The Alphas Hidden Mate

Chapter 11; No Control

GABRIELLA'S POV

Where the hell was he? I thought as I stood in a secluded forest just outside of the territory. I had made sure no one was following me. That little rat called Serena was trying to ruin what was mine - rightfully mine. I would not stand for a nobody like her to stand in my way. As soon as I had left her, I called an emergency meeting with the man. We needed to figure out what to do with her.

"We don't need to do anything, Miss Larken." I heard the cold, gravelly voice behind me and I jumped and squeaked a little. 

"Jeez, make a noise or something next time." I said, clutching my heart. The man walked past me, his black coat brushing me as he did. I shivered a little at the breeze it created. This man just seemed to emit a cold chill all the time. 

"I did. I spoke. That's a noise." He said, simply. His hood continued to shroud his face, especially when he hung his head low. I asked him once, who he was...he did not like that. 

"I mean...never mind. What do you mean we aren't going to do anything?" I asked him, confused. I hugged my arms. How do I keep forgetting to bring a jacket or something each time I meet him?

"I mean exactly that. We aren't going to anything. She's just a minor inconvenience. A small bump in the road. If you really must, you can do something. I, however, find her to be a waste of my time - which I consider valuable. I highly doubt that she will actually do anything...it's just empty threats." He said, waving a hand dismissively. I couldn't believe this. 

"What if she does do something? Something to ruin our plan?" I asked him, annoyed. He just shrugged. 

"Like I said, feel free to do what you want with her. I wouldn't act on anything yet. Let her make a first move - if she does, then reciprocate. If you do anything before she does, it can destroy any hope of you becoming Luna. Are we understood?" He asked me. I sighed, still slightly annoyed but I guess it's better than nothing.

"Yes, crystal clear." I said. The forest grew darker, suddenly. It wasn't anywhere near close to evening. I frowned and looked over at the territory. The sun shone brightly on the land, still marking it almost noon. 

"Good. Now we have straightened that out, and have already wasted my precious time, don't ever call me for such nonsense again. I have better things to deal with than your trivial matters." He snarled and with another gust pf wind, he was gone. As soon as he left, the darkness disappeared and the sun shone down on me again. 

A shiver ran over me, as my body warmed up. I loathed that guy. However, he was vital to my plan to become Luna, just as I am vital to his plan...whatever that was. I asked him that once too, and again, he didn't like that I asked. He had simply said that his plan helped my plan in becoming Luna. I never ask any questions regarding him now. What a strange man...

SERENA'S POV

I entered the outdoor training area where I was to be training now. Archer was waiting eagerly for me and smiled once I had entered. 

"I was worried you might ditch your first day!" He said, walking over to me. I laughed and threw my gym bag on the floor with the other bags.

"What? And miss out on all the fun? Not a chance!" I replied. Archer laughed too. We shared a brief hug. 

"That's the Hastings I know. Now, unfortunately, you are starting in this level a little later than most. So you'll be a bit behind. This means, I can't place you with the others just yet. You're still in this group, you'll just be practicing with someone else until you're up to speed. I'm sure that won't take long, considering you're such a quick learner." He said, patting me on the back.

"I'm guessing that I will be training with you - considering that I am the only newbie here?" I asked him, raising an eyebrow.

"In your dreams, Hastings! No. I will be busy training the other group. Lucky for you, someone else has advanced to this group as well...in a way. They will be practicing with you." He said. I nodded, a little nervous. I guess Archer could sense my nerves and hesitation and we came to a stop as he grabbed my arm. "Hey, don't worry. I have complete faith in you. If I didn't, then I wouldn't have placed you at this level. Remember, you're a Hastings. Daughter of the best warriors Silver Bullet has had in centuries." He said, winking at me. 

"Right..." I said, not totally convinced. 

"Come on, I'll show you around and introduce you to the rest." He said, leading the way. I followed his lead. This training area was three times the size of the gym. It was pretty intimidating. Once I was shown around the area, he introduced me to the rest of the group. It was at this time that I realised that I might be their Luna eventually. Unfortunately, that didn't make me seem so confident during the introductions and the group all looked at me skeptically.

"Hey, I'm Serena Hastings." I said, to the group as a whole. None of them said anything. They all just looked at me, judging and questioning why I was here.

"In case you didn't know, Serena is the daughter of Kay and Tance Hastings. The best warriors we had. Some of you may remember them from a while ago." Archer said, trying to break the ice. It only cracked the slightest. Most still were wary of me, but respected me. 

"They were the best, the best, people I had ever met!" A voice crowed from the back. Everyone turned to the voice and a very handsome man stood at the back. He smiled at me, showing a perfect set of white teeth. His smile was...wow. Yeah, definitely breathtaking. Mind you, nothing compared to my mate but...a girl can't deny the fact, deny what is right in front of her! He was deliciously tanned, gorgeous baby blue eyes and brown short hair as well that was styled to be messy. He wore a khaki green tank top and plain shorts. 

