The Alpha's Unusual Mate

Chapter 7

***Rose POV***

"Look, I know what happened because I deduced. I didn’t actually see anything and I promise I won't go to the police. So please just let me go home. My roommate has probably already started freaking out because I’m not at home. And let’s not forget that you did break my door so if the cops were to go look, they would see signs of forced entry. Please, I have a life to get back to."

I started off all confident, but by the end of my little speech, I lost all bravado, and even I could hear the pleading in my voice. I didn’t like it. Black regarded me for a long time, struggling with something, before answering me.

"What life, Rose? You’ve been working at the same company since you left school. Sure, you’ve been promoted, but most nights of the week your boss keeps you busy well past office hours. That can’t leave you much time for anything else, can it? In fact, I would even bet that you have not had a boyfriend in many years. As for Sarah, she decided to stay at her friend’s house last night and has not even been home yet, thanks to some well-placed sedatives. That gave my team enough time to make you disappear. Sarah will find no trace of you at your place. We even left a note explaining your sudden departure."

Both of us were silent for a long time and I could feel tears forming, blurring my vision.

"I know how to cover my bases, Rose. This isn’t my first rodeo."

"Then why the hell am I still alive?" I didn't want to die, of course, but I was so confused that I had to ask.

"One moment I’m being clogged over the head, manhandled and thrown in a prison cell, all the while being told I will soon die. The next I'm given a room in this house, almost treated like a guest. Now you are talking about making me disappear!" My voice grew louder the longer I talked and by the time I was done, I was teetering on the edge of my seat, ready to jump to my feet.

"I don’t know, alright!"

Black threw his hands in the air and lurched to his feet, his chair skidding back until it hit the windowsill behind him. He ran his hand through his hair in frustration and turned his back on me. His shoulders slumped, and he rested his forehead against the window.

"Just go."

There was no need to tell me twice. Leaving his office quickly and quietly, I headed for the stairs again. By the time I got to the bottom, I was practically running and did not even pause to see if there were any people around.

I only stopped when I was a little way beyond the treeline. When the shade of the trees engulfed me, I stopped, and I stood with my now wet socks on fallen leaves and twigs.

I allowed myself to look back at the massive house and could see Dimitri and Alex standing in the garden in front of the house, looking in my direction. But they didn't come after me. Idly I wondered if Black had told them not to and a strange feeling crept into my heart.

I didn’t understand why it felt like there might be a crack forming in my heart, but I knew the thought of Black letting me go had caused it.

***Third-Person POV***

Dimitri and Alex came thundering into Black’s office, just as he expected them to. They understood even less than he did what was going on. What he did know was that he did not like watching Rose run away from him. He had watched her run through his front garden, across the gravel path and into the woods. Part of him wanted to help her escape, worried about her well-being.

Another part of him wanted to hold on to her and really answer all her questions, even the ones she had not asked. And the part that wanted to obey the laws of his people and end Rose's existence, became smaller and smaller.

‘What’s going on, Alpha?’

It was Dimitri who spoke. He was Black’s second and the closest he had ever gotten to having a friend. Dimitri knew how far to push against boundaries and knew when to keep quiet. Alex, although his third, was not as close to Black and kept his tongue. Most of the time.

‘She didn’t see anything. She is no threat to us, D.’

Black still stood with his back to the two men and spoke softly.

‘You know that is not a risk we can take. If the Council –'

‘f**k the Council, Dimitri!’ Black’s usual short temper snapped, and he turned on his second in command. ‘And who is going to tell them, hey? You? Alex here?’

He turned his black eyes on his third who immediately dropped his gaze.

‘You will say nothing. Do you understand?’ An otherworldly power seeped into Black’s voice and the two men immediately took a step back, bowing their heads.

‘Yes, Alpha,’ they said in unison.

Dimitri knew it was pointless trying to have a rational conversation when his Alpha was like this.

‘Good. Now leave me.’

They turned to leave when Black spoke again, ‘And D, keep an eye on her. Make sure she gets out alright, but don’t let her see you.’

He knew the use of his nickname would soften the command he gave his friend.

‘Sure thing, boss. I’ll let you know if something happens.’

Dimitri knew Black wanted to ask him to report back on how Rose was doing, but also knew he would not ask. The man was not ready to admit to himself or his friends he was developing feelings for the woman.