Under the Alpha's Umbrella

“Miss Serena! What are you doing?” Ruthie, Serena’s maid, gasped as she watched her mistress dump some fast-dissolving pill into a glass of whisky. Serena turned sharply, her eyes narrowing. “Listen here, Ruthie. You will keep your mouth shut about this. If I hear a whisper of this outside, you’ll lose more than just your job. You know what I’m capable of!” She stirred the drink until the pill dissolved, leaving the bourbon—Alpha Blake’s favorite—looking as harmless as ever. Ruthie swallowed hard, nerves dancing in her chest, but she nodded. She had no choice. “This is for Alpha Blake,” Serena muttered to herself, a twisted smile creeping onto her lips. “I don’t know why I didn’t think of this sooner. I’ve thrown myself at him since we were teenagers, and all he’s done is ignore me. But tonight, that changes. By morning, he’ll see me, and our lives will never be the same.” She glanced around the lavishly decorated ballroom, filled with lords, ladies, and the wealthiest of society’s elite. Everyone was too busy mingling and sipping champagne to notice her little scheme. Alpha Blake was the talk of every season—a true catch. Yet he despised these frivolous gatherings and only attended because, well, who else could? Serena had tried everything to catch his eye, but now she was taking matters into her own hands. She waved over a servant. “You there! Take this bourbon and make sure it’s in Alpha Blake’s hand as soon as he sits down.” The servant hesitated, glancing at the glass, but one look from Serena made him swallow his doubts. “I’m watching you!” she hissed, her voice low and dangerous. “My lady,” Ruthie whispered, her voice trembling, “aren’t you worried that this man might spill your secrets?” Serena’s eyes glittered with confidence as she watched the servant head toward the Alpha. “Not in the slightest, Ruthie. Not in the slightest.” Serena’s lips curled into a cold smile. “Don’t worry, Ruthie. He won’t be around long enough to spill anything.” Ruthie quickly schooled her expression, hiding her shock at Serena’s chilling words. She knew better than to show fear in front of her mistress. Moments later, the atmosphere in the grand hall shifted as Alpha Blake made his entrance. His mere presence commanded attention, and the room seemed to hold its breath. If he were any less powerful, the sheer weight of the stares from the ladies, the men, and everyone else with eyes would have knocked him over. Alpha Blake settled into a seat with some of the men from his pack. The tension in the room eased slightly, though the women continued to sneak glances his way. “Why do you always have to make a statement by arriving late?” Austin, his beta, teased. “You know it’s hard for the ladies to keep from drooling over you.” Alpha Blake shot him a sharp look, his tone dripping with sarcasm. “Are you speaking for the ladies or for yourself?” Austin chuckled, brushing off the jab. He waved over the nearest server, who happened to be the one Serena had sent. “Drinks for the Alpha,” Austin ordered casually. The server, trying to keep his hand from shaking, carefully handed Alpha Blake the glass of bourbon that Serena had so carefully prepared. Serena watched from across the room, her heart pounding with anticipation. Serena watched with satisfaction as Alpha Blake downed the bourbon like a man who hadn’t had a drink in days. A pleased smile crept across her face, revealing just how delighted she was with her plan. “Another glass, please!” Alpha Blake raised his empty glass, signaling the server for more. “Easy, Alpha… you don’t want to make a fool of yourself by becoming a drunk king,” Austin teased a hint of sarcasm in his voice. “Well, I’m no king yet, so let me enjoy my freedom while I can,” Blake retorted, a rebellious glint in his eye. “In three days, my king-to-be…” Austin replied with a smirk. “What’s got you drinking so much? Aren’t you happy about becoming king? Look around, Blake. Every lady in this room is here for you, hoping to catch your eye. But I doubt you’re planning on picking a mate tonight,” Austin added, curiosity lacing his tone. Blake’s expression darkened, and his voice grew tense. “Don’t you get it, Austin? I don’t want to be king!” Austin’s teasing smile faded as he noticed the shift in Blake’s demeanor. “Oh, I know that, but you’re the chosen one…” Austin’s words trailed off as he saw the look on Blake’s face change. “Are you alright, Alpha?” Austin asked, concern creeping into his voice. “Of course! I just need a break…” Blake replied, rising from his seat. He tried his best not to stagger as he made his way out of the hall. Serena’s heart leaped with excitement. This was her moment! She quickly got up and followed him, keeping a few steps behind. “Alpha Blake!” she called out, catching up to him as they reached the courtyard. “Are you alright? Do you need help?” “I’m fine! Go back inside!” Blake growled at Serena, but she ignored him. This was her perfect chance, and she had no intention of letting it slip through her fingers. Alpha Blake wasn’t sure what had suddenly come over him, but he was all too aware of the intense, unfamiliar desire coursing through his veins. The surge of lust was unlike anything he had ever experienced. “Stay the hell away from me, Serena!” he roared, his voice full of desperation. In a flash, he took off, moving with the speed of light, desperate to put as much distance as possible between himself and the palace. Serena tried to follow, but she was too slow. She hadn’t anticipated him fleeing like this. The drug she had slipped into his drink was supposed to make him so consumed by desire that he’d grab the first woman who crossed his path—her, of course. But now, with things spiraling out of control, she had no choice but to chase after him, hoping to salvage her plan. Alpha Blake, struggling to control himself, realized his body was betraying him. His thoughts were a jumbled mess, and he could barely think straight. All he