The Rogue Alpha’s Claim

Chapter Three

He wants me

Jennifer's POV.

Sophie suddenly stood up from her chair and walked towards Cade, swaying her hips and smiling coyly at him.

“Alpha Cade. I'm sure we can resolve this matter in a way that's going to be fine for everyone. I'm Sophie Rowland “, she added, making sure we all heard the emphasis on her new last name.

“I'm Mark Rowland's Luna and the Luna in charge of this thriving pack”, she said, batting her eyelids and smiling brightly at him.

Alpha Cade didn't give her any attention and instead looked at Mark.

I watched Sophie's ego and pride deflate immediately.

“Mark, you know the rules. You're aware of the consequences of trespassing?”

The crowd began to murmur again this time softly and I could feel the fear behind it.

It was a duel and whoever lost that handed over his pack to his opponent to do whatever he seemed fit

And judging from all of this, Mark had a higher chance looking for some other option than not agreeing to that.

The time was ticking, dangerously against us. The wrong decision and we were all at the mercy of this strange wolf.

“He's a rogue wolf”, I heard someone whisper to her neighbor and they both shook their head.

My parents, my family, everything we'd struggle to build.

No!

My legs moved before my brain could think logically. I rushed out to the middle of the crowd where Alpha Cade stood with an expressionless face and fell to my knees in front of him.

I'd lost everything before and I wasn't going to let it happen again.

There was a collective gasp, a little murmur and everywhere went grave silent.

“Alpha Manuel”.

“Now who do we have here? Lift your face”.

I raised my face to look at his trying as much as possible not to tremble. His eyes searched mine and I saw something that looked like surprise and recognition in his eyes.

“I’m listening”, he replied after a pretty long silence.

"These people had nothing to do with that trespass. Whatever those men did, it wasn't the pack's doing. The families here — the ones at the edge of town especially, they can't survive a punishment that shuts down trade. Please.”

My father needed the inter pack trades to be able to put food and other things on our table.

If I could do anything to help, I would. I had nothing else to lose anyway except them.

“Jennifer, what are you doing?” Mark barked.

I kept my eyes trained on Cade's goatee instead of his face. He'd said nothing in response to my plea.

“Please”, I added quietly again, hoping he had a bit of compassion in his wolf.

“What is your name?”

I looked up at him, “Jennifer… Jennifer Thanes “

“Jennifer Thane….” He said as if weighing both the name and options in his mouth.

I quietly rose to my feet, looking at him.

“I'd consider your plea but on one option”.

“What is that?”

His grin spread even wider as he looked at me.

*You. In my bed”

A loud noise broke out from amongst the crowd around us. I glanced at a couple of people and saw my mother's friend shake her head in horror and disappointment.

I looked at Mark whose jaw was clenched and his eyes burning with fury, Sophie who had her arms wrapped around Mark's as a show of solidarity. Her eyes had gone pretty round at the announcement.

Alpha Cade stepped forward, staring down at me with a smile on his face

I felt a fury surge in my chest and I took two steps back from him, a deep frown on my face.

“I'm sorry, do you just collect women like trading cards or is this a special occasion?”

I heard someone gasp and I swallowed hard, suddenly realizing what I had just done.

Alpha Cade just smiled, his hands still relaxing in his pockets.

“Sweet. I love my women bold and”, his voice dropped a note down giving it this seductive appeal, “Reckless”.

Mark and Sophie walked towards us. Alpha Cade raised a brow at him and I looked at Mark.

It was almost like he was finding it hard to make that decision. I mean he'd called me a fool, what else did he need to sell me off to this stranger.

Did he pity me or my parents probably? I almost laughed at the thought of that, my tears welling up in my throat.

Suddenly Sophie reached out and grabbed my hand.

“Jennifer. Please, I know you're hurt but don't punish the rest of the pack for this. I agree we made a mistake, I made a mistake but don't punish the innocent because of that”.

She had tears in her eyes and her face crunched into this pitiful look. I blinked, remembering when I'd give in to that face and do whatever she wanted to make her happy.

Not today.

I yanked my hand away from hers and she stumbled back, startled and shocked maybe.

“Don't touch me Sophie!”

Mark glanced at me and then at Alpha Cade.

“You can take her. Let's keep the peace”.

Everywhere suddenly felt silent and I looked down at the ground, trying to will my wolf to remain still.

“No”.

My heart skipped a beat and I looked up. Alpha Cade’s face was blank and cold.

“I'm not an abuser, my women come to me willingly, Mark”.

I took in a deep breath and my wolf purred. I looked at Sophie who wasn't smiling and then at the man who was waiting for me to come to him.

This is for your family, Jennifer.

I scanned the crowd and I saw my mother's eyes. It was full of tears, I stared at her, trying to hold back mine.

If I stayed here, Sophie was going to make my life miserable. Everyone would taunt me and my father.

It was better being with the devil I didn't know that would uplift our status than the angel that had betrayed me.

“I'll go with you”, I said, staring defiantly at him.

His lips curved with a small smile and he leaned forward to meet my gaze.

“I knew you would”

I stared at his sharp almost vampire like canines as he smiled and imagined it on my neck while we mated.

I shook my head, pushing the thought away.

“What are you thinking about, butterfly?”

“This is just an arrangement of convenience. I'm not getting into your bed”.

He stared at me for a while and grinned.

“We'd see about that”.