The Scarred Alpha’s Mate

TWO

CHAPTER TWO

ELARA

I wake up empty, and the pain comes crashing back.

The bond and companionship I always felt with Alaric are gone, replaced by nothingness. My wolf prowls within me, restless and furious. I ignore her, slowly sitting up. Then, I remember fully.

I sit upright suddenly, hand on my chest, and ribs.

How am I still alive? I should be in pain.

I am bandaged up. My chest and rib are covered tightly with bandages. I press down on it, but feel no pain. I am naked, except for the bra and really tiny shorts. Someone has been here. Someone rescued me. Someone saw me naked.

Oh, dear Goddess.

Where am I?

I look around. The room is large, with two windows. The door is ajar. The smell of herbs and medicine is potent in the room, almost stifling.

I cannot recognise the smell of the room, or the Pack. I’ve lived in Raventhorn all my life, and now, I’m here? I was attacked last night, after Alaric and his mother had the guards throw me out. They pushed me out of the protective barriers and left me for the vicious rogues to find. I was nothing but food for the monsters, and they didn’t care.

Tears well up in my eyes, and fatigue seeps into me. I exhale slowly, trying to calm my racing heart. I stand up, trying to get a glimpse of my surroundings.

Something is different in me, and I don’t know what.

I hear voices outside, and the realisation crashes into me like a gunshot. Someone was with me last night. Someone saved me. A man. He called me his mate.

The door is pushed open, and he steps in.

My eyes widen, and I stagger backwards. My heart picks up, and my pulse throbs loudly.

“Hello.” He says, watching me with one eye.

He only has one eye. His other eye is covered in a white fog. I have heard of him. The Cursed and Scarred Alpha Wilder. Half of his face is covered in burns and ruins. He’s a monster responsible for the death of women, men and even children. He is the Lycan King of NightFang Pack, the scariest Pack ever, and Raventhorn’s mortal rival.

Fear paralyses me to the ground.

What am I doing here? He’s going to kill me.

I keep inching backwards until I’m plastered to the wall.

“I see you know who I am.” He says gruffily, tone thick.

I frown, feeling his voice seep into me. There’s something very wrong with me. Why do I feel him? Why’s my Wolf prancing around? Why do I feel the urge to look good for him? Why do I feel – Oh, no!

“And now, you’ve … felt it.” His nostrils flare in irritation, and he tenses in impatience.

“Felt what?” I whisper, my voice hoarse from screaming last night.

“The mate bond.” He states without explanation.

I shake my head, bile rushing to my throat, “W … no, no, you’re mistaken. I have a mate.”

He narrows his gaze at me, dark eyes flashing, “You have a mate? Do you think the Moon Goddess make mistakes? Do you think she doesn’t know what she’s doing? Do you consider us a mistake?”

I clench my jaw hard and snap, “There is no us! I have a mate, and this is a –”

He cuts me off calmly, “Had. You had a mate. No man will let his woman wander into the valley of death. You had a mate, and according to my intelligence, he rejected you. Somehow, the Moon Goddess has found it fit to bind us together. You and I. Care to explain why?”

“Explain?” Heat flushes through me. “How will I know?”

“Then, do you want to explain how you survived the Rogue’s attack? By the time I found you, you were half dead, you had taken claws to the heart, and had a broken rib. You should be dead right now. I have faith in my healers, but not this much faith.” He takes a step forward. “Do you also want to explain how you, a 4ft9 woman, managed to fight back and injure one of the rogues?”

I am catatonic with fear, and shaking my head, tears in my eyes, “I … I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“You’re healed, Elara. I held you in my arms, half dead, and now, you’re healed.” He gives me a look, a smirk on his lips.

“I am an avid believer in the Moon Goddess, and I know she doesn’t make mistakes.” He tells me calmly.

“This is a mistake,” I whisper, my voice trembling, because I know the Goddess never makes mistakes.

My faith is shaken, though. Alaric was my mate, and he rejected me. Was that not a mistake? Was it truly a mistake if it led me to Alpha Wilder?

“Time will tell.” He takes a step backwards, and I remember how to breathe.

“Do not think of leaving this room, Elara, because I will find you. Our mate bond might not have been consummated yet, but it is very much alive, and we are tethered together. I’ll find you and make sure you never take a step without my permission.” He warns, tone thick.

“No one will come for you here. You’re safe. Stay that way until I figure out what to do to you, but something tells me you’ll be very handy.” He smiles, and my heart jumps, not out of fear, but blatant attraction.

He turns to leave, and I drag my gaze over his broad shoulders and huge biceps. My belly tightens in need, and my eyes fill with tears. Oh, what is happening to me?

“And, if you remember how you miraculously healed, then call for me.” He adds and walks away.

I stand there, feeling my heart in my throat.

How did I go from being rejected to being mated to the scariest man on the continent? Why is my body betraying me by needing him? Why’s my wolf at peace and sated, and even submissive?

And, more importantly, how did I heal?