Mated To The Elusive Alpha

6

LUCAS

I watched from a corner as Hilary followed the maid to the guest room with her suitcase in tow, her anger and frustration palpable. I couldn't blame her for not wanting anything to do with me, much less share a space as me, I knew I was pushing it too and her reaction was nothing if not normal and to be expected.

I had manipulated her, lied to her, and bound her to me without her explicit consent. I knew how much of an asshole that made me and that it was not an excuse, but I truly couldn't help myself. I wanted her, and it was clear now that I would do whatever it took to keep her by my side.

As I slowly trailed behind her unsuspecting figure, I noticed the guard following at a safe distance too, managing to go unnoticed by her.

Good, I thought. He would keep her safe, and maybe even prevent her from doing something reckless but as I watched her walk away, I couldn't suppress the pang of guilt that her hurt and helplessness caused me.

I pushed the feeling aside with a sharp intake of breathe and focused on the task at hand. I had to make sure she was comfortable in where she'd picked to be her new abode and that she understood her role as my mate. Once I saw that she was settled in her room, I made the walk back to my room.

On reaching my chambers, I walked into the closet and found the wardrobe door still slightly open. Hilary's scent was still thick in the air and a small smile stretches unto my lips, knowing she'd been in here, unconsciously marking her territory on what was to be her part of the closet.

I walked over to the wardrobe and noticed the clothes I had provided for her were still there, untouched. A small chuckle escaped my lips at the thought of offering her any one of these clothes. I was certain she would throw them right back in my face, refusing to accept any charity. She was a fiery one for sure. Good traits for a Luna.

Later that night, I let my wolf out for a run. It was restless and agitated, mind muddled with the thoughts of Hilary and that night she had been so yielding, but now she wanted nothing to do with us.

Confusion mixed with it's hurt and it ran until it completely tired out, only to wake up the next morning curled up in front of the door to the guest bedroom that housed Hilary. I got to my feet and briskly walked away before being discovered, thankfully it was still in the early hours of the morning when I woke up and regained control.

This was pathetic, I understood that it was yearning and probably didn't care for titles or dignity at the thought of it's mate, but I was still head Alpha here and I had a reputation to protect. I would never beg for anybody's attention.

She just needed some time. With time, she would come to her senses and realize just how far I was willing to go for her. She will come to me herself. I continued to convince myself as I took small sips of my coffee at the table in wait for the maid I'd sent to fetch Hilary.

"Where is she?" I asked when the maid walked back in alone with no sight of Hilary.

"She asked me to relay that she isn't hungry, Alpha".

"Still?” I almost snapped at the words.

She hadn't eaten a thing for dinner the day before too, having fallen into a slumber I requested her not to be disturbed from, but it was obvious she was planning to avoid me entirely.

I slammed my fists on the table unable to keep my emotions in check and the servants flinched. I would never hurt them and they knew that, but their wolves still reacted naturally to an Alpha's anger. Then, my butler walked in, face impassive as ever.

“The Beta and Gamma await you in your office, Sir".

Great, just the distraction I need.

I left still set table without another glance back, completely loosing my appetite and even the coffee I'd managed to drink started to feel like lead in my stomach.

I met my Gamma, Eros, seemingly having the time of his life in my seat as he spun it this way and that way, immediately shooting out of it the second he caught sight of me.

"Hey, Lucas. Wasn't expecting you to come in so quick". Dylan, my Beta, spoke from his spot on the double setter situated in front of my table.

"Why was Eros in my chair?" I asked, mildly irritated as I sunk into the warm seat.

"Since when has Eros ever proven to have a mature brain cell?" Dylan replied seriously and an offended protest came from the other side of the room.

"Hey!"

That was true, Eros' father had died along with our fathers during the battle, leaving him to assume the position as we all did at a considerably young age. Dylan and I had atleast been of age when they left to join our ancestors. Eros had been unborn by then, so it was a known fact that he was still a growing teen, no matter how much he tried to deny it.

“And don't think you can escape questioning by walking in with a frown, Lucas. I heard you came in with your bride yesterday."

"A bride?" Eros repeated, ears perked in interest "Since when was Lucas interested in women?"

“Oh he's interested, alright. You just haven't seen that side of him yet.” Dylan drawled almost playfully and I pressed my fingers against my temple where I'd already begun to feel the makings of a headache.

“Would you please shut it so I can think here!” I snapped and Eros scrunched his nose.

“Well someone's a little grouchy.”

"Eros! Would you stop behaving like a child!" Dylan cautioned but Eros argued back immediately.

"But I am a child, you said so yourself!".

"Leave, Eros" Dylan ordered.

He opened his mouth to say something but decided against it and stormed out instead.

Dylan moved to sit on the table, his eyes fixed on me. "What is the problem, Lucas?" He wasted no time hitting the nail on the head and I lifted my head to look at him, defeated.

"Hilary hates me.”

"Hilary?” He questioned before coming to the realization, his eyes widening slightly, “Oh, you mean your bride, and what do you mean she hates you, you were both practically devouring each other with your eyes the other night.” He noted and I let out another defeated sigh.

“Well, she'd been drunk that night. And she'd agreed to the marriage while drunk too, so there's that.”

“Oh?” Dylan raised a curious brow and that just pushed me to continue.

“Yeah. Worst night and the biggest mistake of her life in her words.”

Eros let out a low whistle at that, slithering back in from where he'd obviously been eavesdropping with a pinched look on his face, “Brutal!”

I couldn't bring myself to be annoyed at his intrusion and just allowed my head drop, boring holes into the table in front of me.

Dylan turned to Eros, a hint of annoyance in his voice. "Eros, I thought I asked you to leave us."

