ALPHA

-Adira-

The morning light peaked in through the curtains shining into my face. Squinting against to block the sun’s rays I rolled onto my back and stretched. A chill ran over me as the blankets slid down my body reminding me that I was naked. Feeling my face heat up I recalled the events of last night. Looking over to my right my eyes took in the sleeping form of my mate.

Rhys was laying on his stomach with his arms wrapped around the pillow clutching it to his head. HIs mouth was parted slightly and his body lifted slightly with each breath he took. I’ve always enjoyed watching Rhys sleep, he was always much more relaxed when he slept. His face never held any confusion or uncertainty like it usually did, it was smooth from any worry lines and looked more peaceful.

I took in the smooth ridges of his muscular arms, the defined details of his back then all the way up to his tousled blonde hair that slightly covered his eyes. My mate truly was a work of art. I was lucky to have him.

Leaning over I pecked his cheek lightly before getting out of bed to get ready for the day. As much as Rhys and I wanted to stay under the sheets together and hide away from the world, we didn’t have that luxury. An Alpha’s job is never done.

My cousins were still waiting to meet with me and I couldn’t keep from them any longer. Groaning at the soreness in my body I quickly began my morning routine, starting with a much needed shower.

Once I was dressed and ready for the day I kissed Rhys’ lips gently and ran my hand through his hair trying not to wake him up. He needed more rest than I did; with one last look at my mate I left our bedroom.

‘Selene, bring Enzo and Gio to my office.’ I mindlink my sister as I walk towards my office.

Not looking where I was going I felt my body collide with another. “Oof.” I grunt, grabbing the arms of the person I had walked into. Erica’s blue eyes met mine and they widened in shock.

“I’m sorry Alpha.” She says pulling backwards while tucking a piece of her hair behind her ear..

I cleared my throat feeling awkwardness settle in “It’s no problem, I wasn’t looking where I was going.” I side stepped her continuing on towards my office before Erica’s raspy voice called out getting my attention.

“Before you go Alpha Adira, I hope Alpha Rhys has explained the situation.” She asked not meeting my gaze.

A sudden sense of protectiveness over my mate came over me and my stance grew stiff. “He has.”

“So you have to know there I feel no ill will towards your mating. Rhys and I were only engaged for the good of the pack. He’s more of a brother to me.” She explains sounding so sure of herself. From that I knew Erica was being truthful with her words. There was no sense of jealousy or malice towards me. I could see the longing and sadness in the she-wolf, not for my mate but to find a mate of her own.

With Rhys pack in isolation, it was impossible for wolves who’s mates weren’t members of the pack to find each other. If you didn’t find your mate in the pack, you didn’t find your mate at all. Erica had that same fear. Rhys was the closest she would get to finding her mate. Though is wasn’t entirely happy with it, I understood.

“Thank you Erica.” I wasn’t sure what to say in this conversation. How does the ex fiancee and the current wife of an Alpha have a simple non-awkward conversation?

Erica gave me a soft smile and nodded her head “I’m really happy for you both. I hope we can get to know each other Alpha Adira.”

Okay, she wasn’t making this awkward. I really need to get it together.

“I would like that Erica.” I smiled warmly at her before letting out a breathy laugh “I uh- should get going...” My words trailed off leaving an uncomfortable silence between us.

“Of course, Killian and Sam are waiting for me downstairs anyways.” She nodded her head and walked past me down the stairs towards the kitchen.

What the hell just happened?

I sat at my office desk trying to wrap my head around the encounter I just had and decided to just leave it be. I couldn’t hold a grudge towards Erica. You really need to be nicer Adira.

A knock on the door got my attention and Selene along with my cousins entered the room. Immediately a smile appeared on my face as I rose to greet Enzo and Gio.

Enzo was the eldest of the two, by only 2 minutes, and carried himself in a strong dignified way. He was more serious than Gio and tended to scold his brother more than a sibling should. Enzo had quite a temper on him and to get on his bad side usually meant big trouble.

Gio on the other hand, while just as dangerous and temperamental as his brother, was more of a goofball than the two. It was easier to talk to Gio as well, he was like an open book and wasn’t afraid to speak his mind.

“Gio! Enzo!” I embraced Gio first then Enzo who wrapped his arms around me and spun me around.

“Cugina, sei diventata così bella. La vita Alpha è adatta a te!” (Cousin, you have gotten so beautiful. Alpha life suits you.) Enzo says with a laugh kissing both of my cheeks.

