The Alpha's Secret

Chapter 5: A consequence

Chapter Five

Thea

It had been a week since Alaric became Alpha.

A week since I'd last had a proper conversation with him.

And a week since my life had seemingly fallen apart.

Dhalia and Elias had done their best to keep me occupied by suggesting I join the pack's daily combat training. I had a feeling the idea had come from Alaric himself, and initially, I'd wanted to refuse outright.

If he thought he could keep me distracted so he wouldn't have to face me, he had another thing coming.

Unfortunately, boredom eventually won.

I could only spend so much time wandering around the mansion before I started climbing the walls, and combat training gave me something to do. Besides, watching Dhalia struggle through it was thoroughly entertaining.

Although she could fight when necessary, she was painfully unfit and despised the warm-ups. Elias, the pack's combat trainer, took great pleasure in teasing her.

“I swear, Elias, if you make me do another bloody lap, I'm going to murder you in your sleep,” she grumbled, bending over with her hands on her knees.

Elias grinned. “That's a serious threat coming from someone who looks ready to pass out.”

“I hate you.”

“Love you too, sweetheart.”

I burst out laughing, earning myself a glare.

“Oh, shut up, Thea!”

“Sorry!” I giggled, making absolutely no effort to sound convincing.

Despite the teasing, I appreciated Dhalia sticking by me. She could have spent her afternoons doing something far more enjoyable, but she'd stayed by my side throughout the week.

I loved her for it.

It was just a shame that no amount of exercise or laughter could fill the empty space Alaric had left behind.

I missed him. More than I wanted to admit.

I missed my best friend, the boy who could make me laugh until my stomach hurt and always knew when something was wrong. I missed the person he'd been before his initiation.

And the worst part?

Apparently, he was my mate.

Everyone seemed convinced we'd imprinted during his initiation, yet I couldn't remember any of it. I had no idea what had happened or why I'd felt such an overwhelming need to reach him.

All I knew was that, ever since that night, Alaric had treated me like something he wanted nothing to do with.

I was beginning to wonder whether I'd ever get my friend back.

After another exhausting training session, Dhalia pulled me aside.

“Why don't we spend tonight at the guest house? We can order food, watch films, and have a proper girls' night.”

“Really?”

“Of course! I'm sick of looking at the same four walls. I need a change of scenery before I lose my mind.”

“I'm pretty sure you lost your mind years ago.”

She gasped and slapped my arm. “You're a horrible friend.”

“Yet you love me.”

“Unfortunately.”

For the first time in days, I managed a genuine smile.

Perhaps a night away from the mansion was exactly what I needed.

I just wished I could stop missing someone who clearly didn't want me around.

---

Later that afternoon, I returned to my bedroom and headed straight for the bathroom. My muscles ached, and all I wanted was a long, hot shower.

I stepped beneath the steaming water, closed my eyes, and let the heat ease the tension in my body.

For a few precious seconds, I forgot everything.

Then I thought about Alaric.

The tears came before I could stop them.

Why was he doing this to me?

I'd made one mistake, one stupid, reckless mistake that I couldn't even properly remember, and somehow, it had been enough for him to shut me out completely.

I'd apologised. I'd tried to explain what little I remembered, and I'd done everything I could think of to make things right.

What more did he want from me?

The boy I'd grown up with would never have treated me this way. He would have listened, teased me, and probably made some ridiculous joke to make me feel better.

But the man Alaric had become seemed determined to keep me at arm's length.

And yet, whenever he looked into my eyes, the world seemed to fall away. For one heartbeat, every worry and miserable thought disappeared.

How could someone make me feel so safe and so unwanted at the same time?

My knees buckled, and I sank onto the shower floor, pulling my legs towards my chest.

I cried for the friendship I'd thought we'd always have. I cried because I didn't understand what I'd done to deserve being shut out by someone who had once meant so much to me.

And perhaps, deep down, I cried because the thought of losing him frightened me more than I wanted to admit.

Eventually, the tears slowed. I stayed beneath the water for another few minutes before finding the strength to stand.

Enough.

I was done crying over a man who couldn't spare me a conversation. I was done wondering what I'd done wrong and letting his behaviour determine whether I had a good day or a bad one.

Kane had taught me to pick myself up when life knocked me down, brush myself off, and keep going.

That was exactly what I intended to do.

I wrapped myself in a black towel and returned to my bedroom, sitting at my dressing table.

My eyes were bloodshot, my complexion ghostly, and I looked as exhausted as I felt.

