The Alpha I Chose

Chapter 12

Malcolm

“You look tired,” Evan says, scrutinizing my face as he munches on a piece of bacon.

We’re in the dining hall for breakfast and I’m trying to survive the morning - and Evan’s suspicious looks - on exactly zero hours of sleep. The hall is filled with lively chatter as my wolf pack starts their day. I nod hello to warriors as they pass our table and reach out to high-five some of the younger pups who run by with their hands outstretched towards me.

After leaving Meadow’s room and returning to my own last night, I’d been unable to fall asleep.I kept thinking about her and what the plan was now that she was no longer my prisoner. I didn’t know if Blackwood even cared that she was gone or if he was planning to come look for her.

I also couldn’t help but wonder what she’d gone through at Blackwood Ridge.

When we made the plan to kidnap the Luna, I thought I was going to be abducting an arrogant princess who thought the world revolved around her… basically the female version of Garrett Blackwood.

Instead… I got Meadow. The girl had surprised me by showing up with bruises, sass, and a deeply confusing outlook on being kidnapped. I didn’t quite know what to make of her just yet. “You gonna answer me?” Evan asks.

“I didn’t sleep.”

He raises an eyebrow. “Nightmares?”

“No.”

“Paperwork?”

“No.”

He studies me for another second.

“Well...” A grin slowly spreads across his face. “That only leaves one possibility.”

Before I can ask what the hell he’s talking about, he starts making exaggerated kissing noises over the spoon he’s holding. Sighing, I reach over and smack him on the back of the head.

“Ouch motherfucker, that hurt!” He exclaims. “I just assumed that maybe you were tired because you were picking up some extracurricular activities.” He wiggles his eyebrows.

I just shake my head.

“Y’know,” Evan begins to say something but stops, his fork full of eggs halfway to his mouth as he stares at something near the dining hall’s main entrance.I follow his gaze and freeze as he lets out a low whistle.

“That’s not the same girl that we kidnapped,” he whispers to me.

Meadow has just stepped into the room, Emily at her side. Holding her tray of food she glances around the hall, smiling and saying hello to people who are openly staring at the newcomer.

The black and white clothes and painfully tight looking bun are gone. She’s wearing a long green skirt and a brown tank top, her hair braided loosely and hanging over one shoulder. She looks… comfortable.

Glancing around the room, Meadow spots us and her eyes light up. She turns and says something to Emily before skipping toward us with a smile. Emily follows behind, her eyes wide, knuckles white as she grips her tray of food. Meadow drops her tray down across from us and plops down in a chair. Emily stands there as if she’s unsure what to do before Meadow reaches around, taking her wrist and pulling her down into the seat next to her.

“Um… good morning Alpha, Beta,” the girl says, bowing slightly.Meadow grimaces, shooting a disapproving look at Evan and I, who have yet to utter a word.

“Girl, relax,” she tells Emily, as she stabs a fork into her eggs. “I told you they don’t bite.” She shoves a forkful of food into her mouth and chews, looking up and giving me an exaggerated smile. She swallows before speaking again.

“Well good morning, Mal!” I hear a few gasps and murmurs from tables around ours and notice that most of my pack has stopped eating and are watching us openly. Evan leans closer to me.

“Dude. She just called you Mal,” he whispers loudly.

“I’m aware.”

“Publicly.”

I sigh. Meadow giggles. I look at her, noticing a spark in her hazel eyes that I hadn’t seen before.

“Do you really have no sense of self preservation, woman?” Evan asks with a grin. Meadow shrugs at him, smiling as she takes a bite of her bacon.

“You kidnapped me. We’re on a first name basis now.”

I sigh again.

Now that she has the whole pack’s attention, I should probably do some damage control. I stand.

“Everyone, can I have your attention for a moment?” The few heads that weren’t already looking our way turn, but most eyes remain fixed on Meadow. Figures.

“This is… Meadow… Fields…” I stumble out, realizing I probably shouldn’t reveal too much of her identity. “Meadow will be staying with us temporarily as a pack guest.I expect everyone to extend Stonehaven’s hospitality and make her feel welcome.”

A fresh wave of murmurs ripple through the crowd, but the tension visibly melts away. Much to my surprise, Meadow jumps up onto her chair and begins to wave enthusiastically.

“Hi everyone!” She calls out. “I’m Meadow! I like sewing and gardening so if anyone needs help with anything, just let me know!” She beams at the room before hopping down.

Then, she immediately climbs onto the chair again.

“I almost forgot!” she exclaims. “I have six pet chickens too!” Laughter erupts from the pack as a few people wave at her and others call out greetings of their own. She sits back down in her chair, smiling happily as she digs back into her breakfast. I sit as well, picking up my coffee and taking a sip as I stare at the little fireball across from me.

“You know this entire pack is going to adopt her, right?” Evan murmurs.

I watch as Meadow somehow turns breakfast into a social gathering. Three elderly she-wolves, two warriors, and one little boy have already introduced themselves. She remembers every one of their names, asks two about their gardens, and promises the little boy she’ll show him pictures of her chickens someday.

It’s been less than five minutes.

“Yeah,” I mutter. “I know.”