The Alpha’s not-so Human Mate

18. The woods

The leaves crunched under my feet as I walked further into the chilly night. Unpleasant memories flashed before my vision; memories from the night Jace and I were attacked. The image of the bloody-red moon was still fresh in my mind. And every time I blinked, I could still see those scarlet eyes watching me.

I took a deep breath and pushed those feelings aside, yet they were finding their way back to the surface.

I never cared for Alpha Kaiah up until the moment he came home with Jace. Something about him was different; his eyes, the way he talked. The Alpha Kaiah that I knew was the most arrogant man I had ever met in my life. But the one I saw today was so humble and gentle.

I continued to walk through the woods in search of him, but suddenly, my feet came to a halt and my heart fluttered. I think I know where he is.

I trotted further into the woods until I stopped at the moon lake. I was right! He was sitting there on a rock, staring at the water. He seemed lost in thought, something was bothering him. Something in me wanted to comfort him, to tell him that everything was going to be okay.

He lifted his nose and sniffed the air. He turned his head in my direction and our eyes connected. As soon as he saw me, his face lit up. But just then, he became overwhelmed by sadness. He looked away from me and returned his attention to the lake.

I walked up to him and hesitantly joined him to sit on the rock. The silence enveloped us, but not in a fearful way; the silence felt serene, peaceful...all the things I had been deprived of in the last few weeks. It would be easier to just bask in this serenity, but I had too many questions in my mind.

I stared at the side of his face, studying his features subconsciously... “Is there something you want to tell me?” I asked.

He said nothing. Yet again, the silence returned, but this time, I was anxious. “Please, I need answers. Who are you? Don’t lie to me.”

He looked at me, his eyes held so much pain. “I think you should return, for your own safety.”

I looked down, remembering what happened earlier. My heart felt heavy as tears brewed in my eyes... “I can’t, they hate me.”

A small smile appeared on his lips. “They can never hate you, you are their Luna.”

I looked him in the eyes. “Tell me, what did you mean by what you said earlier?”

He sighed. “I was only joking, learn not to take everything I say seriously.”

I wasn’t buying what he was selling, but I wasn’t going to push him further. However, I asked another question... “Why don’t you just leave? Go far from here.”

He returned his gaze towards the glistening surface of the lake. “I am drawn to this place, I cannot leave.”

At that moment, the rest of the world turned to dust. Nothing else mattered but the man sitting beside me. The bright moon illuminated his face, bringing all his features to light. His body might belong to Alpha Kaiah, but I could tell that his soul belonged to Jace. Those eyes, they don’t lie.

I don’t know what gave me the courage, but...

I placed my fingers under his chin and slowly turned his face so he could look at me. My heart raced as I went close, bringing my lips to his own... I closed my eyes as we kissed. And for the first time that day, I felt something. Just from the way he kissed me, I knew.

He pulled back. “Why don’t you ever listen, Esnie! I said go. Go!”

I got up and started walking back. In a way, I felt embarrassed and ashamed to kiss another man like that. I wonder what he thinks of me now. But somewhere at the back of my mind, I was happy. Even though my eyes tell me that he is Alpha Kaiah, my heart is telling me something different.

As I walked back, I heard a noise behind me and I turned to check. I saw him transform into Tai, and he began following me ‘discreetly’. I knew it! He does care for me.

I have no idea what happened between him and Jace, but in my opinion, he is more of my Jace, than the Jace in the pack house. I don’t know how to explain it.

***

I got to the pack house and looked back. He had disappeared into the darkness. I walked into the house. Some members of the pack were in the living room, and most of them ignored me as I walked by.

I headed upstairs. I needed to have a conversation with Jace as soon as possible. There were so many questions floating in my mind. Alpha Kaiah wasn’t of any help. So hopefully, Jace can tell me the truth.

I got to the door of our room and turned the doorknob. I pushed the door open, and entered. I gasped when I caught sight of what was in front of me...

Jace and Reina were on the bed half naked!

“What the f**k is going on here?!” I screamed.

They turned their heads to me.

“Esnie, what are you doing here?" Jace practically fell off the bed and picked up his shirt from the floor. “You weren’t supposed to see this...”

I stared at him incredulously. "Are you insane?!”

His eyes flashed purple and he gripped my arm. “Just because you're not gonna have s*x with me, that doesn't mean other girls won't! This is all your fault!”

“All my fault??” His words pierced my heart.

Reina's annoying giggles resounded in the background, enraging me. I stormed over to her. “Get out, now!!!”

“Why should I? Being a Luna is no joke, maybe you should leave it to someone who understands it; me.” She laughed like a possessed doll. But her laugh disappeared when I landed a punch on her stupid face.

She was taken aback by my action. “You stupid human!” She lunged at me, and I braced myself for her fury.

Just then, Jace grabbed her from behind and threw her to the floor. “You stay away from my mate!”

She looked up at him with tears in her eyes. “What? After everything I did for you?” Her burning gaze met me and she lost it. Her fangs grew out of her gums as she pounced on me. “b***h!” She growled in a guttural voice, indicative of her feral nature.

Jace grabbed her arms while she fought to free herself from his hold. “I said get out!” He growled.

She grunted loudly. “I’ll kill her!! I’ll bite her throat and drink her f*****g blood!!!”

His claws grew out of his fingers in rage and he gripped her neck. “I. Said. Get Out!” He threw her on the floor again, and she fell with a loud thump.

He punched her continuously until she started crying pathetically on the floor. I know I never liked Reina, but in that moment, her situation reminded me of how I used to be treated by Mr Meyers.

“Please, stop. Jace!” I pleaded, but he didn’t listen to me. He punched her again and again and stomped on her over and over again. She was bleeding from her mouth and crying like a baby.

“I said stop!!” I repeated. This time, he stopped. She scurried out, leaving a trail of blood on the floor, and straight out into the hallway.

He turned to me, his eyes were blazing purple and his chest heaved up and down.

I watched him in shock. “Since when do you hit defenseless women?”

He brushed past me. “I will do as I please. Not like you care.”

“Of course, I care about you, but hitting Reina in such a manner is inhumane.”

He smirked. “In case you haven’t figured it out yet, I am not human.”

“I know.” I sighed defeatedly.

His eyes softened. He walked up to me and groped my ass. “Let us mark each other tonight, my darling.” He kissed me.

I pulled out of his hold. “Are we going to ignore the fact that I just caught you in bed with another woman? Don’t be ridiculous.” I grabbed a pillow and stormed out.

***

I stood in the hallway as everything that just happened flooded through my mind. Jace is definitely someone else; the way he beat Reina tonight— I could never unsee that. I won’t be sleeping in the same room with him tonight.

From the corner of my eyes, I saw someone coming down the hallway. I looked up and saw Alpha Kaiah standing there.

Why is he back?