Eros simply shrugged, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "And you thought I listened? Maybe I'm not a child after all.” He spoke with so much self satisfaction that I could almost see puffs of smoke leave Dylan's ears at the blatant disobedience. His lips parted, but before he could get a word out, Eros was speaking again.

"So, Lucas, what exactly did you do? Didn't catch you in bed with a guy, did she?"

I glared at him, my eyes holding a warming as I spat through gritted teeth. “I am not gay.”

He instantly recoiled at that, visibly warned. “Okay, okay.” He settled and I rolled my eyes.

“Have you ever dated, Eros?"

“Of course I have, what do you take me for? I know my way around women and I sweep them off their feet with a single look, so of course I've dated. Obviously.” He rambled, turning to walk toward a window and Dylan suddenly burst into laughter whilst I tried to bite back a smile. The kid was trying too hard.

“What?” He questioned, turning around, “Why are you guys laughing?”

"I bet a hundred that he's never seen a pair of t**s before.” Dylan said, his amusement barely concealed and I finally gave in, letting my lips stretch into a smile.

“Give him some credit. I bet double that he's seen it once atleast.”

Eros scowled, his face reddening. “You're both unfunny and insufferable to be around, you know."

He looked out the window, and his eyes bulged in surprise before he was calling out. “Check it out. Dylan, there's a hot redhead strolling with your wife! Who's that?”

Dylan immediately sprung up at the mention of his mate, like he always did.

I didn't need to be told who the ‘hot redhead’ was and my wolf stirred uncomfortably at the wording, possessiveness eating away at it.

“That woman” Dylan groaned audibly as he followed his mate with his eyes, “She's supposed to be in bed.” he said, his voice laced with concern.

"Looks like she's out for a stroll," Eros stated the obvious, still peering out the window.

Dylan turned to me, his eyes narrowing. "Care to tell me why my pregnant wife is with your wife?"

I shrugged, feeling a sense of unease. "Same thing I should ask you, your wife is known for her mischievous ways."

Eros chuckled, his eyes sparkling with mirth "Ah, I see. So Lucas truly is a married man now. Congratulations on not being gay! Or perhaps it is a charade?"

I glared at him, a clear signal for him to stop talking, but in typical Eros fashion, he ignored the look, “Didn't know you were into redheads, Lucas. You always said you preferred blondes."

My wolf snarled at his continuous mention of our mate and I knew I had to get out of there before I lost control. "I need to go," I said, standing up from my chair.

"Wait, Lucas," Dylan called out, but I was already out the door, my wolf leading the way.

I stormed out of the office, my heart racing with anger and possessiveness. I couldn't stand hearing Eros talk about Hilary like that. She was my wife, and no one was supposed to look at her, especially not long enough to point out her features. I huffed angrily as I stomped my way out of the building.

My phone picked that exact time to blare out the annoying ringtone, and as I picked it, it turned out to be an important call, which kept me busy for a while. By the time I got off the phone, Hilary was no where in sight, but I followed her scent to the living room, where Eros seemed to have magically spawned right next to her. They seemed to be getting along well, if her relaxed shoulders was anything to go by. She seemed to be bonding well with everyone except me -her mate. It made no sense that I'd be jealous of a nineteen year old boy and I knew for a fact that he was doing this intensionally.

"Hilary," I called out, before I could stop myself.

She looked surprised to find me in the living room but the surprise was quickly masked with a look of indifference. I gestured for her to come closer and thankfully, she did without argument.

“Alpha Lucas," she replied coolly, stopping in front of me.

So she was going to keep me at arm's length by being all formal even after I gave her the permission to call me by my name.

"I hope you slept well last night," I said, trying to sound casual.

Her lips formed a thin line. "I'm fine," she replied curtly instead.

“You can't keep running away from me, Hilary.” I finally breached the topic, unable to hold it in any longer.

Hilary rolled her eyes and lifted her head to hold my gaze. "I'm not going to play games with you, Lucas. I'm not interested in being your mate or your wife or whatever it is you think I am." She said slowly, as if trying to get me to understand every single one of her words that felt like daggers sinking into my chest. It was a good thing we were at a safe distance so no one heard her words.

My wolf howled at her words, but I kept my cool. "Hilary, we need to talk. There are things you don't understand."

"I'm sure I understand perfectly," she retored, her voice firm. "You're an Alpha and you think you can just claim me as your own without my consent. Well, newsflash, Lucas, I'm not a possession. I'm a person, and I will not be treated like a piece of property. Isn't this a marriage of convenience for you? So why can't you just leave me alone?"

I sighed, taking a step forward in an attempt to reason with her, "Hilary, it's not what you think. Being mates is not a matter of convenience, it never is….. this is a sacred bond. It's a commitment, a partnership, a promise. And I swear by you, I want to do everything in my power to keep to that promise.”

Hilary snorted in my face, like I'd just told an unfunny joke and she was trying to save me the embarrassment "If you will excuse me Alpha Lucas, I have somewhere to be".

My wolf snarled at her words, but I reigned it in. "Hilary, please. Just listen to me. I know I haven't been the most… transparent but I promise I want to do better. I'll do whatever it takes to make this work."

Hilary raised an eyebrow at my words. "Make what work? Our fake marriage? This forced mating? No, Lucas. I will not act as a puppet in your little play and if you continue to push me, I'll leave. I'll leave and make sure you never find me. Ever.”

With that, she turned and walked away, leaving me standing there, like a drenched puppy. My wolf growled and snarled, furious and agonized at being rejected but I knew I had to calm down, to think clearly.

I was going to win her over no matter what, and even if that doesn’t work, there was no way she was going to leave me. She is going nowhere.