First Full Moon

Chapter 3

It was getting pretty chilly when I was walking home, so I wrapped my arms around my bare waist to keep some of my warmth in. The Alpha's house was only a few doors down from mine, so I should be home in my warm bed soon enough. As I was walking, I had a feeling like someone was watching me. The hairs on my arms and the back of my neck stood up as I started to walk a little bit faster. I could hear my heart pounding in my ears as I was getting closer to my house. My wolf started listening out for any little sound I could hear around me as I felt shivers down my spine. I jumped into a full run when I heard the crunch of a twig behind me. My wolf was urging me forward as I ran. I ran up the driveway, too scared to look behind me and see if anyone was there. It wasn't until I reached my front door that I realised I had been holding my breath. I reached for my key out of my pocket with a shaky hand when suddenly something grabbed my arm and pulled me back. I closed my eyes, not knowing what or who to expect. A small pitiful scream came out of my mouth. Even in my terror, I was embarrassed that that was the only noise I could make. I could feel my body begin to shake as my wolf threatened to come to the surface.

"Oh sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you." The voice says.

I turned to see a familiar face looking down at me with concern. Asher. What was he doing here? He left the BBQ hours ago.

"Asher! What are you doing?! You scared me half to death!" I sighed to him. Feeling slightly less wound up as my wolf relaxed.

Asher shuffled from foot to foot nervously looking everywhere but at me. "I just wanted to apologise for earlier. I shouldn't have lost my temper." He almost whispered.

I shrugged, "That's OK, end of the first week back - everyone is a bit on edge." I replied, wanting to make him feel better. I turned to go inside when Asher cleared his throat to get my attention.

"You home alone tonight?" he questioned.

"Na, Mum and Dad will be home once they finish helping Luna Jen and Alpha Ben pack up the BBQ stuff. Who knows if or when Dylan will be home." I replied, getting a slightly uneasy feeling in my stomach but trying to sound casual.

Asher stood there for a minute in thought. All I wanted to do was get inside in the warm.

He stepped closer to me. So close I could feel his warm breath on my ear.

"Want me to come in and keep you company?" he breathed in my ear. Asher was harmless but something about him was giving me the creeps tonight.

"Thanks, but maybe another night. I am beat!" I said as I began to turn the door handle, hoping for a quick escape.

Asher had other ideas. Moving closer, pushing me up against the door with his chest just touching mine. I shiver as I feel his body heat through his shirt on my bare waist.

"Are you sure? We could have a bit of fun?" he suggests with a wicked glint in his eye.

I tried to push him back away from me, with no luck. Although Asher was not the largest in our pack, coming from a family of warriors, he wasn't small either. "Asher, I want to go inside now." I said, trying to sound confident and not like my ankles were shaking so much I was worried they might collapse on me.

Continuing to move close, he states: "You know that we will be mates when you turn 18? I just know it. The idea of anyone else having any thoughts of you drives me insane!" Shocked, I just shake my head, stunned. This is not what I had expected. Sure, Asher had always shown me some more attention than he showed Ellie and Sarah, but I just thought it was because we had more in common. Asher is a talented drummer and always wanted me to play my guitar along with him.

I was lost for words as Asher put his hand on my cheek and began leaning down towards my lips. I tried pushing him back again with no luck.

"What's going on over here then?" a voice shouted from across the road. Relief rushed over me as I felt more calm immediately. I was still pushed up against the door by Asher's body but something about the voice just eased my worries.

Asher didn't move despite the voice, he just tightened his grip on my wrist. So they called out again as they got close, "Everything alright?"

Asher finally stepped back, letting go of me. Rubbing my wrist where Asher had held it I realised who the voice belonged to, Alpha Seb. I wasn't doing anything wrong but felt humiliated. He had found me in such a position and something in me wanted to run to him and throw my arms around his neck, begging for forgiveness. Seb walked up the porch steps and stood next to me. I could feel his arm brush along my shoulder as he forced his way between Asher and I.

"She will be my mate." Asher announced, as if stating a matter of fact.

"Really?" Seb asked, intrigued. "How do you know this?" he questioned Asher whilst darting his eyes back at me. He stood a head taller than Asher, which made him even more dominant.

"I just know, so you had better leave her alone or else!" Asher almost yells at Seb. Suddenly, Seb omits this Alpha aura. You could just feel the power radiating off of him. I couldn't help but feel a little bit in awe of the beautiful man in front of me. Everyone knew to be respectful of the Alpha and their family. I guess Asher had a lapse in judgement, challenging Seb.

"If you really think Alice is your mate, then you will respect the mate bond and wait until her 18th birthday to let it eventuate. You will leave this property now and are not to come closer than 3 feet from her before then." Seb boomed back. You could sense the Alpha authority in his words as he spoke them. Asher had no choice but to follow.

Asher turned and almost ran down the street. You could see the anger coming off him but he didn't have a choice other than to retreat. "I'll see you at school." he said to me through gritted teeth as he left.

I turned to Seb to see him still tense. His muscles were all tight and he looked like he was trying to keep his wolf back. I'm not sure why he got so worked up - he must really not like being challenged.

"I'm sorry." I said quietly, "and thank you." I put my hand on Seb's arm to get his attention. He visibly relaxes from the touch and sighs.

"What was that about?" he asks me.

"I actually don't know!" I replied honestly. "I was walking home after helping Luna Jen, Alpha Ben and my parents pack up from the BBQ and when to got to my front door he was there." still trying to make sense of it myself.

Seb appeared to be in thought. "Well try and stay safe, OK?" he said to me with an emotion in his eyes that I couldn't figure out. I just nodded my head.

Seb reaches up and puts a stray bit of hair back behind my ear, then turns to leave.

"Thanks again!" I called out, slightly dazed by his action.

"No worries Babe!" he calls over his shoulder causally and continues to walk home. Obviously, Hayley didn't get all the attention she wanted tonight, I thought to myself while heading inside.

As I lay in bed I felt pretty relaxed considering all that had happened. I can't stop thinking about the look in Seb's eyes when he was asking me to stay safe. I couldn't help but wish he had just wrapped me in his arms right there.

No.

What a stupid thought. I scolded myself while shaking my head.

Go to sleep you i***t.