Attracted to the Alpha

CHAPTER 7

ARYA'S POV

I watched helplessly as my kid brother narrated his horrific story to me. My parents were both standing in the living room holding hands with mother leaning onto dad for comfort in front of me.

I thought I alone had had it rough last night but I was wrong. Last night had a domino's effect and it came back home to affect my family too.

"The gangs did all of these damages all because of Arya?!" I heard Charles ask from behind me. Once again I had totally forgotten he was still standing just outside our front door.

He asked it like it didn't make sense to him, something wasn't quite right. The gangs were known for going after bigger fish in the town, people who were considered powerful and wealthy for power and money, so why would they go after a small fish like me?

"Wolves...were after me last night. Werewolves...my kind". I whispered to myself, as I figured out the sequence of the chain of events.

Charles was right, the gangs had no business coming after me unless they knew a secret about me most didn't, not even my family. The gangs were no ordinary gangs, they were werewolf gangs and they were coming after me because I was their kind and had turned on my scent last night.

"You were whispering, what did you say sis?" I heard Henry ask, as I came back to the present.

I looked at Henry, mother and father. They were my family but they looked frail in contrast to the other werewolves I now knew. Surely they were not werewolves themselves and I had gotten my new gifts from someone else.

"Nothing...nothing important. I was just talking to myself". I replied.

I turned slowly behind me to look at Charles. I had to address his question in a way that would not raise suspicion towards me from him or my family. I needed to keep the truth away from them, I needed to protect them.

"You are right Charles, the gangs should have no business with me but maybe now they do".

"I am of age, I am eighteen and maybe one of them is interested in starting a romantic relationship with me". I revealed.

I watched as Charles' eyes brightened. He hadn't thought about that but from his look, I could tell he believed what I was saying was true.

"Nooo! Oh my God! Nooo!"

I heard mom pour out her heart in frustration from behind me. She believed what I had said but did not approve of it.

"I know mom, I do not want this for myself too. They are criminals, outlaws and thugs. You taught me better, I know better". I turned my attention to her, as I consoled her.

"What can I do to protect you, my child? What can we do to protect you? Should I call the Sheriff?" Mom asked helplessly.

The Sheriff would have been a good idea if the gangs were humans like him but they were not. The Sheriff couldn't even protect me for 24 hours, especially at night when the werewolves attacks.

"I think we should discuss this as a family". Father said decisively, as he stepped past me towards the front door of the house.

I followed him with my eyes as he stopped in front of Charles, who was still standing there listening to our conversation.

"Thank you Charles for bringing my daughter back home safely to us. I can't thank you enough". Father said, shaking Charles' hand.

"Please I implore you to keep what happened here with the gangs a secret. Letting the news out would only lead to more retribution from the gangs towards my family. I would like my family to handle this difficult period together as a family".

"I hope you understand?" Father asked.

"Yes, I totally understand. You have my word I will keep this confidential, not even my Mrs would know about it". Charles assured, as they both shook hands again.

A second later Charles was off on his way. Father slowly closed the front door as he came back to join us.

"My beautiful little girl is now a grown woman - oh how time flies".

"I wish I can protect you from them Arya but I cannot. I don't know if anyone can keep you safe in this city from the gangs but I don't think even the Sheriff can."

"I think I am left with no other choice but to send you away to your aunt's place. That's the only way I know you can be safe". Father revealed to me.

"Aunty Rita's place?" I asked for clarification. In fact I was very familiar with aunty Rita, she was my only aunt, my father's older sister. Mom was an only child and didn't have any siblings.

"Yes Arya, aunty Rita's place". Father confirmed, holding my shoulders gently. He knew I loved aunt Rita while growing up, except she lived far away in another state entirely.

I was taken aback by my father's suggestion, I never imagined I would leave Oakwood shortly after I turned eighteen. Father only wanted what was best for me but my heart was set on Oakwood. I couldn't leave the city now to say the least. My love interest with Arthur was just beginning.

Was I going to abandon him and let the gangs scare me away from seeing him again?

"Is that the only option we have left?"

"Aunty Rita's place is quite the distance and I would love to see my baby often".

Mother was clearly unhappy with the news of my going away suddenly. Father didn't look happy either but I knew he was only trying to do what he felt was logical here.

"Mom, dad and baby brother. I will hate to leave you all behind here and start a new life somewhere else".

"I simply cannot imagine my life somewhere else, far from home, at least not for now or in the near future". I said, capitalising on mom's desire to see me stay back in Oakwood.

I could see mom smile at me despite the stressful situation she was in while dad still looked worried.

"I agree with you dad that I have to be safe but I think I know how that can be possible without me having to leave the city". I pointed out.

"How Arya, how is that possible? Please tell me?" Mom asked anxiously. She was eager to know and so was dad and Henry.

It was a crazy idea and I didn't know if it was going to work out yet. I needed to seek his permission first.

"I think rumour has it the gangs do not terrorise the residents living in the heart of the city, in affluent neighbourhoods".

"I happen to know an acquaintance that lives there and I believe if I ask him he should be able to grant me my request to live with him temporarily". I answered.

They all looked surprised that I knew someone so wealthy that lived in the heart of the city.

"Who do you know that lives there?" Father inquired.

"You may not have met him in person but you surely must have heard his name before - Andre Williams!" I revealed.