"Uh...I...uh..." I stuttered. My brain must be lagging due to his hotness. 

"I'm Gavin Doppler. Your parents were my mentors and they were awesome! I'm so happy to be training with my mentors daughter. I'm sure that their talents were passed down to you." He said, confidently. I blushed a little.

"Okay, everyone. Please make her feel included in this group. Now back to training." Archer said, dismissing them. Gavin flashed me another smile and nodded before turning to his sparring partner. Wow...was I drooling?

Archer cleared his throat and I snapped out of it. "So...whose my sparring partner?" I said, changing the subject. 

"Well...look like he just got here. Come meet him...although, I'm sure you know who he is." Archer said, laughing a little. I frowned, confused. We walked by the group who were blocking our view and approached the person. The moment we were past all the sweaty people, I knew who it was. He heard us approach and turned.

There stood Crace, in his gym gear, completely unfazed. "Hey! What's up?" He said to us. 

What are you doing here?! I hissed at him in my mind. 

I came up with a way to still be near each other but not together in public! He replied, enthusiastically. This way, we don't get affected as much from the distance. 

"Serena, I'm sure you know who our alpha is." Archer said, nodding to Crace. I smiled, forcefully. My anxiety skyrocketed. Oh god...this was really going to be difficult.

"Yes. Nice to see you, Alpha Crace." I said, remembering to nod my head in respect.

"Alpha Crace, this is Serena Hastings. I'm sure you recognise her from the beginning training class. Alpha Crace was monitoring the lessons towards the end of your time there." Archer mentioned to me. "I also noticed that you two sparred once together as well." He mused. Crace beamed, effortlessly. How was he not worried about slipping up? Oh right, he's the Alpha. He can't slip up.

"That's right. Miss Hastings..." He began.

"Please, call me Serena." I interrupted, trying to smile back. This way, if he does slip and call me by name then we have that. 

Crace read my thoughts and nodded slightly. "Then I must ask you to call me Crace. Here I am just your sparring partner and not your Alpha. I do remember from training. You were very good. Almost as good as me." He said, chuckling.

"That's right. She is very good. That is why I moved her here. I noticed how well you two sparred together. I thought 'why break up the perfect sparring duo when I can just have them continue to train together.'" Archer said. I looked at him, a little surprised.

"You came up with this idea?" I said, incredulously. Archer raised a brow at my surprise and dismay. "It's just such a wonderful idea, that's all. " I said, trying to cover my tracks. Archer still looked at me wary before moving on. Thank god.

Be cool, princess. You almost ruined it Crace said, in my mind.

I'M almost ruining it. You're the one whose shown up here suddenly, without any notice! I hissed at him, again in my mind/

I needed you're surprise to be authentic. How would it look if I showed up and Archer saw right through your act? That would cause him to be suspicous and you don't want that...He said. He laughed in my mind as he sensed my reluctant acceptance. 

"As much as I want to take credit for this idea. It was the Alpha who wanted to join this group and continue to train with you. I am looking forward to seeing the progress that is made from you, Serena. Like he said, he is only your sparring partner here. Not your Alpha. Don't hold back and no hesitations. Remember my rules..." He said. He nodded at me and patted Crace on the back a few times before departing us.

Crace just beamed at me. He was thrilled. Ugh...I truly did not like this idea. "I can't believe you" I muttered, just loud enough for him to hear. 

He chuckled. "Oh come on, you must admit that you are also feeling the effects of our seperation through the bond." He said, warming up by stretching. His shirt rose a little, showing off his v-line. 

Eyes up here, Miss Hastings. He said in my mind. I felt heat rise to my cheeks and looked away quickly. I pursed my lips.

"Sure, I am feeling the seperation pangs. That doesn't mean, though, that I have to like this idea of yours. What if I slip up? What if we slip up?!" I hissed at him, in real life.

"If that happens, I will take care of it, okay? You got nothing to worry about" He assured me. I narrowed my eyes at him and stretched too, raising my arms above my head and leaning from side to side. I noticed him looking at my chest and navel. 

Hey! Eyes north, Alpha I remarked, smirking at him. He licked his lips. 

Hard to do so, when I have such a temptress and seductive woman right in front of me  He growled, hungrily in my mind. Heat pooled in my core and my breath caught a little at his words. I was sure he could smell my arousal and I hated how he managed to affect me so easily. Stupid mate bond...

Crace...don't do that! I said to him, breathlessly. I didn't sound very convincing but he still listened. He chuckled again. 

"I will teach you some of the more advanced sparring moves and then we will practice them. Archer said to start basic and work our way up. Think you'll manage to keep up?" He said, smirking at me. 

"Please...I think the real question is do you think you can manage to keep up with me?" I said, getting into the warriors stance. He did too.

"Alright, let's see if you can manage to take me down by the end of the lesson, huh?" He said. I could not wait to prove him wrong...