How To Date A Recluse Alpha

Episode 3 - Meeting The Recluse

The smell of wood was what woke me up. I became conscious of the soft feeling of bedsheets around me and the warm toasting of the air. I stretched my legs to the tip of my toe on the bed.

My eyes opened to a darkened cave; I sat up instantly. Details of the events that led to my blacking out rushing in like bad currents. I could not allow myself to get weak again.

But where was I?

The air in the cave was musky, and the walls were clearly hewn out of a rock, the little light in the room came from the entrance of the cave.

What was going on here?

What is this place? The room was sparsely furnished and everything was made of wood; wooden cabinets, spoons, plates, tables and chairs.

I slowly got out of bed. That was when something dawned on me. My clothes had been changed, and I was now wearing ragged shorts and a loose top. There was no blood on my face either and my hands were bandaged.

A low growl escaped my lips. Who was my rescuer?

My legs were shaky as I stood, but I struggled out of the cave. The entrance was closed in by a set of wooden rails.

I pushed it aside as I came out. The clearing wasn't large, there were trees all around. But the cave was definitely guarded. I noticed that there were several traps set all around the trees.

Was this a wolf hunter? I panicked. The traps were numerous, it was almost impossible to penetrate into the cave. Wolves do not set traps unless for border defense. Why would...

The sound of wood being chopped caught my attention and I ran down the rock, taking great care not to fall.

The sight of a muscled hand holding an axe stopped me, the arm was constantly being raised and the large timber cut into smaller pieces. It was most likely for firewood.

I stared at the broad and muscled back, glistening with sweat. He must have sensed my presence since he stopped and turned.

I was awed at the sight of him. He was a beautiful creature. His hair was long but well trimmed, and his forest green eyes shone brightly. I assumed he must be around twenty-five years of age. He had a strong physique, his face was art in itself.

He dropped his axe when he noticed my scrutiny. I jumped back. This was a strong wolf, and not one I was capable of fighting.

I was only strong mentally and intellectually. Physically. I was slim and petite.

“Hi” I called out.

He shrugged, “Since you are awake. You should eat and get going.

He packed up the woods he had chopped and went into the cave. I followed as fast as my fragile health could allow.

“Who are you?”

”How did you save me?”

He ignored my questions as he began feeding the wood to the fire. He walked back to what I presume was a cooking hearth and started it as well.

He began cutting vegetables, still ignoring me.

I stayed out of his way and allowed him make the meal. I was very hungry.

He served me wordlessly. He didn't dish any for himself, and he soon disappeared from sight.

As long as he was not a serial killer, I was too hungry to care for anything else . The food tasted good so I devoured it.

I became sleepy after I finished eating. He came out once more, he was properly dressed this time, although I noticed his clothes were worn and a bit jumpy for him.

Who was this young man?

I had barely been able to get two thoughts out when my eyes glazed over, and I fell to the bed, dead asleep.

********

By the time I woke up, the room was empty, and I couldn't find my saviour anywhere, no matter how much I searched and, once again, I was wearing my clothes. I burned with anger.

Why would he take the liberty to change my clothes as he wished!!!

I screamed. He had seen my body twice now, and I didn't even know his name.

Too annoyed, I made my way outside while grabbing a big wooden spoon in anger that would teach him a lesson. I came out, the sight of the traps stopped me. I had to be very careful here.

As I walked closer, I saw that he had drawn out a pathway out of the traps for me.

How chivalrous of him. Someone had trained the young man on good manners. A thing Alpha Kale had sorely lacked.

He had also attached several white pieces of linen to trees to direct me out. I made my way out promising to be back. I had to thank my saviour somehow even though he wasn't the chatty type.

I walked for a long period before I finally burst into familiar territory, the sight of my wrecked car glaring at me. That was where the linens stopped.

I fished out my bag from the rental car. I would probably have several thousand to pay for the car.

I climbed my way out of the rocky surroundings. By the time I got to the island. Everywhere was in disarray and I got pointed at a lot.

I soon knew why. There was a rescue team in front of my apartment. They all screamed when they saw me. The Sheriff, the loudest, hugged me tightly.

“Where have you been? We have looked everywhere for you,” he asked in a voice filled with concern.

The eyes of everyone were on us and I could see the jealous stares.

I shrugged him off immediately before my wolf got the better of me and I clubbed him in the head.

Ms Cathy walked up to me, hands trembling: “My child. I thought something happened to you. I think it was like twenty years ago in Wolves Creek when they had all begun going missing one after the other.”

What? Wolves Creek had a shady past?

“That is enough,” Sheriff Brandon cut her off.

“But it is the truth. She has the right to know. Everyone stays clear of those woods. No one goes in there,” Ms Cathy countered, soliciting understanding from other wolves standing nearby.

He walked towards her menacingly, subduing her with his powerful stance.

“I said that is enough. That is the past, we are now in the future and everything is forgotten,” he insisted.

Ms Cathy kept quiet after that. She helped me into my apartment. The medical crew checked me and after seeing I was okay, they left.

Even Mr Randle had visited with a bowl of steaming pasta with meat balls. I kept it in the oven. I would eat it later.

Everyone left except Sheriff Brandon, who kept on hovering around me.

“I want to apologize for last night. I hadn't thought my actions would make you feel unsafe. But I would like to ask has something like that happened before? Why do you feel threatened by me?” he asked innocently.

But I wasn't falling for that. Men like Kale were no good.

