Alpha Lukas

Chapter 17

Mia:

Kate and I stepped into the forest. She had once again talked me into taking a run with her. However, Nora, my wolf, was excited to break free.

I could not remember the last time I let her out.

The sun was setting, casting a warm orange glow over the tree.

Kate grinned, her eyes glinting with excitement as she unlaced her sneakers. We took off our clothes by the lake, ready to shift.

Bones cracked and skin stretched. Furs sprouted from her skin as her wolf engulfed her. A gray-eyed wolf with golden brown fur. Her wolf was just as dashing as she was.

I shifted into Nora. She dug her paws into the earth, stretching herself. Our wolves glanced at each other and made a break for it.

The air was thick with the scent of pine, the soft breeze rustling the leaves as we ran past.

After several minutes of running, she finally slowed down, panting.

She turned to me and said through the mind link.

“I didn't do anything silly at the club, did I?”

So this was what the run was all about. She wanted to pump information out of me.

“I can hear you,” Kate said.

“You didn't. Except for your pole dancing stunt and…….”

“I pole danced?!” She interrupted, mortified.

“And flirted too.”

“With who?”

“Beta Michael”

“What!” She screeched so loud in my head that I flinched. We arrived at the lake.

I lapped at the water, thirsty from the run. The moon cast an ethereal glow on the lake. Nora's green eyes stared back at me, engulfed in light cream fur.

“No way,” Kate continued. “Flirted with Micheal? That's impossible.”

“You were drunk. You could have done anything during that time,” I comforted, and returned to my human form.

Kate did too and we both put on our clothes.

“Michael seemed very interested in you.”

Kate rolled her eyes and scoffed. “Interested, my foot.”

“I sense some history between both of you.”

“There's no history,” she said, looking away.

I squinted my eyes at her till she gave in.

“Fine. Michael was my mate."

My mouth hung open in genuine surprise.

Was?

“We did have s*x once. But that was long ago, when I was nineteen.”

I raised a brow in genuine surprise.

“Back then, I thought we liked each other. I had reasons to believe he did. Then one night, we both got drunk and had…….sex. I thought it was going to be the beginning of something for us, but no. The next morning, he told me he couldn't be with me. He said a romantic relationship would only jeopardize our friendship. Bloody asshole!”

Her eyes turned crimson red, as she visibly fought back tears.

Kate came across as strong, but seeing her cry broke my heart.

“Did he reject you?”

“Yes. I accepted the rejection and left for college, living my life while he lived his. Sometimes, he'll come back smelling like several women, but I don't care."

I knew that was a lie. She cared.

“Did Lukas know about this?”

She shrugged. “He and Michael are super close. They tell each other everything, so I guess he does.”

I was about to speak further when I perceived a familiar scent. It was the same one at the club. Sandalwood combined with cinnamon.

A twig snapped, and I jerked up, looking around the dark forest.

I sniffed around and focused on the direction the scent was coming from. Then I saw a figure perched on a tree wearing a black cloak, the hood covering half of his face.

“Do you see that?” I asked Kate. I pointed at the tree.

“Uh…..see what?” She squinted her eyes, trying to see what I was pointing at.

“That person on the tree, looking at us” I pointed at him. Though it was dark, the moon provided enough light for any werewolf to see.

He flew down expertly and ran. Without thinking, I gave chase.

“Wait, where are you going?”

I ran as fast as my legs could carry, chasing the mysterious figure, but he ran fast. Way too fast for me to keep up.

I stumbled on a dry branch and began to fall forward. I shut my eyes, bracing myself for impact.

But it never came.

Instead, I was wrapped in someone's warm embrace. My small body nestled against his hard ones. His scent had become thicker.

I opened my eyes slowly and pushed him away while I steadied myself on my feet.

“Who are you?” I asked.

Surprisingly, I wasn't spooked by his presence. Just curious.

I heard tired footsteps behind me. It was Kate.

The man turned and ran off.

“There you are,” Kate said, bending forward, her hands on her knees, catching her breath. She wiped off the beads of sweat on her forehead.

“Did you see him just now?” I pointed in the direction he disappeared from.

“What are you talking about? I didn't see anyone*

“I think someone is following me. I felt him at the bar too.

“You might be hallucinating. A figment of your imagination, perhaps."

“I’m certain he is not. He held me just now. I felt his touch,” I said, desperately hoping she'd believe me.

“You know what, let's head to the hospital. You might need to get checked."

“I'm not crazy, Kate. I knew what I saw.”

“Then how come I didn't see it?”

I had no response to give.

“Let's get out of here” We made our way out of the forest. I could still feel his presence around me.

I constantly looked over my shoulder, hoping he would appear.