“Look at you too! If you keep dressing like that, people will really believe you’re in the mafia.” I scold playfully tugging on their dress shirt that was unbuttoned just a little too low. Both men were dressed in expensive suits that looked more expensive than anything I had in my closet. While Enzo’s chocolate brown hair was slicked back giving everyone a good look at his green eyes, Gio’s longer hair was tucked behind his ears and curled at the nape of his neck. The years have really been good to my cousins.

Enzo and Gio exchanged looks before laughing off my statement. “You smell different cugina,” Gio begins with a tilt of his head, sniffing me before furrowing his brows “You’re fully mated.” It wasn’t a question more of a statement. I gulped nervously and smiled cheekily.

“Yes, I’ve found my mate Gio. You’ll get to meet him soon.” I say gesturing for them to come sit.

“Good. Gio and I will need to exchange a few words with him.” Enzo cracked his fingers before interlocking them behind his head “There are things he should know if he wishes to continue being your mate Adira.”

I rolled my eyes and leaned back into my chair “I’m not a child anymore Enzo, you two don’t need to chase the boys away anymore.”

“Ah but Adira, we’ll always be here to protect you. Even if the boy is your mate.” Gio smirked my way crossing one leg over the other.

Selene had placed herself against the wall near the door and watched the entire exchange with an amused grin. She was enjoying this way too much.

“I assume Lucas has gotten the same treatment?” I asked sweetly and held back a smile seeing Selene’s eyeroll.

Gio and Enzo let out booming laughs and nodded their head “That boy is too easy to mess with. You should have seen him cugnia, quasi si cagava da solo (He nearly shit himself!)” Gio wiped his eyes from the tears that came from his laughter.

“Oh laugh it up you two.” Selene grumbled fighting back her own laughter.

Enzo grinned and smoothed back his hair “So Alpha there is a reason you called us here, you said you needed our help with a prisoner?” He raised a dark brow making me sigh deeply.

“Yes. Earlier this week I was attacked by a pack member, if it wasn’t for Rhys he probably would have gotten away. He’s locked up right now but we haven’t been able to get anything out of him.” I say with frustration. No matter what Selene or Lucas did, Rodger refused to speak.

“Hmm, a stubborn wolf. What do you think he’s hiding?” Gio mused scratching the scruff on his cheek.

“Obviously the person who persuaded him to attack me. The man is a baker, cugino, why would he have any agenda towards me?”

“Looks can be deceiving Adira, the most innocent could be the most dangerous.” Enzo advises then sighed “Very well, Gio and I will do our best to get this man to speak.”

“Thank you Enzo, Gio, I didn’t know who else to turn to.” I admit with a shrug. Enzo rose to his feet and pulled me into a hug “That’s what famiglia is for cugina, you can always call on us. Us Angelos must stick together.” He shot me a wink making me chuckle.

The door of the office opened revealing my mate who seemed startled to see other people in my office. “Oh, I’m sorry, Ad. I didn’t know you were in a meeting.” He apologizes ready to close the door once again.

“Come in here idiot.” I say with a laugh moving to pull Rhys into the room to join us “I want you to meet my cousins.”

The smile that was once on my cousin’s lips were now gone and replaced by blank stoic expressions. Selene and I rolled our eyes. You could feel the testerone grow as the men sized each other up.

Rhys and the twins were the same height and the same build so a staring contest was the only leverage they all had over each other.

Males were strange creatures.

“Enzo, Gio, this is my mate Rhys; Rhys this are my cousins.” I gestured between the men. Rhys was the first to hold his hand out for Enzo to shake. The twins side eyed each other and gave a subtle nod.

Enzo gripped Rhys hand and shook it “You better treat my cousin properly, Rhys. If you hurt her, it’ll take more than your Alpha blood to stop us from hurting you.”

Rhys narrowed his eyes not liking being challenged by another male regardless if he was my family “Adira is my world. I wouldn’t dream of hurting her.”

“Good, you wouldn’t want my brother and I to pay any unwanted visits.” Enzo replied steadily, not bothered that he was provoking my Alpha mate..

I watched in annoyance as they both tried to keep a firm grip on each other, neither wanting to back down. I knew Rhys was trying to prove to my family that he was strong and worthy enough to be my mate but this was just idiotic.

“Okay that’s enough.” I say breaking their hands apart. Gio and Rhys shook hands quickly not bothering to try anything again in front of me “Now Selene and Lucas will show you to the cells where the prisoner is.”

Enzo nodded his head “Very well. Come Gio, it’s time to get to work.”

Gio rubbed his hands in excitement and his eyes were lit up like a child on Christmas morning.

“And Enzo,” I call out before the twins could walk out “Try not to hurt him too badly, we need Rodger alive.”

