Taming The Alpha's Daughter

The Aftermath

“When I went outside, it was completely quiet, not even the sound of birds. It was creepy as s**t. So I shifted and walked as still and slowly as I could, trying to listen for anything. I heard some rustling, like something running by a little bit away, but I didn’t catch it in time. I thought right then and there it had to be a rogue. What else could it be? If it was going to be one of the Alpha’s men, they would have just announced themselves and demand that I obey their orders.

“I walked over to where the noise came from, trying to get a look or even a sniff. It was so close to the house, and I knew you were in there. I needed to know who was trying to come for you. Who had your scent and was trying to take you from me. It was strange though. I could smell….. I could smell you. Lavender and vanilla. It was confusing. It enticed me, but made me want to run in the other direction because I knew you were locked away and this wasn’t you.

“As I followed the sound and smell, I heard a sound behind me. I turned just in time to see a smaller black wolf run by the house. Too small to be an Alpha or Beta or even Gamma. Hell, I would say too small to be an adult. This looked like a kid almost. It was so strange, gave me the heebie jeebies. I decided to follow it. And sure enough, that smell was definitely coming from the pup. It would jump behind trees and  rocks, it knew its way around the woods of Dark Moon. So if its not from around here, its been coming here for a while without being noticed.

“I followed it all the way to the border. It had somehow found a gap where there were no patrol guards. If I had not seen all this with my own eyes, I would not believe it. Not long after my dad came and found me there in the woods still staring at the border. I was just waiting for that pup to come back over.” Shawn stared off thinking about the events of the day before. 

We laid in bed together, him shirtless with one arm wrapped around me and the other behind his head. I laid with my breasts near his face, playing with his dark auburn curls, listening to him talk. 

His words chilled me. Who were these people?

Did Joshua contact a witch? Or was he hiring other rogues now? Child rogues?

But how did they get my scent? From Derek? Did Derek hate me so much that he sold me out to Joshua to try and lure out Shawn to get me?

It was all just so strange.

Suddenly I felt his hands glide over my hip.

“Are you ok, beautiful?” He asked looking up at me with concern.

I smiled down at him. “I have you with me, how can I be anything but ok?” I winked at him.

He wrapped his arm around my back and buried his face in my breasts, making silly noises. I burst into laughs. He pulled me onto him with ease.

“I like it better when you are sassy and feisty.. This lost in thought Xan is a very strange one.” He said. I laughed.

“Yea I miss her too.” I said looking down. All of the past weeks' events have kind of sucked the life out of me. I missed my old self too.

“We need to have a party like old times, but without everyone finding out about it.” He said.

“I wish.” I mumbled. I knew my dad wasn’t gonna let me anywhere near a party again for a very very long time.

“Hmm. We may need to wait on it. But I will figure something out to make you happy again.” He said staring up at me.

“Shawn, you always make me happy. You don’t need to try anything else.” I smiled at him.

His face suddenly looked distracted.

“What is it baby?” I asked.

“Pete wants to see you.” He said looking into my eyes. His playful spark was back thanks to a restful sleep. I leaned over and kissed him. Just because.

“Let’s roll then.” I smiled.

***********************

When we arrived at the hospital, I was nervous for what Pete would look like. Shawn assured me that Hadley said he was doing well, but we were talking about Pete. Besides my dad, he was the toughest guy I knew. Seeing him hurt would hurt me.

We went to the front desk and they told us the room number. I immediately recognized Curt, his dad and my dad’s Gamma in the waiting area with Pete’s mom, Lynn. They both hugged me and told me how glad they were that I was ok. There was a piece of me that wanted to apologize to them for being the reason their son was even here at the hospital. But I felt like if I had said those words, my world would have collapsed again and I needed to hold myself together right now.

Shawn stayed in the waiting area and I went into the room alone. He said he felt like this was one of those times that we needed privacy. I appreciated that.

I opened the door and immediately my tears fell. Not because Pete was in such a seriously bad condition or anything, his wounds had already begun to heal for the most part.

But because relief washed over me. There was my Pete. He was still my Pete. 

“Xannie baby.” He said, his voice gravelly and rough.

“Pete!” I walked quickly to him and hugged him the best I could with his bandages.

“Why are you crying? I’m fine. By tomorrow, I’ll be ready to go back to school. No p***y ass rogue is gonna do enough damage to keep me in the hospital.” He said, proud as ever.

Oh, Pete. 

“You scared me.” I said through my tears.

“ME? You run off and turn your damn mindlinks off! What the HELL were you thinking Alexandria? You scared all of us! You could’ve gotten killed and we would have no idea where you were!” He scolded. And for once, I will let him without arguing because I know he’s right.

“You’re right. I’m sorry.” I mumble.

He looks at me shocked. “What?! Can you repeat that for me please?”

“You’re right. I’m sorry.” I say louder. I look him in the eyes this time. “You saved me, Pete. Thank you.”

He stares at me, unable to figure out what to say. He’s so used to bickering with me and not just me agreeing with him. I lean over and just lay my head on his chest with my arms around his neck. I can feel my tears trickle down onto him. He slowly puts one hand on my head and the other on my arm.

“I love you Pete. Thank you.” I almost whisper.

“You never have to thank me, Xan. I will always protect you. Always.” He says, rubbing my head. “He didn’t die. He managed to get away. I feel like I failed you.”

A bolt of fear shoots through me, but I try to hide it. I don’t want Pete to feel like a failure. He risked his life for me.

“You did your best, Pete. What more could you do? He now knows if he comes back again, he won’t survive a second time.” I try to encourage. But I don’t believe it. After seeing how insane Dustin was last night, I don’t think he has any ounce of rationality left in him. And now Derek is dead, there is no one to talk any sense into him.

“I will do my best to keep you safe, Xan.” Pete says. I can hear the disappointment in his voice. 

“I trust you with my life, Pete.” I said. 

He placed a kiss on the top of my head before his parents and Shawn came into the room. His dad was really good at making everyone laugh so in no time he had all of us laughing.

Soon Bentley, Nicky, and Mar showed up. Mar gave me the biggest hug, apologizing over and over for not sticking with me last night. As if it was somehow her fault that Dustin showed up. I reassured her it was no one’s fault. If anything it was mine. I should have known better than to leave the safety of being around everyone. 

I was just happy to have all my friends there like old times. As much as I loved having my mate, and I wouldn’t trade Shawn for anything, I just wanted to feel like old times when it was the 5 of us. They were always my security and my little family. I hated that we were all growing up and drifting apart. 

But I loved Shawn. 

I guess I just hate change.

“They aren’t coming back to the school now though.” Pete said.

I had zoned out and missed what was being said.

“Good, f**k those assholes. Trying to kidnap our Alpha should be punishable by death.” Bentley said.

“So Shadow Heights are gone, rogues are gone. Things will be back to normal?” Nicky asked.

“No.” Bentley said.

“Why not?” Mar asked.

“Danielle is transferring. She’s gonna come stay with my family. She’s convinced her parents that she should be here.” Bentley said. He looked distressed.

“Well that’s a good thing, isn’t it?” I asked, finally tuning into the conversation.

He rubbed the back of his neck nervously.”Well, I hope so.”

“Oh it will be fine, Bent. Give her some credit!” I said happily.

I wish I could go back and punch myself in the face for even thinking that.