Dealing With Him

II

Dylan Spears was probably the best alpha Lunar Shadow had in years; people said it was because of how he was able to get any job done without hesitation, some said that he had experience from his father, who had passed a few years back.

I knew that he was a great alpha -- he wasn't one of those arrogant, ruthless, blood-thirsty alphas like others around the country... but he definitely wasn't the kindest.

Majority of the people say they had never seen him with a smile on his face unless it was forced. There are others who say that he only leaves the Alpha house when he has to attend something or running an errand and is only seen on the training grounds if he's out.

I can't say that I know whether any of this is true or not because I don't watch him like the others do.

I stood up and wrapped the towel around me, making sure it was extra tight just in case it tried falling off.

"Alpha Dylan," I greeted formally with a slight nod.

Dylan didn't answer and walked closer to me until I was pressed against the table. At this moment, I wished Brianna's table was in the same room as mine. This wouldn't be happening if it were.

His front was pressed against mine and it didn't stop the arousal that I wish wasn't there from oozing out of me in a strong scent. Dylan seemed to smell it because his golden eyes darkened and a low growl escaped his lips.

"You must be Aria," he let out in his deep voice.

Oh, how hot that voice is.

I nodded and breathed out, "Yes."

Why must you have an effect on me, you stupid, hot man?

Dylan grinned and before I could process anything, his lips were trailing from my shoulder to my jaw; biting and kissing.

Resist it, Aria. You are a strong woman and you--

"A little birdie told me that you don't like the thought of mates."

My heart began pounding when his hands planted themselves on my hips.

Women would see me as a disappointment if they were looking at this situation.

Only three people know about that, I thought, and that's Brianna, Trey, and Owen.

And there's only one person who would find out that I was Dylan's mate; Owen.

He would only know because he lives with Dylan and is informed of everything.

"You've heard true," I replied, my voice finally finding courage while my body lay under his power. "How did you know I was your mate?"

He hummed, flicking his tongue along my skin and making me jump with a slight gasp. "I've known for three years, love."

Could my brain work so I could do the math?

I couldn't stand before him with only a towel covering my naked body.

I walked to my pile of clothes and rushed to an empty space with a door, quickly changing before coming back in. Dylan was on the table, one leg on the table with his arm resting on his knee while the other dangled almost lifelessly off the table. He looked beautiful.

Stop it, Aria!

"What were you doing here?" I asked and crossed my arms, an eyebrow raised.

Thank God I'm not acting weird now.

"Massaging me," I added.

"I could smell your scent from where I was and followed it to here," he answered and watched as I cautiously stepped towards me. "I decided to sneak in and see my mate since she's old enough to have one -- you don't have to walk towards me as if I'm some sort of predator, you know."

I looked down.

He may say that, but he is also my alpha.

"I'm sorry," I said and my green eyes met his golden ones. "I'm just not used to... speaking to you. It's not every day I find the Alpha of my pack giving me a back massage."

Dylan chuckled, a small smile on his lips.

Did I just make him smile?

"I understand," he said and jumped off of the table. "Now, will you tell me a bit about yourself or not?"

"I don't know why I should," I replied and began grabbing my things.

"Because I'm your mate," he answered, his attitude changing drastically from calm to irritated.

I shrugged.

"So? Just because I'm your mate doesn't mean I have to tell you about me. I don't know if you didn't hear yourself while speaking but you said how I don't like the term of having a 'mate'. You're right, I don't. I have no reason to give information about myself to someone who didn't even try getting to know me years before I turned eighteen. It's only when you realized I was old enough to know you were my mate that you decided to talk to me. As you said, you knew I was your mate for three years and you didn't talk to me."

I walked out of the building and sent a quick text to Brianna, telling her how I was going back to the pack house.

Dylan growled.

Wow, he followed me.

"Is it so wrong for asking?" He snarled out in irritation.

I looked around and noticed people looking at us while bowing their heads as their alpha passed them. I rolled my eyes and walked on the path through the woods that Brianna and I used as a shortcut to the pack house.

"Yes," I answered, "it is. You could've followed me like a pretty boy years before you figured out I was your mate but you didn't bother because you think that finding your mate as soon as you or they turn eighteen is a much better idea."

Dylan scoffed, "That's the most idiotic thing I've ever heard."

"Whatever," I muttered. "Why didn't you just talk to me when you knew? Or get to know me or something?"

I can't believe I'm talking to my alpha like this.

I walked into the house and made my way to the kitchen with Dylan still hot behind my tail.

I should just get it over with.

I turned around and looked at Dylan with hard eyes.

