BOUGHT BY THE WRONG ALPHA

CHAPTER FIVE - THE RIDERS

I wake up the following morning thinking about Elara.

Not like I planned to, but the images keep replaying in my head. Her on the floor, the scattered clothes, the way she was spoken to, and the tear that dropped from her eyes.

She seemed like she wanted to say something but couldn’t go through with it.

My senses begin to pick up sounds.

I sit on the bed, place my hands at both sides. Breathe.

Then I get up. Prepare. Because I have a mission to accomplish.

He could have requested any Dove. Why did he pick me?

I get to work.

From the window of my office, I see nine bikes parked in the garage of the MC building. But there’s no one moving in the corridor.

The bikes are not usually here.

Hunter instinct, I think of a reason to survey the building. I grab my clipboard, creep into the corridor. Close my door slowly.

It’s empty. But standing here now, I can hear some voices down the corridor. Faintly.

I sneak my way down, tiptoeing till I bump into a group of wolves. But they don’t see me.

I’m a fair distance away, looking at a door that wasn’t closed - and see some men seated inside.

It’s the back door to the MC garage. I can’t hear what they’re saying but I can see the wolves seated.

The garage is large. Grease littered around, dumbbells here and there, bench presses at the far corners.

Lucien is sitting on one of the benches, addressing a number of wolves seated across from him. All wearing similar dark jackets. Same as the one in Lucien’s room. The one he wore at the auction.

The men are listening. Most of them. Out of about twelve wolves I can count, six are actively listening, three are talking amongst themselves and the remaining three keep looking at the door as if they’re expecting someone.

One of the men looking at the door has a scar. He is constantly looking in my direction. I don’t look away.

I keep looking. Don’t even notice when someone appears beside me.

“What are you doing?”

Every hair on my body goes still.

I turn around slowly.

It’s the man from the auction. The second rider.

“Erm…” I begin to stammer. “I’m just…I was just taking my clipboard to the storage room when I heard some noises down the hall and came to confirm.”

“Hmm…is that so?”

“Yes, sir.”

“My name is Rafe. I’ve been watching you from the auction. I don’t know what my boss sees in you but you’re up to something Kyra Whitlord.”

A long pause.

“If he trusts you, I guess I’ll have to do same. Welcome, officially to the MC.”

This MC must be some kind of big thing. And something very dear to Lucien.

“Thank you,” I respond. Softly. I don’t know him. For all I know, he could have been with Lucien the day my parents were killed, since he practically seems to be Lucien’s right hand man.

“Who are they?” I ask, gesturing toward the wolves in the garage.

“Oh, it’s the biker’s weekly meeting.”

I look closer. The nonchalant wolves are still paying half attention. Still occasionally looking at the door.

I should go back to my office, but he seems approachable.

I ask out of curiosity, “Why are those men staring at the door? Is it that they want to leave? Sorry I know I’m asking a lot of questions.” I lower my head and play with my fingers.

Rafe lets out a visible sigh.

“That’s Soren - the one with the scar - and his brothers. They’re all waiting for Roland to show up.” He looks away from the door. Looks in another direction. “He usually shows up midway into the meeting or doesn’t come at all. It’s caused a serious division amongst the members.”

I’m not surprised, a murderer always has few friends.

Lucien finally looks towards our direction. Calls Rafe over. He leaves.

I depart to my office.

By evening, the riders are gone. The building is much quieter now.

I begin to hum my mother’s melody. Gather my things while doing so.

In a few minutes, I’m ready to leave.

I don’t stop humming.

I lock the office and move through the corridor. Straight to the main entrance.

As soon as I turn the door knob, coincidentally someone else turns it from the other side. Pushes the door open. The force sends me to the ground faster than I can wrap my head around what’s happening.

In a matter of seconds, I’m on the floor, clipboard scattered across.

It’s Lucien.

For a second, something flashes across his face.

Something like concern. But it’s a flicker. Then it goes back to normal.

“Next time, mind your business so you don’t get distracted.”

I stand up quickly. Straighten and dust my dress immediately.

“Yes, Lucien. I’m sorry about that.”

He walks past me, squeezing his fists like he’s angry at something.