AN ALPHA FOR ME

CHAPTER 6

VERITY

The rays of the sun greet me when I open my eyes. It's still morning and my naked body feels numb. I struggle to stand but my legs fail me a few times, and my body feels like I've been rammed into, which I have.

I struggle to walk till I reach the shade of a tree. I relax my back against it, looking straight ahead to the other side of the river.

There is nobody there, I don't understand what happened there about an hour ago. The spot the white-haired witch grabbed my hand hurts like I was scared by fire, another reminder that the event occurred.

I sit for a long time till I feel strong enough to shift.

***"

I feel a tap on my shoulder and I jump in fright.

Tiffany stares back at me in shock.

"Verity, are you okay?"

I nod "Yes, I'm fine. Why?"

She scoffs "Why? I've been calling you for about a min and you were so totally out of here "

" I'm sorry"

Her voice softens " Are you sure you are fine? Is everything okay? Is Lukas, did he do something? "

I talk her off "No, Tiff I just wandered out. It's nothing, trust me, I'll be in the library. "

My encounter yesterday is still fresh in my mind. I can't wrap my head around it, did I have a hallucination

but the red scar on the spot she grabbed my hand scraps that thought.

Descendant of Odeyana what bullshit is that and all the talk about mates.

The more I crack my brain, the more I feel it pounding with no answer.

" You do know the book is upside down" a voice startles me.

I yelp at Hakeem's presence.

"Sorry, you startled me"

He assesses me "Really, are you okay? "

The words roll out in irritation before I can stop them " What is it with everyone and that question, I'm f*****g fine "

He looks taken back and I regret my outburst at my employer.

Hakeem laughs " someone is in a cranky mood "

" I'm sorry, I'll just go to meet Tiffany"

"Tiffany stepped out, so you might wanna continue staring at that book "Hakeem informs me

He continues "Or if you are that bored you can come to help me out with some stuff"

"What ?" I inquire

He smiles " I'll be right back"

Hakeem returns with a MacBook.

"So I need some help setting up an office somewhere. "

I give him a look " This isn't the only business you have? "

He grabs a seat "Yes, I've got a few more"

We spend most of our time picking designs for the office and talking about books and other stuff. Our truck deliverers came to pick up books for the college and our day ran by with us overseeing the process.

Tiffany handles the coffee shop and leaves early to visit a friend in the next town, Lukas on the other hand texts that he can't pick me up because he's got a meeting with his dad.

The last truck leaves as the night sky becomes evident.

" I didn't know doing that can be so hard, I'm certainly okay with the coffee shop," I tell him.

Hakeem chuckles " Yes, it can be quite stressful and I'm thinking of hiring extra help. I have a feeling you and Tiff are gonna need more than one "

I'm suddenly aware of the shape of his lips, the edges, and their color.

To distract myself I ask Hakeem a question " So you grew up here ?"

He nods " Yeah, I was raised by my Aunt and uncle. Went to the local high school before I moved away for college "

" So are you a full member of the pack with the connection?" I ask

I know that one of the rules was that a new pack member had to live in the pack for a year before being fully initiated and connected to the pack. But Hakeem has been here for years, he should be.

He only chuckles " Although I grew up here, I'm not a full member. I choose not to, my late parent's pack is my true pack and where I want to belong. But I'm always grateful to the pack members of Albaysa for letting me stay on their lands for years. That's why I try to do my small good for the community "

His hands demonstrate over the library and the building. I feel bad about his parents but although I'm curious I swallow my questions not wanting to wake buried memories.

"That's nice of you" I praise

His grin widens " It's nothing"

My eyes spot a book on the top shelf " omg Is that what I think it is?"

He follows my gaze " Ummh Chronicles of Narnia? "

I gasp " Are you kidding me, that's like my favorite of all time"

Hakeem only chuckles.

I spring off the table

His voice trails my steps " Where are you going Ver"

I almost spin at the nickname but my hands reach for the ladder before I spin around

" To get this"

I steady the ladder against the shelf, ready to climb before a terrified Hakeem stops.

"Wait, hold on. What the hell do you think you are doing?" he asks

" I'm trying to get the book" I reply

He chuckles " Step aside "

I give him a raised brow.

He inhales " Ain't no way I'm letting you climb that far. Now step aside"

I roll my eyes " You are such a scaredy cat "

Hakeem still protests but I pay him no attention, continuing my climbing and grabbing the book.

"See," I tell him waving the book

Somehow I lose a foot during my show off and I find myself falling. I expect to land face flat but Hakeem grabs me before the expected disaster unfolds.

"Thank you" I mutter as he helps me steady on my feet.

He nods "You are welcome"

His eyes bore deep into mine, I feel my heart thump and I know my wolf feels it too.

Close, he feels too dangerously close. His lips stare at me like they were begging to be taken, and my eyes trail his Adam's apple watching him breathe hard.

