Unraveling the Alpha

Prologue Three years ago, "How is she?" "Not good I'm afraid. It's worse than we imagined." Malia could make out her father's voice talking to someone outside the basement they were muffled whispers yet she still heard it loud as if they were standing in front of her as she lay on the cold dank floor writhing in pain. Gritting her teeth she shut her eyes as another wave of bone crushing pain washed through her. "Maybe it's time we get someone that can help her it's been five days." She couldn't make out who the other voice belonged to but she could hear the concern in his voice. "There's no need, it'll be over soon." Her father said. Is he for real, she was dying out here and he won't even find someone to help her? His voice went extremely low when he said, "Make sure no one knows about any of this and make sure she doesn't remember." "Yes boss." What was he trying to keep from her, what is so terrible about her condition that he doesn't want anyone to know? She has to get out of here, Malia thought. Malia heard the foot falls retreating and then it became quiet outside the door. Had she contracted some weird disease, is this why she was isolated while she suffers alone? Tears burned her eyes as she struggled to breathe through the pain. Her head felt like it was going to explode, her bones were breaking and stretching inside her flesh and her skin felt like it was on fire, literally… oh if hell was real this would be it exactly. One minute she was enduring the pain and the next she was screaming bloody hell. Malia didn't know for how long she could survive this she'd surely die in the end and she had no idea why her father would let her die. She struggled to her feet barely able to breath and her feet barely able to hold her up. Malia drew in a deep breath steeling herself. It was now or never. I can do this. She wobbled to the door and pulled it open with great difficulty there was no guard, freedom at last. The moon was round and really big tonight and it occured to her that it was a full moon and werewolves might be lurking in the forest. She won't be able to do anything in her state, not even her skills as a hunter would save her tonight. The sounds of rustling leaves and distant howls fill the air as she roamed restlessly, her golden eyes reflecting the moon's glow. Her senses heightened, and her primal instincts driving her forward. Suddenly, she ran smack into a hard body stepping out from the shadows and Malia reared back. There was no mistaking what he was with his well defined muscles and golden eyes. "Who... who are you?" She asked breathing heavily. Approaching cautiously the werewolf said. "My name is Massimo but people call me Max. I sensed your distress and came to offer my help." Malia's eyes narrowed in suspicion " Help? What could you possibly do for me?" "I can guide you through this, keep you safe until the urge passes. Trust me, I've been through it before." What is he raving about, what could he possibly know about her condition? "Trust doesn't come easy, especially not to strangers in the forest." " I understand. But I assure you, I mean no harm. I only wish to ease your suffering." Malia paced back and forth with uncertainty but suddenly wondering what it'd feel like to have him touch her in places she wanted to be touched right now. Whoa where did that come from? She must be out of her damn mind! " Fine." She said reluctantly. " But don't think for a moment that I owe you anything." Max nodded. "Of course not. Let's find a quiet place, away from prying eyes and eager suitors." Eager suitors, what does he mean by that? Max put out his hand and though still reluctant, Malia took it and the relief was instantaneous. What just happened…? Too bewildered to notice Max's reaction. "Mate." He growled. "What?" Malia didn't think she heard right. "Mate. Mine." He said again. How? She's human and he's a werewolf last time she checked werewolves do not take humans as their mate. "You must be mistaken I'm not what you think I am." "You are exactly what I think you are." "You don't understand I'm human." "Nice try at the joke but it's not funny." "I'm not joking." Max studied her for a second until he realised he wasn't in fact joking. "Goddess you really don't know what you are?" Malia's mind was spinning out of control. "It's no wonder you don't know you're in heat. And how insane you're driving me right now." Malia snatched her hand away from his, the pain coming back with vengeance. "You're not making any sense, I'm not a werewolf." There's no way she's one of these vermin. She's human and a damn good werewolf hunter revered amongst her peers. She was shivering uncontrollably, her knees locking together. "I understand you must be freaking out right now but you won't make it through the night alone. Let me help you." Malia hesitated. "Alright." She decided even though she was still reluctant. They ventured deeper into the forest, the night enveloping them in its embrace. Max led Malia to a secluded clearing, bathed in the soft glow of the moonlight. "What now? How do we make it stop?" "We'd have to you know…" his face was red as he struggled to find the right word. " We'd have to mate and I'd have to mark you as my mate to make it stop but since that's not an option right now we'll just settle for an embrace. " Max cleared his throat looking embarrassed all of a sudden. "If that's alright with you of course." " Okay. " Max sat beside her and wrapped his arms around her pulling her closer as she tested her head against his bare chest. Malia closed her eyes, Slowly, her breathing steadied, the overpowering urge beginning to wane only to be replaced by an ache she'd be too mortified to say out loud she knew he was going through the same the evidence was stark. "Do you want to… ?" She was smart enough to read between the lines. "Just this will do for now." The next few minutes was torture but Malia isn't having s*x with a werewolf stranger she's met in the woods. "Cosy enough?" "Very. Thank you, Max. I didn't think I could bear it alone." She said softly. "You're not alone, Not anymore." He told her. Malia didn't reply to that her mind was reeling from his revelation earlier but she tucked it safely at the back of her mind to deal with it tomorrow right now she only needs to focus on getting better. They fell asleep in each other's arms, the tranquility of the forest soothing their souls. As dawn breaks, Malia felt the last remnants of her heat slipping away, leaving her exhausted but grateful. Malia eased out of Max's arms without waking him. He had no reason to lie to her which means her father was keeping secrets from her. She had so many questions that needed answers and she was going to get them. Malia retraced their steps out of the forest, she heard the swishing sound but she wasn't fast enough something sharp struck the side of her neck and Malia's world tilted.