Split Alphas

Chapter 13

The next hour of our car ride was intense.

As I recounted every detail to Wyatt, he leaned forward, elbows on his knees, hands pressed to his chin, listening with quiet intensity. He only interrupted occasionally—asking where I’d been kept, if I remembered any road signs or landmarks. I felt a wave of shame as I admitted I didn’t. Everything had blurred together in my panic. Just trees. Just fear. Just escape.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered, eyes downcast. “I wasn’t thinking about road names. I just wanted to get away from Everett.”

Wyatt softened immediately, reaching out to brush his fingers along mine. “Ginger, I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. I’m just trying to understand why my brother would kidnap you if… if he didn’t even want you as his mate.”

His honesty struck me harder than I expected. I stared down at the SUV’s floor, my throat tight.

Everett had rejected me—but Ford, his wolf, hadn’t. Ford had threatened to leave him over it. And still, Everett had tried. He was willing to lose his wolf, his position, everything—just to push me away.

Did he really hate me that much?

Wyatt’s hand cupped my cheek, gently tilting my face toward his. The bond between us pulsed like a heartbeat, wrapping around me with warmth and devotion.

“Everett rejected me,” I blurted out, my voice small. “But… his wolf said he still wanted his mate.”

I hadn’t told Wyatt that part yet—how I’d broken free because Ford sided with me.

Wyatt froze, stunned, but only for a moment. Then something darker flickered in his green eyes. Possession. Fury. Pain.

“I love you,” he said firmly. “And I know… I know my brother is your other mate. But I will never forgive him for rejecting you. You might be his—but you’re also mine. And I won’t let him hurt you again. One way or another.”

His voice was colder than I’d ever heard it. It reminded me of Everett—but worse, because this pain came from a place of love. And that made it heavier. Sharper.

I didn’t respond. I couldn’t.

I sat in silence for a long time, letting the rhythm of the road calm my spiraling thoughts. Eventually, Wyatt slid his arm around me and pulled me close. I rested against him, listening to the steady beat of his heart.

Exhaustion slowly crept in.

Laying my head in his lap, I inhaled his minty scent and sighed as his fingers combed gently through my curls.

“Sleep, sweet mate,” he murmured, pressing a kiss to my temple. “I’ll wake you when we arrive.”

⸻

The ride only felt like fifteen minutes, even though I knew it had been closer to three hours. I stirred when Wyatt gently shook me awake, and my eyes fluttered open just as the SUV slowed at the gates of the High Noon pack.

Massive stone gates groaned open, revealing wide open fields and lush rows of crops stretching on either side of the road. The pack house came into view next—a towering white mansion with elegant balconies and wrap-around porches. It looked like something from a fairytale, the kind of place southern royalty might live.

Outside, pack members bustled about, stringing lights and setting up tables as if preparing for a party. The energy here felt different—lively, warm. Not like the hollow quiet of my old pack.

The SUV stopped in front of the grand steps. A tall, lean man with sandy blond hair opened the door.

“Scott, I see you didn’t burn the place down while I was gone!” Wyatt called cheerfully.

Scott clutched his chest dramatically. “I would never let him,” came a teasing voice behind him.

A beautiful she-wolf stepped forward—dark skin, long straight black hair, and striking violet eyes. She was radiant.

“Thank you for the confidence in your gamma, everyone!” Scott declared proudly, rolling his eyes.

I couldn’t help but laugh.

“You must be our new Luna,” the woman said, offering me a warm smile. “I’m Trixie. My mate is Scott, our gamma.”

She bowed slightly, which made my cheeks flush with surprise.

“Oh—thank you. But please, you don’t have to bow. I know I’m your future Luna, but I’m no better than anyone else here.”

Trixie straightened and smiled wider, eyes gleaming with approval. Maybe I’d made a good impression after all.

Wyatt retrieved my single trunk from the SUV. “Trixie, this is everything my mate owns. Later, I want you to take her shopping. She’ll need more clothes—and anything else she desires.”

Trixie’s eyes lit up. “Sounds good to me. Scott did promise me a new purse.”

Scott sighed and handed over his credit card. “Anything for the Luna.”

Wyatt turned to me, eyes burning with unspoken need. “But that’ll be later. Right now, I want time alone with my mate.”

Before I could react, he scooped me into his arms, racing up the winding staircase.

I laughed breathlessly, clutching his shirt. “Shouldn’t I meet everyone first?”

“Not when you look at me like that,” he growled playfully, eyes dark with lust.

⸻

At the end of the hallway, Wyatt paused in front of two massive black doors carved with wolves.

He pushed them open slowly, revealing a room I never would’ve imagined belonged to him.

Dark wood floors gleamed under the low amber light. Crimson walls glowed softly, rich and intimate. A huge canopy bed sat in front of a stained-glass cathedral window. The space felt… gothic. Like stepping into a vampire’s lair.

“Wow,” I breathed, slipping from his arms. “This is beautiful.”

Wyatt rubbed the back of his neck. “It’s not what most people expect from me. But it’s what I like. Still—if you want to change anything, just say the word. It’s our room now.”

I turned to him, meeting his eyes.

“All I need is you.”

That was all it took.

He crossed the room in two strides and lifted me again, my legs instinctively wrapping around his waist. His lips crashed into mine, desperate and claiming. I could feel his arousal pressing against me through his jeans, hard and throbbing.

He laid me back on the bed with reverence, dragging his lips along my jawline, down my neck, leaving a trail of fire in his wake. I moaned softly as he reached my marking spot and sucked gently, his teeth grazing the sensitive skin.

“Be as loud as you want, princess,” he whispered huskily. “This room is soundproof.”

His fingers slid beneath my shirt, finding my n*****s already stiff with need. He rolled one gently between his fingers, coaxing a sound from me I didn’t recognize—pure, primal pleasure.

“Mmm, you’re so ready for me,” he growled.

“More… please,” I begged, my voice shaking.

My wolf was rising, her need intertwining with mine. Wyatt chuckled darkly and pulled back just long enough to strip his shirt away, revealing a sculpted chest and taut abs.

He leaned down again, lifting my shirt over my head slowly, then tugged my leggings down, exposing my soaked panties.

Lust clouded my mind—until a spike of nerves cut through the haze.

“Wyatt…” I said softly, voice trembling. “I’m still a virgin.”

He stilled above me, taking in my bare body. Then, a slow, wicked smile curved on his lips.