THEN CAME ANOTHER ALPHA

Chapter 3

Lyra's POV :

"Where do you think you're goi...?" One of the rogues was snarling at me, before I interrupted him with a swift elbow strike to his jaw, making him stagger backwards. I kept on running.

I may not be able to take on all of them but there was no way I was just going to stay put and allow myself to be claimed by some crazy Rogue Alpha. I've spent over three days here already and I was getting sick of all the tingling, sparky sensations and butterflies in my stomach, whenever he looked at me. I thought those things only happen with one's mate. I needed to get out of here before I lose it completely. I didn't know what Ares was doing to me but I was sure as hell he wasn't mine.

I was quickly dashing past trees, ignoring the shouts of a couple onlookers. One thing about Ares's little "pack", they didn't really have the numbers but they were vicious, really vicious. Unlike the Blood Claw pack, there were no pups anywhere around, the female population were really low, making it one of the most depressing places I've ever been. Not like I'm not used to depressing stuffs but for goodness sake, they were all warriors, all fighters and all they ever do is fight, fight and train.

And gosh! They were really huge wolves. I looked back to see them coming after me, baring their fangs and growling at me. Dammit! I wish I'd just shift into my own wolf but she was still too dormant, cowering in the back of my mind.

I kept pushing myself forward with every ounce of strength I had, hoping to cross over into any territory, where they won't be able to follow.

As if realizing my intentions, one of them suddenly rammed into my side. I noticed how gentle he was but it was still enough force to knock me to the ground with a thud. I quickly rolled into a crouching position, looking around to see them slowly surrounding me, daring me to try and run again. I decided to pull a card I never thought I would.

"You will let me go this instant." I ordered, slowly standing up.

"I am your Alpha's mate, so I command you all to back off." I said, raising my voice this time. Well, that didn't seem to work.

"Now, isn't that just cute?" I heard a familiar voice speak from behind me. Ares.

I turned around to see him casually walking towards me, his arms folded behind him and a cocky smirk on his face. The rogues gave way for him to pass and I glared daggers at him.

"My feisty, little firecracker, trying to use my influence to command my warriors." He chuckled darkly.

"It would have worked, only if you stop fighting our mate bond and agree to be mine."

"Never!" I hissed at him, watching his eyes darken slightly. There was absolutely no way I'd go jumping into his arms just because he feels a mate bond that I don't. My only mate was Lucas and he rejected me. Ares was clearly mistaken because I didn't feel anything other than mere sparks for him. There's no way I'd be mated to a notorious Rogue Alpha.

"Your stubbornness will only make me want you more. It makes me want to break you and see what you're really hiding inside." He said, taking more steps towards me.

"You can f*****g try!" I spat coldly, before sinking into a defensive stance with my claws out.

The rogue wolves around us didn't take too lightly to what I just did. I literally just challenged their Alpha and they were growling and snarling at me instantly, getting ready to pounce. Ares just took one look at them and that was all it took for them to calm down. He looked back at me with an amused expression on his face.

"I'm not going to fight you, little firecracker."

"But I will." I snapped, making him raise an eyebrow. By now, the other rogues had totally retreated, leaving two of us alone.

"You've only stayed a few days and you've already managed to assault three of my warriors, tried to run away twice and even almost burnt down my f*****g house!" He said in an unsettling, calm voice.

"Let me go and you won't have to worry about all that anymore." I replied, earning a nod from him.

"You have the type of boldness that gets a lot of people killed." He suddenly said with a fanged smile. I could smell rage radiating off him. Rage and... arousal?

"I love it." He said, looking directly at me.

Without so much thought, I charged towards him with a swipe of my claws. He effortlessly sidestepped it.

"You crazy caveman!" I roared in frustration.

"Careful there! I'm not the one with an impulsive desire to burn down houses." He taunted, making me charge at him again.

I aimed a flying kick at his head, which he just redirected away, almost making me loose my balance.

"You even burnt your own face but eh! I'm not complaining." He said, catching my fist and pulling me close to himself. Our faces were now so close that I could now clearly see the green in his eyes.

"I didn't burn my face. It happened by accident." I seethed at him, struggling to free myself from his hold. The weird, tingling sensations were starting to erupt from where he was holding me.

"Of course it did." He smirked down at me. An indication that he didn't believe what I just said.

"I lost my whole family in that fire." I said, feeling my eyes water. Why the hell was I even telling him? For his pity? People were always making jest of my scars and it never really bothered me. Why was I so emotional now?

Slowly, his amused expression changed to one of concern or even care? It felt really strange for someone to look at me like that, like I was important to him.

"You're not lying." He whispered, after a few seconds of just standing in front of each other. I just took the opportunity to pull away from him.

The sudden movement left my body without his nice warmth, making me feel a bit woozy and disoriented. I was suddenly struggling to balance on my feet and Ares was quick to hold me steady again.

"Are you alright?" He asked, looking down at me with worry in his eyes.

Black dots were slowly starting to cloud my vision and my entire body was shaking in his arms. I heard him yell out some inaudible words like he was calling for help.

Flashbacks from that dream I had some days ago, began to play out in my head. The burning trees, animals running around for safety and the huge, dark wolf staring back at me, maliciously. Beads of sweat were running down my face and I found it difficult to breathe.

Ares suddenly dropped me back to the ground, taking a few steps away from me and watching me with a frown. Some other rogues had already arrived, all watching me with keen interest. I opened my mouth to scream at the discomfort I was feeling but instead of a scream, an ear piercing, ground shaking roar escaped my mouth. Thick, dark blood trickled down my nose and ears, making me feel dazed. What the hell was happening to me.

"She's phasing into an alpha!" One of the male rogues exclaimed, shock evident on his face.

"Yeah. But her body is fighting it." Ares said, bending down to inspect me closer.

"If we don't find a way to help her, she'll die."

"We have to take her back to the Blood Claw pack. That's the only way to save her."