Alpha's Stolen Mate

Chapter 8

After the game, and while the celebrations were still going on, Conrad and Thea sneakily left the pitch, and back to the classroom. Conrad grabbed her waist and pinned her against the wall just beside the door.

"You were so good out there," she whispered smilingly. Conrad felt a flush of pride but tried to downplay it with a shrug.

"I wonder who I was trying to impress so badly," he said mirroring her smile. Thea laughed, the sound light and musical. "Oh boy," she said, poking his chest.

"What?"

"You didn't have to, you know. You already impressed me the first day I stepped on this prestigious school." She confessed.

"Oh yeah," he said, his lips brushing hers briefly. He pulled back slightly to look at her, his eyes searching hers.

"Yea, but watching you on that pitch I couldn't be more proud," she said, her voice carrying a melody of pride and affection. She reached out, wrapping her arms around his neck as he drew her into a hug, his hands resting comfortably on her waist.

"I want you to come over to my place tonight," he said, all of a sudden.

"What?" She creased her forehead, dumbfounded.

"Yea," he replied, slipping his hand into hers. Her skin was warm and soft, a comforting contrast to his calloused palms.

"Conrad, I don't think that's wise. I told you I'm not-"

He cut her off with his index finger on her lips.

"And I respect that."

Thea creased her forehead again and Conrad could just smile.

"Oh, you look so beautiful when you're confused."

She smiled. "Can you just elaborate? I think it's so early to come to your place,"

"Oh sweetheart! Please don't be a typical girl. Don't overthink. I just want you to come dine with my family, believe me, they'll love you just like I do"

Thea's heart skipped a beat, a mixture of surprise and excitement flickering across her face. "Wait, what?"

Conrad feigned oblivion. "What? Did I say something wrong?"

"No, no, no. Actually you said something so, so.... Please say it again."

"Promise you will come first. Then maybe I'll say it again after dinner with my family,"

"Okay, I will. I will come," she accepted jovially.

"Promise by the moon goddess," he said, his voice steady but soft.

"Wait, what? Is that even a thing?" Thea said giggling.

"Come on, just promise please."

"Okay, I promise by the moon goddess," she said, dramatically rolling her eyes. Conrad wanted her to meet his family. That was something big. She looked at him closely, and wondered how could she be so lucky.

He reached out and took her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

Conrad opened the door to their classroom, but he halted in his tracks, his breath caught in his throat. Because in front of him was his cousin making out with his ex. They didn’t see him at first, so engrossed in each other that the world outside their little bubble didn't exist. He cleared his throat, blocking Thea from entering the classroom. Kai and Iz sprang apart, startled. Iz’s face flushed a deep red, her eyes darting between Conrad and Kai. Kai stood up, looking both guilty and defiant, a flush creeping up his neck.

It was after they'd parted that Conrad moved out of the way so that Thea could enter. Her eyes also darting between Kai and Iz. She wondered what more had happened but that was a story for later. She smiled inwardly looking at her friend, who was just looking down.

"Can I talk to my brother for a moment?" Kai asked directing the question at her.

Thea nodded.

Outside the classroom, Kai grabbed Conrad's arm.

"I see your plan is in motion," he started .

"Yep," Conrad replied nonchalantly.

"You know you still have time to change your mind. You two really look good together. Try to form that mate bond with her and leave the sister alone. You can't do this to the girls,"

"Hah, you're making me laugh, Kai. I know you all believe in mate bonds and all. I don't. Not when Lydia left our father for someone else. I'm gonna have fun, and you're going to shut your mouth or I'll tell father that you're still seeing that girl. You don't wanna face the wrath of the alpha again, do you?" Conrad threatened him.

Kai raised his palms in the air, a gesture of his surrender. He'd tried to talk sense into his cousin's head but his Casanova ways were deeply engraved in his system he couldn't realize he was playing with fire.

