Alpha's Embrace

Sanctuary

Alysslin slowly opened her eyes then quickly closed them as her hand went to her head. What the hell happened? Then she remembered the huge fight in the forest. She opened her eyes again and her brows puckered. She didn’t recognize her surroundings. Panic began to work its way into her bones. Had she been captured by that Zirf? What happened to the wolves? Were they outmatched and killed? That is when she saw the tall man leaning against the wall with his arms crossed over his massive chest. She managed to stop herself from gasping. Tovias, she is with him and his men. She was surprised by the relief that flooded her. Even though she didn’t know him, she thinks she is better off with Tovias than Zirf. She hoped Tovias wouldn’t prove her wrong.

He pushed himself off the wall. “I see you are awake. How do you feel?” He asked. She actually heard the concern in his voice. For some reason, that warmed her.

“I am okay. Thank you.” She responded with a small smile. “Where am I?”

“My pack compound south of Orrinshire Forrest.” He stepped closer to the bed. “I don’t think we were properly introduced. I am Tovias…Alpha to the Silver Moon pack.”

She tried to contain the shiver that went through her when he spoke. What the hell is wrong with her? She didn’t know anything about him and here she was getting all hot and bothered over him. “I’m Alysslin.”

“And where are you from?” Tovias asked as he took a chair over to the bed and sat down. He leaned back, crossing his arms across his massive chest as he watched her waiting for an answer. He could see her weighing the options of whether or not to tell him. “New Hope.” She answered, finally relenting.

He arched a brow. “That new compound due north.” She nodded. “Well, we can take you back there after you are feeling better.”

“NO!” Alysslin shouted. Then she winced. She hadn’t meant to give so much away with one word. He raised a dark brow making her lower her gaze.

“Mind to tell me why?” Tovias asked. His voice was calm and soothing. He saw the shiver go through her even though he knew she tried very hard not to be affected by him. He couldn’t help the feeling of euphoria when he smelled her arousal. Alysslin didn’t say anything. He smiled slightly as he shrugged. “Okay then.”

She looked at him and his gold eyes seemed to devour her. She tried not to blush. His smile seemed to grow and she knew then that she had blushed. She cleared her throat. “What do you mean, okay?”

His smile did not leave his face and his eyes seemed to darken. “You will just stay here. Perhaps in time you will trust me enough to tell me why you don’t want to go back to New Hope.”

She opened her mouth then shut it again. As she tried to process what he just said. “You don’t even know me.” She said even though she felt extremely grateful.

“Believe me if I wasn’t certain. Then I wouldn’t have offered, and I would have marched you back to New Hope.” She nodded, knowing deep down he would have. “Besides, I have a feeling we haven’t heard the last of Zirf and his men.”

“You really think he will come after me?” Alysslin asked, a little concerned.

“Oh, I am very certain he will. When he wants something, he will stop at nothing to get it.” He responded.

“Great.” She grumbled.

Tovias chuckled as he stood and came closer to the bed. “But I won’t let him get you.” His eyes devoured her once again.

“You sound very confident.”

“Oh, I am a man of my word.”

“I think I will take your word for that.” Alysslin responded.

This time he laughed. The deep throaty sound made her heart skip a beat. He met her beautiful blue eyes. “My word is my bond. I don’t say anything I don’t mean.” He stated with conviction, then he winked at her. “You get some rest. I will come check on you later. And if you are feeling better, I will show you around.”

“Okay, I am still groggy.”

Tovias stopped at the door and looked over his shoulder. “That would be the pain medication the doc gave you. Now rest.” And like that he was gone. It didn’t stop her from still thinking about him though. She rolled over and closed her eyes and dreamed about Tovias.

Tovias walked through the compound heading towards the main pack house where is office and living quarter were. “Alpha Tovias.”

Tovias stopped and turned. He tried to subdue the groan and irritation. “Yes, Ersae.” He answered, trying to keep his voice even.