“Pull yourself together, Thea.”

My stomach rumbled, reminding me I hadn't eaten since lunch. I reached for my phone and noticed four unread messages.

The first was from Dhalia.

Do you fancy a shopping trip tomorrow? I'm bored of this damn mansion and need a change of scenery. I've told Elias I'm skipping combat training because, frankly, I cannot be bothered. Let me know! Love you. xxx

Typical Dhalia.

I started typing a reply, then hesitated.

Had Alaric asked her to keep me occupied?

Was the invitation to the guest house another attempt to get me out of his way?

I typed, Did Alaric ask you to take me away so he doesn't have to see me anymore?

I stared at the message before deleting it.

Dhalia was my best friend. She was already caught between two people she cared about, and I wasn't going to put her in the middle of something Alaric and I needed to sort out ourselves.

Sounds good. See you tomorrow. Love you too! xxx

The second message was from Elias.

You're really good at combat. Clearly, boarding school taught you a lot! How would you feel about helping me teach the lads tomorrow? They could learn a thing or two from you.

I smiled.

At least someone appreciated my abilities. Boarding school had taught me enough about defending myself to hold my own in a fight, and it was nice to have someone recognise that without treating me like I was made of glass.

Sounds good! See you tomorrow!

The third message was from Kane.

Thea, I have to go away for a few days, but I'll be back next Friday. When I'm home, we need to talk about something important. Don't worry, you aren't in trouble. Take care, little dove. xx

I frowned.

What on earth did he need to tell me?

Knowing Kane, pressing him for answers would get me nowhere, so I simply replied that I was fine and told him to take care.

Then I opened the fourth message.

Alaric.

My heart gave an infuriating little flutter.

I hated that it still did that.

My dad has gone away for a week and has requested that we have dinner together this evening before your stay in the guest house with Dhalia. He feels we should spend some time with one another, so please join me in the dining room at 6:30.

I read it twice.

He'd avoided me for an entire week, and now he wanted dinner?

What had changed?

Part of me wanted to go. I respected Kane, and perhaps dinner would give Alaric and me an opportunity to talk properly.

But another part of me was furious.

Why should I make an effort when he hadn't bothered to make one himself?

I wasn't a child he could summon whenever it suited him.

I was his best friend.

Or at least, I had been.

I dressed in black skinny jeans, black sliders, and a cropped purple tank top, then tied my hair back and applied a little makeup.

I looked good.

I felt considerably less so.

There was still time to attend dinner, but I couldn't bring myself to sit across from Alaric and pretend the past week hadn't happened.

I was going to the guest house. I'd wait for Dhalia there.

If he wanted to spend time with me, he should have thought about that before pretending I didn't exist.

---

The pack guest house was a large, elegant property surrounded by mature trees and carefully maintained gardens. With four bedrooms and four bathrooms, it was more than big enough for visitors, although it remained empty for much of the year.

I'd always liked it. It was quieter than the mansion and felt far less intimidating.

Tonight, it seemed the perfect place to escape to.

Unfortunately, the front door was locked.

“Brilliant,” I muttered, trying the handle again.

Dhalia wasn't there yet, and I had no idea whether she had a key.

I messaged her.

At the guest house. Where are you? xxx

Her reply arrived a moment later.

I'm just having dinner with the pack. I'll be there in an hour. Aren't you supposed to be having dinner with Alaric right now, though? xxx

I frowned.

Yeah, but I don't really want to see him.

My phone immediately began ringing.

Dhalia.

“Hi. You know you could have just texted me back.”

“Thea! What are you doing? You can't just decide you don't want to see him. He's your Alpha!”

I closed my eyes.

Here we go.

“He's avoided me for an entire week, Dhalia. He can't suddenly decide he wants to see me and expect me to drop everything because he's my Alpha.”

“But his father arranged the dinner!”

“And I respect Kane, but that doesn't mean I have to sit across a table from someone who's spent seven days treating me like I'm invisible.”

She fell silent.

“Alaric is my Alpha, yes, but he's also supposed to be my best friend. Being an Alpha doesn't give someone the right to treat people however they want.”

“I'm sure he has his reasons—”

“Then he can tell me what they are!”

My voice cracked.

“To be respected, you need to give people a reason to respect you. I thought I meant more to Alaric than this. I thought our friendship meant something.”

“Thea...”

“But clearly, I was wrong. I'll see you in an hour. I love you.”

I ended the call before she could reply.

