The Unmated Love

CHAPTER 2

[Jonathan’s POV]

I had just returned from my nightly run, wearing nothing but a pair of shorts, when I was met with a disturbing sight in the hallway: Alpha Kane was trying to strangle Leyla.

My eyesight went red, as I felt an immense rage course through my entire body. A loud growl erupted from my chest, deeper and more intimidating than ever before, which luckily caught their attention.

My muscles were already bulking from the run in the woods, but as my body tensed up at the sight of Alpha Kane trying to kill my beta, my muscles grew even bigger. My fists were locked, and I’m certain, my gaze shot daggers.

Alpha Kane didn’t move immediately, but as I stared him down, and he took in my appearance, he finally decided the safer option was to retreat. Which it definitely was. Had he waited a moment longer, I would’ve killed him on the spot.

He let go of Leyla and took a step back.

Leyla reached for her throat, as she gasped for air, holding a hand to the wall to keep herself steady. Her body was visibly shaking from the effort of staying on her legs, but she probably didn’t want to show any weakness.  It would be a classic Leyla.

 “I hope you understand that my beta is off limits, Alpha Kane,” I said through gritted teeth. I made sure to make it sound like the subtle threat, it was meant to be.

Alpha Kane was obviously not happy with the situation or the threats made, but he backed off, knowing that a move against me at this very moment would be a declaration of war. With a nod, he turned around and walked away.

I kept my stare locked on his back, following him to the end of the hallway, where he turned around the corner, out of sight. My body relaxed instantly, as I turned towards Leyla.

She hadn’t moved an inch, but her breathing had calmed down significantly. I took a step towards her, but she quickly put up a hand, telling me to stop. So that’s what I did.

“I’m fine,” she said, her voice coarse due to the damage done to her throat. Her posture said otherwise though. She was still shaking, her eyes were turned towards her feet and her neck was already turning blue, and so was her wrists. She still had a hand on the wall to steady herself, revealing the weakness she must’ve felt in her body.

“Look at me, Leyla,” I said gently, but she stubbornly kept her gaze turned to the ground. She clearly didn’t want to meet my eyes. I sighed deeply. “Leyla…”

Slowly, her eyes moved up to mine, meeting my gaze. Her eyes revealed her emotions; vulnerability, self-doubt and shame. It tugged at my chest. I closed the distance between us, and I pulled her in to a gentle hug, making sure I didn’t hold her too tight for comfort, the situation considered.

She let go and leaned into my hug, resting her forehead on my chest, as I stroke my hand up and down her back, comforting her. Slowly and steadily, her breathing became normal and relaxed, and her body stopped shaking.

Even though, she had calmed down by now, I didn’t want to leave her on her own. Instead, I took a step back and took her hand. “Come with me,” I said, and she met my gaze, no more hesitation, though she still seemed shaken. No wonder. A run-in with an alpha wasn’t something a lower ranked wolf would want to experience.

She gave me a quick nod, and I lead her down the hallway and up the stairs – the exact same way that Alpha Kane had left us earlier. As we stepped on to the second floor, the alpha floor, I felt Leyla stiffen behind me, and I squeezed her hand to comfort her and to remind her, that her alpha was here to protect her.

A few doors down the hallway, we finally reached my room, and I opened the door, letting her enter before me. I closed the door behind us.

My room was huge with a king size bed, a table with matching chairs and a big bathroom with a spa, of course.

Leyla stood in the middle of the room, taking in her surroundings with a lifted eyebrow. Just like me, she probably thought the room was unnecessarily big.

“Sit down,” I said, as I walked towards the bathroom. In one of the cabinets, I found the first-aid kit, which I brought back with me. I sat down on a chair next to Leyla, who had placed herself by the table, and pulled out a bandage for her wrists.

I simply gestured, and she knew to bring her hands forward. I gently bandaged her wrists for support. She didn’t say a word, but she still clenched her jaw in pain. Alpha Kane certainly hadn’t been kind to her. I could feel the anger stir inside my chest once again, when I felt a broken bone in her wrist. I didn’t let my anger show, since it wasn’t meant for her.  

