My Best Friend's Alpha

3.

Meela

The pack fell silent. What ensued took mere seconds although it felt like a lifetime.

My mouth swung open like a trap door, feet frozen to the floor. Nial's word cut through me like a poisonous snake bite, paralysis taking hold.

Unable to move, statuesque apart from my eye lashes attempting to blink away the scene occurring right in front of me.

This must be a joke, a really dumb joke.... Right?

With the paralysis starting to leave my body, I cast my eyes over the pack. The panic stricken faces surrounding me confirm my worst fears... This is no joke, this is really happening.

Lana's shocked expression turned into pain and anguish as she dropped to her knees, a blood curdling cry escaped from the pit of her stomach.

Oh Lana, my dearest friend Lana. I feel sick like I'm going to pass out. My brain finally connects with my body and engages my limbs. I want so badly to comfort my best friend but the air is getting thin and I need to get out of here.

Twisting 180, I kick off my shoes and put one foot in front of the other, allowing my legs to carry me in the direction I came from.

Zipping past the cabins, the blood swishes around inside my head, the pounding sensation making me dizzy. Lungs burning now as I suck in sharp intakes of breath. My sore feet beating against the forest floor, the stones and twigs splintering my soles.

'Meela, stop'

Nial's pleas carried themselves through the air.

I raced on, desperately trying to ignore the feeling of nausea threatening to slow down my pace.

They were gaining on me, I could hear the autumn leaves crunching under their ponderous footsteps, heavy breathing edging closer. This is not how I had imagined this evening would go.

There stood in all its glory, the large oak tree I had hoped to find. My strides slowed as I darted a gaze behind me before veering off to the right.

The forest ended at the cliff edge just a few paces ahead, below lay the fast flowing waters of Black Bay. A twig snapped as Tobias approached.

'Don't do it Meela, everything will be okay'.

With my gaze jolting between the cliff edge and Tobias and my father, I was torn.

'Meela'

A warning drenched in an Alpha tone snarled from Tobias' lips.

Covering my ears to fight the submission of my Alpha's command, I look down into the choppy chasm. Nial took a step closer. It was now or never.

Full of adrenaline, I thrust myself into the air and felt the familiar cracking of bones, hearing my satin teal dress ripping as I phased followed by the shouting of the Alpha I left behind. My eyes closed tight, bracing myself for the icy cold impact that was imminent.

As my body smashed into the waves I knew the trail was lost. The water would wash away my scent. The impact seered like needles stabbing every inch of my body. The pain was nothing compared to the expression on Lana's face only a few minutes ago. An image I would never forget for the rest of my years.

The water soaked into my thick auburn fur, weighing me down. Still, it was much faster to swim in wolf form.

The shore of Angeles Island was just ahead, the cabin hidden in the thick of the trees would be my shelter for now. This was my grandmother's secret retreat, she took me to it at a young age and told me this would be a safe place if ever I needed it.

My mother keeps it stocked up with food and clothes, she is the only other living person to know of it's existence, not even my father knew. I would be safe to hide out for a while.

Thankfully my independent mother accepted a long time ago that she had raised a strong willed daughter, I know she will trust me to return when I'm ready.

The waves thrashed my exhausted body onto the shore. Phasing back to my human form, I clamber to my feet and drag my way through the darkening forest, the autumn chill in the air nipping at my bare skin. The cabin was just as I remembered. The familiar smell of sandlewood greeted me like an old friend. The lights flickered as I pressed down on the switch, revealing that the living room had remained exactly the same, apart from the thin layer of dust covering the surfaces.

The soft velvet armchair was so inviting, I collapsed into it, the cushions engulfing my fatigued body reminding me of the warm comforting hugs of my grandmother. I wished so badly, especially right at this moment, that she was still alive. Her words, always laced with wisdom would help me with my decision.

Oh Grandma, what should I do?

The silence was deafening. An involuntary sob escaped my chest, paving the way for more until I was consumed with pent up emotion, crying uncontrollably into my hands.

Why did my mate have to be my best friend's boyfriend?

How can I ever face Lana again?