THE ALPHA WHO DIDN'T BELIEVE IN MATES

Chapter 3

The Cathridge Stronghold seemed more like a fortress than a simple residence. It was a brainchild of a distrustful architect who was fortunate to have an unlimited budget. As their armored SUV rumbled through the main gates, Phiona couldn't help but notice the perimeter guards. They were intimidating, like wolves dressed in tactical gear, their eyes reflecting the darkness, and their pulse rifles aimed at the approaching vehicle. It was only when they recognized Conrad behind the wheel that they lowered their weapons. Inside the SUV, there was an oppressive silence. It was suffocating.

The air was electrufied with the smell of ozone and the after smell of the missiles, mingled with the heavy raw energy of their bond.

Conrad's hands were tightly fixed on the steering wheel so hard it seemed to whimper under the strain of the leather.

Since their narrow escape from the plant, he hasn't uttered a word.

He parked the car in a secluded underground spot.

"Get out," he ordered his voice razor-sharp with authority.

Phiona remained still, gripping her side where a fragment of shrapnel had nicked her ribs. The wolfspane from her own kit was causing a dizzying effect,but she was determined not to display any vulnerability. "So what's next? You're going to toss me into a dungeon? or do you just bypass all that and head straight to the execution for trespassing?" With a slow turn of his head, Conrad's head met the faint garage light. His typical grey eyes now mirrored the hue of liquid silver.

"Phiona," he uttered, his voice chilling at his stare.

"If i wanted you dead, I'd have abandoned you to the Moonlight pack fiery wrath. Get moving. Immediately."

Without hesitation, he moved. He stepped out, circling the car, and swung her door open. As he extended his hand to her arm, Fiona recoiled slightly. But as soon as his fingers met her skin and a powerful wave of pure energy coursed through her, it was merely physical. It was as if he was transmitting a torrent of emotions - his anger, his bewilderment, and a frighteningly potent protective instinct that caused her breath to catch in her throat.

Guiding her gently, he took her through a secluded elevator up to his personal haven - an enormous, open-concept workplace nestled on the topmost floor. There was a chill in the air, the room being dominated by a touring server racks, interactive holographic maps, and towering windows that provide a panoramic view of the tempestuous forest outside.

"Nathan!" Conrad shouted, just as the elevator doors closed with a soft hiss.

As Nathan steps out of the murky gloom of the workstation. "Conrad, the council in turbulence. The blast at the plant was detected by the federal sensors. Now they are asking for.....answers. " Nathan halted abruptly when he saw Fiona. His nose quivered. His eyes widened in surprise. "Alpha, who is this? and why does the air in here carry a different scent?"

"Don't utter a word!" Conrad warned with a gruff whisper. He saw her as an unwanted outsider, a thief, a liar. Right now, Phiona is the only one who knows how the moonlight pack managed to slip past our protective networks.

Nathan murmured quietly, paying no mind to the cautionary signs. "She's your match. The aroma is unmistakable. The entire floor will be aware within a matter of 10 minutes.

Phiona leaned against a desk, struggling to remain on her feet. "Listen, Nathan, I don't have a heart. I don't belong to anybody. Your Alpha is simply coming with terms that his DNA isn't quite functioning as it should."

With a force that echoed like a gunshot, Conrad brought his hand down on the desk next to her. "Enough!" he commanded, Nathan fetch a proper medical kit. Not the makeshift ones we use in the field. And secure this floor, I don't care if it's the council or the guards. No one is to come up here."

As Nathan quickly disappeared, Conrad turned his attention back to Phiona. His eyes fell on the blood seeping into her dark tactical shirt. Silently reached towards the bottom of a shirt.

"What are you up to?" she sharply questioned, swatting his hand aside.

"You've been injured, my touch will conceal your scent, but if that wound becomes infected, the Moonlight back will pursue the smell of your blood like sharks on a hunt. Please take a seat."

He gently helped her into a plush leather chair. Despite his cold words, his touch was unexpectedly tender. When Nathan came back with the kit, Conrad accepted it and briefly sent him away with a slight nod. Then the Alpha of Cathridge - the man who declared that he only believed in logic - humbly kneeled between Phiona's knees.

He carefully sliced through the material of a shirt using surgical scissors. The injury was a rough rip along her rib cage. He sucked in a sharp breath upon noticing the soft purple discoloration surrounding the edges.

As he started tending to her injury, the sharl sting was almost unbearable. But as Conrad worked on her, Phiona began to feel an unusual sensation. The pain was gradually fading away. She glanced down and noticed his other hand positioned firmly on her thigh.

Unknowingly, he was absorbing some of her physical pain through their connection.

"Why are you doing this?" she inquired, her voice losing its protective tone. "You despise the very thought of me, I'm nothing but a burden to your 'machine'."

Conrad barely raised an eyebrow as he said "Indeed, you're an unexpected surprise, you're like a living breathing loophole in my security plans," he paused for a moment, his thumb gently brushing her skin, a touch that sent a warm ripple through her. However, you mentioned something about the Moonlight Pack 'wiping out' wolves. My team found the deserted camp just last week. The residents were still alive, but they were.....vacant. Their wolf spirit had disappeared their bodies lingering on without them. If you know anything about this, then you're the most significant resource we have in this area, but if you don't, well, you know...."

"Is that all there is to me? Just a valuable resource?"

Conrad finally lifted his eyes to meet her their proximity to dangerous temptation. He was close enough for her to feel the heat radiating from his body, close enough for her to see the emotion in his eyes. "Right now, Phiona," he said, his voice heavy with emotions. "You're the only thing that's keeping me sane. My inner wolf wants to keep you as mine. My mind is filled with questions only you can answer, and the Moonlight pack? they are determined to erase you from existence."

He rose to his full height, towering over her. You will spill everything you know about their leader to me, you explain why you were present at the plant and then," he leaned in closer his voice filled with a dangerous promise "we will work out a way to shatter this bond before his shatters my pack."

Fiona gazed at him, her fiery amber eyes radiating defiance despite her frail condition. "You can't shatter what the moon has forged Conrad. Even a so-called 'King of Logic' should understand that."

Out of the blue, the room's holographic table blared a piercing alarm. A video feed flickered, unveiling the blurred image of a man donned in a crisp white lab coat. He towered menacingly over a caged wolf.

"Alpha Conrad," the voice rang out, haunting and mocking. "Ah, so you've at last found your beloved Queen." Conrad didn't get what he meant by 'Queen'. "We originally intended to let you hold on to her a little while longer. Unfortunately, we need her for our grand finale. Hand her over, or we'll show the world what happens when an alpha weakness is laid bare."

The screen showcased an overhead view of the Cathridge Stronghold, as seen from a satellite with a laser-like red marker highlighting the precise location of the room they were currently in.

Conrad remains steadfast. He strolled over to the eyes with the camera. "If you're after her, then come on, but let me make one thing clear I don't buy into the concept of mates. I believe in nothing but scorched earth behind, and if you barely a finger on what's mine, I promise you I will reduce your world to nothing more than ashes."

He turned off the feed, and immediately, the room was engulfed in a profound silence.

Phiona mustered the strength to get back on her feet, her legs were shaky, but her spirit remained intact. You've just declared ownership over me, she declared confidently.

Conrad was completely mesmerised by the endless, enchanting stretch of the ocean before him. His face hardened into the stern, resolute expression as he started to speak, "Phiona, in a world of so many mysteries the best way to protect a secret is to make everyone believe it's the most dangerous thing you possess. You'll stay here under my watchful eye and protection."

"What if I refuse?"

"In that case, both of us will be doomed." he said matter-of-factly,"but dying isn't on my agenda today."