ALPHA

-Adira-

I was going to kill Natalia.

My sister decided that she would storm into my office while I was on an important call with Alpha Jedediah and proceed to drag me out the room with no explanation once the call ended.

“Come on Nat, I still have work to do!” I exclaimed as my younger sister pushed me towards my bedroom.

“Your first date is in an hour and all you can think about is work?” She asked incredulously “And you call me a workaholic.”

We entered the bedroom where Emilia was waiting for us looking down at her phone seemingly impressed “10 minutes. That was pretty impressive Nat.”

Natalia did a mock bow “Thank you! Thank you!”

“You timed her?” I asked with slight annoyance.

“Well yeah! I thought it would take much longer to get you out of your office.” Emilia explained with a bright smile.

“Enough chat. We don’t have much time to get you ready and I told Rhys I’d have everything handled.” Natalia says throwing clothing at me. I caught the jeans and stylish top with a glare “Chop chop sister.” She orders with a clap.

An hour later I was blind folded and was being led through the pack by Natalia. Though I was annoyed it’s her I was thankful she picked a pair of booties for me to wear rather than any heeled shoes. This walk would have been much more miserable but that didn’t stop me from tripping every so often.

“Damn it Nat. Just let me take off the blindfold.” I growled out.

“Stop it Ad. We’re nearly there.” She replies slapping my hand away from the blindfold. Even though I couldn’t see her I could practically see her rolling her eyes.

“You know I could just order you to let me take it off.”

“But you won’t.” She instantly replied. Natalia knew me well. I wasn’t one to abuse my power but once I tripped on the gravel I contemplated it.

After a few more minutes of walking and complaining Natalia sighed deeply “We’re here! You can stop complaining now.” She huffed and proceeded to take off my blindfold.

Nothing could have prepared me for what I saw when I was finally able to see. My mouth dropped open and I felt tears well up in my eyes.

“Nat.” I breathed out, unable to hide my shock. There in front of me was my parents cabin. After months of being dark and somewhat abandoned, it was now glowing with all the lights from inside and outside. My heart began to swell with the memories of this home and of the time that my family used to be whole.

Natalia wore a bright smile on her face “I know what this cabin means to you, to us, it was perfect place for your first date.”

I wasn’t one for showing my emotions but I couldn’t help but pull Natalia into a tight hug trying to mask the tears rolling down my eyes. So much for the makeup “Thanks Nat.”

Natalia chuckled and hugged me back “You’re welcome. Now get in there, Rhys is waiting for you.” She carefully helped me wipe my tears before playfully pushing me towards the front door where I knew my mate was waiting.

It was a little too quiet when I entered the cabin, Rhys was nowhere in sight and I was a little worried.

“Rhys?” I called out wandering through the living room hoping to find out.

“Shit.” I heard a mumble and the sound of plates clinking loudly. I smiled graced my face as Rhys hurried into the room looking frazzled and nervous. Same here buddy. I would be surprised if he didn’t hear my heart basically beating out of my chest.

“Adira.” He smiled in greeting before his smile dropped. I frowned slightly as he approached me and cupped my face “You’ve been crying.” He stated rubbing his thumb across my cheek. My eyes were probably red and puffy. What a beautiful date I was.

“Oh.” I laughed in slight embarrassment leaning into his hand “They were happy tears. I’m fine, I promise.”

He sighed in relief and kissed my forehead “Okay. You look beautiful by the way.” Rhys pulled back slightly but never removing his hands “I hope you’re hungry. I’ve got dinner set up in the dining room.”

“I’m starving.” I replied just as my stomach grumbled “My sisters kidnapped me before I had a chance to snack on something.”

Rhys chuckled and grabbed my hand “Your sisters are something else. I had Selene accompany me today. You can imagine how that was. ”

“I was wondering where she was.” I giggled seeing his scowl.

We entered the dimly lit dining room and once again I felt tears fill my eyes. Rhys has set up dozens of candles around the room and table giving the area a romantic atmosphere. Our plates were set up at each side of the dining room table and a bowl of spaghetti sat at the center. It was perfect.

