Chapter Eight — The Alpha’s Obsession
1100 Words
ALPHA ORION
The chamber reeks of musk, rose perfume, and desperation.
Orion lies back against crimson sheets while his three wives hover over him like hungry shadows. Silken hands roam across his chest; painted lips trail kisses down his jaw. Leitha straddles the mattress, trying to force his mouth to hers. Zara, boldest of the trio, wraps her fingers around his length, teasing him to stiffen.
But nothing happens.
He remains limp in her palm—cold, lifeless, unresponsive. A sudden surge of disgust claws up his throat. Revulsion. Rage.
He snaps, shoving Leitha so violently she tumbles off balance.
“Enough.”
His voice is ice—dangerous, cracking with something they’ve never heard before. Zara’s hand jerks away from him as though burned.
“Alpha, let us—” Kayla murmurs, still massaging his chest as if she can coax life back into him.
“I said OUT!”
The roar shakes the walls. He rises, ripping himself from their touch, collecting his clothes with clenched fists. His wives freeze, confused and half-naked. Zara scrambles to cover her full nakedness, cheeks burning with humiliation.
He hurls their silken garments at them like trash.
“Dress. Leave. Before I make you.”
They scramble, whispers trembling between them, fear lacing the air. They’ve seen Orion angry. But not like this. Not with frustration so sharp it borders on madness.
He storms from the room before they are fully clothed.
He leaves Moonsville within half an hour, riding in a sleek armored convoy with six trained males and his guards—Sebastian, the brute, and the calculating Andre. His jaw twitches with every thunderous heartbeat.
Ava.
Her name lives under his skin like venom.
Her scent is the only one that stirs him now.
Her rejection is the only thing he feels.
“Damn her,” he mutters. “She’s the reason I can’t even get it up.”
Their trucks rumble into Wolfsgate territory—a place of lesser wolves, lesser laws. He expects silence, fear. Instead he walks into chaos.
A violent brawl floods the village center. Young wolves from both packs clash, bodies colliding, fists cracking against jaws. His own men rush to defend Moonsville wolves on instinct. Fur ripples beneath skin as tempers rise.
Then he sees it.
Two women fighting savagely in the dust—one slender, elegant but clearly inexperienced: Ava’s mother. The other, fierce and seasoned: Lucas’s mother.
Ava’s mother is losing. Badly.
Orion sneers in disgust.
She can’t even fight.
His attention snaps toward a lone figure—a man watching helplessly. Lucas’s father. Weak, conflicted, heartbroken.
Perfect prey.
Orion grabs him by the collar, eyes blazing. “Where’s your son? Tell me where Lucas is or I’ll end this entire pack tonight.”
Lucas’s father, consumed by fury and grief—fury born from Orion’s actions—lashes out with a resounding slap.
The hit rocks Orion off-balance.
Gasps ripple through the battlefield.
Orion lunges forward, ready to make the man bleed for daring to touch him—
But Sebastian and Andre block his path, teeth bared, ready to kill on his command.
Before the first punch lands, a scream cuts through the air.
“Ava’s mother—she’s down!”
She lies unconscious in the dirt, surrounded by silence.
And for the first time since Ava escaped, guilt flickers in Orion’s eyes.
Just for a second.
Then it hardens to rage.
---
AVA
Coventry smells of coffee, paper, and peace—far different from Moonsville’s iron and fur. Yet I know the danger stalking me. Orion's men! Lucas worries too much, but I’m not afraid.
I’m a wolf. A strong one.
I would rather die than be dragged back.
We have a future here. He’ll become a doctor. I’ll become a pharmacist. We’ll save our packs with knowledge—not blood, not fear.
I only wish I could warn Lizzy. She didn’t deserve to be fooled by Richard. She was kind to me, even if I left in chaos. If only I knew where she worked…
A couple walks into the bookstore, breaking my thoughts. I help them find their books, offering the small smile I’ve learned humans love. As they leave, Mark waves me toward the office.
The owner? Mr. Anderson rarely speaks to anyone. I smooth my apron and go in.
“Good morning, Ava.”
“Good morning, sir.”
“How do you find the work?”
“It’s… fine,” I answer honestly, unsure why I’m here.
He studies me too long.
Then, suddenly:
“How would you feel about becoming supervisor?”
My breath catches. “Supervisor? But—I’ve only been here two weeks.”
“You don’t need training,” he says, amused. He flips on a hidden monitor, showing live footage of the store. “I watch you every day. You’re efficient. Polite. Customers love you.”
My heart races. Six hours a day… fifty dollars an hour. That’s real money. Real dreams. Me and Lucas—we could make it.
“When can I start?” I ask.
“Tomorrow,” he says. “Congratulations.”
I stand, ready to leave, my heart full of relief—
“Wait.”
He steps close. Too close. I smell expensive cologne.
His fingertips brush my hand.
“I like you, Ava.”
Shock freezes me.
So that was the offer. Not reward. Not opportunity. Fantasy.
I pull away, disgust burning through me. “So that’s what the promotion is for? I’m not interested.”
I walk out. No hesitation. No regret.
My last paycheck won’t matter. My dignity does.
Outside, life delivers me a new twist.
“Lizzy?”
She stands in front of the shop, eyes puffy, but softer than I remember.
“Hi, Ava,” she says quietly.
“Lizzy! I’ve been searching for you—”
She cuts me off with a shaky breath. “I'm so sorry Ava. Richard is a liar. I caught him with our neighbor. The engagement is over.”
I exhale, relieved and sad all at once.
“I’m sorry,” I tell her. “And that day? Lucas didn’t attack him without reason. Richard tried to force himself on me. Lucas stopped him. We left. But before then, I wanted to call you, but Richard begged me not to. He lied to you, Lizzy.”
Her face crumples—anger, betrayal, shame.
“I’m so sorry you had to go through that,” she whispers, hugging me tight.
And for the first time since escaping Moonsville…
I feel like I’m not running alone.
- Writer
