The Alphas Hidden Mate

Chapter 10; Does He Know?

Serena's POV

"You've got to be kidding me!" I exclaimed after learning what happened earlier. Crace was waiting for me in the sitting area of my cottage and I could tell he had had a very tiring day. Not only could I sense it through our bond, but I could see it in his face. Gabriella was starting to really get on my nerves. "What are you going to do?" I asked him. I knew what he wanted but the thought filled me with such anxiety. I wasn't ready. Even Anika was hiding in the forest of my mind. If Anika wasn't ready yet, then neither was I. 

"There's nothing much to do. At least with this situation. I already agreed to her terms. I'm just going to have suffer in silence until it's time." He said, sighing. He looked exhausted. I hated that I was doing this to him. He had to now sleep with the enemy basically. God, I wish I wasn't such a mess inside. Why couldn't be like a normal wolf and accept her mate? Why did I have to be such a coward? I bit my lip, mulling over my thoughts and picked at my fingers. 

"Hey." Crace said, grabbing my chin. I looked at him, my brows furrowed in worry. "Don't you worry. I'm not going to force you into something you aren't ready for, just because I'm in a complicated situation. This is my situation. I got myself into it and now I have to get myself out of it." He assured me, stroking my hair. I sighed, still stressed.

"I know, Crace but we're mates. Partners now. If I am to be your Luna, I gotta help too. I have to be by your side through every complication, willing to help. Even if it's your mess, I will always be there to help you get out of it. That's what mates do, partners do." I told him. As I was saying this, I came to a decision. I really couldn't do much without giving myself away. However, I could tell her to back off...somehow. I would figure it out. It wasn't much but I could try. I had to...for Crace. When I see her next, I'll confront her, tell her to stay away and that will be it. 

"Let's not worry about it now. We still have tonight to enjoy together before I have to willingly climb into the spiders web." Crace said, laughing drily. Yep, I was definitely going to have to speak to Gabi. I smiled sadly at him. "Again, that's my issue. Now what can I do to take your mind off this so we can enjoy the night?" He asked me, tucking one of my baby hairs behind my ear. I raised an eyebrow at him. "You're not about to tell me that you won't be worrying about it all night, are you?" He asked me, smirking.

I glared at him for a second before conceding. "Okay, fine." I said, sighing. He laughed, gleefully. 

"That's what I thought. Now, what can we do?" He asked me. I beamed.

"I have an idea..." I said, biting my lip. He picked up what I was putting down and raised an eyebrow.

"Oh, do you now?" He said. He leaned forward and I did too. Our lips were treacherously close, a breath away from each other. My heart beat sped up a little. My mind began to fog a little from the desire and lust. I had to scramble a little in it to remember something important.

"Crace..." I began. He smiled, knowingly at me.

"I know, princess. I won't push you for more." He promised me. I inhaled deeply, breathing in his intoxicating scent. I met his lips hungrily. It had already been too long since the last one, and knowing he wouldn't be staying with me anymore...well, I wanted to make sure he wouldn't forget who is actual mate was. You know, give him something to think about for a while. 

The next day, I woke up alone and cold. Crace's side of the bed was despairingly empty and the bond already ached at his absence. God, how would I be able to last without him? Anika howled. The howl was so powerful, it resounded throughout my mind. It travelled throughout my entire body. I took a steadying breath. Suddenly, I was filled with a newfound sense of determination and strength. I looked at Anika within my mind and she nodded her head slightly. 

I got out of bed and stretched, waking up my muscles. I turned to make the bed and noticed a little note on Craces' pillow. I smiled and grabbed it. I sniffed the note and smelled his scent. It surrounded me with comfort. I sat back on the bed to read it.

My Fairy Nymph Queen,

I'm sorry I had to leave so early and without saying goodbye. It hurt me and my wolf to so.

Believe me, Seiko won't let me hear the end of it today. 

Unfortunately, I had some matters to deal with in the estate.

I plan on letting people know about what is going on before she announces it herself.

You know what she is like. We might not like this, but at least I can control how people know. 

We shall see each other soon enough...we will find a way...link me if you need me for anything. And I mean, anything. If you need to see me, link me and we will meet in the forest at our trunk.

I love you, princess. 

