The Reluctant Alpha

Chapter 7 - Taking What's Mine

Luca

I was beyond bored. Clarence was so overbearing the entire time. Every time I turned around - there he was. He showed us around most of the downstairs, took us on a tour of the territory, and was always refilling our drinks or offering us another food to try. Any other time, I would think he was trying to butter us up. It felt different coming from him however. Almost like it was forced. Like we were the last two people on the face of the earth that he wanted to be nice to. Titus' behavior was putting me even more on edge. He made it clear that he was leery of the Alpha, but he was also still very restless. There were moments throughout the entire evening that I had to fight for control. He wanted to come out and that couldn't be good.

I finally had a few moments of peace when I excused myself to the restroom. Once inside, I leaned against the door and took a cleansing breath. I wanted to leave hours ago. I got a really bad feeling about this place. Not the kind of feeling like we were in danger, but something was off in this territory. And the Luna. Marie, if I remember correctly. She had kept her distance the entire night. Whenever I looked her way, she was always staring at me with an unreadable expression on her face. Maybe I was just on alert with the familiar sensation that overcame me when I saw her and was just being paranoid. A lot had happened in a short period of time, so it was possible I was overthinking it all. I decided that I couldn't hide in the bathroom any longer. Surely someone would come looking for me sooner or later.

As I entered the hallway, a heavenly scent flooded my nose. It smelled of cinnamon and apples. It overtook ever fiber in my body to find where it was coming from. And if I thought Titus was acting weird earlier, he was full on going mad now. I start following where the delicious aroma was coming from. I didn't make it far before my father caught my arm.

"Took you long enough. Come. Clarence is ready to discuss business before people start leaving." He started pulling me back towards the formal dining room before I could object.

The scent was faint everywhere I was in the room. I don't know how I hadn't noticed it earlier. It made me warm from the inside out and a slight panic struck my heart. I shook my head to clear the thought. There is no way. I'm just being delusional...hopefully.

My father and I returned to Clarence. This time he had a younger lady standing beside him. They seemed to be discussing something rather important. It was getting heated between them, but it stopped the minute he noticed us approach.

"Ah, there you are!" a slick smile crossing his face. "Alpha Morris, Luca...let me introduce you to my beautiful pride and joy. This is my daughter Layne."

The girl forces a smile and bows her head in respect. "Nice to meet you both. I hope you find our pack welcoming." It comes out very clipped and I can tell her father is displeased. I guess she is still mad about whatever they were discussing.

"We have. Thank you for your hospitality." I say. This girl may be the key to me getting some information about this pack. The one thing I have learned over the years is a mad girl is a chatty one. And right now, the anger is just rolling off of her in waves. "You know, I saw a fountain out front earlier and didn't really get a chance to appreciate it. Would you mind showing it to me?"

She takes a step back and immediately shoots her dad a death glare. "Sure." she mumbles and starts for the front door. It only takes me a minute to catch up to her, but I have a feeling she would rather be doing anything else -with anyone else.

Once we get to the fountain, a hideous depiction of a wolf that is howling with water is shooting straight out of his open mouth, she turns on her heels and points her finger in my face.

"Look here, I have no interest in you at all. I don't know what my dad promised you, but I didn't promise anything. So, you can just try to find some other girl because I'm not the one!"

I take a step back and put my hands up in surrender. I don't know what her father told her, but it sounds like there was a different alliance debated in my short absence. "I have no idea what you are going on about. I just wanted to see the fountain."

She scoffs and throws her hands in the air. "This ugly thing? No one likes it except my dad. It makes us the laughing stock of all the other packs. Even our own members cringe when they see it or laugh. You must think I'm an i***t!" She tosses her blonde hair over her shoulder and there is fire in her emerald eyes. I can't say she isn't beautiful, but she isn't my mate. I would have felt that by now and my father knows how I feel about the mate bond, just not that I am trying not to meet her. "You could have come up with a believable lie. I overheard my father and yours talking about strengthening their pact with a marriage. I won't do it. You are not my mate!"

"Look Layne, I am sorry for any miscommunication. Yes, without trying to sound like a horrible guest, this thing should be destroyed. And yes, I lied about wanting to see it. BUT it was just because you looked like you needed a break from it all in there as much as I did. And no offense, but I don't want to marry you either. I know you aren't my mate and I'm not interested.

She studies me for a moment as if she is trying to see if I'm telling her the truth. She must believe me because she just shrugs and looks at the fountain. "Do you think your driver could accidently back into it when you leave?"

