The First Warrior Wolf

Chapter 3: Nothing Is What It Seems

_Alex POV_

I watched my mate closely. She never looked at me once. Color was back in her cheeks, but she stayed silent. Her stepfather stood like a proud peacock, but it was obvious no one liked him.

She didn’t speak until he tried to drag her from Dad’s office. Then she showed spine. Courage. It intrigued me.

Once Culim left, I listened as Dad questioned Lysander and Allison. I hadn’t realized my brother knew I was her mate until Dad said it. Three years. If Lysander knew for three years, how long had Allison known? And why keep it secret?

“Do you love her?” I asked, scared of the answer. I didn’t know how I’d feel if he said yes. Luckily, I didn’t have to find out. His answer — _she’s like a little sister_ — made sense of his protectiveness.

I looked at Allison. Our eyes met. The bond clicked fully into place. _‘Mate’_ fell from her lips, and all I wanted was to hold her. But she held herself away, so I stayed still while Dad kept talking.

I was admiring her calm when she said she’d reject me if I didn’t reject her. Alaric whimpered in my head. _Fix this. She’s ours._

So I kept my voice level. “While I never wanted a weak omega as my mate,” I said, watching her eyes flare like she wanted to kill me.

Goddess, she was adorable when she was mad. My mood shifted. I wanted to tease her, lighten this. Mom looked ready to faint.

“Even though she seems like a live wire, I also have learned to respect the goddess and her choices. So I will not be rejecting or accepting any rejections.”

Everyone looked relieved. Allison looked like I’d knocked the wind out of her. That didn’t feel good. Did she really hate me? Why?

Her whole posture changed — from warrior to quiet, submissive. I hated it. She agreed to be my mate, but it felt like a chore forced on her. I’d never force myself on anyone, especially my mate. But that didn’t mean I’d let her go. No. I’d have to win her over. Alaric purred in agreement.

Dad laid out the plan. I watched, annoyed, as Lysander hugged and reassured her. She was _mine_. If I wanted to win her, I needed to know her. So I suggested she take me to the pack house. We could talk.

In the hallway, she stood straighter, almost cheerful. But I could feel the act.

Rose and Jessy rushed over. Allison immediately gave an order: “Jess, add malva pudding to dessert tonight.”

Odd. That’s my favorite. How did she know?

She introduced them quickly, then led the way.

We walked the garden route in silence until a group of teens barreled toward us. Two girls nearly took Allison out. I caught her. Tingles raced up my arms through the bond. I loved it.

The teens remembered themselves and greeted us formally. One boy asked about her title, sparking a debate. She just cleared her throat. Silence.

Training was Alpha’s job. Or Beta’s. Deltas, if we were desperate. Never an Omega.

“Since when do _you_ train teens?” I asked.

She shrugged, pushed the pack house door open. “Since the last time a rogue got past the east perimeter and I was the only one who saw it coming.”

We walked in. The place was bigger than I remembered. She passed the stairs and headed for an elevator.

“This is new. Since when do we have an elevator?” I asked, wondering what else changed.

“About two years ago,” she said, thumbing the biometric pad. The doors slid open. “We also have a security system in place now.”

We rode to the fifth floor. I had a lot to catch up on.

Near my room, Rose waited. Red hair, tiny build, eyes sharp. “Luna Ally. Alpha Alex.” She nodded, handed Allison a phone, gave her a pointed look, then a tight hug before vanishing.

“How did your cousin meet and mate a witch?” I asked.

“Rose and I met at college. She and Matteo met at graduation. He marked her that same day. Alpha welcomed her with open arms.” Allison gestured to my door. “I trust you know your own room.”

She turned to leave. I caught her upper arm, gently. Warm tingles spread from the contact. I didn’t want it to end.

“Did you forget? You’re supposed to come with me,” I said when she pulled away.

“I can hang out in Lysander’s room,” she said with a shrug. I grabbed her arm and pulled her inside, the door opening easy. I shut it behind us. She spun out of my grip, putting distance between us. Deer in headlights again.

“Alex, I should not be in here. I’ll wait outside.” She tried to get past me.

I chuckled. “We’re married now. This will be our room from tonight on.”

She paled. Funny, but I got serious. “Look, I brought you here because I need to understand a few things. Find common ground.” I gestured to the small lounge I’d set up.

She sat on the single chair. Back straight. Stiff. I took the couch closest to her. Butterscotch and malva pudding hit me and every thought vanished.

Then I remembered: her at the edge of the old pool, feet in the water, staring at me with that same deer look.

Jennifer, my ex, was a bully. She had one of the guys push Allison in as she walked away. Allison nearly drowned. Couldn’t swim. Lysander jumped in to save her. I’d laughed that day. Told her to stay away from water if she couldn’t swim.

Thinking of it now made my stomach turn. I chuckled anyway, trying to break tension. “Did you ever learn to swim?”

She looked at me, shocked. Then blank. Cold. “I have. And if you plan on taking trips down memory lane, let me stop you. Those pranks you remember weren’t the same for me. Very few memories of high school are good for me.” Her eyes hardened. “I’m sure this isn’t all you want to talk about?”

I was taken aback, but I asked what was burning me. “Why are you and my brother so close?”

She raised a brow. Scoffed. “Lysander was married to my cousin Helen. She helped me build relationships with pack members, especially Sanders. After she passed three years ago, we got closer. Comfort. Support.”

Pain swirled in her eyes. _‘You’re hurting our mate. Fix this. We can’t lose her!’_ Alaric shouted. He was right. But how?

“Look, I’m sorry I let others bully and hurt you. No excuses. But I can make amends. All I’m asking is a chance. Get to know you. Start with friendship.”

I sounded like an i***t. It’s not every day you find your destined mate.

She went distant, talking to Allegra. Then she nodded. “You get one chance to prove yourself.”

That was all I needed.

I smiled. “I’ll shower. You tell me what changed in the pack.” I headed for the bathroom, listening.

“Well, Alpha was against tech. But after the rogue attack three years ago, he asked me to install security in and around the pack. We renovated. I upgraded to better systems when I got back last year after graduation.”

Abridged version. I still had questions. I jumped out, towel around my waist, drying my hair.

Her reaction was pure satisfaction. Mouth half open, eyes traveling my body before snapping to mine. Her eyes flashed orange, then chocolate brown again. Her wolf was admiring me too. Alaric preened.

I raised a brow. She recovered fast. “You do know there’s a connecting door from the bathroom to the closet, right? I laid out three tux options.” She went back to her phone.

I walked in. Royal blue, forest green, white. Royal blue was my favorite. White shirt, royal blue bow tie, matching shoes. A white rose for my lapel.

I walked out, handed her the rose. She gave me an admiring once-over, then silently pinned it. I looked down at her and smiled. This felt right. I took her hand and led her to the door.

The walk back was quiet. At the hall doors, she fixed my bow tie, looped her arm through mine, straightened her back, pasted on a smile. “Smile,” she whispered as the doors opened.