“Your wrists will sting for a couple of days, but they should be as good as new after that. Same goes for your neck,” I said, while pointing towards her bruises, originating from Alpha Kane’s choke hold.  

“I know, Jon. I’ll be fine.” She said, sounding tired as the adrenaline left her body.

“You will sleep in my bed tonight,” I said, matter-of-factly, as I rose to my feet to put away the first aid kit.

[Leyla’s POV]

I was more than grateful to Jon, when he interrupted Alpha Kane in his attempt at violating or murdering me. Alphas could be so full of themselves. A rejection of their wants was like a personal insult to their honor, which some of the alphas didn’t take

In the moment, I had been absolutely terrified. I wasn’t used to be the weaker one, and I hated feeling weak, which I most definitely did in that moment. Of course, standing up to an alpha, unless an alpha yourself, was close to impossible. Their lineage made them immensely powerful compared to any other ranks, but still… Feeling weak left a bad taste in my mouth.

However, when Jon entered the scene, I felt nothing but relieve. He was the strongest alpha in the country, and no one in their right mind would go against him. Having my alpha by my side, made me feel safe. Protected. Not that I would ever admit to feeling vulnerable on my own.

I followed him into his room, though stepping on to the alpha-floor made me tense up, his warm hand in mine once again reminded me that I was safe, and I instantly relaxed.  

After he bandaged my wrists, and he began talking about me staying in his room for the night, I pushed my brakes and declined.

“I will not,” I said, furrowing my eyebrows in a wtf-kind of way.  

He stopped in his track towards the bathroom, still with his back to me, but he turned around his head, so I was in his line of sight. “Yes, you are. I need to know that you’re safe and well. I’ll sleep on the floor.”

I rolled my eyes. I couldn’t believe him. He was making a big deal out of nothing, and I hated nothing more, than to be pampered. It made me feel weak.  “That’s completely unnecessary. I’ll be fine on my own.”

He just shrugged. “That may be, but it would make me feel better, if you slept in here, knowing you’re safe. Otherwise, I wouldn’t get an hour of sleep tonight, so please, Leyla…” He said, as he continued towards the bathroom, putting away the first aid kit and returning to the room.

I opened my mouth, but nothing came out, so I closed it again. It was such a typical Jon-thing to do, his want to protect everyone, and even though I found it annoying, it was also one of the traits that I loved about him. I didn’t know, how to respond to that. All of a sudden, I felt lost. My brain just went blank.

He responded with a small knowing, but tired smile. “It doesn’t make you weak, Leyla. It’s not a weakness to admit that you can’t stand up against an alpha. We are alphas for a reason. You know that.”

I was kind of surprised by his words. He knew me too well. He had seen right through me. As if I was an open book. It made me feel weird, but I wasn’t sure, whether it was a good weird or a bad weird. I was just indecisive like that, when it came to my feelings.

He sighed, pushing his hand through his dark messy hair. I bit my lip in frustration. I hated, when he did that move. It drew attention to his muscular chest and arms, which kind of piqued my interest, in a non-innocent way. Even if he didn’t know it, he used his hotness against me.  It was honestly kind of rude, if you thought about it.

I snapped back to reality, mentally shaking my head and physically widening my eyes, as I realized, what I was thinking. God damnit, Leyla!

I decided to give in. How could I not, when he guilt tripped me like that?

“Okay… I’ll stay for the night.” I said, defeated, though I continued with more strength. “But you’re not sleeping on the floor. This bed is more than big enough for the two of us.”

He obviously relaxed, as I gave in to his request. “Thank you,” he said, followed by a serious yawn. Like always, my body mirrored his yawn, and I used the opportunity to stretch myself. I instantly regretted it, as I felt a stab of pain in my wrist, and I made an internal note not to do that again in the near future.

Jon began undressing, until he wore nothing but his boxers. As werewolves, we were used to nudity, but somehow it felt more intimate, when it wasn’t associated with shifting. I forgot myself, as I studied his muscular body. Mentally drooling at his muscles, working underneath his skin with every move he made.

Suddenly, the thought of sleeping next to this handsome creature, made my skin warm and my face blush.