Suddenly his face is on my neck

" Ver" he groans against me

I close my eyes enjoying his scent, his human college, and his proximity.

He steps away running his hand over his head in frustration.

"I'm sorry, you should go

I'm still in shock to even do anything other than leave.

I would love to visit my family and ask Tiffany to take me to Lukas's' but after what just happened I doubt I'll be in the mood to talk to anyone.

Instead, I step into the woods, and soon I'm in my wolf running with my clothes clutched to my teeth.

I circle the whole pack, running till I reach Lukas' house which is isolated and far from pack houses.

I shift back before emerging from the woods.

Lukas comes out of his study as I enter the house.

"Hey, sorry I couldn't pick you up," he says immediately

"Hey, it's fine. I'll go shower and get some rest " I tell him

He nods understandably.

I spend a long time in the shower and when I finally come out, the memory of what happened is still fresh.

" So why didn't Tiffany drop you off "

Lukas's voice booms.

I almost let go of the bowl of cereal.

" Geez Luka you startled me, Tiff needed to go visit a friend. I ran back "

I stuff another cereal in my mouth, grabbing the bowl from the sink. I barely sit when he speaks again.

" What time did Tiffany leave?"

This time I turn to look at him

" Evening, why?"

Lukas glares at me and I stare back in confusion.

" So you were alone with him"

I glare at Lukas " Are you f*****g crazy. I'm not having this conversation "

I feel the harsh slap that sends me staggering down. I don't recover when his large palms circle my neck, squeezing the air from my lungs.

"Do you think I don't smell his scent on you? The moment you walked through that door, you smelled of him. Not even that stupid bath could fix that " he roared

"Lukas " I beg for breath.

He lets me go running his hands through his hair and punching the walls.

" That little punk, he wants what I have. Wants what I own " he continues to rant

I back away in fear.

He continues "You are my mate. I own you, I f*****g own you"

I find my voice "You don't deserve me. You psycho, you don't own me"

He smiles and stands in front of me whispering

"You better be careful, the fate of your family depends on it "

I gasp. He knew what his father had done.

He answered my facial expression scornfully

" Oh please, Verity. I'm not dumb, you didn't want me. Why would you change your mind all of a sudden with a few nice words from my father"

He laughs " Of course, the man must have threatened you. Threatened you to save me from embarrassment and what easy way to get someone as feisty as you than with your family. And then the question comes, why would you travel miles to join a pack for a job?

The answers were easy and your father wasn't hard to find "

I snarl " Well your family doesn't need to threaten mine anymore. We are leaving"

I push him out of the way and move for the door. I don't make it very because I feel my hair being dragged towards Lukas' bedroom.

" Lukas let me go, What the hell are you doing" I scream

"What I should have done a long time ago"

A sudden realization dawns on me when he pushes me onto the bed.

With horror I plead "Lukas please, please "

He doesn't listen when he reaps the clothes off me. I live through the whole horror sobbing till I can't anymore.

"Mine " he groans as his teeth sink into my neck

The mate bond is completed.

For days I don't go to work, and neither do I see my family or Tiff. I don't remember how many times I cried till I passed out. That seems like my new routine every day. I wish I could wake up and see it's all a dream but the mark on my neck is a constant reminder.

The devil barges in and I find myself retreating to the further end of the bed. He ignores my reaction and climbs the bed, stretching his hands to stroke my hair.

" How are you feeling mate? "

I don't reply and he acts like it's nothing.

He lifts the bag he is holding to my side.

" I bought you a dress, we are having dinner at my parents tonight. Please look ravishing for me "he tells me gently missing my hands

"Don't let your hair down. I'm sure my father will be pleased by our progress " he hints at the mark on my neck.

I'm too relieved when he walks out before I break down. My wolf hurts with me, not feeling excited as she used to. Despite the mate bond, all I feel for Lukas is pure hatred, nothing but disdain.

The dress he bought for me is a striking red gown, appropriate for dinner but does well to expose my bare neck. The red lipstick matches the gown and I use mascara and powder to mask any bruise that is evident.

Lukas smiles pleasingly when I meet him in the living room.

As usual, he disguises his true colors with his good looks and stylish dressings.

The ride to his parent's house is long and agonizing, I would prefer to be locked up in my room.

My heart thumps harder when I notice other cars outside their driveway.

Sensing my reaction, Lukas smiles

"Father is entertaining some pack members today. I'm sure you will know some and love their presence".

I don't like the look on his face one bit, it scares me and makes me wonder what the night has installed for me.

"Smile Verity, you look like you are going to a funeral" I almost yelp when I hear Lukas in my head.

The mate bond.

Lukas leads me through the house to the backyard where a table of feast was set. I scan through the faces that now had our attention. It's enough to have me tripping in absolute shock.