Chapter3 - Car Rides and Alpha Blood
818 Words
“When we get there, you need to let me do the talking.”
“What? No way!”
Dylan touches his fingers against his forehead as if I’m giving him a migraine.
Rude.
“Jo, they are expecting to be dealing with me, a grown man, not some tag-along little girl.”
“What grown man? I don’t see any in this car.”
His cheek twitches in annoyance.
“And I am not a little girl!” I jab his arm sharply.
He smirks. “See, such a little girl that didn’t even hurt.”
“f**k off.” I spin toward the window, wishing I’d ridden with literally anyone else. If Mom hadn’t clung to me in one last hug, I’d be the one driving. But Dylan had snatched the keys first.
He's the worse.
“Dylan, you know I’m an Alpha’s daughter, right? I outrank you.”
He lets out that arrogant laugh of his. “Which means you’re nothing but bargaining material for your father. Maybe you’ll make a decent Luna, once you grow up and fill out a bit.” His gaze drops to my chest pointedly. “Might help if you lost the attitude too.”
Heat prickles across my skin. My arms cross instinctively over my chest. “I’m never going to be just a Luna. I’ll be Alpha. Your Alpha.”
He barks out another laugh, wiping at imaginary tears. “Girls don’t become Alphas, Jo. Not ever. Shame your dad only got a tiny girl instead of a real heir.”
Something in me snaps. For a heartbeat, I forget we’re in a moving car, and my fist slams into his jaw.
“Damn, Jo! I’m driving!”
“Talk like that again, and I’ll make sure you can’t speak again,” I hiss, teeth gritted.
He grins, rubbing his jaw. “You’re a handful. I truly feel for the guy who mates with you.”
“And you’re an ass. I’m sure the moon-goddess doesn’t hate any woman enough to stick them with you.”
He just shakes his head and flips on the radio, drumming his fingers to some beat like he hasn’t just insulted my entire existence.
I glare out the window. Who even needs a mate? Not me. If I must, it better be someone who wants me to lead. Otherwise, I’ll reject them without a second thought.
No one is going to stand in the way of me becoming the first female Alpha.
“Are we nearly there?”
“Yep. Right around this corner.”
The SUV pulls up to the packhouse where a small crowd waits. I hop out, ignoring Dylan, and extend my hand to the largest man.
“Hi, Alpha Richard. I’m Jolena, daughter of Alpha Aaron of the Rushing Waves Pack. Call me Jo.”
He glances at the woman beside him. “Nice to meet you. My Luna, Leann, will be happy to host you at the packhouse tonight.”
“Tonight? I thought we were heading out soon?”
Dylan struts up, hand extended. “Good to see you, sir.”
And just like that, I’m invisible. Alpha Richard greets Dylan with a firm handshake, while Leann curls her soft fingers around my arm. “It’s nice to have company while Richard is off fighting.”
The realization hits: Richard thinks I came here to sit around and braid hair while they risk their lives. My face burns. I yank my arm free under the excuse of fixing my hair. Dylan seizes the moment.
He grins and flings his bulky arm around my shoulders, making me slouch under his weight. “Actually, Jo is coming with us tonight.”
Richard blinks, but recovers quickly. “Well, that’s great. I’m sure Alpha Aaron’s daughter will be an asset on the battlefield. Follow me, we’ll go over the plan.”
Dylan bumps my shoulder as we move, muttering low. “Better prove yourself, Jo. Don’t make me regret sticking up for you.”
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We assemble in the clearing. Dylan barks orders, and the others fall in line. Everyone…except me.
I stand taller, jaw set. They can see him as the leader if they want, but I will show them who I am.
Stripping off my tank top, I shift. Raven-black fur ripples down my body, claws digging into the dirt. Small? Maybe. Weak? Never.
Dylan nudges me, voice low. “Easy, killer.”
“I’ll take it easy after we’re done.”
“Serious, Jo. Watch your back.”
“I can handle myself.”
The clearing hums with tension. My heart pounds, adrenaline surging. This is my chance—my moment.
I am Alpha blood.
I will prove it.
Here. Right now.
A growl rips through the night, deep and menacing. My ears twitch. My muscles coil, ready.
Then, the first enemy lunges.
- Writer
