The Alpha King's Invitation

Chapter 11: Jealousy

Callan’s POV

I could still hear Raelynn’s sister’s squeal ringing in my ears as she hung up.

“I’m sorry honey.” She said leaning over and kissing my ear. It instantly felt better. “Eve can be overzealous.”

I nodded, “I can tell.” I put my phone away then walked her back to Maya to return the phone. “I’ll buy you a cellphone if they have them here. If not you can use mine till we get back to the capital. I’ll buy you a phone there.”

Her cheeks went pink and she bit her lip turning away from me. I noticed she'd do that when she was nervous. Or in bed. It was both cute and turned me on at the same time. This woman I swear.

"It's fine really. I just need to find mine." She said not looking at me.

"Raelynn, I would have had to get you one eventually. We're moving in together and you're becoming my Luna. It would be weird for you to stay on your family's plan." I explained.

Did she not want me to spend money on her or buy her things? Or was it sentimental? In any case I'd help her look but I wished she'd let me take care of her.

"I guess you have a point." She says slowly, "But it'd feel weird to get a new phone from a man I just met."

I felt a little hurt, did she have to say it that way? "I hope I'm not just some man to you. If so I'd be hurt." I said moving her face so she faced me. "Because you're someone special to me."

She opened her mouth and I placed a kiss on her lips. "Of course not. You're my mate and a very important person to me." She insisted.

I felt my heart warm, hearing it made me feel better. I pulled her close and she cuddled into my chest. I had to remind myself again that we'd only known each other for a few hours. Gradually she'll get more used to me and we'll be less strangers and more the mates we're supposed to be.

Xavier’s POV

I kicked a clump of snow and it crumbled. Just venting my frustration.

Why did she have to find her mate? If only she'd been my mate. I had no doubt she'd be a great Luna with the practice and proper guidance but why did it have to be someone else? Why couldn't she be my Luna?

I'd never been a big fan of mates. To suddenly have this one person go from being a total stranger to the reason you breathe, in the amount of time it takes to take a breath, It sounds like a curse to me. I'd never wanted to find my mate, not because I didn't want one, but because I don’t want to lose myself in a person.

Ironically I'd wanted to lose myself in Ray for over 8 months. I'd started noticing her when we went to school and I'd notice things like how she didn't care who hated her or the fact that she and her best friend are complete opposites. She didn't care what others thought and she'd take their abuse with grace and a sense of humor.

Then I'd started to notice her body. Her curves and how her sense of fashion accentuated her curves. And I'd been so close to having those curves. I wanted her body in a way I'd never wanted anyone ever. I wanted to lock her in my room and f**k her all day then all night. To have her laying naked in my bed had been my dream for months.

But what I hate now, more than the fact I'll never even be able to so much as touch her hand without her guard dog lashing out, is the fact that I won't wake up to her tomorrow. Waking up next to her this morning had been amazing. Even though she attacked me, it excited me. But I'll never get that again. True I should have taken her to her room last night but a selfish part of me wanted her close, no funny business, just close to me. I found her comforting.

I wanted to punch something. I wasn't high on the Alpha food chain so I wasn't close to their floor but by the way they aren't feeling each other up makes me think they already did it. I mean she couldn't stop feeling me up before, so to see her so comfortable around him. Ugh. I didn't want to think about that.

I guess the only thing I can really do is throw myself into actually finding my mate. If I make it through this whole week without finding my mate it won't only hurt my pride but it'll break my heart. Because I'll have to watch Ray move out of the pack, break the bond and attend her Luna ceremony all without my mate by my side.

Even if I were to get a girlfriend, it wouldn't make me forget Raelynn. And it wouldn't make me forget how I feel about her. Apparently, when you find your mate, all previous relationships that you had or even were in the process of, are pushed to the side and become mere parts of your past.

I remember a story of a man who'd been dumped hardcore by a girl he loved. So bad that he started drinking to dull the pain. Well, when he found his mate and quit drinking and all the pain of his past relationship was just a memory. He wasn't in pain anymore, though he did have some issues with withdrawal from the alcohol, but he worked through it for his mate. To be better for her.

Honestly, I'm just standing in the cold waiting for my pack to get here, just so I don't have to be in there and see them cuddling and kissing or that heart-wrenching sight of her playing with his hair. She'd been doing that for me on the bus not even twenty-four hours ago. Like I said, she went from caring about me to only caring about him in the blink of an eye.

I was worried about her though. Even as just a friend. He seemed possessive, most mates are, but he seems overly so. Like even the wind blowing would hurt her. She's not a doll-like Maya, she's a strong fighter and a kick-ass woman. She doesn't have to be treated like china.

Another bus came rumbling down the road. I tried to mindlink Alex but no dice. Maybe he was still pissed at me.

I knew Alex held a huge candle for Ray. He's had a think for her for years. That's why he wanted her to be his first, and he got hers in return. Not only that but they got to have s*x like all the time. He was living my dream but never made any move to further it. It's his fault he wasted an opportunity and I took my shot when I found it. He can't stay pissed about that.

I'm not gonna lie, I'm actually looking forward to how Alex handles the 'big-bad-alpha' and I wonder if she'll tell him about Alex her f**k buddy not just Alex her friend. Mates were supposed to have no secrets and tell each other everything right?

My phone went off and I answered it. "Owen where the f**k are you? Are you even on a bus yet?"

