Taming My Alpha Bully

Chapter 5 Mate

Briar

Pain. That's all I knew for what felt like an eternity. Every bone in my body seemed to crack and reshape itself, my muscles stretching and contorting in ways that shouldn't be possible. I bit back screams, not wanting to alert anyone to my location.

This wasn't supposed to happen yet – my 18th birthday was still days away. An early shift was rare, but it just happened to me, as I quickly learned that it was agonizing.

"Come on, Briar," I gritted out through clenched teeth. "You can do this."

Just when I thought I couldn't take anymore, that I might actually die from the agony, something... clicked. Like puzzle pieces falling into place, my body suddenly knew what to do. The pain receded, replaced by an odd tingling sensation that spread from my core to the tips of my fingers – no, paws.

I blinked, adjusting to my heightened senses. The world around me was suddenly sharper, more vibrant. I could hear the heartbeat of a rabbit yards away, smell the lingering scent of a deer that had passed through hours ago.

Hesitantly, I took a step forward. Then another. My new body felt strange, but also... right. Like I'd been wearing ill-fitting clothes my whole life and had finally found something that fit perfectly.

"We did it!"

The voice in my head startled me. It was feminine, excited, and distinctly not mine.

"Who are you?" I thought back.

"I'm Ivy," the voice replied. "I'm your wolf, silly!"

Of course. I'd heard about this – how a werewolf's wolf form had its own personality, a sort of inner voice. But I'd never expected mine to be so... chipper.

"Come on," Ivy urged. "Let's see what we look like!"

Driven by curiosity, I padded towards a nearby lake. As I approached the water's edge, I caught sight of my reflection and gasped.

Staring back at me was a beautiful white wolf with striking green eyes. My fur looked soft as snow, practically glowing in the moonlight. I was smaller than the average wolf, but there was a lithe, graceful quality to my form.

"We're gorgeous!" Ivy exclaimed, and I couldn't help but agree.

Overcome with a sudden urge to run, to test out this new body, I took off into the woods. Ivy's excitement bubbled up inside me as we darted between trees, leaped over fallen logs, and splashed through shallow streams.

I quickly realized that while Ivy was smaller than the average wolf, she was incredibly fast and agile. We zipped through the forest like a white blur, our paws barely seeming to touch the ground. For the first time in my life, I felt... powerful and free.

I ran until my lungs burned and my legs trembled, finally collapsing in a small clearing. As I caught my breath, a strange sense of calm washed over me. It was like all the hurt and anger I'd been carrying for years had been left behind in that mad dash through the woods.

Damian's cruel words, which had cut so deep earlier, now seemed distant and insignificant. So what if he thought I was worthless? So what if I'd never be good enough for an Alpha?

I had Ivy now. I was strong, I was fast, and I was finally, truly myself.

With newfound determination, I made my way back to where I'd left my clothes. Shifting back was easier than the initial transformation, though still uncomfortable. As I pulled on my torn dress, I made a silent vow to myself. From now on, I was going to live life on my own terms. All the jerks who'd made my life miserable – they could all go to hell.

As for Damian... well, he could go f**k himself. I was done caring what he thought of me.

The walk back to the pack house was surreal. Everything looked and smelled different with my enhanced senses. When I finally reached the familiar building, I was surprised to see Damian's car still gone. Good. The last thing I needed was another confrontation with him.

As I passed by Damian's room, a scent hit me so strongly I nearly stumbled. It was... intoxicating. Like pine and musk and something uniquely him, but amplified a thousand times. My head swam, and for a moment, I forgot how to breathe.

What the hell was that?

I shook my head, trying to clear it. I was probably just overstimulated from my first shift, my senses still adjusting. Yeah, that had to be it.

Too tired to think about it anymore, I stumbled into my room and straight into the shower. The hot water soothed my aching muscles, washing away the dirt and sweat from my transformation. By the time I crawled into bed, I was already half asleep.

**

I don't know how long I'd been out when a noise jolted me awake. Groggily, I blinked in the darkness, trying to figure out what had disturbed me. Then I heard it – the sound of my locked door being opened.

My heart raced as a tall figure slipped into my room. Even in the dim light, I'd recognize that silhouette anywhere.

Damian.

He stood in the doorway, his silhouette backlit by the hallway light. Something was... off about him. His scent was stronger than ever, mixed with something wild and dangerous that made Ivy stir restlessly inside me.

He stumbled slightly, the scent of alcohol clinging to him. His eyes, glowing slightly in the dark, locked onto mine.

"Briar," he growled, his voice low and husky.

I sat up, clutching my blanket to my chest. "Damian? What are you doing here?"

He took a step closer, and I could see the internal struggle playing out on his face. His fists clenched and unclenched at his sides, like he was fighting for control.

"I couldn't stay away," he muttered, more to himself than to me. "Your scent... it's driving me crazy."

My breath caught in my throat. This had to be a dream. There was no way Damian Lancaster was in my room in the middle of the night, looking at me like... like...

Like he wanted to devour me.

"You need to leave," I said, hating how breathy my voice sounded. "You're drunk, and-"

In a flash, Damian was at my bedside, looming over me. His scent enveloped me – that intoxicating mix I'd smelled earlier, but stronger now. My body reacted instinctively, a warmth spreading through me that had nothing to do with the blanket.

"Do you have any idea," Damian growled, leaning in close, "What do you do to me?"

"I don't know..."

I swallowed hard, my heart pounding so loudly I was sure he could hear it.

His hand cupped my cheek, surprisingly gentle for someone who looked ready to snap at any moment. "You're mine," he said, his voice a mix of desperation and possessiveness. "My mate. My Omega. "Mine."

And then, before I could process what was happening, he was already at the edge of the bed, his hands gripping the sheets on either side of me. His face was inches from mine, his breath hot against my skin.

Wrapped in the heat of his body, my heart pounding so hard I thought it might burst out of my chest. "Damian, wait-"

"No more waiting," he growled.

And then, his lips crashed down on mine.