“Am tired, please, can you leave?” i asked instead.

He was taken back but nodded. “Alright, but can I take you to lunch later?” he asked hopefully.

“This is an apology meal. And it is true, I am trying to have s*x with you, but I won't force you until you are ready. “ He concluded like he was doing me a favour.

My hands itched to slap him. But that would be digging my own grave, so I merely scoffed.

”I wouldn't have s*x with you, Sheriff Brandon”

“We will see about that,” he called as he left my apartment.

I would never attend that lunch meeting. I didn't want anyone prying into my past with Alpha Kale. Although Crestmoon Pack was far from this place, I still had to be careful.

And I was not going to take Sheriff Brandon's overbearing attitude either. My freedom would not be caged by any male.

I took my bath, had a good sleep, but that gnawing feeling wouldn't leave my chest.

Something was not adding up. Ms Cathy's word earlier came to my mind. Damn that nosy Sheriff.

I refreshed myself and made my way to her house. The old lady gave me a warm smile. I love the smell of the peaches on her. I saw some family pictures on her table and I longed for such love. To have a family filled with love and care. Kale and Lilith had taken that away from me, and they had paid dearly.

I hoped Lilith was enjoying the repercussions of being an Alpha's widow.

“Hope you are better? I should have warned you about that forest, but it escaped my mind. I guess we have all lived in peace for so long,” she muttered as she served me coffee.

Warming up my fingers around the mug, I took a sip

“Is there anything wrong with the forest?” I asked.

She sat gently, picked up the remote and lowered the volume of the TV set.

“Wolves Creek was a horrendous place twenty years ago. The town was fuller, and it was the centre of commerce. Everyone came here. Our Alpha then was very kind. His home was open to all and he was very sympathetic. Everyone loved him. However, all of a sudden. People began missing from the island. For a period of three years, wolves went missing every full moon. Everyone got scared and called for a great search.

The search led them to the house of Alpha Carl. He was the one who led the hunt. His house was on the edge of the forest then. They discovered the bones and carcasses of the wolves he had killed.”

I paled. ”That is barbaric and wicked.”

“It was underneath the cabin. He denied it to his dying breath.”

“Dying breath?” I asked, my hands falling off my mug.

Ms Cathy sighed. “Alpha Carl and his family were killed that night.”

I gasped. She nodded and continued, “ The sight of the bones made the wolves mad, and they turned on him and his family. People that were there said he cried that it was a set-up, and he didn't kill anyone. No one believed him. He, his wife, his eldest son and his younger son. They were all burned by fire that night. The people put them inside the cabin and burnt it to ashes before they turned back. The killings have stopped since then,” she said. She shivered as she finished the tale.

“That is so horrible. But they should have allowed a proper investigation to be done before killing him.” I was a lover of justice.

Ms Cathy nodded: “The case was closed after that. Many people fled Wolves Creek. Only homeowners stayed behind, like me and people who have no means to leave.”

“I see.“

She stared into my eyes: “You shouldn't go into the forest. I could tell that was where you emerged from yesterday. You are a stranger to Wolves Creek. You should be careful.”

I nodded. This was huge. I had thought to run to safety, but even my safety net had such a dark past.

I noticed that the vast land of the forest was left alone and not utilized at all.

I knew it would be unwise to tell anyone about my journey and meeting that man. He was obviously a recluse. Still, I owed him my life, even though he took liberty with my clothes but he was such a fine specimen.

Thanking Ms Cathy, I hightailed it out of her apartment. She gifted me with her delicious pies. I headed for work at the court.

Seeing I only had one case, put me in a foul mood. I turned it over to my colleague as I saw it was about a scuffle between two pups.

I nearly rolled my eyes. I gave up on my duty and went to the restaurant.

I was ruminating on the man living in the forest and why the people of Wolves Creek didn't know he existed in those rocks. He definitely didn't have a mate.

I was reminiscing on the warmth of his presence when Randle called my name.

I clicked my tongue, the guy was annoying.

“Karina!” I feigned deafness.

“Karina! The sheriff wants you at the front.”

I shook my head. “Tell him no, and thank you.”

Randle's mouth opened wide. Obviously, no female wolf had ever said no to the sheriff.

I didn't give a damn. I was a judge, since when did I start to care for the feelings of others? I had only tolerated Kale because I thought I loved him. Love does make a woman stupid.

“I will give you the rest of the day off. Trust me, you don't want to get on the bad side of the Sheriff of Wolves Creek. His family owns this island. Have you ever seen a werewolf town with a Sheriff? They created the agency just for him,” he groaned at me.

I rolled my eyes. I didn't care about Brandon.

“I will give you my car to get around for a week,” I raised an eyebrow at that. I had paid heavily for that car I wrecked, the rental service had refused to give me another. Hence, I had been taking cab rides throughout the week.

But if he was generously offering his…

“Fine, “ I said and made my way to the main restaurant.

I noticed the annoyance bouncing off in waves from Sheriff Brandon as he sat.

I signed and made my way over.

“To what pleasure do I owe this visit?”

He chuckled. Sheriff Brandon was good-looking and he knew it. He was charismatic too. Just like Kale had been.

“I came to fulfill my promise”

“At my workplace?” I grumbled.

“Fine. If you don't want to eat lunch, what would you like to do?” he asked

Ms Cathy's words came to me

“I want to know what happened on this island twenty years ago.”

His eyes widened. This was going to be fun.