Alpha's Vet

Losing Control

Chapter 13 – Losing Control

Lara POV

I’ve been trying to study for the last three hours, but honestly… I haven’t absorbed a single word. All I can think about is him. How he acted in the hall, his anger at Zac, the way his body looked. Every little detail from this morning keeps replaying in my mind like a film I can’t pause.

One thing in my favor: everyone here wants to look after Lucky. He’s been shuffled from person to person, happily wagging his tail everywhere he goes. It’s kind of amazing—so many people in one place who genuinely love dogs. And that, strangely, has given me time to attempt studying… even if it’s failing miserably.

I finally admit defeat. I know a lost cause when I see one. No point in pretending. I pack up my things and go searching for the girls.

Winter is approaching, but the day is warm, sunny—perfect for an escape to the river.

I find Jacqui in her room. It looks as if a tornado ripped through it; clothes scattered everywhere.

“Hi Lara! Perfect timing! I was just getting dresses together and was going to come look for you. A few of us are swimming by the river. I already grabbed a swimsuit for you.”

She doesn’t even ask if I want to go—she assumes I will. I’m not thrilled, but I’ll never tell her that. They’ve been so welcoming since I got here.

“Cool, thanks… but I don’t think your swimsuit will fit me. You’re like a supermodel, and I’m… well, me.” I can feel a pang of self-consciousness.

Jacqui starts changing into her swimsuit without missing a beat. I find myself wandering her room, looking at photos on the wall—her with friends, with family, even one with Lucas. My chest tightens, a pang of jealousy stabbing me. She looks so… happy. I’ve never felt so aware of my own solitude.

“Please, you’re hot. Hotter than hot. Believe me—I saw a few guys’ heads turn when you walked into the hall this morning.”

I blink. Really? She said that about me?

She hands me a black full-body swimsuit, clearly knowing I’d never wear hers. “Don’t worry about returning it. I’ve never worn it. My brother bought it a while back… don’t ask why, he never buys anyone clothes.”

Still tossing clothes around, Jacqui asks, “Are you not getting dressed? We leave in fifteen minutes.”

Fifteen minutes? If she only knew how slow I am at getting ready…

“Don’t worry, I’ll be done in time,” I call from the bathroom.

She yells something about a spare toothbrush, and I can’t help laughing at her chaos. Ten minutes later, I emerge, teeth brushed, suit on, bright red in the face.

“Do you maybe have something to cover this?” I ask, nervous.

“Wow… like, wow. You can be glad I don’t go after other people’s stuff,” she says, grinning. Confused by her comment, I pause, and she quickly adds, “Uhm, yes… a shirt, maybe? Wait, I think I have a nice big one here.”

She disappears and returns minutes later with an oversized grey shirt. I slip it on—it almost swallows me whole—but it feels like a shield. She beams like she just won the lottery. Her aura has changed slightly, glowing with hints of yellow among the brown, though I still don’t know what it means.

She grabs my hand. “Come on! We don’t want to be late.”

Lucas POV

How did I get through this morning? Every meeting, every call—I kept seeing her. Her face, her scent, the way her presence lingered in every corner of my mind. I’ve been hard the entire morning, and it’s torturing me. I even took a fifteen-minute break just to stand under a cold shower, hoping it would make a difference. It didn’t.

I’m on my twentieth call about the rogues when I sense her leaving the house.

“Eric… where are they going?” I mind link my Beta.

“They’re going to the river to swim. I’m going with them.”

Of course you are, I think. Him near my mate… Him. With. Her. Rationality goes out the window. My body rebels. My Alpha instincts flare. No. She is mine.

Lex whines, pressing to come out. I fight to stay in control. “Relax, Lex. Eric is a friend. He won’t touch her.”

“All he says is ‘Mate,’” Lex presses.

“Yes, I know. But we’re too much for her. She hasn’t spent proper time with us yet. Just… give me time,” I murmur, more to myself than to him.

“You stupid! Go to mate now, or I will!” Lex demands.

I can’t hold back. I’m out the door before I even register the words. Even without Lex’s urging, I would have gone. My chest tightens as she walks out of the house—I feel like I’ve lost a piece of myself. This is bad. I need to claim her soon, I realize, or I will do something I can never undo. Lex growls, hunger and possessiveness flaring—I feel my control slipping.

She’s mine. I will have her. And if anyone tries to stop me…