A sirene mate for the Alpha

Stepping on his boundaries

*Zayan*

I'm normally not a morning person, but I woke up after some weird dreams about Hadley that I can't shake off, and Blue was whimpering to get out. So here I am on my back porch, letting him out onto the grass just before 7 am as the sky grows red in the east.

"Go on out, boy," I say as I slide open the porch door, shivering slightly from the cold wind. Cooling down is what I need; some of those dreams were... let's just say pretty R-rated.

Blue runs out onto the grass but turns to look at me, making a whimpering sound, which makes me shake my head. "No, boy, daddy is staying here... run along and do your thing."

He makes a sound, and I swear he's calling me a wanker, which makes me chuckle. Looking toward the tents, I know she's in there, in her bed…

Stop, Zayan. Why am I so attracted to her? She is pretty, beautiful even, and those legs... Stop it. I meet lots of stunning females, both human and wolves. What makes her special? Besides, she's way too young for me to think about her like that. Am I having a midlife crisis or something? Ah, I'm not that old.

I try to force myself not to think the word... mate... my mate. But I don't want a mate, definitely not one who is a teenager.

Last night, all of us spent time talking and listening to music, and I realized Hadley is not only a sweet girl but also smart and very mature for her age.

I sigh and am about to call Blue to come in since it's getting kind of cold standing here, but then I see my dog run over to the swinging couch hanging from the tree in the corner of the backyard, and I realize someone is sitting there.

"Hadley?" Of course, it's Hadley, wrapped up in a duvet, her eyes red as if she's been crying. "Are you okay, darling?"

She looks up, scratching Blue behind the ear, making his tongue loll out the side of his mouth. She shakes her head slightly. "Couldn't sleep... so I came out here. It's nice... quiet."

"It is... I love it here," I say as I sit down on the other end of the couch. "It helps me stay centered and calm, but... what are you stressed about?"

She sighs, pulling her knees tighter to her chest as Blue runs off to explore. She looks so small and fragile. "It's just... I just came off a tour, and now I have to go somewhere busy and stress-filled to do a music video that's not... what I really want to do. After that, I'm back in the studio."

"Sounds like you need some downtime... a holiday," I say, reaching out to rub her shoulder. I feel for her; at her age, it must be even worse. "Is there any way you can take a break?"

She shakes her head, and I can see she's fighting tears. "No, Calix. Well, he makes all the decisions, and I have to fulfill my contract."

"Aww, sweetie... I feel you, believe me," I say, feeling a deep need to protect her, to care for her and make her feel better. She looks so distraught, and my wolf is pacing in my head; our mate can't be allowed to be hurt.

*Hadley*

I look at the sun rising. I am not lying; I couldn’t sleep... but most of all, I couldn’t stand Calix’s arm around me. “Thanks, it really is beautiful here, even the sunrise looks special. I wish I could just stay.”

“It is spectacular; it gets me every time.” He gives me a small smile. “So you are doing a music video? What kind?”

“Same as always; some swanky place and me, pretending to be some innocent… blow-up doll.” Something hits me. “We should make it here, out in nature instead.”

He looks thoughtful for a moment. “Well then, do it. You are welcome to stay and shoot the video, no charge, of course... as long as you get the crew and pay and feed them, you can borrow the tents and land for free.”

“Really... wow. Thank you.” I feel the idea bloom inside my head; it would also let me stay here, close to Zayan, and honestly, I am not ready to leave. “I just need Calix to say yes.”

“Oh, just use that charm, send him a pretty smile and those puppy eyes. Who can say no to that?” He gives me a small smile.

We sit for a moment, just watching the sunrise, then I notice him rubbing his arm as if he is cold. “Are you cold, Zayan?”

“Oh, a bit, honestly. Maybe I should get inside.” He looks about to get up.

“Or we can share this.” I hold out my duvet, taking a chance. I mean, I know he thinks he is too old for me, but I have never met a man like him. Just imagine how much better my life would be as his instead of being Calix’s toy. “It’s nice and toasty here.”

He bites his lip, looking uncertain; him being such a gentleman only makes me want him more, to be honest. “Uh, maybe it’s not a good idea, Hadley.”

“I promise to be a good girl.” I wave the duvet slightly and move closer, and he lets me fold it around him, snuggling into him. He is a bit cold, wearing just sweats and a tee.

He slips an arm around me; it seems more protective than anything else, though. His voice is a soft mumble. “You are rather warm.”

“Told you... this is nice.” I snuggle into his chest.

We sit there watching the sunrise, coloring the sky pink and yellow. And I am contemplating how to... Well, make him forget the age thing and want me too.

He could take me away from Calix. I mean, he is a good guy and so big and strong; with him protecting me, Calix wouldn’t dare touch me any longer. I know it sounds like I am just changing one man for another... but I never wanted Calix. I was never attracted to him. I do want Zayan like nothing else I ever wanted.

I slip my hand up on his stomach, feeling him tense and those abs flex. Oh, damn, he is so freaking sexy I can’t even… But I just keep it there until he relaxes; actually, he seems to be nodding off a bit, and I am thinking this might be my chance, if I can make him feel good he surely will want me.

“Let me be really nice to you, Zayan, you won’t regret it.” I whisper softly, as I lean into him, my lips leaving small kisses along his jaw as my hand slips under the waistband of his sweats.

Oh, hello, I am hardly past the waistband before making first contact. Okay, so snuggling up with me has had an... uplifting effect on him. He mumbles and moves a bit. My hand closing around his erection makes me let out a small gasp... wow... Okay, that’s... he is like big, very big, apparently the rumors about Alpha’s are true.

I start moving my hand; he is so hard, but the skin against my palm is soft, the feeling and idea make me excited. He kind of jerks awake. “Fuck... Hadley, stop... don’t.”

“Why not? Don’t you like it?” I purr. I mean, the hardness in my hands and his gasping breaths tell me it definitely doesn't feel bad.

He grabs my wrist with a desperate look in his eyes. “Stop... right now... just stop.”

I let go, pulling away. Okay, I kind of feel really awkward and bad right now. “Sorry... I just thought...”

“You thought what? That it’s okay to... touch me like that when I told you no already? That men are mindless s*x addicts you can control through their d**k?” He is on his feet, and if he hadn’t looked so angry and outraged it might have looked funny with the obvious erection.

I feel the tears welling up and my throat closing. "Sorry... I... I just... I'll go stay in the tent until we can leave... sorry."

Bravo, Hadley, you have messed everything up; you managed to make him feel violated... not good, and now he hates you. You're going to be Calix’s plaything until he grows tired of you and finds someone younger.

"Hadley!?" Zayan stops me as I am about to run back to the tent. "I'm not angry with you... but... that wasn't okay, sweetie, do you understand?"

I nod, looking down at my feet. "Yeah... sorry. I just... I like you, and you've been so nice to me... I wanted to..."

He holds up a hand. "You don’t owe me anything, and most definitely not... anything like that. You are worth so much more, darling; never think your body is worth so little."

"Thanks, Zayan. You really are the nicest person I've ever met." I give him a small smile. "I'll go back to the tent and get ready to leave, thanks for not being angry with me."

"You don't have to leave. You can still do the video here if you want; actually, I would love it if you do." He gives me a warm smile that makes butterflies do a conga line in my stomach.

I try not to sound too happy. "Are you sure? Oh, thank you so much."

"It's fine..." I kind of cut him off with a big hug.

"Oh sorry... no touching without permission." I quickly let go.

He holds out his arms. "You hereby have permission to hug, as much as you want."

I slip into his warm arms, enjoying the feeling of him way too much but keeping it to myself for now.