The Alpha's pretend mate

chapter 19

AVELORA

I stood up and started walking toward him stopping just a few feet away, close enough to see the way his muscles tensed under his shirt. “You’re the only Alpha in the world right now, Khyrix. You could have any she-wolf you want from any territory, everyone wants you. You could wait for your fated mate. Your real one. Why would you create this whole ruse?"

He turned then, the expression on his face made me take a step back. He looked cold and detached.

"Fated mate?" He ran a hand through his hair, the gesture more frustrated than tired. "That would just be another way for the elders to control my life." He looked at me as if contemplating telling me more, before deciding against it. "I hate the 'fated mate' nonsense. Some perfect soulmate chosen by a Goddess?"

“Isn't that how it works?”

He stepped closer, invading my space until I was forced to look up at him. The sun was rising behind him, casting his face in shadow making him look even more imposing.

“I’d rather not be on the elders' leash, Avelora.” He reached out, his thumb grazing the line of my jaw. His touch was light, but it felt like a brand on my skin.

I swallowed hard, my voice barely a whisper. “So you’d rather have a fake one.”

“I’d rather choose my own cage than get trapped in one I can’t control,” he said, his voice dropping an octave. “With you, I know the terms. I know the cost. There’s no soul-deep bond to exploit. Just a girl, a contract, and a week-long bet she’s currently losing.”

I felt a pang in my chest. Was it disappointment? Or maybe just pity. “You’re so afraid of being hurt that you’ve decided to never be loved.”

His hand dropped from my face as if I’d bitten him. The mask of the smug Alpha slammed back into place instantly.

“I’m an Alpha, Avelora. I don’t need love. I need loyalty and a mate who can run a mile without collapsing.” He checked his watch again. “Your five minutes were up three minutes ago. We’re running the long way back.”

He was too good at changing the topic.

“The long way?” I groaned, looking at the steep trail leading back into the dark woods. “You are a monster. A literal, actual monster.”

He started down the trail, a dark chuckle echoing through the trees. “You didn't seem to mind the monster last night when you were holding my head in your lap.”

I felt the heat rush to my face, my heart skipping a beat. “I was making sure you didn't die and drag me along to hell with you!”

“Whatever helps you sleep at night, sugar,” he called back, already ahead of me.

Again with the nicknames.

And why did he mention the stupid bet when I wasn't even losing? He was frustrating, arrogant, and clearly broken in ways he refused to admit.

But even with my legs burning and my breath hitching, I couldn't let him have the last word.

“Wait for me!” I yelled. Surprisingly, he stopped.

I caught up to him, gasping. "I'm not losing the bet," I told him factually.

"Of course you're not." Sarcasm. This guy was actually growing a personality.

"Says you, Alpha," I mocked. I decided to push my luck. I needed to see if I could rattle him the way he rattled me. "Your wolf called me 'mine' last night. Isn't that your own thoughts bleeding into Torin?"

We had reached the door to his room by the time I said it. I definitely hit a nerve. He went dead quiet, his hand freezing on the door handle. He didn't look at me as he pushed the door open, the silence between us heavy enough to choke on.

"No, it was just Torin wanting to possess everything around us."

Wow. This was why he was a leader even if he thought the elders were controlling him. He was a good liar, and he didn't even need time to think about it.

"Wow," I said as he pushed the door open. I followed him in. "It was as if you didn't even need to think to lie."

He stopped again and I walked right into his back, my headache multiplying. "Please, tell me you stopped for a good reason."

"You are getting too comfortable," he murmured.

Yes, I had definitely hit a nerve. I bit my lip, walking away from behind him. "Okay. I think so too," I muttered under my breath, heading toward the chair to rest my aching back.

"Do you have to have the last word?"

I bit my lip again, looking toward the bathroom. "Are you using it first or should I?"

"I can wash up in the gym."

He was a jerk and knew exactly how to use our hierarchy against me, but he was also... considerate. He was halfway across the room when he turned around.

"The council meeting was rescheduled. It happens in two days, after the full moon party. Oh, and by eleven, Mina is going to be here for your measurements."

My mouth fell open before he even finished. "I thought we didn't need the meeting anymore," I asked, my heart thudded against my chest.

Fuck, f**k, f**k.

How was I supposed to face them? They were only going to intimidate me and tell Khyrix to break the bond. And how were we supposed to break a bond that never existed in the first place?

"Don't overthink this, Avelora. It is not a big deal."

I looked anywhere but his face. I couldn't possibly back out now. Facing my father was one thing, but the whole council of elders...

"Each clan sent one elder," he continued. "Only twelve will be present for the meeting."

"So, it is a big deal." I could feel my pulse in my throat. I wasn't ready to face elders from twelve different packs.

"Yeah, I am a pretty big deal if you haven't noticed," he deadpanned.

I scoffed. "Narcissism is not a good look on you, Alpha Khyrix."

This might be the last thing I said to him before he cut my head off, but he needed to hear it.

He gave me a pointed look, walking toward me with the confidence of someone who knew exactly what they were doing. I felt like he was going to just snap my neck and find another fake mate, but I wouldn't back away. I'd rather die with a little of my dignity left than be humiliated at that meeting.

The knock on the door stopped him in his tracks.

Great, right when I chose the best death.