The Alpha's Unclaimed Mate

Chapter 1 The Night the Forest Answered Me Elena “Don’t try going near the forest tonight, Elena.” I snorted like she doesn't know what she was talking about, carefully tightening the scarf around my neck. “I remember you’ve been saying that ever since I was ten, Maribel.” Maribel crossed her arms like one ready to fight me to obey her instructions, lantern light illuminating her wrinkled face. “And I can also remember that since you were ten, you’ve had no fear, not even once. That forest is restless, you should be aware of that.” “Forests don’t get restless, and we both know that,” I said, forcing a smile as I slowly stepped out of her doorway, giving her space to move. “Only people do.” She grabbed my wrist suddenly, something I didn't see coming. Her grip was stronger than it looked, and to say that I was shocked was saying the least. “Listen to me carefully. The moon is wrong tonight, and should be avoided” I glanced up, literally watching to see what the moon had done wrong. The moon was above us, swollen, yet glowing silver-white, almost… like it was watching me. Then, my scar seemed to get prickled beneath Maribel’s fingers. “I’ll be fine,” I said, gently pulling free from her iron grip. “I’m just going to check only the traps near the edge. I’ll be back before dark, as always.” Her eyes searched my face fro some seconds, sharp and uneasy, like she wasn't satisfied letting me go. “You always say that all the time.” “And I always come back each time I say them,” I replied. Of a truth, I had no idea why my heart was already racing as I walked away from our house, but I still went anyways. >>>>>>>>>> The sudden howl cut deep through the air, which happened barely ten minutes that I arrived the forest. I froze in shock. I noticed It wasn’t the usual distant cry that most of the villagers had collectively blamed on wild dogs. This was much deeper, and at same time, powerful. It rolled all over the forest, even through my bones like thunder. “Okay,” I whispered to myself, as a way of calming myself down, my breath fogging. “That’s totally new.” I should have turned back, and returned home immediately. Every warning I had ever heard about the forest suddenly started echoing in my head. But the weird sound pulled at me...and it seemed it was actually tugging at something deep inside my chest. Seconds later, another howl followed, but this time, closer. “Don’t be stupid,” I muttered to myself, my eet already moving toward the forest’s edge, but I still moved. The deeper I went into the forest, the louder my heartbeat became. “Hello?” I called out, my voice sounding very foolish, way too loud. There was silence all over, and no one answered me. Then I heard it...heavy breathing, but it wasn't human. I turned slowly, every nerve in me screaming. But he stepped out of the shadows, and I was able to see it very well. It was a massive wolf, the jet black fur kind streaked with silver, its eyes glowing like fire. He was very beautiful in a terrifying way, too big, and too awarenof his environment. I staggered back as I tried to get hold of myself. “No. No, no, no...” Then, the wolf’s gaze locked onto mine, and st that moment, the world… stopped. Even my lungs forgot how to work. Heat spreading through my chest, sharp and sudden. And while in my panic state, the wolf took one step closer. “Stay right back!” I shouted loudly, though my voice shook, and was not steady. He only bent his head, as if… listening to me. “You’re not real, I guess” I whispered to one in particular. “This is just another dream that would soon fade away.” As I said that, pain from nowhere exploded across my wrist. I gasped in shock, clutching it as the scar burned like fire, yet unbearable. Blood welled up within me, dripping onto the forest floor like water. The moon flared brighter, the wolf snarled...but not at me, but at the sky like it could hear it. Then, impossibly, when I least expected, his body shifted. Bones cracked, and fur quickly melted into skin. The giant wolf rose on two legs, completely reshaping into a man before my eyes. I screamed in horror. He was tall, not just tall but handsome, and broad-shouldered. I noticed he was naked except for a pair of dark trousers that seemed to appear from nowhere, or maybe I am the one at fault as I just stopped seeing straight. His skin kept on glowing, but faintly under the moon. And within seconds, dark hair fell into sharp, beautifying his masculine features. His eyes, those charming silver eyes, for no reason burned straight through me. “Easy,” he said, his voice very deep and rough. “I won’t hurt you.” I backed away from him until when my spine hit