Alpha Dane's Secret

Acting Skills

[EVA POV]

Alpha wolves are known for their obnoxious pride. This same pride kept Alpha Dane from directly admitting I was his mate. He wanted me to vocalize this first. Since I was acting as though I didn’t feel the mate bond, it made him even more prideful. He wouldn’t dare admit such a thing and risk the embarrassment of me denying it outright.

“This isn’t how I planned.” Alpha Dane grumbled a complaint as he let go of me. He began pacing the cobblestone floor of the cottage.

“I’m sure. An Alpha needs his Luna. I am sure you’re missing her.” I pushed. I almost flinched when Alpha Dane let out another low growl.

“Leah isn’t my Luna,” he snapped. Then he ran a hand through his hair.

“But Luna…” I began, allowing my voice to tremble with fake worry.

“I shouldn’t have said that. Leah and I are…we are chosen mates,” he explained.

Their mateship was something that was whispered about throughout the pack. It was a fact that was never confirmed or denied by the Alpha. Most people assumed they had to be fated mates because of how perfect they were for each other. Their romance springing from their youth. However, most Alphas announce when they’ve found their fated mate. This was never done, and their mate ceremony was private. Some wolves prefer a more intimate mating ceremony, but it is rare for an Alpha leading a pack.

“I thought you were fated.” I lied. “You are so passionate with each other. Just last night you were…” he cut me off.

“I was just trying to appease her. You know how she gets. She is whiny and throws tantrums,” he complained.

“She’s your mate. Chosen or fated. You love her,” I explained, resting a reassuring hand onto his back. This time he almost yelped at the tingles from our mate bond. I pretended to look ashamed.

“Sorry I shouldn’t have touched you, Alpha.” I apologized, sounding as weak as possible.

“You’re always allowed to touch me.” He admitted and reached for my hand that I placed behind my back.

“I am sorry you and Luna are having issues, Alpha. Maybe you should go to her and try to talk things through. You’ve been together for so long…” I had my head bow slightly.

“Stop it, Eva!” he snapped. He was back to his furious pacing. “I don’t want to see her. I don’t want to talk to her. I don’t want to touch her.” He seethed.

“Alpha,” I whispered meekly. It was amazing to see the way his body responded to my voice. I could see the tension in his muscles relax.

“Eva.” His name made my inner thighs clench hard.

Goddess, I hope I am not emitting any arousal. He would scent it immediately. I thought.

Don’t worry, I am controlling our scent. My lovely wolf informed me.

Really? You can do that? You’re amazing! I complimented my wolf.

We are special Eva. I’ve been laying on our scent to drive him wild. He is overwhelmed by the scent of his mate. My wolf chuckled.

“Alpha, maybe you should go for a run. Spend some time under the moon before sunrise. Then get some rest. It sounds like whatever is going on with you and Leah needs some time,” I suggested. A brave move to make a suggestion to an Alpha when unprovoked.

“I won’t leave you alone. Not tonight,” Alpha Dane declared.

“I appreciate it, Alpha. You’re my shifting guardian, so it makes sense you feel responsible.” I smiled.

I saw the twitch of irritation in his eyes. I was giving an excuse as to why he wanted to be with me. I was making a clear indication that tonight was just platonic…professional even.

“Do you remember the day I found you?” his question surprised me.

“Sort of,” I admitted. My memory was a bit fuzzy due to my age.

“You were so small. You were covered in dirt, soot, and blood. I couldn’t make out the color of your hair or the shade of your skin. Just your big round hazel eyes. You weren’t crying, but you were clearly afraid.” He gently stroked a strand of my now platinum hair behind my ear. The tingles vibrated down my ear. I felt my knees weaken.

“My eyes aren’t hazel anymore, are they?” I asked. I knew after I met the goddess my wolf’s fur, and my hair turned white. I wondered what else changed. I hated the melodic chuckle Alpha Dane made.

“No. They are a bright amber like all Alpha wolves,” he said with pride.

“Is that how you knew I was an Alpha wolf?” I asked, remembering his comment from when I began shifting. He nodded gleefully again.

“It is. All alphas have yellow eyes in their wolf form. It becomes less vibrant when in your human form. I do miss your hazel eyes though,” he explained. I decided to ignore his compliment.

“Does that mean my parents were Alpha wolves?” I asked excitedly.

“Most likely. It is very rare that an Alpha is born from an unranked wolf. I’ve never heard of an alpha being born from any other rank except alpha, of course. I could tell he enjoyed explaining things to me.

A thought occurred to me that he would keep my education so strict, so I would rely on him for information. Not only to control what I knew but also to be the one who taught me. Most wolves have a natural bond with the one who trains them. That is why our teachers are so important. A part of their essence would remain with each pup they taught. I only had two private tutors, two female wolves. Now Alpha Dane wanted to build a deeper bond with me. He didn’t just want to be my mate. He wanted to establish a deep devotion from me.

You don’t need him to teach you. My wolf cut in.

“I’ve always wanted to thank you, Alpha Dane. You’ve done so much for me. Especially today. You take your role as Alpha very seriously. It’s admirable.” I complimented knowing it would annoy him that I was writing off his actions as those of an Alpha not a mate.

“It has nothing to do with being your alpha.” He admitted, and I held my breath. “Your…special…to me.” He staggered out. I managed an innocent laugh.

“A lot of people say I am like your child. You even defend me against Luna.” I joked, knowing I was pushing his buttons.

“I do not see you as my child.” He bit out. I feigned fear.

“I… I am so sorry… Alpha… I was just…” I was really selling this pathetic act.

“It’s not your fault.” He reassured me. “I am aware of the gossip that goes through the pack.” He attempted to rub my back. I flinched back like I was afraid.

“There is a lot of that.” I croaked out.

“It’s common in every pack to have gossip,” he explained.

“Well, I can assure you no one thinks you and Luna are having any issues.” I took his hand and assured him with desperate eyes. Our mate bond was pulsating between our hands.

You’re quite the actress, human. My wolf was howling with laughter at my performance.

You get good at acting when you have to manipulate people to survive. I joked with my wolf.

“I know that,” he said sharply. “The whole pack thinks Leah is pregnant though,” He complained.

“Is that why you two are arguing?” I asked innocently.

“Leah is my chosen mate. Our children will be weak. Whenever an Alpha takes a chosen mate, their children are unranked,” he explained. No wonder he wanted to mate with me.

“You two must really love each other if you chose each other, even knowing that,” I exclaimed. Making sure to add a look of admiration to my delivery.

“We were young. We didn’t think having a weak heir mattered. At that time, I thought we would find a way around it or something. I don’t know.” He explained, beginning to pace again.

Do you believe him or does this sound like bullsh*t? My wolf asked.

He seems genuine, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he was exaggerating. I answered.

“What if you meet your fated mate?” I asked, doing my best not to chuckle. He turned to look at me. His eyes were full of confusion.

He’s pushing out his pheromones again. My wolf informed me. Her voice sounded hoarse. She must be fighting with it.

“Eva…” he started, then his eyes glazed over. He must have received a mindlink.

“Is everything ok?” I asked.

“I will be back.” He growled. He sounded lethal. “Stay here.” He commanded. I nodded sheepishly before he rushed out ready to kill.

So much for not leaving me tonight. I joked with my wolf.