After Kai left with his girl, Conrad came back to the classroom. She was still waiting for him, but he was suddenly not in the mood to play nice. He didn't know why he was suddenly feeling bad about Thea and what he was about to do to her and her sister. He probably had let Kai mess with his head. He came to stand in front of her, took her cheeks in his hands, kissed her forehead and said, "I'll come pick you up at six. Just send me your location."

She nodded. Her cheeks turned a soft pink, and she glanced down, shy yet pleased.

***

Emric was briskly walking down the hallway from his office. The late morning sun filtered through the large windows, casting long shadows on the polished linoleum floor. As he rounded a corner, he nearly collided with Thea.

"Dorothea, slow down," he said, a note of gentle reprimand in his voice. "Where's the fire?"

Thea skidded to a halt, her cheeks flushed from rushing. "Sorry, Mr. Ashford," she panted, clutching her left hand against her chest.

Emric's stern expression softened as he glanced at her clutched arm. "Are you okay?"

"Yes, sir," Thea replied, her brown eyes earnest.

"Is that how you run, clutching your arm?" He asked, fighting the urge to hold her clutched arm.

She shut her eyes tightly, before she slowly let her hand go, to reveal a bleeding index finger, and a few drops of blood staining her cheer uniform.

Emric stood beside her, his heart aching with a deep, empathetic throb as he gently cradled her injured hand. Her pained expression mirrored in his eyes, a storm of concern and helplessness brewing within them. His fingers, trembling slightly, moved with delicate precision, as if the world would shatter with one wrong touch. The sight of her wince sent a dagger of anguish through his chest, amplifying his inner turmoil.

"Oh, Dorothea. This looks bad," he said, glancing down at her, his hazel eyes scanning her facing before he held her gaze.

"Not so bad, sir." Thea replied, shifting uneasily.

"What happened?" He asked, unable to suppress his mounting concern.

Thea sighed. "It's my fault. I just scratched something on the mirror in the showers, I didn't see the mirror was broken."

Emric shut his eyes tightly, his jaw clenched. His heart ached at the sight, his anger tempered by a surge of protective concern.

"You need to see a nurse," he said, his voice a low rumble.

"No, sir. I will be fine."

"Lemme see to it then. I have a first aid kit in my office." He suggested, still holding her injured hand.

"Seriously, I'm-"

"Fine, yes I can see that. But I can't let you leave like this. Not when I'm sure you're not going to the hospital for this." He said, his voice firm. Thea nodded, her earlier apprehension dissolved.

In the office, Emric fumbled with the drawers of his mahogany table, searching for the first aid kit.

A few moments later, he found it.

"Now, let's get this cleaned up." He said.

He watched her for a moment longer before turning back to her hand, trying to refocus his thoughts on her wounded finger.

With gentle care, Emric began to re-bandage Thea's finger, expertly wrapping it to provide support while allowing room for healing. His movements were methodical, a testament to his training and experience. He glanced up occasionally, meeting her gaze with a reassuring nod or a word of encouragement.

"There," he finally said, securing the bandage with a gentle press. "That should do it."

Thea flexed her finger tentatively, testing the newly applied bandage. "Thank you, Mr. Ashford," she said gratefully, her eyes reflecting her relief.

"You're welcome, Dorothea. But remember, safety first. No need to be hard on the finger."

Thea smiled sheepishly. "Got it."

At school, he was just a history teacher to those who didn't know his identity. But to those who knew, he had more power. He was the alpha, a leader, and a mentor. And though he was burning with anger, he was controlling it because he didn't want to give her a scare. Tomorrow was another day, and he was going to scream at his janitors for such neglected maintenance. Such things never happened in his school before, so how come they'd let this happen?

Looking at Thea, he realized just why he was so worked out because of this ordeal. It was her.

He shook his head, but brought his eyes back on her face.

Her silk-brush eyelashes and the light dusting of freckles across her nose gave her a youthful, fresh-faced look. It wasn't just her looks that mesmerized him. Everything about her was electrifying to him, and he didn't like it. She was his son's girlfriend for crying out loud .