knew was the unbearable ache that pulsed through him, driving him mad. He found himself in a small, dimly lit bar on the outskirts of town. It was quiet, with only a few patrons scattered about, which was exactly what he needed. Sweat dripped from his brow as he tried to steady himself, hoping a few drinks would help him regain control. But as he approached the bar, his eyes locked on a striking red-haired woman behind the counter. She was beautiful, and her scent—something wild and intoxicating—only fueled the fire raging inside him. His body reacted instantly, a fierce hunger clawing at him. “We’re closed,” the woman said, rising from her seat. Her voice was shaky, and her eyes were green but red with tears, as if she’d been crying. Blake barely registered his words. His mind was clouded, driven by the overwhelming need that the drug had ignited in him. He ignored her and moved toward the bar, trying to drown his torment in alcohol, but every fiber of his being was drawn to her. Alpha Blake barely registered her words. He was too focused on the raw need coursing through him. “Can I get a drink?” he asked, his voice rough. “We’re closed, sir!” she repeated, her voice trembling with emotion. “But it says 24 hours outside. Can I just have a drink? Anything… just…” His voice trailed off, desperation clear in his tone. “I said we’re closed! Get your drink somewhere else!” she snapped, her frustration and pain evident. Blake tried to keep himself from doing anything foolish, but he was losing the battle with his primal instincts. Her crystal green eyes seemed to pierce right through him, making him feel vulnerable in a way he hadn’t felt before. “Can I get a room to spend the night? Would you get me a drink then?” he asked, trying to sound as composed as possible. He was at his limit and knew he needed to do something to release the unbearable tension. “Fine. What size of room do you want?” she asked, her tone resigned. “Any size, please…” Blake’s voice was strained. He could barely hold himself together. “Fine, I’ll get you the executive lounge,” she said, pausing as if hoping he would change his mind. “Will you take it?” “Yes,” he replied, not caring about the details anymore. At this point, he had surrendered to helping himself out when he got a room alone. “You seem like a man with some money. That’s good; I could use some right now… Follow me,” she said, finally stepping out from behind the counter. As she walked ahead, Blake couldn’t help but stare at her, maybe it was a rush of testosterone making her appear even more attractive and she was indeed the most attractive he had ever slid his eyes on. Her curves were well defined and her rich red hair that fell beyond her shoulder caressing her beautiful plum skin. Maybe it was the drugs but in that moment, she was the most desirable woman he had ever seen. He followed her, his mind a haze of confusion and lust, hoping that somehow this night would bring him the relief he so desperately needed. She led him up the stairway to the room, and when they reached the door, she slid the key card in and opened it. The room was dimly lit, with plush furnishings and a large bed that dominated the space. “This is your room. If you need anything, you can call me…” she began, but Blake cut her off, his voice hurried. “You can leave now. Thank you.” “Hey, what’s the rush? It’s not like you have any company,” she teased, stepping closer to him with a boldness that caught him off guard. Blake tried to push her away, sensing that she was drunk, but she grabbed his hand, holding it firmly. “Wow, what a strong man. A man with money and strength,” she murmured, moving so close that he could feel her breath against his skin. Her eyes drifted down to the obvious bulge in his pants, now pressing against her. “Wow…” she whispered, placing her hand on him, massaging him slowly. “Stop… sto…” Blake tried to hesitate, but deep down, he knew he wanted this. The tension in his body melted as he began to respond to her soft touches. Before he could think, she pressed her lips to his, and he surprised himself by kissing her back with a passion he hadn’t anticipated. She let out soft moans as their kisses deepened, and Blake could barely contain himself. His hand slid down to cup her firm breasts, and she held him tightly, her grip fierce yet desperate. Despite the alcohol driving her boldness, there was an innocence in her that Blake could sense, but his primal urges drowned out any logical thoughts. He planted aggressive kisses along her neck, each response from her fueling his desire. His hands explored her warm, soft skin, moving with a need he could no longer control. Soon, he found himself inside her, and the tightness of her body told him something he hadn’t expected. She let out a small cry as he entered her, and he realized that she might never have been with anyone before. Blake had never felt this way before—it was a mix of the drug, the alcohol, and something deeper that made the experience feel like the best he’d ever had. Though his vision was blurry, his sensations were clear and intense. The night followed with the stranger curled up in his arms, her body warm against his. Blake drifted off into a deep sleep, feeling more at ease than he had in a long time. In a few hours, Blake awoke to find himself alone in bed. The warmth of the previous night had vanished, leaving only the cold, empty sheets behind. As he sat up, he noticed something that made his heart drop—a small stain of blood on the sheets. It wasn’t his blood, so it had to be hers. The stranger he had spent the night with… was a virgin? A wave of confusion and guilt washed over him. What had he done? But that wasn’t the only surprise. Blake quickly realized that his wallet was gone. Panic set in as he searched the room, but there was no sign of the woman or his belongings. She works here, He remembers. He got dressed and went downstairs but there was no sign of her or his belongings. What the hell?