The Reluctant Alpha

Chapter 8 - A Fresh Start?

Mia

    I can't even comprehend the last five minutes of my life. One second, I'm about to go to my room and pray Clarence forgets all about me for the rest of the night, and the next I'm being carried by a very good-looking man that brings a weird calming to my entire being. 

    "Is this him?" I ask Aria.

    "No... but something feels off. He's safe, but I have no idea why I think that so strongly."

    I block her out and try to focus on the feelings overtaking my body. I can't explain it. If he isn't my mate, then what is he? And if Aria is right and my mate is here, why isn't he stepping forward. Everyone was in the room watching it all go down. Wouldn't he have seen me? Wouldn't he stop this stranger from taking me away?

    Maybe he knows my mate and is doing this on his behalf. That has to be it. Why else would a complete stranger grab up a woman he doesn't know and leave with her? 

    As we get to his car, he gently puts me in, sliding in next to me,  and closes the door. I can feel the anger pulsating off of him and I have no idea what has him so upset. Did he not want to take me? Did he ask Clarence first and Clarence decline? My head is a jumbled mess right now. A ton a questions and no answers. But I can't seem to get my voice to work. Just being near this man has me flustered...or maybe it is the whole evening at fault for that. I finally force a few words from my mouth but they barely come out above a whisper. 

       "I don't know who you are or why you just did that, but.... thank you." Without thinking, I fling my arms around his neck. The smell of woods and peppermint invade my senses and a strange feeling washes over me. And here I don't think this night could get any worse or awkward. I go to pull myself away from him, but don't get a chance. He wraps his arms around me and I feel like I'm finally where I'm supposed to be. It is calming, yet alarming all at the same time. I can't help but feel like I know him. I should be pushing him away, but that is the last thing I want to do. Did he just sniff me?

    I pull back and see anger and a gentleness in his steel gray eyes. It as almost as if I'm mesmerized when I hear the words rumble from his chest. "Break your bond now."

    I shake my head confused at his words. Break my bond? Alpha Clarence would be livid, not to mention the fact that I don't have another pack. I can't go rouge. I didn't endure years of this pain and agony just to throw it away now. He must see the fear in my eyes. His face soften and a small smile forms on his lips. 

    "You have to break your bond to this pack if you are going to join ours. We can do the ritual once we are back in our territory. I won't stand another minute of you living with that....jerk." He clears his throat before he continues. "If you want to stay, you can. Or you can come with me and my father and join our pack where you won't have to live in fear anymore. I can see it written all over your face." A sadness washes over his features that makes my heart want to break in two. 

    I take in his words before my voice works again. "What pack are you from?"

    "Blood Moon." He says it simply like it isn't the most know or feared pack. My eyes must betray me once again because he adds, "We will always keep you safe. I swear on my life."

    I nod and swallow down my hesitation. "I, Mia Grace Reynolds, break all ties to the Lock Heart Pack. From this day forward, I swear my loyalty and service to the Blood Moon Pack." I squeeze my eyes shut waiting for the pain of breaking the bond to overcome me, but it doesn't happen. Chancing it, I peak one eyes open to see those gray eyes staring back at me in confusion, an odd smirk in my direction. "I was always told it hurt when you broke your bond," I shrug. 

    He shakes his head. "That will happen once we cross the boarder our of their territory. But don't worry over it. I will be right here to help you through it."

    The back-door flies open with a fury making me flee to the other side. I look up to see one very angry Alpha standing before us. 

    "What the hell was that?" he roars making me shrink back further. I saw him with Alpha Clarence earlier in the evening. I pray to the Moon Goddess above that he doesn't force me back inside. I don't even want to imagine the kind of punishment I would receive after a display like that. 

    "Just get in. I will explain when we get back home." my hero grunts. 

    "No! You will tell me this instant. I refuse to let you treat our hosts in such a manner because of some mutt." the older man spits. 

    A low growl escapes the younger man. All then goes eerily silent. I notice the Alpha's eyes are glazed over. Taking a peek at the younger man I see that his are as well. They must be mind linking each other. I'm somewhat irritated since I know it mostly likely has to do with me. I don't dare speak up though because I don't want to be on the bad side of either one of them from what I have witnessed so far. 

    I take the opportunity to take in the man who carried me out. His eyes are the most beautiful steel-gray eyes I have ever seen. They are almost hypnotizing. His black hair falls just to his shoulders. A strong, firm jawline gives him a powerful presence. A shiver runs down my spine and I have to stop a moan from escaping my lips. What has come over me. Yes, he is absolutely the most gorgeous man that I have ever laid eyes on, but I have never been one to lust after anyone. 

    I quickly look at the Alpha and take in his features. He looks like an older version of the man sitting next to me so I can only assume they are father and son. That must be why I feel the powerful aura coming off them both. 

    I'm pulled from my thoughts as the Alpha clears his throat. "Well, miss..."

    "Mia." I croak, not trusting my own voice right now. 

    He gives me a warm but tight smile, "Nice to meet you Mia. Seems like you will be staying with our pack."

    I give him a nod as he slides in the car. "Thank you, Alpha."

    "Please, call me Morris."

    All I can do is nod. I'm not quite sure what to say. This has been a surprising, yet exhausting day. The car starts up and I just stare out the back window as we leave the only place I have ever known. I can't help the little bit of sadness that creeps in. This was my home. As unwelcome as I have felt ever since my parents passed, it is still a part of me. A part of who I am. 

    Once the main pack house is out of sight, I turn and stare out my window. I have so many questions right now, but don't know if either of them will answer them. Neither one of them have spoken since the argument. 

    Deciding to start with something that should be simple to request, I turn my attention to the one person who made my dream a reality. "What is your name?"

    He doesn't look at me and for a moment I don't think he is going to reply. Just as I'm about to give up all hope I hear him say, "Luca."

    "Nice to meet you, Luca." I flush just saying it. I don't miss the way he stares at me when I say it either. 

    We travel in silence for a while as I feel my eyes growing heavier and heavier with each passing mile. 

    "Dear," the Alpha calls my attention, "it is quite a journey to our pack. Why don't you rest. We will wake you once we arrive."

    I sit back in my seat and get as comfortable as I can in this dress. I wish I would have been able to change before we left, but I won't let them think I am ungrateful. Something made them take me from the pack house. I will find out sooner or later. I watch the scenery blur. I close my eyes and wait for sleep to come.  

    "Do know you could have started a war back there with your irrational action?" I hear the Alpha ask.

    "I'd fight a thousand wars if it meant she was safe." is the last thing I hear before the darkness consumes me.