Alpha's Beloved

4

Her face lit up with glee and she squealed with delight. I scratched my head having no clue if I missed anything. I was perplexed by her moodiness.

"I'm Amanda, your mate's best friend," she says, emphasizing the word mate.

My mate? Blood rushed to my cheeks, enchanted. I like the sound of it even though the thought of having a mate is still foreign to me.

"Oh look, she is blushing," she teased. Her eyes glittered with utter amusement.

I cleared my throat, trying to hold my emotion. "I-I not-t,"

Her lips stretched into a knowing smirk. "If you say so," she exclaims, twirling the hair that fell on her face.

I scoff with my arms crossed on my chest. Amanda chuckled, shaking her head.

She seems like a genial person. The fact she isn't romantically involved with my mate makes her even more likable. A pang of guilt hit me. I was too quick to deem their relation and I feel stupid now.

My mate would be disappointed if he knew what was going through my head. We had just met, and I was already starting to doubt him. I want mutual trust and love and I am sure so does he. This is all November's fault. November let out a growl, angry that she was the only one being blamed.

"Where's the smell of blood coming from?" Amanda's unsure voice let out.

Unconsciously, my eyes dropped. A sickening stench of blood in my pants. I groaned inwardly, how did I not see such a huge stain?

"I-I" I barely had time to reply or comprehend what was going on when a large palm was wrapped around my wrist. A gasp came out of me when I was yanked into a muscular body, leaving no space between us.

Multiple tingles of pleasure arose in my body as my body came in touch with his. With frowning brows, I craned my head up. My heart stilled when I saw the expression on my mate's face. His nose flared in rage, breathing unsteady and his blue eyes carried a dark gleam in them. Flames of anger were coming off him in waves. Chill ripples through my spine

"Who did this?" his voice octaves lower.

I don't respond. No idea why? His hold tightened in a bruising grip, sending a wave of pain through my right hand.

Tears welled up in my eyes, my throat tightened and my nose began to sting. I knew I was on the verge of tears. Adam is so right. I'm such a cry baby. I felt pathetic. I lowered my head and swallowed the lump that formed in my throat, trying to hide my face, refusing to cry in his presence.

"Who did it?" he sneered in his dark, demanding tone.

This time, too, I remained silent, making sure my gaze was trained on the ground, refusing and avoiding looking. Knowing his Wolf must be fighting to take over, this wasn't a smart move, but my tongue felt as if it had been tied down.

I hissed under my breath as the pain became unbearable. My bones felt it would crush any second under the pressure. As if something within him snapped, his grip on me loosened but not released.

My hand was lifted. The pad of his thumb gently traced it and I couldn't stop myself from looking at him. The moment I looked up, my glistening orbs connected with his guilt-tripping ones.

He laid his eye on the red hand mark on my wrist. I almost missed the way the muscle of his jaw trickled. He was not angry with anyone but himself. His display of emotion had my stomach twisted. I know this feeling. I have felt it. Before I could further go back to my old memories, I stopped myself. Sometimes our past only brings pain and destruction. It's better to leave some of the things behind.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you" His tone was tender yet his posture stiff.

"I- I" I stammered with a trembling breath.

Frustration filled me with my inability to speak. I wanted to comfort him and assure him it wasn't his fault, but words refused to leave my mouth.

A traitorous tear still spilled down my rosy cheeks. I don't know why, but my emotions were all over the place today. His eyes clenched trying to curb his anger. When they unrolled back. My mate circles his arms around my body, pulling me closer to him if that was even possible, all while whispering comforting words. I silently cried in his hold.

We stayed like that for a certain time. His intoxicating scent was a blessing. My crying had stooped in a matter of minutes. I looked up at him.

"I'm not crying ," I declared, sniffling.

His lips curled up for a fraction of a second and it was gone as if it was all my mind playing a game with me. His left hand cupped my right cheek while the other left pushed a strand of hair that was sprawled all over my face.

"I know"

A fake cough next to us had us untangled from each other.

"As much as I hate to say it, I think we should take her home. His parents must be searching for her."

Omg I almost forgot about them. I can't imagine how devastated they must have been when they found me missing, especially mom. I am certain she must have made herself sick by now.

"Let's get you home," my mate said, sensing my emotion.

I nodded wordlessly. It was all happening so quickly that I didn't understand anything. He scooped me in his arms very tenderly. I yelp.

"Put me down, I can walk," I wriggled in his hold, but my struggle had no effect on him.

"Stay still," was all he said.

