Breaking the Alpha
733 Words
The night pressed on, the clearing alive with laughter, music, and the crackling energy of the pack’s celebration. Emmaline stood near the edge of the bonfire, sipping a drink that had long since lost its chill. Her eyes flicked toward Carter, still rooted in the shadows. He hadn’t moved all night, his gaze fixed on her like a predator watching his prey.
The intensity of his stare sent a rush of heat through her, but it wasn’t enough. Not yet.
She had tried everything. The dancing, the teasing glances, the knowing smiles. And still, Carter had refused to give in. The man had the control of a saint, and it was driving her mad.
Her wolf stirred impatiently, her own desires bubbling just beneath the surface. She wanted him. She needed him. But she wasn’t going to be the one to make the first move.
“Enough of this,” she muttered under her breath.
She turned on her heel, her dress swirling around her legs as she strode toward Lily, who was chatting with Jackson near the drink table.
“Lily,” Emmaline said, grabbing her friend’s arm. “Come with me.”
Lily raised an eyebrow, glancing at Jackson, who shrugged. “What’s going on?”
Emmaline pulled her friend a few steps away, lowering her voice so only Lily could hear. “I have a plan.”
Lily sighed, crossing her arms. “Of course, you do. What is it this time?”
Emmaline’s eyes gleamed with mischief, but there was a determined edge to her voice. “The one thing that will break Carter’s resolve—letting an unmated male touch me.”
Lily’s jaw dropped. “Are you insane?”
“No,” Emmaline said, her tone firm. “I’m desperate. He’s holding back, but I know I can push him over the edge.”
Lily looked at her like she’d grown a second head. “Em, you’re playing with fire. You realize he could lose it, right? Like, full-on Alpha rage.”
“Good,” Emmaline said, her lips curling into a smirk. “That’s exactly what I want.”
Lily groaned, rubbing her temples. “You’re crazy. Completely crazy. But fine. I’m not going to stop you.”
“Glad we’re on the same page.” Emmaline grabbed her hand and dragged her back toward the dance floor, her determination solidified.
The music was pounding, the crowd moving as one entity around the bonfire. Emmaline found her rhythm easily, her body swaying to the beat. She caught Carter’s gaze again, his dark eyes locking onto her from across the clearing.
She tilted her head, her lips curving into a teasing smile, and then she did it. She turned her back to him, giving her attention to the nearest unmated male who stepped up behind her.
The second his hands touched her waist, she felt the shift in the air.
It was like a thunderstorm rolling in, the pressure dropping, the heat spiking. A low, menacing growl cut through the music, silencing the wolves around them.
Before Emmaline could even process what was happening, the male behind her was yanked away with such force that he stumbled.
Carter.
He was there, his eyes glowing with the feral light of his wolf. His jaw was set, his shoulders tense, and every inch of him radiated fury.
The crowd parted for him instinctively, their eyes wide as they took in their Alpha’s towering form.
“Carter—” Emmaline began, but she didn’t get the chance to finish.
He grabbed her wrist, his touch firm but not painful, and started pulling her through the crowd.
She didn’t resist, her heart pounding as she let him lead her. There was no time to feel victorious, no time to gloat. The intensity in his movements, the sheer power rolling off him, sent a thrill of anticipation through her.
They reached one of the small pack houses at the edge of the clearing. Carter opened the door and guided her inside, slamming it shut behind them.
He didn’t say a word. Instead, he locked the door, the click of the bolt echoing in the small space.
Emmaline turned to face him, her breath catching as she saw the fire in his eyes.
She had wanted to break his control, and now she had.
But what came next was entirely up to him.
- Writer