What the hell was wrong with me today? I knew the answer, my mate was being incredibly romantic and I had never felt anything like this before.

“What is it? Is it the food? Shit Natalia told me you loved pasta. I can try to make us something else. Let me see if there’s anything-“ I cut Rhys’ rambling off my bringing my lips to his.

It didn’t take long for him to kiss back then he gently pulled back from me “What was that for?” He asked “Not that I’m complaining.”

I laughed softly “It’s all perfect. This is perfect, Rhys. I love you.”

His eyes softened and he leaned down to kiss me once more “I love you. We should eat because if I keep kissing you I don’t think I’ll stop.”

“And if I don’t want you to stop?” I rose a brow teasingly.

A low rumble came from Rhys as he pulled me closer kissing me with so much passion I felt the breath leave my lungs. The electric tingles ran down my body and it felt like a fire was ignited in me as it always does when we kiss.

I was going to let him continue but we were interrupted by the growling of my stomach. My cheeks heated up in embarrassment and I momentarily cursed my body. Rhys pulled back with a chuckle “Come on, let’s have some food before your stomach eats itself.”

Dinner was going smoothly and conversation flowed naturally. Every moment with Rhys was so natural. He never made me uncomfortable and listened intently when I spoke. As if he was memorizing every little word I was saying. My heart swelled at the love I had for this man.

Soon we grew quiet and sat in comfortable silence together. I noticed the look of distress on his face. His brows were furrowed and he pushed what little left of his food he had around.

“Rhys? Are you okay?” I asked gently.

“I had another memory today.” He said pushing his plate away.

I wasn’t sure if these memories were a good thing or not. It seemed that every time Rhys had a memory, it would take a major toll on him.

“Do you want to talk about it?” The question left my mouth hesitantly. Like me, Rhys had a hard time expressing his feelings and thoughts, I wouldn’t push him.

His brows furrowed once more “I’m still trying to process things. I saw Killian again, we had a heated discussion.” Rhys grew quiet again before shaking his head “I don’t want to talk about this now. Tonight is about us.”

“Okay, you know I’m here when you’re ready.” I say smiling up at my mate.

Rhys stood to his feet and made his way over to me before kneeling by my chair. He took my hand and kissed my knuckles gently “I know you are. I’m so incredibly thankful for you Adira. I don’t know what I did to deserve someone as beautiful and extraordinary as you. I hope you know that I’m completely at your mercy. You are my greatest treasure.”

Rhys has called me his treasure multiple times but each time it seems to make my heart beat faster. It was nice to know we felt the exact same way about each other. He was my whole world and I loved him.

It was time to make the decision I’ve been so afraid to make ever since I met Rhys. But I was no longer afraid, this was something I was so sure of. I would let us be Alphas together. Delilah was wrong, I could trust Rhys. I do trust Rhys, more than anyone.

My gut told me I was making the right call.

I smiled to leaned down to kiss him “You are my treasure Rhys. I want you to lead with me. Be Alpha with me. There’s not a set way of doing this and I know other packs will think we’re crazy but you deserve to lead just as much as I do.” I say honestly.

Rhys was silent for a moment before he spoke “Are you sure Adira? You know I don’t care about titles, I care about you and you only. I don’t need to be Alpha.”

I smiled and put a hand to his cheek “I need you to be Alpha, you’re my other half. You were meant to lead as my equal. I care about you and your wolf enough to know we can’t deny nature for long. Be my Alpha.”

Rhys didn't reply but leaned over to kiss me deeply “Anything for you. We’ll do this...together.”

“Together.” I breathed out.

That night Rhys and I decided to spend the night in the cabin not wanting to leave this little bubble we were in. After dinner we spent the rest of our date exploring my parent’s home. I showed him where my dad would measure our heights throughout the years and the process of us growing up.