I felt guilty for snapping at her. She was only trying to help, and I knew she didn't want either of us to get hurt.

But I couldn't face another lecture about obeying my Alpha.

Not tonight.

I shoved my phone into my pocket and turned away from the guest house. If I had to wait an hour for Dhalia, I might as well go for a walk.

I hadn't made it very far before walking straight into someone.

My phone was vibrating again, and I declined Dhalia's call without looking up.

“Oops. Sorry,” I muttered, stepping around the person I'd bumped into.

“For what? Bumping into me, bitching about me, or standing me up?”

I froze.

I knew that voice.

Slowly, I lowered my phone.

Oh, for the love of the goddess.

Alaric.

I kept my back towards him for another moment, trying to gather enough patience to deal with him.

“Bumping into you,” I replied coldly. “I already apologised last week for upsetting you. I'm not going to say it again.”

Then I walked away.

“Do not walk away from me, Thea!”

His roar tore through the air, making me jump.

In all the years I'd known Alaric, he'd never shouted at me like that. He'd always been protective, caring, and occasionally infuriating, but he'd never made me afraid of him.

Until now.

I turned sharply.

“What do you want?”

He towered over me, jaw clenched.

“You were told my father had arranged dinner for us! You shouldn't be so disrespectful!”

I stared at him before letting out a humourless laugh.

“I'm being disrespectful? That's rich coming from you!”

His eyes narrowed.

“You've avoided me for an entire week, Alaric! You barely acknowledge me when we're in the same room, and whenever I try to talk to you, you cut me off and walk away.”

I could feel my anger building.

“And don't think I haven't worked out what you've been doing. You obviously asked Elias to get me involved in combat training so you'd have an excuse to keep me out of your way.”

“That isn't—”

“And for the record, I don't need combat training! I'm better than half the people in your damn pack already!”

His mouth tightened.

“After a week of pretending I don't exist, you suddenly decide you want dinner because your father told you to? Are you actually kidding me?”

“Thea, lower your voice.”

“Oh, absolutely not!”

The words burst out of me.

“I've spent seven days wondering what I've done wrong. I've apologised, I've tried to make things right, and you've treated me like absolute s**t ever since!”

My eyes burned, but I refused to let the tears fall.

“I don't know what happened during your initiation. I don't know why I ran towards you, and I don't know why everyone insists we've imprinted when I can't even remember it happening!”

I took a shaky breath.

“But whatever happened, I never meant to hurt you.”

For a brief moment, something flickered across his face.

Then it disappeared.

“You could have killed yourself,” he snapped.

“And I've apologised for that!”

“You don't understand how serious this is.”

“Because you won't bloody explain it to me!”

We stared at each other, breathing heavily.

I'd never spoken to Alaric like this before, but I was done being the only person trying to save a friendship that apparently meant nothing to him.

“f**k your dinner,” I spat. “And f**k you, too!”

His eyes widened.

“Our friendship is over, Alaric. Do you hear me? Over!”

The words hurt as soon as they left my mouth, but I couldn't take them back.

“And do you know what? Maybe I should tell the entire bloody pack to go to hell and leave. If this is how I'm going to be treated, I'd rather be anywhere else in the world!”

I spun around and stormed away.

I had no idea where I was going. I just needed to get away.

I'd barely taken a few steps when a strong hand closed around my wrist.

Alaric spun me around, and I collided with his chest, my hands landing against him to steady myself.

For one ridiculous heartbeat, everything else disappeared.

His face was inches from mine, his eyes locked on mine with an intensity that made my breath catch. I could feel the warmth radiating from his body, and suddenly, I wasn't thinking about our argument or the past week.

All I could think about was him.

The way my heart seemed to recognise him, even when my mind couldn't make sense of what was happening between us.

The way I wanted to step closer, despite every sensible part of me screaming to push him away.

What the hell was wrong with me?

“I said, do not walk away from me!” he growled.

A shiver ran down my spine. I couldn't tell whether the tension between us came from anger, frustration, or something far more dangerous.

Perhaps all three.

I pulled my wrist free.

“Don't touch me.”

The quiet words seemed to catch him off guard.

For a moment, neither of us moved. Then I stepped away and continued towards the mansion's wrought-iron gates.

This time, he didn't grab me again.

Two guards stood at the entrance, straightening when they saw me approaching. I ignored Alaric's unmistakable presence behind me and stopped in front of the nearest guard.

“Please let me out.”

The men exchanged a glance before looking over my shoulder.