a tree. “You... You’re...” “A wolf,” he finished calmly, not sure he knew I don't understand. “Yes.” My laugh came out kind of hysterical. “That’s not helping at all.” I saw his gaze dropping to my bleeding wrist. Something dangerous seemed to surface his face. “You’re injured.” “Don’t you dare touch me!” I snapped angrily. He raised his hands slowly. “I won’t if you don't want me to, but you shouldn’t be here.” “You think?” I shot back in anger. “You’re the one that is the naked stranger in the forest!” His lips curved slowly. “That's fair.” Despite how everything was going, I noticed how close he was now. That's way too close, and heat was radiating uncontrollably from him, wrapping around me, making my skin tingle in a strange way. “What’s your name?” he asked softly. I hesitated for a few seconds. “Why?” “Because names matter a lot in this part of the world.” My scar suddenly throbbed again, answering him even when I don't want to. “Elena,” I said reluctantly. “Elena Navarro.” The effect was immediate, that it couldn't have gone unnoticed. His breath hitched just from hearing my name. His eyes flared brighter, and I saw he was desperate, but holding himself. “What?” I demanded in curiosity “What’s wrong?” He took a few steps back, dragging a hand through his hair, like one about to lose control. “Nothing.” “That’s a terrible lie.” He laughed softly, trying to cover up. “You humans are way too observant.” “Stop calling me that if I must talk to you,” I said sharply. “I don’t even know what you are, but you want to know me.” “Rafael Vega.” The name rolled smoothly out of his lips. “Rafael,” I repeated with a shaky voice, and I saw how he almost lost control. In just two strides he was in front of me again, one arm carefully braced beside my head against the tree. He didn’t make thd mistake of touching me...but I felt him everywhere. “Do you feel that?” he asked quietly, his charming eyes sizing me. I swallowed an invisible lump already forming on my throat. “Feel what exactly?” “This irresistible pull,” he said. “This wrongness of it all, this heat.” My heart started pounding against my ribs. “I feel like I’m about to pass out.” His mouth curved into a smile. “That too is included.” “Back up this up,” I whispered. “You’re crowding me, and that's not gentleman like.” He inhaled sharply, and I watched him make a face like my scent hurt him. “If I don’t, I’ll definitely lose control.” Fear gripped me, but I didn't show it. “Over what?” His eyes lowered a bit, then dropped to my lips before snapping back up to reality. “Over you.” Everywhere became quiet as he said that, even though there were rustling of leaves nearby. Rafael stiffened all of a sudden. “They’re now close.” “Who are you about?” I asked. “My pack.” That word did more than sending shivers all over my body. “I don’t wish to meet them.” “You really don’t,” he agreed, and I was grateful for that maturity. Then, a voice was heard ringing out, closer now. “Alpha!” Alpha? I stared weirdly at him, needing answers. “They’re calling you that.” “Yes.” “Why exactly?” His gaze softened, a part of him that I like most, especially the way it makes his eyes charming and enchanting, but it was just for a second. “Because I am the one who leads them.” My scar started again, burning even hotter, like it was answering his presence. “What’s really happening to me?” I whispered to one in particular. Rafael’s jaw became tightened line I was forcing a lot out of his mouth. “You shouldn’t exist.” My anger started flaring up. “Excuse me?” “I don’t mean...” He stopped half way, then exhaled slowly. “You’re not even supposed to be here. Not like this.” “Then why does it feel like the orld is pulling me toward you, and I don't understand what is happening?” I demanded. He closed his eyes for a few seconds. When he opened them again, the silver eyes started glowing brighter than the moon. “Because,” he started hoarsely, more like being careful, leaning in until his lips brushed my ear, “you’re mine alone.” My breath hitched as I felt a tingling sensation all over my body. “That’s not funny.” “I’m not joking also.” Then we heard the voices of the pack members drawing closer. Rafael stepped back abruptly, then I watched him in panic. “Listen to me, Elena. When they come...” But sudden pain tore through my wrist again, and I was unable to concentrate. I cried out, collapsing to my knees in weakness. “Elena!” Rafael immediately caught me before I hit the ground. Then the forest exploded with sound as wolves burst through the trees to meet. The last thing I heard...before the darkness immediately swallowed me...was Rafael’s voice, very low, shaken, and reverent. “Mate.”