The Alphas Mate

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

My paws hit the earth heavily as I ran in the woods. I loved running—the way the wind in my fur as I raced, the calm, yet excited state of my big, gray wolf as he ran.

The feeling was enthralling and addictive. I had a lot of paperwork waiting on the mahogany desk in my study that my second in command had deemed required my attention, but I needed this run.

I had been having less time to run these past few days, so I decided to skip work for a little bit since it was basically all I had been doing mostly.

There's an important meeting in the meeting hall, the voice of my second in command sounded in my head as he used the mind link.

I'm on my way.

I immediately shifted into my human form and went to change my dirt-stained clothes.

I took my seat in the cavernous meeting hall, the weight of responsibility settling heavily upon my shoulders.

The walls were adorned with ancient tapestries depicting the valorous history of our pack.

The scent of damp earth and wolf lingered in the air, a remainder of the run I was forced to leave.

One soldier stood in the middle of the room. "Your highness," he bowed, "we have been patrolling the borders, and we noticed that the weaker members of the pack that are living closest to the borders are being attacked. Not just the men, but the women too. The border patrol is not enough, we have to increase security because the rogues are increasing their attacks," he said. The head of our healers nodded, concern etched into the lines of his wrinkled face.

"The wounded are increasing, and our supplies are running thin. We need to establish a more secure route for our healers to gather crucial resources."

My father, towering and regal, presided at the head of the table, his long, silver hair cascading down his broad shoulders. "This matter cannot be delayed any further," he declared, his voice resonating through the chamber. "The rogue attacks have become relentless, endangering our kin and disrupting our territory."

Murmurs of agreement rumbled around the table, the tension in the room palpable. His Beta spoke next. "We must strengthen our borders and fortify our defenses. The eastern ridge remains vulnerable, and I propose we dispatch a squadron to patrol the perimeter, to further fortify the security."

As the discussions continued, voices blending in a symphony of resolve and concern, my gaze often shifted to the worn map spread before us. Each red-marked attack represented a wound upon our pack's integrity, a stain upon our legacy.

Hours slipped by, the deliberations stretching well into the evening. Plans were drawn, alliances forged, and responsibilities assigned. I listened intently, my mind a whirlwind of strategies and contingencies.

Finally, my father's authoritative voice cut through the fervor. "We shall reconvene at dawn. Let us all do our part to ensure the safety and prosperity of our pack. Dismissed."

The room emptied, leaving only my father and me. His steely gaze met mine, a silent understanding passing between us. "You carry the legacy of this pack, Jason. It's a good thing you decided to marry the daughter of an Alpha. That has given us allies, and I'm sure they'll be there when we need them."

I nodded, and turned to leave. I was displeased at having to marry Alicia, but if the arrangement was going to help my pack, then I would do it again.

I headed to the dining hall to have my dinner.

As I entered the dining hall, my parents took their seats on either side of me.

Alicia sat next to me and ate in silence, as she had done every single time since we had gotten married. We all ate in comfortable silence until my father spoke.

"Jason, my son, these are trying times for our pack. You understand the gravity of the situation we face," he said, his eyes locked onto mine. "What do you think of the discussions at the meeting today?"

I dropped my cutlery as I replied. "I'm fully aware of the challenges with the rogue wolves, and I agree with what the Beta said. We need to strengthen our defenses in every way possible, to prevent the rogues from getting through the borders. I also think we should recruit new soldiers and start training them as soon as possible," I said. "We need to show the rogues who has the power."

My mother chimed in, "It's not just about power, dear. It's about protecting our family and our pack. Have you considered how your alliance with Alicia's pack can assist us?"

I took a moment to respond, thinking of the marriage I had entered into for the sake of the pack. "I believe the alliance can be beneficial. Her pack has resources and warriors that can bolster our strength."

My father's gaze softened, showing a hint of pride. "Your responsibilities as the heir to our pack are great, Jason. You've made sacrifices for the greater good. It's not an easy burden to bear, but I believe you can do it."

I appreciated his words, and with determination in my eyes, I replied, "I won't let our pack down, Father." Our conversation shifted to other matters, but Alicia didn't contribute to anything that was said. She finally spoke up to excuse herself from the dinner with an excuse that she was feeling somewhat ill and needed to rest.

I noticed her plate was almost untouched, but I didn't comment because I didn't care enough to.

***

I sat on the brown leather chair in my well lit study, the weight of the day's work pressing upon my shoulders. The documents and reports sprawled across my desk demanded attention, so I went through them one by one, checking on each of them and doing the necessary work. A few hours passed, and I tried to continue working but weariness had finally claimed me. With a sigh, I knew it was time to retire for the night.

I stood from my chair and arranged my desk, then stepped out of my study and locked the door firmly. My chambers awaited, down the dimly lit corridor, but inexplicably, I found myself halting before Alicia's door. Our rooms were separate, because neither of us could stand the presence of the other—because of the unpalatable circumstances that surrounded our being together—and yet here I was, outside her room. I didn't know why I hesitated before I went to my room, but I suddenly felt drawn to her.

I gently turned the knob of the massive door, pushing the door open with a silent creak. The soft, silvery moonlight filtered in through the curtains, casting a gentle glow upon her room. Her room was decorated in different hues of red and gold, a stark contrast to the black and grays of mine. She lay in the middle of her king sized bed amidst a sea of soft blankets, her chest rising and falling in the rhythm of peaceful slumber.

She looked so serene, so vulnerable, in the embrace of dreams. As I watched her, a tenderness washed over me, and I couldn't help but be captivated by her beauty, even in repose.

I stalked closer to her bed—drawn by an irresistible force—gazing at her as she slept. Her skin was pale, and freckles spanned the bridge of her nose, a little more obvious than it should be because of her skin which had turned paler than it was before she came here. I wondered if she wasn't being taken care of as she should be. Her lips were parted, no longer settled in the firm line it always was when she was anywhere around me. She looked peaceful in sleep, and desire overtook me as my gaze fixed on her parted lips. I hesitated, my breath held, my inner dialogue wrestling with the surge of emotions.

I slowly leaned closer and closer to her, and as I leaned in to bridge the gap between our lips when mine were a mere half-inch away from hers, her eyes fluttered open.