn’t want to tell her I came to see her while she slept.

Fuck I was a creep.

“Oh.” She murmured before sitting up. Her eyes searched me as if she knew something was wrong, “What are you doing up?”

I smiled ruefully “You aren’t the only one who had a nightmare tonight.”

A frown etched its way to her face then took ahold of my hand and pressed a kiss to my palm “Do you want to talk about it?”

I shook my head “No. Not right now.”

She nodded understandingly “Okay. When you’re ready, I'm here.”

I smiled softly then pressed a kiss to her forehead “Goodnight Adira.”

Pulling away I began to make my way towards the door when I felt a tug on my hand. Turning around in confusion I saw my mate staring at me “Stay.”

“What?” Surely she wasn’t asking what I thought she was. A sense of excitement came over my body as the thought of spending the night with Adira.

“Stay here with me. Seems like we both need each other’s comfort tonight. So come on.” She patted the spot next to her with a blush on her face.

Knowing this is probably my only opportunity to sleep next to my mate until we were fully mated, I quickly got into bed resulting in Adira letting out a soft laugh.

Unable to help myself I pulled her into my arms. Loving the way that she fits perfectly into me, I clutched her closer. Adira snuggled her head into my chest and sighed contently.

“I care about you...a lot.” Her admission sent shivers of pleasure through me. Her statement held a deeper meaning I knew it was her own way of admitting her feelings to me.

“I care about you more than you’d ever know, Ad. You’re everything to me. My sun, moon and fucking stars.” I breathe into her hair. The words rang truer than anything I’ve ever said and I hoped she knew that.

“I’m glad I found you Rhys.” She murmurs sleepily.

“I’m glad I found you.” I kissed the top of her head and ran my hand down her face memorizing every little detail about it.

I knew what this was. We weren’t merely cuddling, we were supporting each other. I needed Adira as much as she needed me and in this moment I knew we’d always hold each other up. She’d make me stronger and I would do the same.

I love her.

The words here on my lips but I was aware that it was too soon. I couldn’t scare her off when I just got her back. I would wait until the moment was right, even if it took a thousand years.

Anyone else loving these sweet moments between Rhys and Ad?

What do you guys think about seeing a glimpse of Rhys’ past? Any theories? I’d love to hear your thoughts/comments!