“I heard you and the others returned with a prisoner.” She said, letting her eyes caress his face. She didn’t understand how he could not know how much she loved him. She has yet to find her mate and neither has he. She hoped he would realize the depth of her love and devotion to him, and take her as his mate.

“She is not a prisoner and she is not to be treated as such. She is a guest.” He stated in a controlled and commanding voice.

Ersae shrank back a little. “My apologies, Alpha. Is she okay?” She asked, though she didn’t really care.

“She woke up and is now resting. She is doing fine,” Tovias answered a little skeptically as to why Ersae as asking. She was known not to care about anyone but herself. However, when Alysslin was brought up, her face appeared in his head. Her gorgeous blue eyes, the way they sparkled at him. His c**k twitched at the thought of her and kissing her luscious lips and tasting her.

Ersae saw the look in his eyes when he spoke of the stranger and that vexed her to no end. She is supposed to be in Tovias’ bed not some nobody. “Well, I am glad she is doing better.” She lied. All she wanted to do was pull the hussy’s hair out by the roots. She will just have to warn her to stay away from Tovias.

Tovias knew she didn’t mean it and he also knew what she was up to. But she was mistaken if she thought he would take her as a mate. He could not see Ersae as his Luna and the mother of his kids. “Thank you, I am sure she would appreciate your concern. Now if you excuse me, I have a mound of paperwork to do.” Ersae only nodded as she watched him walk away. She longed for him to finally admit that they were perfect together. He walked into the house, which everyone knew as the Alpha’s house, and headed to his office.

He ran into his Beta…his second in command Vad. “Alpha Tovias, I put the report on your desk.”

“Thank you, how were things while I was gone?” Tovias asked as he continued to walk and Vad fell in beside him.

“Everything was good. The security team didn’t report anything suspicious.” Vad answered as he eyed his old friend. “So, spill it.”

Tovias looked at him confused. “Spill what?”

Vad slowly smiled. “Don’t play ignorant with me.” Tovias arched a brow and frowned slightly. “The new visitor. Gorgeous red head remember.”

Light dawned on Tovias. Vad was speaking of Alysslin. “There is nothing to tell. She is resting.” Tovias walked into his office and

Vad leaned against the door frame. “That isn’t what I mean and you know it. The guys that were with you say she is quite a looker. Drop dead gorgeous is more of what they said.”

Tovias looked up from his paperwork to regard his best friend. “Well, they can keep their distance.”

“Oh, so you called dibs, did you?” he liked teasing his friend besides he knew it has been a while since Tovias lost his mate. Vad laughed at the scowl Tovias was giving him. “You cannot tell me you didn’t have the same thoughts as the other guys.”

“Fine, I find her attractive and sexy. Is that what you want to hear?” Tovias mumbled but loud enough for Vad to hear.

Vad walked into Tovias’ office and closed the door. Then he took a seat and looked at his old friend. Vad sighed, knowing the depth of despair Tovias endured when his mate was killed. “Well, I am glad you find her attractive and sexy. I am worried about you is all. Nissa has been gone 5 years now. I just think it’s time you found another mate.” Then he frowned. “Anyone other than Ersae.”

Tovias actually laughed. “Trust me, I would not make her my mate if she was the last wolf.” He eyed his friend and Beta. He knew he could be honest with him and it stayed between them. “I do not see her as a strong or reliable Luna. She is very eager to be my mate. I have a feeling that is all she wants is to be Luna.”

“And to gloat knowing she had you on her arm.” Vad added.

Tovias nodded. “That too.” Then he sighed as he collapsed in his cushioned chair behind the desk. “Vad, believe me I want nothing more than to find another mate. God knows Nissa would not want me alone. I know she wants me to be happy. However, I am not going to freak the young lady out.” Then Tovias smiled as he remembered the way she looked, and damn the way she smelled was heavenly. Her smell called to his wolf. “Even though she smelled like roses and a fresh morning breeze after rainfall.”

Vad raised a brow. “Odd, the guys didn’t mention roses and the breeze.”

“Don’t joke around.” Tovias stated with a frown as he flicked through the pages on his desk.

