Alpha Rayven

Fighting For Myself

I already miss my family. I miss playing with my sisters’ hair. I miss fighting with my brothers. I want to say I don’t miss my father, but I do. And it only means one thing, I am terribly lonely right now to the point the very same person who sold me.

This place is so foreign to me, and it doesn’t feel like home, no matter how beautiful it is.

I haven’t seen Blackwood in a while, but then again, I slept the afternoon away.

Senna has been my savior, pulling me from my sleep and including me in everything. I’m helping the females in the kitchen prepare dinner… something I often did back at my old pack.

I haven’t seen Rosalie yet either, and I’m not sure whether that’s a good thing or a bad thing.

“You must know your way around a kitchen,” Rose says. She’s a younger female who’s clearly trying to get me to open up. I can tell by the way her stomach protrudes that she’s expecting.

“I’ve helped now and then,” I reply, not mentioning that cooking is something I truly enjoy.

I busy myself by stirring the meat sauce in my pot. It’s almost done, and my mouth waters at the scent.

Senna directs a few children, including the little girl who welcomed me so openly earlier in the day. Her name is Evie, and she’s the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen.

“Luna! Luna! Will you help me, pleaseee?” Evie bounces over, holding up a plate with the widest grin. There’s no way I could say no.

I hand my task off to another female and follow her to the dining room. Evie tells me she sets the table every Tuesday and wants to do it with me from now on. It feels good… being accepted by someone.

As we move around the table, laying out placemats and silverware, Evie chatters about herself. She’s seven, and her mommy is Rose, which means she’s going to be a big sister again. My eyes must go wide as she tells me this. Rose looks so young, yet she’s already on her third pup.

Once the table is set, I excuse myself upstairs to change for dinner. I’d like to say I’m dressing up for my mate, despite everything, but the truth is…I want to make Rosalie jealous. Is that wrong?

I choose a tight orange dress with delicate white flowers printed all over it, my full breasts nearly spilling from the neckline. I curl my dark, shoulder-length hair messily and leave my face bare.

I’m sliding my feet into my brown sandals when Blackwood appears in the doorway. He looks confused to see me.

“Why are you in here?” His mouth twists.

I don’t look at him, but I can feel my canines ache. I feel the pull he has over me now and wonder if he feels it at all. I may not have wanted him as a mate, but I can’t deny that I want this to work.

I cover my mouth as I speak; I don’t want him to see my teeth, to see how much power he already holds over my body. “Senna showed me to our… room.”

“I told her to show you to the guest room, not mine,” he growls, shaking his head.

I don’t respond, but somehow I find myself beside him. He must finally really look at me, because his next words are thrown like daggers.

“What are you wearing?”

My body slides unconsciously against his side, craving contact, wanting him to desire me, wanting to press my scent back into his skin. “It’s my favorite dress. I thought I should dress up for dinner… make a good impression…” My words falter as I trail off, unsure what he’s thinking.

He steps back, my breasts no longer brushing his arm. “You look like a w***e!” he snarls. He reaches past me, grabs something from beside my hairbrush, and yanks me back against his firm chest. His large hands pull my hair up, tying it tightly in place.

His breath brushes my neck, and I shiver despite myself. My skin feels unbearably hot. “Now everyone will know who you belong to, won’t they, little bird?”

Then he walks out.

Anger courses through me. So he wants me to show off my mark? He wants everyone to know I’m his, yet I don’t receive the same courtesy. I know he can feel how badly I want to mark him… every emotion, every desire… and yet he leaves me like this, tormented.

I debate with myself. Should I leave my hair up, or take it down just to anger him?

I take it down.

In the dining room, I hesitate, unsure where to sit. In most packs, the Luna sits to the alpha’s left, but that b***h has already claimed the seat. I don’t want to make a scene, but I need to show this pack that I have power too.

Blackwood’s gaze flicks between me and Rosalie, testing me. I smile with my teeth, letting him see how feral I feel. His liquid-silver eyes gleam with curiosity, unconcerned about my hair for the moment.

I let my strength slip slowly through my fingertips as I move behind her. She stiffens when she senses me. Everyone watches.

“There’s an empty seat over there,” she says, recovering quickly and pointing to the alpha’s right… the beta’s seat.

I lean close to her ear and growl softly. “I think this seat would be perfect. Don’t you, Senna?”

I look up to see Senna smiling in amusement as she nods.

Rosalie doesn’t move. I let more strength spill out, wrapping it around her… showing her who the stronger wolf is, proving I’m no weakling.

She finally stands. I step aside to let her pass. “Don’t let me catch you in this seat again,” I snarl. She hurries to the opposite side of the table.

I sit slowly and rein my power back in. I feel a surge of pride from my right and meet Blackwood’s gaze. He looks surprised, mostly proud, and that upsets me more than it should. He should have stopped her before I ever walked in. I can defend myself, but as my mate, he should have protected me.

Plates are filled high, but no one eats until the alpha does. He doesn’t share, not even with me, and I get the sinking feeling that here, I’ll have to fight for everything I want.