Crace xx

P.S don't forget you start your new training today with Archer today. Good luck. I will be there for your first day xx

I finished reading the note and gasped when I read about my new training. Sh*t I thought. I totally forgot. I wasn't prepared at all and my anxiety skyrocketed. I was so not ready. I couldn't do this...

Anika stepped forward. You're kidding me right? She huffed at me.

What do you mean? I haven't prepared for any of this new training! I exclaimed, stressed. 

Anika rolled her eyes at me. Do you think Archer would have placed you in this group if you weren't prepared and ready for it? She asked me. She looked at me, pointedly. Well...she did have a point. It's just that the other wolves in this group were already more advanced than me. Also, who was I going to train with now? I had my friend and Crace in the other group. In this group, I had no one.

Serena, you're being ridiculous. You have warrior in your blood. You're parents were the best warriors, remember? Don't worry about who you will train with. Your talents will prove your worth She reminded me and I took a breath. She was right. I can do this. My parents excelled and I excel too. Just focus. 

With that resolve, I packed my training bag, got ready for the day and training, grabbed a bagel and left. 

On the way to the intermediate training area, I passed Gabriella. Perfect. Anika howled again, filling me determination, courage and bravery. She stood alert, her silver hair shimmering in the wind, ready. 

Today, Gabriella's outfit was a purple mini dress, lilac heels and her long, blonde hair was up in a ballerina bun. The 'perfect' image of royalty. I fought the urge to roll my eyes. 

"Gabriella" I said, stopping her in her tracks. No doubt, she was going to just pretend that I don't exist. Not today. She turned to look at me, her poise perfect. She pursed her lips at me, annoyed.

"What is it, Hastings? I have more important things to do than talk to someone like you" She said, indignantly. Anika snarled. I took a breath to remain my composure.

"I promise not to waste a second of your time." I said, sweetly. She narrowed her eyes at me, warily. Good, I was getting her attention. 

"Go ahead then." She said, holding her head high. Please, she's going to be a Luna - for the time being anyway - not a Queen. 

"Cool! I just wanted to warn you." I said to her, flicking my ponytail behind me. She narrowed her eyes at me once more. 

"Warn me about what? Why?" She asked, crossing her arms defensively.

"I wanted to warn you to back off from Crace." I answered her. My resolve faltered a little. Perhaps this was a bad idea... 

Anika howled quietly, comforting me. Gabriella laughed, though it was more of a cackle. "Oh really? You want to warn me to back off from the Alpha?" She asked me.

"Yes." I answered, simply. God, I might die from this. 

"Why?" She asked me. As the sun begin to rise, more people began to go outside. They barely paid attention to us, though some did look at us curiously before moving on. Perhaps it was a bad idea to do this somewhere so public.

"Uh...I...uh..." I stammered, trying to think. I had clearly not thought this far ahead and I began to panic. "Uhm..." I said.

"Go on, I'm waiting to hear what I am sure is a compelling and excellent answer as to why I should stay away from Crace." Gabriella smirked. The smirk snapped me out of it. I wanted to smack that smirk off her smug face.

"You're disrespecting the Alpha with what you're doing. You don't think that what you're doing is angering him? You don't think that you're annoying him with you're hovering? I see you always hanging around him, Gabriella and he never looks to happy when you're there." I said, raising an eyebrow. Gabriella frowned, thinking about it. Oh thank god...

After a moment, Gabriella laughed. "Oh please. Who do you think you are? You're just a simple wolf. You can't do anything about." She said, waving a hand dismissively. 

"I might not be able to but one day, he's going to lose his patience. He's going to snap and get rid of you. He'll grow sick of you hovering around him. He'll tell you to leave him." I said, looking at my nails. I was met with silence. I looked up to find Gabriella looking worried. Unfortunately, it lasted for a second. 

"Honey, he definitely hasn't gotten sick of me. He proves to me how much he wants me. Every. Night." She smirked. I felt my breath rush out of me. I knew what she said was a lie, because recently, Crace has been with me. However, the words still cut like a knife. 

Gabriella cackled again and turned to leave. I watched her go, still shocked. Anika huffed and snapped me out of it. She'll get karma eventually. Until then, I just had to deal with it. I got my act together and continued on to training. Now, I was filled with so much determination that I wasn't even slightly worried about my new training group. I had this in bag.