“I'm sorry, Miss Thea,” one replied hesitantly, “but we can't allow you to leave.”

I stared at him.

“Excuse me?”

“We have our orders.”

I turned towards Alaric.

“You've got to be kidding me. You're seriously going to have your guards prevent me from leaving?”

“I'm trying to talk to you.”

“And I've told you I don't want to talk!”

“Thea—”

“No! If you won't let me out through the front, I'll find another way.”

I stormed away before either guard could respond.

I didn't know whether there was another exit, but I was determined to find one. I wasn't going to spend another minute trapped somewhere I felt unwanted.

“Thea! Stop!”

I kept walking.

“Get away from me, Alaric!”

“Please, stop!”

Something had changed in his voice. The anger was still there, but beneath it, I could hear desperation.

“Please,” he repeated more softly. “Not as your Alpha. As your friend.”

I stopped.

Those two words hurt more than anything else he could have said.

I turned to face him, and the tears I'd been fighting finally spilled over.

“You aren't my friend,” I whispered.

His expression changed.

“And you certainly aren't acting like my Alpha should act, either. Please, just leave me alone.”

My voice cracked.

“I need some space, Alaric. I need time to calm down and think. You're only making me more upset.”

I wiped at my cheeks, but the tears kept coming.

“I just want to be left alone.”

For a moment, I thought he might argue.

Instead, his jaw tightened, and he looked away.

“Fine. Do what you want.”

His voice had turned cold again.

I stared at him, struggling to understand how he could go from sounding desperate to letting me leave as though I meant nothing to him.

But I was too tired to ask.

I turned and continued walking, fighting the urge to look back. Part of me wanted him to call me back, apologise, and tell me everything would be okay.

I wanted some indication that the boy I'd grown up with was still somewhere inside the man standing behind me.

But he didn't call me back.

Eventually, the trees swallowed me from view.

---

I had no idea how long I'd been walking.

The mansion grounds stretched far beyond the gardens into woodland I'd barely explored since returning. I kept going until the sounds of the pack faded, leaving only rustling leaves and birdsong.

For the first time that evening, I could breathe.

I checked my phone and realised I'd lost Alaric's scent more than an hour ago.

Apparently, he'd finally decided to leave me alone.

Thank the goddess.

My phone had been ringing almost constantly, and I suspected most of the calls were from Dhalia. I hadn't answered any of them. I loved her, but I couldn't face another conversation about Alaric, imprinting, or my responsibilities to the pack.

I needed to think about what had happened and decide whether I could bear to stay somewhere that made me feel so miserable.

As I approached the far end of the grounds, I recognised the area surrounding the perimeter fence.

Then I noticed something unusual.

The guards stationed nearby were nowhere to be seen.

I frowned. Pack security was taken seriously, and leaving a post unattended was strictly forbidden.

I glanced upwards. A security camera was mounted above the fence, its lens sweeping steadily from side to side.

There was no way I could simply walk past without being seen. If I climbed the fence, the camera would record me leaving, and I'd probably have half the pack searching for me before I reached the nearest road.

I wasn't interested in causing a scene.

I just wanted out.

My gaze dropped to the ground, where a small rock lay among the fallen leaves. I picked it up and turned it over in my hand. It was surprisingly heavy.

I looked at the camera, then back at the rock.

A mischievous smile tugged at my mouth.

This was either going to be brilliant or spectacularly stupid.

Knowing me, probably both.

I stepped back, judged the distance, and threw the rock with as much force as I could manage.

It struck the camera with a sharp crack. The casing shattered, leaving the device swinging uselessly from its mount.

I stared at it, hardly believing I'd managed it.

“Well, that worked.”

After checking my surroundings, I hurried to the perimeter exit and entered the security code I knew would release the lock.

For one awful moment, nothing happened.

Then the mechanism clicked.

The gate opened.

I stepped through without looking back.

The cool evening air brushed against my skin as relief washed over me. For the first time in a week, I wasn't waiting for Alaric to acknowledge me, wondering what I'd done wrong, or making myself smaller just to keep the peace.

I was simply Thea.

And right now, that was enough.

My phone rang again.

Dhalia.

I hesitated before declining the call. I'd explain everything when I was ready and apologise for worrying her.

But not tonight.

Tonight, I needed somewhere to clear my head and decide what I wanted, what would happen next, and whether there was any place for me in Alaric's life anymore.

I slipped my phone into my pocket and started walking.

I had no idea where I was going or what I would do next.

But one thing was certain.

I was free.