"Yeah." He said, "we're probably the next bus. We just hit the snow line."

"Ok hurry. I don't know how much more I can take. I need backup." I groaned. I was f*****g cold.

"My sister about to kill you? Honestly just stop it with my sister. One of you will-"

I cut him off. "She found her mate. It's Alpha Callan. They're in the lobby canoodling. I couldn't take it but I had to stay down here to be here when you get here so I'm freezing my ass off outside."

"Wait mate?" Owen asked, "Alpha Callan, like the one that's best friends with the Alpha King?"

"That's the one." I sighed. "Now if I so much as breathe in her direction he's growling at me like he's gonna tear me apart."

"Serves you right." I heard Alex say.

I growled at him through the phone. He doesn't get to judge me. "Just you wait ass-hole. I never f****d her so I'm not in danger. You Alex, however, are a different story."

I could almost feel his nerves from here. f**k my situation, Alex was in for hell so my hell is milder than his. It made me feel better.

I turned to go back into the lodge when Owen spoke again, "Is he good to her do you think? Like does he treat her well?"

I shrugged, "From what I've seen. Which, granted, isn't much."

"Ok. Guess we'll see you in a bit."

"Yeah. See ya." And I hung up.

When I walked back in, stomping the snow off my boots. I looked over at the couch and saw Ray walking away, leaving Callan alone. I smirked and walked over sitting as far as I could from him.

"You're a lucky man." I said trying to relax into the plush couch.

"I know." His gruff voice replied.

I could tell he wanted to intimidate me but holding Alex in my mind I smiled, "I may still have feelings for her but she's totally taken now. I'll just have to find my mate so we'll be on even ground." I chuckled, "But I don't envy Alex."

"Who?" He asked stiffening.

"Oh, Alex? He's my future Gamma. He and Raelynn were…. Close. At least before we came here."

I shot a glance his way. I knew he'd be even more curious when I mentioned Ray but I wasn't sure if I should sign his death warrant or if I should just hand Callan the paperwork.

"What do you mean by close?" He said turning my way.

I did the same, "I'm sure Ray wants to tell you herself. It is her past after all."

"Just tell me." He grunted, "You're obviously dying to tell me."

I chuckled, "Nothing gets past you. Well, maybe I do. It's only cause once you know he was her f**k-buddy you won't hate me nearly as much."

I saw his face get red and his fists clench. I knew he'd be upset but anyone would when they heard about their mates f**k buddy.

"Don't worry though." I added, "She kept it purely physical. No relationship type of a thing. He, on the other hand has been in love with her for years." I turned thinking about Ray, "I think he's mad at me because I asked her about a relationship but he never had the guts. Guess we're both out of luck now."

Callan’s POV

"Don't worry though. She kept it purely physical. No relationship type of a thing. He on the other hand has been in love with her for years." He turned to face forward, "I think he's mad at me because I asked her about a relationship but he never had the guts. Guess we're both out of luck now."

I tried to breathe deeply. I can't say I didn't expect this. She obviously wasn't a virgin, and the way she'd moved, she knew what she was doing. I couldn't really talk either, I'd had a few girls I'd been with so who was I to judge. But the thought of another man with my Raelynn, made my blood boil.

"Don't tell her I told you though." He said, feigning a worried tone. "I don't want her to hate me."

I shook my head, "I won't." I recognized that he was deflecting. I'd had my eye on him since the minute I saw Ray. But when she assured me that I was her only one, it set me at ease. I was still her only one but I'd have to make it clear to this Alex, that my Raelynn is mine.

"They should be here soon." Xavier shrugged, "Ray's brother, Owen, called me while I was outside. They should be the next bus."

I turned around to see a bus had just arrived, I’d have to assume he meant the next one after that.

When I turned around I saw Raelynn walking back towards me smiling. I instantly felt a little better. She came over and sat on my lap, cuddling into my shoulder. I was glad she hadn't sat next to Xavier.

"So when are they getting here X?" She asked, "I'm kinda nervous to introduce Callan to Owen and Alex. Actually I’m scared to introduce him to all the pack. They all pretty much hate me anyway so my being mated to a high ranking Alpha will just make them hate me more.”

“They’re not going to hate you my love.” I said nuzzling into her hair.

“You don’t know the bitches in my pack.” Xavier sighed.

I looked from him to my little mate. “Am I missing something?” I didn’t like the idea of being out of the loop when it came to Raelynn. There was still so much about her that I didn’t know.

I felt the familiar feeling of needing to go for a run to calm my head. When I felt sad, I ran. When I felt happy, I ran. When I felt lost, I ran. When I was horny but couldn’t be bothered to find a girl, I ran.

“People just don’t like me cause I’m different.” She said getting off my lap. I didn’t want her to get off but she extended her hand, “Let’s go outside. I need some fresh air.”

“Cold air you mean.” Xavier muttered, “Don’t freeze your ass off.” He said louder.

I rolled my eyes. This guy, I had no idea if he was a good guy or a manipulative back-stabbing dickwod.

Ray led me outside and I felt a rush of relief and cold as we stepped out into the cold. The cold never bothered me, when we were young my parents would bring me and my brother up here and we’d stay out almost all day having snowball fights, skiing, go snowboarding, sledding, building snowmen and building an igloo. All those memories rushed back as I looked around.

“Damn it’s cold.” Ray said, scooting closer.