My Forbidden Alpha

Chapter One | Will you?

    The morning was sunny and bright, a few fluffy clouds hanging overhead but only to offer a spot of shade to those below. A beautiful young woman was downstairs in the pack house, chatting with a few Hunters over a cup of coffee. Willow Atkins wrapped her freshly manicured fingers around a beautiful white and red mug and brought the cup to her lips, enjoying the slightly bitter taste of the dark roast. 

    "So Willow, where did you say that Rhys was taking you today?" a shorter, brunette woman asked, an expectant smile on her face as she scanned over her company's equally excited features. 

    Willow, the woman in question, was tall and slender with a muscular frame to compliment her physique nicely. Her hair was shoulder length and a beautiful honey golden brown. The faintest scent of lavender and mint surrounding her. Her skin was a sun-kissed golden tone with dark brown freckling across her face and arms. Willow's eyes were a beautiful pale green, her favorite gift that her mother ever gave her. And it was hers alone. 

    "Oh, he should be taking me to the docks. It's my favorite place in all of the territory, Elaine. Rhys says he has a nice surprise for me there," Willow replied with a voice as smooth as cream and a smile as bright as the morning sun. Her delicate hands traced the edges of the cup as her eyes filled with a beautiful kindness. 

    Elaine let out an excited squeak as her own hands came to cup her face. Her deep chocolate eyes holding nothing but happiness and excitement for her friend. "Well, from what I hear, it will be a lovely surprise. I hope you have an absolute blast, love," she all but purred and reached one slender hand out to take one of Willow's in hers. "Is that what you're wearing? It's lovely. New dress?" she continued, tilting her head slightly as she looked over Willow's outfit. 

    She sported a pale red sundress with a subtle floral print which tied in the back with a small bow to cinch the waistline. Her legs were bare and her feet were tied in nice, strappy heeled sandals, the thin suede twine crossing across her calf and ending just below her knee with a simple knot. "Yes to both! Brand new from that nice little boutique up on Fifth Street. You would love it, it has a lot of your style," Willow replied and moved her hands to smooth her dress down slightly. She brought the last of her coffee to her lips and gently pushed herself off of the bar stool she was perched on. She looked down at her phone and saw a text from Rhys, announcing that he was back at the house and ready to leave. "Well, I think that Rhys is waiting for me outside. I should be back in a few hours or so!" she chirped as she quickly made her way out the large white oak doors. 

    Her eyes immediately landed on Rhys and a wide smile crossed her face as she ran to him. Rhys immediately took her into his arms and lifted her up, holding her close to his chest and burying his head in the crook of her neck and inhaled deeply. "Hello, beautiful. Ready for your surprise?" he asked, his voice deep and silky smooth. 

    Rhys was quite handsome, anyone with eyes could see it. He was tall, standing about around six foot even. His hair was a sandy blonde color that was longer on top but shortened on the sides. He always had it styled up and back slightly. Rhys's eyes were a deep, ocean blue and were deep set in sharp and defined facial features. His skin was slightly tan but not anywhere close as tan as Willow's. He had a very muscular figure, toned and tight from all of his years of training and practice. Upon meeting him, many are surprised that he isn't the Alpha. 

    Willow smiled and gave him a light peck on the cheek and then again on the lips. "I am always in the mood for a surprise. You always have the absolute best ones," a light giggle escaped her lips as Rhys placed her feet back down on the pavement, a light click echoing around them. Her company just laughed gently and took her small hand in his. "Then let us be off, my dear Willow!" he exclaimed with a bright grin and began talking briskly towards the docks, Willow hot on his heels as her hair bounced lightly with each step. 

    It didn't take long for the two to reach the docks and Rhys began to fidget a bit more than usual. Willow looked up at him, rather confused but ended up shaking it off. Must've been something during his meeting, she thought to herself and her wolf gave a slight huff of agreement before settling back down again. The pair came upon one of the smaller docks, it sat in between two large oak trees. Their branches hung low and covered the dock in a beautiful archway of green and brown. Rhys led her to the end of the dock, taking a shaky breath as he did so, his eyes scanning over the murky water as it rippled slightly as a soft wind caressed the surface. 

    After a moment of silence between the two, both of them having their eyes locked on the water before them, enjoying the other's presence, Rhys finally spoke up. "Willow. I have loved you for the past five years of my life. The love I have for you is unmatched. Nothing and no one will ever hold a candle to you. You are pure perfection to me. Your presence calms me. Your voice soothes me. You complete me. I know that we are not True Mates but I cannot help the feelings I have for you. I feel as though we can show the Moon Goddess that love wins over any destiny we were born with," he began, his voice shaking slightly before he got down on one knee, his hand reaching into his front right pocket and pulling out a deep red velvet covered box. "Willow Clarissa Atkins, you are the one true love of my life. Will you do me the biggest honor of becoming my wife?" Rhys asked, his eyes hopeful as he opened the box and revealed a beautiful white gold ring with a solitaire diamond surrounded by rubies. 

    Willow gave a wide smile as she gave an enthusiastic nod. Rhys slipped the ring on her left ring finger and stood, lifting her in his arms and hugging her tightly. 

    Inside of Willow's mind, her wolf gave a long and sad howl before settling down again. She had officially given up on ever finding her True Mate.