THE ROGUE ALPHA’S MATE

Chapter 2

Corrigan’s POV

Present Day

The room was filled with tension, and I watched the maids move with quiet grace as they filed into the chamber, carrying an array of extravagant garments and glittering jewelry, all gifts from Dante for the upcoming mating ceremony. The lavish display of opulence left me with an unsettling feeling. How could we afford such extravagance when rumors of our pack's financial crisis ran rampant?

Dante's reign as Alpha had been anything but glorious. Coupled with the fact that it was plagued by crisis after crisis, he had lost the trust and support of our pack members. Yet, his hold on power remained unshaken. Loyalty, or perhaps fear, forced their allegiance.

As I gazed out of the window, my eyes fixed on the distant woods that lay just a few miles away. It had been a long time since I ventured there. Three long years.

Crystal, my wolf, stirred within me, agitated. I didn't attempt to soothe her restlessness as I had done countless times during these past three years. The yearning had returned, stronger and more compelling than ever before.

"Go," Crystal urged, her voice echoing in my thoughts. "Go."

I rose abruptly from my vanity, startling one of the maids who was meticulously arranging jewelry. I paid no heed to her bewildered expression. Striding out of the pack house, I headed toward the woods, determined to follow the relentless call of my wolf.

Three Years Ago

"Who's that?"

I watched the males as they engaged in a vigorous training session, the sweat glistening on their well-defined bodies. I had just finished overseeing the female training session, and Dante had requested my presence alongside my father as he supervised the males. It wasn't an invitation I could decline, even though Anneliese would have relished this experience more than I did.

Following Dante's line of sight, my heart skipped a beat as I spotted him, the one who had haunted my dreams for years. Lucien Blackthorn. His very presence sent a shiver down my spine, and Crystal, my wolf, stirred within me, agitated.

"His name is Lucien. One of our best warriors," my father spoke with a tone of admiration, like a horse trainer speaking of a prized steed.

"The fastest, the strongest," he continued, his voice filled with reverence. "He shows signs of becoming a master negotiator as well."

"Mated?" Dante inquired, his gaze unwavering.

My heart clenched at the mention of the word, and I couldn't help but hope he would remain unclaimed.

"Not yet," my father replied, and I turned my gaze back to Lucien, who had now locked eyes with me. I quickly looked away, unable to bear the intensity of his gaze.

"He was ahead of all the others before he matured," my father continued. "A true prodigy. There's another she-wolf who's not mated, Lorna. I believe you know her. She's as skilled as Lucien, and they have been training together."

I felt a surge of jealousy and embarrassment as I watched Lucien and Lorna talking, their faces dangerously close. I forced myself to believe that I didn't care.

But Dante's voice shattered my reverie. "Corrigan, excuse us," he said coolly.

I met his gaze, searching for some sign of emotion, but there was none. "What?"

"Your company is appreciated, but no longer needed. I have to talk to your father in private."

I left them behind, a bitter taste in my mouth, and walked away, the image of Lucien and Lorna etched in my mind. The ache in my chest was a reminder of the tangled emotions that had plagued me for years.

Present Day

I moved through the dense woods, regretting my impulsive decision to escape the confines of the pack house. The cool night air caressed my skin, and I couldn't help but feel a rush of excitement and trepidation. The last time I had ventured into the woods had been three years ago, a night etched into my memory.

As I walked deeper into the forest, the moonlight filtered through the dense canopy of trees, casting ethereal patterns on the ground. The haunting memories of my past encounters with Lucien were like distant echoes, growing louder with every step I took.

My thoughts swirled with confusion and longing. I couldn't deny the powerful pull he had on me, a connection that transcended reason. The allure of the woods and the memories they held were impossible to resist.

I reached a familiar clearing, bathed in the silver glow of the moon. The air was charged with a sense of anticipation, and my heart raced with the knowledge that I was where it had all begun.

Lucien's voice broke the silence, startling me. "You should learn to be quiet," he drawled from the shadows, making my heart leap with surprise.

I gasped, taking a step back as I looked up to see Lucien lounging on a tree branch above, his eyes fixed on me with an intensity that sent shivers down my spine.

"Do you always stay in the woods?" I asked, my voice tinged with curiosity and a hint of exasperation.

"Yes to the first," Lucien replied, swinging down from the tree with a feline grace. "I have a condo in the city with an amazing view. But I had a reason to believe we would meet again."

He stood before me, his tall frame casting a shadow over me, and I couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions - fear, longing, and a burning curiosity.

I looked up at him nervously. "What were you doing here yesterday?"

"Escaping fate," he replied, leaning against a tree and studying me. "It's a bit exhausting to force myself into happiness. And you?"

I hesitated, searching for the right words. "I always come here," I said defensively, though the words felt hollow.

Lucien shrugged and suggested, "Good for you."

Frustration welled up within me, and I found myself blurting out, "Yes, I'll come along."

We made our way to a nearby bar, the dimly lit interior inviting. I sat at a table, the anticipation of the evening's events hanging in the air. I tried not to check my watch repeatedly, aware that my nervousness would give me away.

An unfamiliar voice broke through my thoughts as a stranger approached. "Hey, darlin'," he leered, leaning against the table, his eyes roving over me with a suggestive glint.

I forced a polite smile and replied, "Hi." My eyes wandered to the dance floor, where couples swayed to the rhythm of music.

"Would you like a dance?" he asked, his tone dripping with unwanted advances.

I glanced at the dance floor, then back at the stranger. "No, thanks," I replied, attempting to scan the room for Lucien's figure.

The man, undeterred, leaned in closer and tried again. "She means go away," Lucien's voice cut through the air, his presence commanding.

The stranger turned his attention to Lucien, his demeanor disrespectful and invasive. "Well, pretty boy, I don’t see your name on her. Or is it hidden beneath the clothes? I’d like to find out."

Before I Lucien's patience had run thin, and he reacted swiftly. In one swift motion, he grabbed the man by the arm and sent the side of his face crashing into the table with such force that it rattled the glasses and utensils. He pinned the intruder's face to the table, his elbow holding it immobile.

"You have ten seconds to apologize to the lady," Lucien's voice was stern and unwavering. "After that, you will take your leave like the good boy you are. Understood?"

Silence hung in the air for a few heart-pounding seconds. The stranger's eyes widened in shock and fear.

"Good boy," Lucien said with a cold smile, easing the pressure on the man's face. He released him, and the offender quickly scurried away towards the exit, nursing his wounded pride.

As Lucien returned to our table, the tension in the room seemed to lift, and I couldn't help but feel a mixture of gratitude and curiosity. His protectiveness had caught me off guard, and I found myself admiring the way he had handled the situation.