Mated To My Shadow-Wolf Alpha

Chapter 6

Rowan's POV.

I gasped as I jolted awake.

I let out a sigh as I glanced around, realizing that I was back in my room. I jolted to my feet as I hurriedly rushed out of my room, only to realize that it was morning already.

Memories of the previous day coursed through my mind and the last thing I could remember was kissing the Alpha.

But why was I here?! How did I end up in my room?! Hell! Alpha Cyril would kill me for this!

I was still in the maid's dress I had on, and I turned on my feet when I realized that I was already late for my duties in the pack house.

Hot and cold shivers chased themselves down my spine.

I ran for miles into the woods down the path that had led out of the pack lands into the next neighboring clan. I stopped to catch my breath, my gaze still lingering on the open road when I contemplated a thought.

“You can't run. Alpha Cyril will kill you before you do,”

A voice rasped from nearby, sending a panic jolt through me. Turning instantly on my feet, a silhouette moved from behind one of the trees. I watched as Lysander, Alpha Ragnar's Beta, smiled at me.

“What are you….” I stuttered. “Why are you here?!”

“The Alpha asked me to keep an eye on you. ” He scoffed. He adjusted the brown leather jacket he had on, his black pants highlighting his skinny thighs. “Ragnar would be thrilled to know that the first thing you thought of doing was running away. After he almost killed an Alpha. Because of you.”

“I'm not.. .I'm not trying to run away,” I responded. I'd lied. For a moment, I'd contemplated making a run for it. Not when I'd just made Alpha Cyril hate me the more.

My life was already miserable in the pack house. But Ragnar defending me last night was a big mistake.

“Well you better not.” Lysander growled. "Wouldn't want another little mistake like last night to happen again. Now you're the Alpha's.”

I frowned as he spoke, “I belong to no one. And definitely not to your Alpha.”

He chuckled, stalking in my direction and I could tell that he wasn't going to leave me alone anytime soon.

“You're not?” he asked. Arching a brow.

“Look,” I began. Flailing my arms in the air. “You don't need to go around trying to protect me like I'm some damsel in distress.”

“I also don't have the time to prioritize your safety over my peace and quiet, but you're family. I have no choice.” he scrutinized me for a few seconds, “I hear you have no animal. That's unusual.”

I sighed, already used to people's comments on my lack of wolf. Reeling on my feet, I took fast strides toward the direction that led to the lake where I'd almost been murdered by Selene and her minions.

My attempts to evade him seemed pretty impossible because he kept catching up with me.

“I'm Lysander, by the way.” He chuckled. “What's your name?”

“Rowan.”

“Sounds like my grandma.”

I laughed momentarily before making a snide remark, “Does your grandma also tell you that you're very infuriating?”

“I get that a lot. I'm the Alpha's Beta, in case you're wondering. I'm not his son, he's never had a wife, mate or mistress.” I could hear the amusement in his voice, and how he enjoyed taunting me.

His words fed my curiosity. Not that I had any interest in finding out any other personal information about the Alpha, but I couldn't help the slight relief I felt when I heard he'd never been mated.

Not that I cared if Lysander was his son or not. But I already knew he was his Beta.

“Didn't ask.” I scoffed.

He laughed like I'd said the most comical thing in the world. Stepping right in front of me, I could see the bright colors of his eyes, gray with flecks of gold as they shifted instantly, holding a feral slit.

“I don't care what you do, but if you put the Alpha in any kind of danger, I'll hunt and kill you myself.”

His voice had shifted from playful to cold, almost like his voice had mingled with that of his animal, and I felt dread churn in the pits of my stomach.

“It's your Alpha who's a danger to me,” I seethed. “Listen, I don't want any attention to myself, so would you please leave me alone? I want nothing to do with any of you, so let me be.”

His eyes changed back to their usual color and his lips curled back in a smug grin. Regarding me with one last look, he walked away, disappearing into the woods.

★★★

I'd spent the rest of the day hiding from the Alpha and his family. I was thankful that the maid mistress was away for a while and as I made my way back to end my work for the day, I smiled at the lady in the kitchen as she gave me my own servings of soup.

I slid into one of the empty seats in the kitchen, ready to eat when the alpha suddenly emerged from behind me.

“Hello, little wolf,” he purred.

“What do you want?”

Settling himself into the seat right in front of me, he grabbed hold of my hand, placing a soft kiss to it.

“I’m glad you're awake. I was worried when you passed out last night.”

I snatched my hand out of his grasp when his fingers began to trail circles on them. Hell, I didn't want his touch to linger any more than necessary when the maids passing by suddenly glanced in our direction.

I could tell they were curious to know why the Alpha's younger brother had chosen to sit with me, or hold my hands.

“Did he not pass you my message?” I grimaced.

“Who?”

He arched a brow, confusion clearly plastered on his gorgeous face. I noticed he was neatly shaved this time, his muscles strained against the plaid shirt that looked way smaller on his body as it clung to him like a second skin.

“Lysander.” I shrugged.

His brows furrowed as he spoke through gritted teeth. “Believe me, Kitten. Whatever he said or did, was of his own accord.”

What games was the Moon goddess playing with me this time? Pitching me against a man as powerful as the rogue Alpha. I tried to tell myself he was being sincere, that for once I should just ignore that sense of judgment that probed at my conscience to tell me I was in for a s**t-ton of pain if I let myself get carried away.

But my hate for his bloodline made me stare at him with a look of disdain evident on my face.

“I don't want the likes of you paying me any attention,” I seethed. “I’m sorry you had to be dragged into my public humiliation, but you really didn't have to. I'm pretty sure you wouldn't have if you didn't suddenly think that I was your mate.”

His countenance shifted, his gaze narrowed while he stared at me.

“You know, you could just say thank you,” He growled. “ I would have done it even if you weren't my mate. I don't care what you think about me or my perception, but you know next to nothing about me.

You think I spent the better part of my years going around deceiving females with the ruse of a mate bond? Don't make this harder than it already is. You're mine. Even if you don't feel it.”