"But-"

He let out a low warning growl. Any sign of struggle in me vanished into thin air. My eyes caught Amanda, who was silently following us. She gave me a thumbs up. Red-faced, I nestled my head on his chest, taking a whiff of his natural manly fragrance.

"Stop smelling me," my mate said.

Further embarrassed, I buried my face in his toned chest. "I'm not,"

************

The door opened and I wasn't prepared for the sight awaiting. My soul almost left my body as mom's tear-stained face came into my line of vision. I got tears myself as guilt instantly hit me. I felt bad for putting mom through this.

Fresh unshed tears of joy accumulated in her eyes as I came to her view. In the blink of an eye, she pulls me into her warm embrace.

"Mom," I choked out. My lips were quivering with raw emotions.

Once we pulled away from the hug, mom twisted her head and called dad "Marco".

A set of footsteps dashed towards us at an almost urgent pace in no time.

"What happened," Dad asked with a panicked-filled voice.

His eyes widened before relief filled them when he saw me. He grabbed my hand and looked for any possible injury.

"Dad I'm okay,"

"Okay? You were missing for hours", Mom snapped.

Her eyes were full of anger and they were focused on me. I gulp. Here comes the devil.

"This is all your fault," she added, pointing the finger at dad.

Dad's eyes enlarged as mom's anger shifted from me to him. Even though I felt bad for dad, I would be lying if I said I wasn't relieved to be off of mom's radar.

"Lisa"

She threw dad an exasperated look. "Don't Lisa me,"

Dad's head hung in shame. He resembled a small puppy who was caught misbehaving. I had to stifle my laugh that was urging me to leave my lips. Mom's hard gaze was still shooting fireballs in dad's direction. Feeling really bad for him, I decided to help him.

I started with a nervous chuckle. "Mom-m"

She swatted her hand and hit my arm like an angry kitten. "Dare you, open your mouth..."

"Ouch!" I cried, rubbing the spot when she had attacked me.

"Nobody ever listens to me," Mom complained.

"I'm sorry it won't happen again," My voice sugarcoated.

I also made sure I made my best puppy face and, to make it more effective, I batted my lashes along. Mom's face twisted at my ridiculous expression. She shook her head before murmuring something in annoyance.

"Fine, next time you do something like that I'll whoop your ass,"

"I won't, I promise," I hurriedly replied before she changed her mind.

With mom, nothing is sure. Her mood changes like whiplash. I can't swallow. I got off this easily. It is a miracle in itself.

"Where is Adam?" I asked when I didn't see my stupid brother.

I heard a growl escape from behind me and I already knew who it was. Why is he growling though? Please don't tell me he is jealous.

"Who are you?" Mom demanded, breaking me off from my mini trance.

Mom had a puzzled look on her face as she stared at my mate. When he didn't answer, maybe he wanted me to tell her the news. She turned to me in search of the answer.

"Mom, He-" My tongue twisted. Not again....

"Omg you are my princess Mate," Her eyes widened in awe as she realized who he was. "Oh my you are an Alpha," She finished sensing my mate's aura.

Mom clapped and giggled like a teen. I sucked in a breath, embarrassed at how mom had been acting. She can be over the top at times.

Dad let out a nervous chuckle "Lisa"

"What," Her cheerfulness dropped now she was throwing venomous looks at dad.

That's it, my mom is bipolar and I won't hear otherwise. I just hope my crazy family doesn't scare my mate away.

Ignoring mom, dad turned to me. "Adam is on his way back. He just mindlinked me,"

"Who is Adam," Amanda spoke for the first time ever since we arrived here.

"He is my son," Dad said. His chest puffed in pride.

A tiny smile played on my lips. My dad is adorable.

"Who is she though," Mom queried, staring at Amanda with an incredulous look.

"I am Amanda Liam's childhood friend," Amanda kindly introduced herself.

"You call your Alpha by his name,"

My mouth fell open at how blunt and rude mom's words were. They are childhood friends. Obviously, they will be on a first-name basis.

"Mom, be nice," I scolded.

"I am going to prepare dinner," she blurted before turning and walking towards the kitchen.

What is wrong with her? The way she acted and spoke to Amanda is unacceptable on every single level.

Involuntarily, my head snapped towards Amanda, meeting her eyes. I passed her an apologetic look. She smiled in return.

"I'm sorry Alpha. My wife can be a bit crazy," Dad said with a forced chuckle, trying to lighten up the atmosphere.

"It's okay and I would appreciate it if you called me Liam. We are a family now," My mate politely said, making me melt.

Awww.... He is so sweet.

Oh my god, my mate's name is Liam. So many things happened. We forgot the basics like sharing the name.

"Okay Alp- I mean Liam," Dad smiled.