Alpha’s Lone Mate

Chapter 5

Claire's POV

I woke up feeling sore, a sensation unfamiliar to me. It was a different kind of discomfort, one I oddly didn't mind. It was akin to the aftermath of an intense workout, and the pain seemed to remind me of the previous night's events. My body was enveloped in comfort, nestled in a soft, unfamiliar bed. The room was flooded with sunlight, making me squint my eyes. Despite the urge to stay in the warmth of the sheets, I hesitated to open my eyes, fearing the reality that awaited me.

However, my blissful ignorance was soon interrupted by a cascade of colorful expletives, followed by growls and groans. I couldn't stay hidden in the cocoon of blankets any longer. I reluctantly opened my eyes and surveyed my surroundings. The room was unlike anything I'd seen before, with dark wood floors, navy blue walls adorned with various pictures, and shelves proudly displaying medals and trophies. It was clear that I was far from home.

My panic surged when I realized I was completely naked. A flood of memories from the previous night washed over me, leaving me on edge. I couldn't help but tremble, a reaction I didn't consciously control. My fear wasn't for anyone to see, especially not the Alpha. He was seated beside the bed, his back turned toward me. As my eyes involuntarily roamed over his well-defined, tanned back, I found myself momentarily lost in admiration.

However, my gaze drifted lower, and I immediately wished it hadn't. There, covered by a thin white blanket, I glimpsed more than I had bargained for. The sight of his buttocks ignited an awkward mix of curiosity and anxiety, adding to the turmoil within me.

I waited in silence, expecting him to say something, to clarify the situation. But he remained silent, perched on the edge of the bed, barely occupying it. My mind wrestled with a single, daunting question: Did he regret our night together?

Insecurities plagued me, convincing me that he must regret the encounter. I scrutinized myself, feeling unworthy compared to the beautiful women who usually surrounded him. I wasn't like Quan or Amina. I was just an outcast, an ugly, inexperienced, and overweight member of the pack who hadn't even shifted. It made me question my identity as a werewolf.

Suddenly, the Alpha's abrupt movement jolted me back to reality. I traced his actions with my eyes as he stood up, leaving the blanket behind. I instinctively squealed and squeezed my eyes shut, feeling his intense gaze on me. Slowly, I dared to open my eyes. He stood tall, his gaze fixed firmly on me with a stern expression. His jaw was clenched.

"What happened?" I dared to ask, seeking answers to the maelstrom of thoughts swirling within me.

What the f**k was I thinking? Wait I wasn't even thinking. Why did I speak for? Stupid, stupid! He's going to kill me now.

No he won't. You're his best friends sister.

So? Thomas hates me. He's probably going give him high five.

"Don't act like you don't know!"he says.

He's voice was raspy and more deeper in the morning. More huskier. He gave me a side glance, I noticed his little apple move.

"I guess I do" I say this quietly. Just to myself.

But he heard.

"Do you jump in bed with anyone who gives you attention" his voice was hush.

I was taken back by the tone of his voice and the look on his face. My heart dropped and I just knew that something was going to happen today and it wasn't going to be good. I shook my head quickly before speaking.

"No. You were my first. I had no control. You were my alpha-"

"Oh so because I'm the alpha you jumped at your chance?" he's clenched his jaw, sharpen his jaw.

Why is he making sound like I am a slut or some kind of power-sucking person. I would never just sleep with someone because they were power.

"No alpha. That's not what happened"

Thomas’s POV

I hummed as I made my way home, to the place I had once called home. It was now just a house, a cavernous one filled with memories of my late father. I would never see him again, thanks to my dear sister who had poisoned his mind with lies.

To this day, I had no idea what she had told him, what had driven him to his death. The truth was, I didn't care. I had no interest in the stories she spun. She was responsible for his death, and it was her fault that I couldn't see my father anymore.

I didn't want to dwell on his memory. I just needed a day free from thoughts of my father. I wished to escape the endless questions and unsettling mysteries that kept me awake at night.

There was a constant itch, an eerie feeling that something was amiss. A sense of something incomplete haunted me. I couldn't quite pinpoint what it was, but as I entered my house, the sensation only intensified.

The air felt different, unsettling. I locked the door behind me and discarded my shirt, feeling uncomfortably warm. I headed to the kitchen, my unease growing. Grabbing a cold beer from the fridge, I moved with heavy steps to the living room, feeling strangely fatigued.

I couldn't pinpoint the source of my discomfort. The memory of last night, spent with a girl who had kept me awake, made sense, but it didn't account for this strange feeling. It was deeper and more unpleasant. I couldn't bear it. The worst part was that I didn't even know what caused it.

I slumped onto the brown leather couch, one hand behind my head, the other clutching the icy beer. The strange sensation lingered, making me uneasy. Maybe it was hunger. The last time I had eaten was in the morning, when the girl's mother, mistaking me for her daughter's boyfriend, had made me pancakes. Humans were amusing, but I had to admit, she was attractive, just like her daughter.

Perhaps I should call her.

My wolf's voice echoed in my mind, berating me for not waiting for my mate. But I was a man, with needs, and the girls seemed eager to fulfill them. How could I resist? I couldn't halt my life in anticipation of meeting my mate. I hoped she was having fun too.

The thought of food made my stomach rumble. It was as if I hadn't eaten in ages. "Claire, I'm hungry!" I shouted upstairs, expecting to hear her hasten down the stairs. But to my surprise, there was no response. No movement.

I repeated myself, raising my voice in frustration. "I said I'm hungry!" My calls fell on deaf ears. She dared to ignore me!

Anger surged within me, and I jumped up from the couch. I stormed up the stairs, each step echoing with purpose. Who did she think she was, ignoring me?