The Alpha Is Mine

Chapter 11

Xavier didn't end up coming back. I was partially relieved, because it seemed to me we argued every five minutes when we in the same room.

Mary made a delicious meal for dinner; chicken and mushroom pasta. I had two bowls. Mary was kind and bubbly, and I found myself enjoying her company. She explained the entire existence of werewolves to me, told me old stories of their pack, and funny anecdotes. By the end of dinner I had decided that Xavier was the only asshole in his family.

“I really put my husband through the worst in my younger years,” Mary laughed. “I was an unruly woman. Free spirited.”

“What happened to your husband?” I asked her.

She smiled sadly. “My dear Keith,” she zoned out as if running through her memories of him. “He was…everything. Just everything. I loved him with everything I knew, everything I had. We had a happy and long life together. He died fighting off rogues about twenty years ago.”

“Twenty years? That was a very long time ago,” I softened.

“Dear, I am 179 years old.”

My eyes widened as I stared at her in disbelief.

“Werewolves age much slower than humans. Keith and I lived a long happy life together.”

I nodded slowly, taking in the fact that this woman had been alive for nearly two centuries.

“Why don't you live with the rest of the pack?”

Mary shrugged. “I couldn't bear to live there without Keith. I prefer it here."

She sighed softly, smiling. "All right honey. I think that's enough bedtime stories. Go on up and rest. We're exploring tomorrow morning.”

I nodded as I got up. I helped Mary do the dishes, even when she insisted she could manage two plates and 2 pots alone, then I went to the guest room Mary showed me to. It had a queen sized bed and a dressing table in the corner.

After I changed into my pajamas and brushed my teeth, I laid on the bed on my back, on the phone with my mom. I wanted to know if she knew that Randy was a werewolf, but I couldn't ask her. I couldn't ask Randy either because I wasn't talking to him.

“How's Nora?” Mom asked.

“She's fine,” I lied.

Obviously I had no idea.

Mom sighed. “I miss you so much.”

“Me too—”

The door burst open. I paused, turning to see Xavier.

I sat up as he looked down at me. “Mom, I'll call you tomorrow. I have to do…a thing.”

“Okay sweetie. Don't forget to—”

I hung up before she was done speaking and jumped off the bed, frowning at Xavier.

“What do you want?” I snapped at him.

Xavier raised a brow. “Excuse me?”

“Here in my room. What do you want?”

“I want to sleep, obviously, “ he walked past me and began taking off his jacket. “What else would I want?”

I frowned, standing between him and the bed. “You're supposed to sleep next door.”

“Says who?” He glanced at me, seemingly bored.

“Says your grandma!” I shrieked.

“It's going to rain,” he sighed. “The roof in that room leaks. Trust me, this is not ideal for me either, but I'm tired.”

He plopped himself on the bed, shirtless. “Try not to touch me.”

I scoffed. “As if.”

I suddenly felt like a massive child in my fluffy yellow matching pajamas. I walked over to the bed and laid down beside him, grabbed the two continental pillows and placed them in between us.

“There,” I huffed.

Xavier closed his eyes and laid on his back, ignoring me, while I faced the opposite wall. I was restless, and all the sleepiness I felt just a minute ago completely left me.

“Elara,” Xavier grumbled at my constant tossing and turning.

“I can't fall asleep,” I complained as I flipped over to face him.

“Not my problem.”

He was still on his back, eyes still closed.

I sighed, sitting up. As promised, it started raining. I laid back and glanced over at Xavier over the barrier. I realised what the problem was.

I was alone with the most attractive man I had ever seen for the first time ever, and I was freaking out because it wasn't playing out the way it did in movies. Not that I wanted Xavier, no, it could've been any good looking guy.

Right?

Suddenly Xavier jolted up from the bed.

“What is it?” I sat up instantly.

“I'll sleep on the couch,” he grumbled before slipping out of the room with no further explanation.

I stared after him for a long minute before sighing heavily, exasperated as I covered my head with the duvet before finally drifting off to sleep. Barely. I kept waking up throughout the night. So he couldn't even share the bed with me?

Why am I so bothered?

In the morning I was tired from the lack of sleep, but Mary was already knocking on my door at 7.

“Rise and shine Luna!” She called out from the other side. “Be ready in 15!”

I groaned as I got up from the bed, dragging myself to the bathroom. The hot shower made me even more sleepy, but I somehow managed to dress myself in a pair of sweatpants and a sweater.

Mary was already waiting for me outside, a bright smile on her face.

“Well good morning darling!” She beamed from under her beige cap.

I smiled back. “Good morning. Where are we headed again?”

“I thought we could have a breakfast picnic down by the lake. I already packed everything into the car.”

I nodded. “That sounds nice.” I tried to sound as casual as possible, clearing my throat first. “Where's Xavier?”

“I'm not entirely sure honey. I think he left the house last night. You know Xavier is one hell of an insomniac. He barely sleeps,” she explained as we got into her Jeep.

I just nodded. I didn't want her to think I cared. Which I obviously didn't, of course.

We began slowly driving deep into the woods, and Mary was talking about how sometimes she felt lonely, but enjoyed the peace.

“I'll come back as much as I can,” I promised her.

She looked over at me and smiled. “I'd really appreciate that darling. I—”

She paused, a look of apprehension coming over her face.

“What is it?” I asked, concerned.

“Something isn't…right,” she said with furrowed brows, looking in the rear view mirror as she drove faster.

“What do you mean—”

I didn't get to finish my sentence. Something rammed into the car at my side, making me scream as the car jolted and spun over with such a force that made me sick. The world spun around me as the car rolled over twice, metal twisting and the windows shattering.

My world went black.