Going Against the Alpha

Chapter 24-Stop

Alpha Ace’s POV 

Now I see why Claudette was trying to eavesdrop on Blake. I furrow my eyebrows together, and my lips in disgust as her perky voice fills the room. “Hi, I am Salem. It is nice to meet you.” Her voice sounds energetic and confident, but I can smell her fear and nervousness the closer I get. Most people are scared to get on my bad side as I never forget. “Salem, give Ace and I a minute.” She nods to Blake while exiting the room.

I originally only came here for my money, but now I want to know why I needed to hunt Claudette down if you already have another fling on the hook?

“Ace, I needed you to find Claudette because I was busy handling other important things concerning my pack. I did not have time to stop what I was doing to hunt her down because she threw a tantrum. Or was playing hard to get or whatever she thought that she was doing.”

Still, why is she so important to you? You had me look for her, and if she was with someone else, you wanted me to get rid of them. You have never been like this about a woman before. You are leaving something out of your story, brother. Don’t try to deny it. I can tell how agitated you are getting from us talking about her.

He pauses before blurting out, “She’s my mate. Happy now? You know why she is so important to me.”

I did not expect those words to come out of his mouth. I swallow the growl that threatens to escape my mouth. I don’t know why I feel this jealous rage come over me at the moment he told me they were mates. My wolf is fighting me hard for control. This does not make any sense. Blake does not deserve a mate like her. In the two brief encounters I have had with her, and from the story, he just told me, along with his demeanor when he talks about her, he is going to destroy her. I can feel it down to my core.

I need to leave before I rip his head off.

Thankfully after his announcement, he has still yet to turn around and face me. Instead, he is looking out the window like he has never seen the sky before. Before speaking, I head for the door to leave but stop and slightly turning around. I say in an emotionless tone. I understand. Blake, don’t worry about the money. I’ll do what I can to help protect your mate. If you need anything else, let me know. I do not wait for him to respond. I need to get outside before I tear this place apart and everyone in it.

Julia’s POV

Claudette! Stop! Stop! I yell at her, but I’m too late. She goes flying over the edge of the cliff. I rush over to where she just fell off from. I see as she lands violently in the river’s rapids. Oh no! No please be okay! I stand there for a few seconds to see if she comes up out of the water before turning to run down toward the riverbank. If anything happens to her, I’m toast.   

Thud. I fall hard on my butt when I run into an enormous black wolf who is out for a run. I don’t bother to apologize. I jump to my feet and take off running in the direction I was going before the collision.    

Alpha Ace's POV

I was so consumed with my thoughts of Claudette being mated with Blake. I did not even have time to react to keep from colliding with someone.

 It's the girl from the stairs. Where the hell is she going in such a hurry? I watch as she jumps to her feet and takes off without saying a word. My wolf doesn't hesitate and starts to follow her. She never looks back to see why a I'm following her. Something is not right I can feel it. The further we run the more I'm sure of it.

Claudette’s POV

Claudette! Stop! Stop! Ahhh! I let out a shrill and ear-piercing scream as I didn’t get stopped in time. I squeeze my eyes tightly shut as I prepare myself to fall to my death. I hit the water hard, knocking the breath out of me. I try to look up to the surface for help, but no one is there. Swift rapids quickly immerse me in the river. I’m struggling to swim to the surface as I’m being flung around underwater like a rock.

Alpha Ace’s POV 

I follow Julia to the river bank. Where I’m completely shocked when she starts screaming for Claudette. My heart skips a beat at my racing thoughts. I quickly shift back to my human form. I don’t care that I’m completely naked. I need to know what happened, and I can not mind link Julia since she is not part of my pack. In my alpha tone, I demand, What happened to Claudette? Where is she?

Julia doesn’t stop searching. With tears in her eyes, she tells me, “We were racing on the harder trail that takes a sharp left. Claudette was in front of me. I tried to yell at her to stop, but she didn’t hear me and didn’t stop in time, and ran off the cliff. She fell into the rapids. I waited to see if she would come up, but she did not. So, I took off running to see if I can find.” I stiffen at her words.

The rapids are dangerous, even for some of the strongest wolves.  

You search this area. I will go further downriver to see if Claudette is there. I command. I shift back into my wolf form and rip through the woods close to the riverbank. I take in a deep breath to see if I can smell her scent. I have to find Claudette. She has to be okay.