I let out a genuine laugh and the tension drains from the air. We chat for a bit - I find out the heated debate was about the marriage talks but nothing else of importance - before heading back into the house. I'm sure my dad is thrilled we have been out here so long already. He probably thinks I will go along with his stupid game. I don't know why he would agree to such a union with a lower pack to begin with.

Once inside Marie rushes up to Layne. "Excuse us Luca. I must have a word with my daughter." I just nod and smile politely. Poor Layne has her hands full with both of her parents tonight. I shoot her a sympathetic look before they go across the room.

I pan the room for my father so I can question him about this marrying me off s**t, but cinnamon and apples flood my senses again and I'm reminded of my earlier mission.

I start walking and find myself in a hallway off the dining room. It is getting much stronger and Titus is trying to take over.

What has gotten into you? I reprimand him.

It's her! She's here! Mate!

I stop cold. All the blood drains from my body. No! It can't be! I have my suspicions earlier, but now that it is confirmed.... I don't know what to do. How can I sense her? That stupid witch! She swore that spell would work!

No. She hid us from our mate. Not our mate from us! Titus growls.

Damn it! Why didn't I think of that? I only hear Titus chuckle at my error. He was never happy about my plan. He wants our mate more than anything. I get it. I do too. But she wouldn't be safe with us. Titus swears we could keep her safe but I won't take that risk.

I debate internally for a little bit. I know I should turn around and leave and never come back, but a part of me is curious. What does she look like? What kind of woman did the Moon Goddess pair me with? I decide that it really can't do any harm to just take a look. To always have her memory to look back on. If I'm denying myself a life with her, I at least deserve to see who she is.

I make it to the kitchen door but keep myself tucked out of view. I peek around the corner and all the air is knocked from my body. She is the most gorgeous woman I have ever seen, but she looks miserable. Tears are running down her face. My heart feels like it has been torn from my chest seeing her hurt this way. That's when I see Clarence standing in front of her. Before my own eyes he slaps her across the face and I see red. I have to try to control myself to stay where I am. It gets even harder when I hear Clarence's voice laced with venom.

"Don't you dare talk ill of your Luna! You will go out to the party and do what you should have done in the first place! Make an excuse and begone from my sight until you are told to be back with my pack. Be sure to clean yourself up before anyone sets eyes on you again."

My fists are balled - ready to knock him on his ass, but I will myself to step back in the shadows and let him pass. Once I know he has gone, I look back in at my angel. Her long black hair and creamy looking skin. I should have never taken one look because now I want to go and hold her in my arms more than the air I breathe. I shake myself from my thoughts. It does no use to stand here and drool over what might have been. I can't have her. As much as I would love to walk over and calm her before marking her as mine, I can't.

I quickly go back to the party. I may not be able to have her, but I will be damn if that man ever lays another finger on her. I will kill him myself.

Again, my father and Clarence are having a hushed conversation by themselves. I march over to them, trying to keep Titus from ripping his throat out this instant. I can't start a pack war when I can't tell anyone why.

I just make it to them when I feel every hair on my body stand. She is in the room. I know it. My chest aches with sadness and I know it has to be the mate bond letting me feel her emotions.

"Who is that girl?" my father asks pointing behind me. I turn to see my beautiful mate talking to Layne and Marie. They both seem genuinely concerned about her which gives me some hope for them.

"Oh her? Just a pack-less girl we took in out of pity. Whole family was slaughtered so we took her in so she didn't become feral." Hate radiates off him as he speaks of her. If it is the last thing I do, I will kill this man someday.

"Very noble of you," my father replies. The longer I stand here and listen to this bullshit, the harder it is to keep reign over Titus. We have to leave now.

"We needed someone to cook and clean. It ended up being a good deal for us." Clarence jokes and that is when I lose my battle. Titus takes over and I'm left unable to do a thing.

"SHE COMES WITH US!"

Everyone freezes and stares at me like I have grown three heads. My father's jaw is on the ground and Clarence is doing his best not to tremble in front of everyone.

"Son..."my dad starts, but Titus cuts him off.

"I said she comes with us."

Titus is in full control as he walks over to my angel, picks her up bridal style and marches to our car. I can hear my dad's rushed apologies and farewells, but I couldn't care less. Just holding her in my arms is everything I had dreamed of. I feel an instant calming wash over me. Her hazel eyes are wide with shock but also curiosity. She doesn't speak until we are in the car.

"I don't know who you are or why you just did that, but.....thank you." she whispers and then wraps me in a hug, taking me by surprise. After a moment, I close my eyes and breathe in her scent deeply.

I'm so screwed.