The Alphas Fated Mate

The Woods and a Lost Dog

The night was heavy with the scent of strawberries as Aria walked into her dimly lit home, exhaustion etched across her face. Kicking off her shoes with a tired sigh, she tossed her keys haphazardly onto the kitchen counter. The day had been relentless, a never-ending shift that left her yearning for nothing more than a soothing bath to wash away the stress.

Despite a morning shower, her waitress duties had left her reeking of pepperoni. The thought of that warm bath beckoned her like a siren's call. With a flick of the wrist, she set the water running and added some fragrant strawberry bath beads. A smile touched her lips; strawberries were her personal indulgence, their sweet scent offering comfort and escape.

A quick toe test confirmed the water was perfectly warm. She lowered herself into the tub, feeling the weight of the day slowly melt away. As she lathered shampoo into her hair and scrubbed her skin, Aria couldn't help but close her eyes, succumbing to the bliss of the moment.

She drifted off, entranced by the gentle rhythm of the water, her body floating between consciousness and dreams.

A sudden chime, like an alarm in a silent dream, jolted her awake. The bathwater had cooled, reminding her that the world outside still turned. She rose from the bath, her thoughts lingering in the comfort of the tub.

Wrapping herself in a towel, she padded to the bathroom sink, where her phone lay. A message from Brian, a beacon of familiarity in her otherwise turbulent life.

"Just a reminder I'll be there in the morning. Sleep tight!"

Aria's fingers danced on the screen in response, her words a silent promise through the ether.

"K. I'll see you then. Night!"

According to her phone, an hour had vanished while she dozed. Knowing sleep wouldn't return easily, she dressed quickly, grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge, and stepped out onto the porch. She contemplated switching on the porch light but, second-guessing herself, decided against it. The night was exceptionally clear, the moon, though not full, casting its gentle glow.

Aria made herself comfortable on the old porch swing, face buried in the cushions, with her arms tucked under her head. Slowly, she pushed herself into a soothing rhythm, casting her gaze upon the night sky.

The stars ignited memories of her father, who had passed on. She found herself speaking to him, as if he were there, her confessions pouring out into the quiet night.

"I love Isabella's cross necklace you gave me," she began, her voice barely louder than a whisper. "I'm sorry I was so childish when I found out it was hers. I'm also sorry she left, and I know you loved her. I'm sorry I don't."

Tears welled up, and Aria felt them roll down her cheeks. "Oh, remember when those two bottles of beer disappeared when I was 14? Well, it was me and Sarah. We thought it would make us cool to sneak and drink them. We learned our lesson, though. We were sick the whole next day."

She paused, the tears now freely flowing, her body trembling. "Brian's been good to me since you've been gone. Not that you didn't already know he would. He misses you," her voice cracked, "and Daddy, I miss you too. So much!"

Her last confession hung in the night, heavy and raw. "I'm not sure what I'm going to do without you." She curled into herself as sobs wracked her body.

Amidst her cries, a sound disrupted her grief—a dog howling in pain. It seemed to come from the direction of the nearby woods. Panic surged through her. Had the poor animal been ensnared by one of the old traps her father had set to protect the strawberry patch?

Wiping her eyes, she leaped to her feet and rushed inside to grab a flashlight. The dog's cries persisted, and she couldn't leave it suffering. She shone the beam into the woods, taking a deep breath to steady her nerves, and then ventured into the darkness.

There, she found him, a massive creature, his foot ensnared in the ancient trap. Awe and trepidation held her back. He dwarfed even the largest dogs she'd ever seen, his coat a velvety black that shimmered like a midnight sea under the moon's spell.

She noticed his eyes, an entrancing blue, locked onto hers. They held her gaze as if inviting her into their depths. She dared not look away, fearing she'd lose something profound in those depths. A plaintive whimper broke the spell, and she turned her attention to his wounded paw.

Summoning all her strength, she pried the trap open, releasing him. The dog remained still, watching her, his injured leg hanging limp. The wound was deep, and she knew it needed care.

As she struggled to figure out how to communicate her intentions to the colossal creature, she extended her hand tentatively. He regarded her for a moment before nuzzling her palm. It was a gentle gesture of trust, and it gave her hope that she could help him.

With that fragile bond established, she coaxed him to follow her inside. To her amazement, he complied without resistance. Her home, once so quiet, now harbored a wounded beast, a creature of the night.

Fetching a first-aid kit and a bowl of warm water, she began to clean and tend to the wound. The dog remained remarkably attentive, his eyes never straying from her, his trust apparent in every glance.

Sitting back, she looked at him, awed by his beauty and his inexplicable presence. He appeared well-cared-for, not a stray like she'd seen before. As she ran her hand down his powerful frame, she couldn't help but ask the questions that hung in the night.

"What's your name, boy?" she whispered, her voice trembling with awe. "And why are you all the way out here?"