“No promises cugnia.” My cousin says with a wicked smile on his lips then shut the door before I could reply.

Oh goddess what have I done?

Rhys turned to me with a risen brow “Are you sure they aren’t in the mafia?”

“Very sure.” I deadpanned then wrapped my arms around his neck pulling him into a kiss “Hello.”

Rhys grinned and put his hands gently on my waist “You were gone this morning.”

I chuckled and nodded “I was because I knew if I didn’t get out of bed before you woke, you would have kept me to yourself all day.”

“I fail to see how that’s a bad thing?” He says with a shrug “I would have liked to continue last night’s events.” He tugged me closer and began kissing my neck.

“Down you brute. We have too much to do.” I replied lightly pushing on his chest. I knew our wolves were still in the first stages of mating. Our sex drive was in overdrive and it was difficult for us to keep our hands off each other. But with a threat looming over the Crimson Pack, our needs would have to be on hold for the time being. I would be lying if I didn’t say it was extremely challenging for us.

“Fine, but tonight, you’re mine again.” Rhys growls playfully kissing my mark and pulls back “Anything else on the agenda for today?”

I pursed my lips and thought for a moment “I do need to call Alpha Thompson again, we need to see if he can accompany us to your pack.”

“Right.” Immediately the stress of the situation appeared on his face. I put a hand to his cheek lovingly trying to provide some comfort.

“It’ll be okay Rhys. I promise.” I leaned up and pecked his lips.

“You’re right.” He breathed out and pressed a kiss to my forehead “Let’s make that call.”

Placing me on his lap and ignoring my glare as he did so, Rhys dialed the phone number. After a few rings the gruff familiar voice of River came from the speaker “Alpha River speaking.”

“You son of a bitch, when did you start answering the phone like an old man?” Rhys all but shouts into the phone making my mouth drop open in shock. Why the hell was he talking to the Lycan Alpha like that? My mate was asking for a deathwish.

“I see you got your memories back.” River dryly responds but I could hear the hint of amusement in his tone.

“Did you miss me River? I know you did.” Rhys smirked, shooting me a wink. What the hell was happening? River must have been telling the truth when he said he and Rhys were old friends.

“Of course.” The Lycan’s sarcastic response made Rhys’ pout slightly “I think I prefer when you were a jealous asshole. Is your mate there as well?”

“Hello Alpha Thompson.” I say to the speaker “Thanks for the heads up by the way.”

I was sure River knew about Killian and the rest coming to the pack. He had to have been the one to tell them where Rhys was. A warning would have been nice.

“Ah I take it, Killian arrived to your pack?” He inquired. Of course the bastard knew what I was talking about.

“Yes, it was quite the surprise.” I answer with a huff.

“I did try to tell you, multiple times. If I recall, a certain Alpha female kept hanging up on me.” River hummed then tsked “Oh well, what’s done is done. Was there another reason for your call, I am a very busy man.”

“Actually River, you were right about something strange happening with the Crimson Pack.” I say hoping we could get the Alpha Lycan’s attention.

“Oh?”

We had his attention now. River liked order among his packs and did his very best to keep that order. Any disturbance had his immediate focus. There was no way he could say no to us now.

“River, it’s Victor. According to Killian, he’s been the one causing problems with our borders and I believe he’s turned to witches to help him. We’re leaving tomorrow for the Crimson Pack.” Rhys says tightening his hold on my waist.

“Victor? It’s been years since we’ve had an incident with him. Why is he choosing now to do anything?” River mused sounding perplexed “It’s a problem if he does have witches on his side. The last battle that involved them wasn’t a pretty one.”

“That’s why we called you River. We’re going to need your help.” Rhys and I exchanged unsure glances, there was a chance the Lycan wouldn’t be able to join us in visiting the Crimson Pack. If we didn’t have him, we stood no chance against witches. I held my breath hoping for a good answer.

River deeply sighed into the phone and was silent for a few moments. I knew he was thinking to himself. There could be a chance we were wrong about the witches, afterall all we had was Killian’s word. It might not be enough to convince the Lycan. “Okay. I will gather some of my own warriors together and we will meet at the Crimson Pack. If there are no signs of Victor or any of the coven, I will have to return to Windpaw. I cannot leave my pack unattended for long.” He says with finality.

It was better than nothing. I let out the breath I was holding and leaned back into Rhys feeling much more relaxed than before “Thank you Alpha.”

“Don’t thank me yet Adira.”

We'll finally get to see more of River! I know a lot of you have some theories about him so I can't wait for you all to get to read more about him in the future!

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