Vad helped up his hands in defense. “I swear they didn’t mention anything. Believe me I am damn sure they would have.” Especially since roses and a fresh breeze sent marks a mate.

“Then maybe I am mistaken about what the smell was.” Tovias answered, genuinely unnerved.

“You don’t really believe that, do you?” Vad asked with an arched brow and Tovias didn’t answer him. “Didn’t think so. You know you should just follow it.”

“I don’t know. She is not a wolf.” Tovias said, then he continued. “I couldn’t smell a wolf's presence at all.” He leaned back and crossed his arms. He regarded Vad before he spoke. “She definitely has a different smell. I have never smelled it before.”

Vad frowned as he leaned forward. His elbows rested on his knees. “So, she is not human.”

He shook his head. “No, I would be able to smell it if she was a full-blooded human. No, she is something else entirely.”

Vad whistled. “Interesting.” He shrugged then got to his feet. “Okay, so she isn’t a full-blooded human or even a wolf. Is that going to stop you from being happy? Obviously, your wolf doesn’t mind.”

Tovias groaned and Vad chuckled. “My wolf has a mind of his own.”

“Sure, he does.” Vad laughed harder.

“Get the hell out of my office so I can get work done.” Tovias could hear Vad’s laughter as he walked down the hall. Not like he can get much work done now. All he thought about was Alysslin. Tovias placed his elbows on the large oak desk. Who is she? What is she? Can she be trusted? If she threatens his pack's safety at any time. She would regret the day he came to her rescue. Finally, he cursed as he got to his feet. He left his office. So much for doing paperwork he mused as he left the pack house. He walked purposefully to where Alysslin was resting. He couldn’t explain, but he had to see her again. Tovias wanted to believe she wasn’t there to destroy his pack. He was just going to walk in but then she was his guest, so he knocked on the door.

Alysslin was sitting on the bed when the knock sounded on the door. She frowned slightly, wondering who it could be. Then she thought back to Tovias. Would he come back and see her so soon? She hoped so. “Come in.” She called out and the door opened and the object of her fantasies walked through the door, closing it behind him.

He slowly smiled. “I see you are up. How are you feeling?” He asked, coming closer and taking a seat near the bed. She tried not to blush. It was weird, she had never had this kind of reaction towards the opposite s*x, but there was something about Alpha Tovias.

“I am feeling much better, thank you.” She answered, her eyes sparkling at him and he felt his c**k twitch. Okay, so Vad was right. He desired her more than he had desired anyone in a very long time.

“I am glad.” He stood and help out his hand to her. “Would you like a tour?”

Alysslin smiled and his stomach cinched. Then she slipped her hand in his. “I would like that.”

They walked out of the cabin and headed towards the center of camp. She saw other people around and they bowed their heads in respect to their Alpha. It appeared they were preparing for a bonfire or something. He looked over at her. “We are preparing for a celebration tonight.” He said, as if reading her mind.

She looked at him. How did he know what she was thinking? He winked at her making her flush. “Celebration for what?” Alysslin asked, trying to slow down her heartbeat.

“One of my pack members found his mate and are getting married.” He answered as his eyes caressed her face.

“That is wonderful. It is not easy finding someone. I am glad they did, even though I do not know them.” Alysslin said with a smile as her eyes connected with his.

“You’re right. It is not easy finding a mate in these times…especially for us.”

She didn’t realize he had moved closer to her. “I think everyone has the same issue. Will I meet the lucky couple?” She asked, moving closer to him and she could feel the electricity that radiated between them. She had never been so attracted to someone before. If they weren’t in the open, she might have jumped his bones. He slowly smiled and she sucked in her breath. Tovias was the pure essence of masculinity and raw s****l power.

He leaned towards her and whispered in her ear. “Yes, you will meet them. I had planned on introducing you to everyone.” She shivered as his warm breath caressed her skin. His hand caressed her arm. Her skin was so soft. Then he took her hand. “Come.” He finally said and led her to a group of his pack.