The Alpha's Struggle

CHAPTER THREE

~Kace~

I made it my mission to ignore her from the moment I knew she was destined to be my mate. Sometimes it wasn't as easy because I could smell her everywhere. She was as intoxicating as the vanilla and amber scents that radiated from her. In the beginning, it was torturous then I got used to acting like she didn't exist and that's how I intended it to be.

" What the heck was that?" Reid asked as I was walking towards him outside the class.

" What was what?" I asked him back.

"You can be a real asshole sometimes."

"Let's just go," I said trying to change the subject.

By midday, all of my other classes were done. I met with Sonny and Graham in the hallway that led to the parking lot. Graham was handing out flyers and he handed me one too.

"What's this about?" I asked him as I began to read through it.

"A fundraising get together. "

"How will you raise the funds exactly?" Reid asked, "Sell lemonade?"

"No, asshole, there will be an entry charge, but it will be just as reckless as a normal varsity party except this one is for a good cause."

"You got me at reckless."

"Whatever makes you show up."

I stuffed the flyer in my bag pack and we began to walk out the hallway and to my car. Shortly after we met up with Sonny who was also handing out flyers. Before I could open my car door I felt a pair of arms wrap up behind me.

" Hey, where have you been?" I easily recognised the person by her voice, " I missed you."

"I was in class, just like you should be. "

She was taken aback by her response making her drop her arms. My decision not to have a mate didn't mean I never got involved with people. I met Natasha about a year ago the guys and I went out for a drink. I was feeling low about something, that I didn't quite remember anymore, and ended up telling her my entire story. A few drinks later she was waking up in my room next to me.

We continued to see each other after that. Our relationship was mostly physical but after a few months, I could feel that I wasn't completely happy and instead of leading her on, I decided to call things off. It also didn't help that I found out she was seeing another guy while we were together.

I turned around and let out a breath knowing exactly where this was going. " How may I help you today, Natasha?"

She looked at me flirtatiously. " I was wondering if you wanted to hang out today. "

She ran her finger slowly from my chest down to my abs and before she could go any further I grabbed her arm making her eyes widen a little. "Natasha, for the hundredth time, there's nothing between us anymore. "

She looked at me again still with a flirtatious look on her face. "

I could tell she was irritated by what she said when she looked at me grimly.

"Are you still in love with that human b***h?"

"Okay Natasha, " Reid stepped in between us before I could react, " you've said enough for today, don't you think?"

"Whatever, " she rolled her eyes and walked away.

Ried then tapped me on my shoulder."Forget her, let's go."

From the time we broke up, she had always tried to get to me one way or another and one way in which she did it was to always bring up how Sayd and I would never happen. Which I was okay with.

When she walked away, the guys and I proceeded to my car. I grabbed the handle to open the door without realizing I hadn't unlocked it and it broke off

" What the hell? " Sonny said looking down at my hand. "Does Natasha get to you that much?"

Frankly, I was as shocked as he was. Wolves were much stronger compared to humans and even much stronger when we were in our wolf forms, but I put no effort into breaking my door handle.

"That's just it, I just opened the door and it broke. "

"Maybe it's the Alpha strength kicking in, " Reid commented.

When he said that, I remained silent and I started to consider the possibility of why the door handle broke.

"Here, " I handed Sonny the keys," get in the car and open the door from your end. "

If my suspicions were at all real, then I had to visit my mother as soon as possible.

_________________________________________

I arrived in her driveway a few minutes after I dropped the guys off at home. I had already communicated with her that I would be coming over so she stood on the front porch waiting for me and smiled when she saw my car.

"My boy," my arms went around her petite body when hers went around my neck.

" Hi, mom. "

"You never come to visit your mother anymore," she complained when she pulled her way with her hands still on my shoulders.

From the evening sun, I noticed her once bronze skin was paler and she looked smaller than the last time I had seen her.

" Mom, are you feeling okay?"

"I'm fine my dear, " her lips stretched into a weak smile that didn't reach her eyes.

"Mom-," Before I could say anything else she gestured to her house.

"Let's go inside my dear. "

Deciding not to argue, I nodded and walked behind her. In all the years since we moved here, she had always maintained the order of the house. So it wasn't a surprise when nostalgic feelings came crushing. As I sat down on one of the chairs I couldn't help but think about how I didn't like coming here. It reminded me too much of the hardship we went through. The only reason I did come over often was for my mother.

She sat on the seat across me and I noticed her bones shake a bit as she did.

"He's dying isn't he?" I went straight to the point. She didn't respond immediately.

"That isn't such a bad thing, isn't it?" she responded.

"It is for you. "

A mate for wolves was like their other half. You could feel their emotions and sometimes their pain.

"I'll live," she smiled weakly again.

Unfortunately, my mother didn't get to reject my father before we left. Which was why she was going through so much pain.

"It's nothing serious, I'm just getting tired a lot," she added.

"Is that why am getting stronger?"

" Yes, it is, " she explained, "you are supposed to be the next alpha, your body is responding to the role."

" You will start to lose your strength though, when your father's reign as alpha comes to an end."

"Isn't that supposed to make me stronger?"

" Behind every strong alpha, there's an even stronger Luna," she explained. " You will be strong, but a Luna will make you stronger, just as she will be stronger with her Alpha."

"I see," was all I said.

I knew what she was going to ask me next so I waited for her to.

" Have you told her yet?"

Her eyes held hope in them, which almost made me feel bad for what my answer was.

"I told you before mom, I don't need her, neither do I care for her. "

" Kace Cohen," she sounded taken aback. " Never speak that way about a woman, especially your mate. "

I let out a breath and shook my head. " I apologise mother. But the point remains. "

"Are you ever going to allow yourself to be happy?" she complained.

"I am happy," I said immediately.

" No, you're not," there was sadness in her voice as she spoke. " You're always trying to take care of everyone. Me, your friends, even the mate you say you don't care about but stay away from to protect. I just wish you could be a bit selfish sometimes and put yourself first."

I didn't respond but looked away from her. I don't want to argue with her. This was all I knew making sure everyone was okay and in the process pushing them further away from me.

We both heard something click in the kitchen and she got up from her seat and her face lit up.

"My muffins are ready," she said walking to the kitchen. " Let me make you some tea. "