I told stories of the fights my sisters and I would have, the extravagant parties my mother would throw, and the training my dad put me through in the backyard. This home had my childhood and I was thankful for having shared this part of my world with Rhys.

I laid on his chest trying to let sleep consume me but for some reason I was unable to. There was something telling me not to close my eyes.

Knowing I wouldn’t fall asleep any time soon I gently got out of bed in my old bedroom instantly missing Rhys touch.

Glancing at the clock I noticed it was a little past 1 in the morning. Maybe some fresh air would help me with this strange feeling in my stomach.

The fresh Oregon air filled my lungs as I stepped out onto the porch of the cabin. It was completely dark and I could barely see past the tree line. It was slightly unsettling.

I sucked in a deep breath and relaxed my body. All thoughts of this past night filled my head. I knew I made the right decision with Rhys and when the time came after the mating ceremony I would introduce him to the pack officially and declare us both Alphas.

My father would be proud. He would like Rhys, I knew that for sure. They share similar traits especially when it comes to moodiness. I wish they could have met. I felt sadness come over me momentarily. I missed him.

“Papa I hope I’m making you proud.” I say quietly resting my hands on the railing of the porch.

The sound of a twig snapping broke me from my thoughts. Suddenly I was on high alert. There shouldn’t be anyone roaming this part of the pack, all patrols tend to stay by the border.

I scanned the trees trying to spot the source of the sound. I froze in fear seeing a pair of yellow eyes looking back at me.

“Rhys.” I think in my head before cursing. He hasn’t marked me nor was he apart of the pack. I couldn’t mink link him.

The wolf staring at me bared its teeth and stepped out of the woods. It wasn’t as large as me or Rhys for that matter but it was fairly large. I wouldn’t show fear, I was an Alpha. I was trained to protect my pack and that’s what I would do.

With a low growl I quickly shifted into my wolf leaping from the porch to meet the wolf head on.

Our bodies collided hard and I was momentarily left out of breath. The rogue instantly went for my neck and I knew it was here to kill me.

I avoided his mouth and snapped my jaw trying to get him to back away. We circled each other both letting out growls. I hope Rhys can hear this. I need him now.

I snapped at his leg trying to disable him. Biting into his leg he let out a howl and swiped at my face making me whimper but I refused to let go.

I managed to hold him for a second before he pounced on me. I whimpered as my back hit the ground hard.

He bent down and bit hard into my shoulder. I let out a loud howl and tried to use my legs once more to kick him off. The more I struggle the more pressure he added. I could feel his teeth dig harder and harder into my shoulder.

As I cried out in pain a loud roar filled the air and seemed to shake the ground. If I was human I would be smiling knowing what was about to happen.

Rhys.

It didn’t take long for my mate to appear in his full glory. Standing much taller than the wolf who still had my shoulder in his mouth and it was easy for Rhys to knock the rogue away from me.

The brown wolf tried to escape but my mate easily caught him by the neck and kept him in place. Rhys was applying more and more pressure, slowly killing my attacker.

I quickly shifted and did my best to cover my naked body “Rhys stop!”

His wolf turned to me with the other wolf still in his mouth but made no moves. His blue eyes studied my form to check for injuries before they landed on my bare shoulder that had blood streaming down my arm.

He let out a growl and tightened his jaw on the wolf. A whine left the rogues mouth and he struggled against Rhys.

“We need him alive for questioning Rhys. There’s obviously someone behind this, if you kill him you’ll get rid of our only chance at finding out who.” I plead “Don’t kill him.”

Rhys huffed and nodded his head but never let up his hold. I sighed out in relief and mind linked Lucas and Selene.

“I need you two to meet me at the cabin with your warriors. We found my attacker.”

So that was a lotttt! The story is slowly progressing and we are getting to the interesting parts! I hope you’re ready!

Ad has finally caught her attacker (maybe?) AND has decided she and Rhys will both be Alpha (we’ll see how everyone handles that!) This was a wild ride!

Let me know your thoughts! I’d love to know what you thought of this chapter!