"Listen," I began, "as an alpha, you're a great person. But I don't want a mate. So... I, Aria Sparrows--"

I couldn't finish when a large hand clamped over my mouth and stopped me from speaking. I looked up into Dylan's eyes as they looked down at me, ablaze.

"Finish that f*****g sentence, Aria," he snapped, "I dare you. You don't even f*****g know me and you want to reject me ten minutes after we met? Have some respect."

I pushed his hand away.

"Yes, I would reject you on the spot. I would rather much have no mate than go against what I believe."

"Oh really? So you would rather be a fifteen-year-old with a grown-f*****g-man trying to hit on you and mark you instead of having me wait like a loyal mate would?" He scoffed. "Disrespectful as fuck."

He glared at me and fear immediately pulsed through me. I knew the way I was speaking would have serious consequences and even though I knew what I was doing was wrong, I wasn't going to let him command me.

Dylan groaned and rubbed his face.

"Rejecting me is not going to be an option, Aria," he finalized and his eyes met mine. They were filled with frustration.

"Whatever."

"Don't give me attitude," Dylan immediately ordered and his front was soon pressed against my back. His breath blew on my ear as he said, "Because if you don't, I won't hesitate to give you a punishment."

His hand gave me a light smack on the ass and I gasped, jumping.

Did he seriously just...

"How dare--"

"Snapback at me and I'll do it harder," he mumbled, giving my right cheek a firm squeeze before backing away. "I'm already sick of your attitude and, obviously, you don't know what respect is and what manners are. Like the responsible alpha and mate I am, I'm going to fix that before I tie you to a bed until you agree to be a good girl."

My jaw dropped and my cheeks began to warm up.

"I have a meeting to go to," he told me. "Don't leave this house until I get back."

I hummed, not really paying attention to what he was talking about.

"I mean it, Aria," he said with a pointed finger. "If I find out that you left you aren't leaving my house for the rest of the week."

I turned to him and nodded my head, my eyes not leaving his own eyes as soon as they met.

"I'm not your pet," I said harshly.

"With your attitude, I'm surprised your friends haven't put a collar on you and tie you to a pole when you were rude," Dylan retorted, leaving my face flushing to a dark red. "I'll be back in two hours tops," he told me and left.

I looked around.

Quiet.

Too quiet.

I walked out of the kitchen and saw Trey watching from the top of the stairs with a smirk. He slid down the rail of the staircase and wrapped an arm around my shoulder, practically dragging me to the couch.

"Was that Alpha Dylan I just saw smacking your butt?" He asked and ran his fingers through his maroon hair, the grin on his face never leaving.

"Yes," I answered nonchalantly and turned the television in front of us on.

"How did you find out?" He asked, pushing the conversation.

I rolled my eyes and smiled at my best friend, looking into his stormy grey eyes.

"I went to a spa with Brianna and he was the person giving me an oil massage. It wasn't until I looked up to realize that he was my... you know."

I bit my lip and looked away to the show we were watching.

"He gave you a massage?" Trey exclaimed with his mouth agape. "What was it like? Did he try eating you out?"

I scoffed, "No. Not that I would let him."

Trey rolled his eyes. "Stop being such a b***h. I know you would. I mean, look at him! He's a s*x lord in a Greek God's body! If he--"

"I don't want to know," I mumbled and Trey chuckled.

"I know. I have an idea."

"What?" I asked, not really paying attention to him.

"What if you, me and Brianna go clubbing?"

"What about Owen?" I asked with a frown.

The smile once on Trey's face vanished and was replaced with a scowl.

I never understood why Owen and Trey hated each other so much. Maybe it was because of past incidents or just because they sensed a weird vibe from one another. I didn't understand the two men and, frankly, I didn't really want to. Well, I already understood Trey enough.

"Fine," he muttered.

I sniggered and kissed Trey's cheek. My phone buzzed to life and I jumped slightly.

"Is that lover boy?" Trey teased and wiggled his eyebrows.

I rolled my eyes.

"Probably Bri."

I checked:

D: I'm warning you, love. Try leaving and you'll regret it. You don't want to know what I would do if you left.

I couldn't help the goosebumps from awakening on my skin. Trey seemed to notice it because he handed me a blanket, which I gladfully took and covered my body.

A: How'd you get my number?

He replied immediately.

D: I'm the Alpha. I can do anything.

I scoffed. Sometimes, I wanted to get a pin and pop his giant balloon of an ego just so I could watch him crumple with agony.

A: Yeah yeah. No promises.

I turned off my phone, not wanting to read his reply. I wasn't going to listen to him because I know he expects me to. I'm not a girl to follow the rules.

I was going to go out and have the time of my life.