The Reluctant Alpha

Chapter 13 - Best Intentions and Broken Hearts

Luca

    I slam my bedroom door before pacing around the area. It feels like it is closing in on me. Four years! She went through hell for the last four years of her life. And for what? I swear, if I ever get my hands on that monster, I will take great pleasure watching the life leave his body. I will make sure he feels tenfold what he ever put her through. 

    I didn't want to leave her with how upset she was, but I knew it was for the best. I wanted more than anything to just take her in my arms and promise her that I'd make sure she never felt another ounce of pain for the rest of her life. But I just couldn't. I know I never could have left her living at the Lock Heart Pack, but it isn't the best idea to have her so close to me. The last thing I want is to break and tell her I'm her mate. I've done too much to ensure her safety and I'll be damned if I'm the one to mess that up. 

    A knock at the door startles me and I hope she didn't follow me. My question is answered as Alex pops his head in. "Is it safe to come in?"

    "After the crap you pulled? Maybe not." I grumble.

    "Man, I'm just trying to help you get your head on straight. She is your mate. The one the Moon Goddess chose for you."

    "And as her mate, I'm doing what is best for her. It is too dangerous to be tied to me." 

    "Then you have to get used to the fact that someone else may take her as their chosen mate. It isn't fair to her to go through life hoping to meet them and end up alone. You heard her. She was praying her mate would take her away from her suffering at the old pack. You did! She even said she could sense her mate but couldn't find him. Are you sure she is even your mate?" he spits.

    "Yes, she is my mate!" I roar. I know he is only trying to do what he thinks is best, but I don't like him questioning my decisions. I will have to meet with Agatha again and find out what that is all about. Mia said that she knew he was close but couldn't find him. That means that the spell is in place and working, but I don't want Mia going crazy in her search. I need to verify that it doesn't mean the spell is waning either. 

    "If you are comfortable in your choice, then you are going to have warm up to the idea of another man's hands on her. I'm your best friend and all I did was hug her. I thought you were going to come across the room at me. You think you are going to be able to keep this up for the rest of your life?"

    I let out a defeated sigh, "I'm going to have to... for her."

    Alex shakes his head. I can tell he has more he wants to say on the subject, but he must decide to let it go. "She wanted to come with me, you know."

    I give him a confused stare.

    "Mia. She wanted to apologize for upsetting you and to also thank you again for what you did for her."

    This sucks. I can't believe that I was blessed with such a caring and kindhearted mate, only to be forced to stay away from her. I know it was my choice, but I refuse for her to have the same fate as my mother. 

    "I will make sure to see her soon." I promise. 

    That satisfies him before there is another knock on the door. Tension creeps up my back. I can't see Mia right now. My mind is too scattered. 

    Alex moves to the door and opens it a crack before I hear him. "What the hell do you want?"

    The door fully opens revealing my stepbrother, Tate. "Can I come in and check on my brother?" A grin forms on his face. I learned long ago to never take him at face value. He always has something up his sleeve. 

    "Check on me? Why would you feel the need to do that?" I have dealt with enough today. I don't need him piling it on or distracting me. 

    Tate shrugs before walking over to my bed and flopping down on his back. "I was headed out when I heard commotion coming from in here. I couldn't fully make out all the words, but I heard something of a mate. Did you finally find her?"

    "No. You misunderstood." I say coolly, "I was letting him know I hadn't. It is something that has been in the forefront of my mind with my taking over as Alpha tomorrow."

    "I don't even know why you are still entertaining that." Tate shoots back, sounding bored with the conversation. "I know you don't want the position. I don't mind taking that burden from you. What else is family for?"

    Family. Ha! Like we are anything close to a normal family. Tate and his mother snuck their way into my father's good graces shortly after my mother was taken from us. My mom hadn't even been gone a full year when dad remarried Sheila. I was only seven at the time and I couldn't stand her. As I grew, I noticed how it was more about the title to the both of them. Shelia's parents had groomed her in the event that her mate turned out to be an Alpha. Her mate, Tate's father, mysteriously disappeared one night shortly before my mother was killed in the rogue attack. Shelia told my father she knew the pain he was in and that they should try to get through this together. My father knew it wasn't wise for an Alpha not to have a Luna leading the pack with him. And a broken Alpha only showed weakness. So, when Shelia "jokingly" - as she put it - brought up her taking the role, dad went with it. 

    Ever since, Sheila has known of my distaste with taking over the pack. She tried so hard to get him to pass the title onto Tate. But Tate wasn't "Alpha material" in my eyes. He had his blonde hair trimmed close all around and longer in the front. He didn't dare leave the house with half a jar of gel in it with it perfectly styled. He was more into his looks than anything else. He wasn't puny by any means, but I wouldn't call him athletically built either. I knew he could hold his own in a fight, but I wouldn't count on him winning. 

    "I appreciate the offer, Tate. But I've got this. The more I have thought it over, I'm confident in my abilities to lead everyone."

    "Suit yourself. Don't say I never offered." Tate says as he gets up and walks back to the door. "Oh, mom told me that we have a new pack member. Have you met her yet?"

    I do my best to keep my composure and leave my face void of all emotion. "Yes. I was the one that suggested she join our pack and was in for her commitment ceremony earlier."

    He takes a long look at me. I don't have the slightest clue what he is waiting for. It takes a minute but then he turns to grab the doorknob and I thank the goddess he is going to drop it. 

    "I'll make sure to go introduce myself then." With those parting words, he closes the door and I'm left standing there with Alex.

    "I suppose you want me to keep an eye on him?" Alex groans next to me.

    "Yes. I don't want him anywhere near her. I think he suspects something and won't stop until he has proven himself right."

    "On it, but...."

    "But what?" I give my attention to Alex and can see he is having an internal battle. 

    "If you are worried about Tate trying something with Mia, there isn't much I can do about it. Mia is a grown woman. I'm just one of the members of the family that she is living with. I don't think I can persuade her to not talk to him."

    We sit in silence for a while before something Mia said early comes to mind. I start forming a plan. It is a long shot and I hate to do it to her, but I don't see any other way. 

    "Please forgive me," I whisper before filling Alex in on all the details.