Beyond Fate

Don’t leave

After a moment of silence he spoke “ you were right” . He said not meeting my wide eyes when my head shot up at him in astonishment. I'd half expected to be dragged down the hallway already but he just stood there looking completely broken and ashamed. His dark hair looked disheveled from earlier like it had been pulled at or he'd run his fingers through it a few times and a few of the longer strands were now falling down over his forehead. I felt a twinge in my stomach and a need to comfort him somehow. I even felt my wolf whining a little in the back of my head. I felt my hand begin to reach out to him but I stopped myself letting it drop back to my side. What the hell was I thinking? I heard him sigh heavily before he spoke again.

“ I made an endless list of mistakes the night of my ceremony, I haven't been the Alpha I set out to be, I’m certainly not the father I want to be and I completely understand why you’d never want to set foot in this pack again” he took another deep breath blowing it out, finally his eyes met mine and I saw the pain behind his green orbs the same pain I’d seen that first day I’d met him in Mina’s nursery.

“ Please Alisha don’t let what I’ve done, what this pack has done drive you from your home” his eyes pleading, making my heart ache.

“ why?” I whispered not trusting my voice, Why is it so important for him to prove himself to me I wasn’t anything special I was an omega, a nobody, nothing, I wasn’t even important to my own mate let alone anyone else in this pack.

Alpha Mitchell seemed taken back by my question and he paused in thought for a moment as if he was unsure himself, when he looked back to me certainty filled his eyes.“ you were the first pack member that truly needed their alpha’s help and I let you down, I made everything a thousand times worse and you almost lost your life. If you can’t feel safe in your own home then I’ve already failed as an Alpha and nothing else I do after that will matter anymore” the weight of his words rendered me speechless, I saw in his emerald green eyes he meant his words. If he couldn’t put right the wrongs he’d caused me, he’d never be able to come back from it. Even if he was the greatest alpha the world had ever seen he would still only see the pack member he’d failed in his first duty as Alpha.

“ I shouldn’t have judged you so cruelly, my mate loved you and my pup loves you, if I’d known nothing else about you that should have been enough to know the rumours about you were false” I looked away not able to meet his eye anymore his words hit my heart like a blade thinking about how Rose had entrusted me with her most precious gift, she couldn’t have done that if she hadn’t loved me. Some of her last words to me were that she didn’t trust anyone else to do it. I couldn’t help the silent tears that escaped. I missed her, I missed her warmth, her guidance, her ability to make any situation lighter but most of all I missed her complete and utter lack of fear to give me a boot up the backside and tell me to stop wallowing and get back up on the horse. She never let me give up and she’d kill me for seeing running away as my only option. It was like I heard her voice in my head telling me to stay and fight.

I felt the alpha take my hand in his pulling my arm in between us. I looked up confused, feeling my stomach summersault at his touch, just as he slipped a document into my hand. Permission to leave the pack. He had already signed it. I looked down awestruck he’d done it, My freedom was in the palm of my hands.

“ I will respect your wishes if you choose to leave but I hope you’ll reconsider, I want you to know this is always your home, you’ll be safe, I won’t allow anyone to ever hurt you again Alisha” his eyes bore into me and I saw the sincerity. He wanted me to feel that this pack could still be my home. His thumb rubbed the back of my hand gently and a warmth spread through me, calming me. I couldn't explain it but his words meant so much more than just an alpha making a promise to his pack member. It was Mitchell, he was still in there somewhere. The boy that had grown up as the best friend of my brother, the boy that had raided the pantry goodies in the pack house to stop me from crying instead of telling on me for hiding, the boy that would smile at me when we played in my parents back garden, the same boy that had always been nothing but nice to his best friends little sister, even when he didn’t need to be.

Images of a younger Mitchell flashed through my mind and I realised I remembered more about him from our childhood than I’d thought. I wanted to see that boy in the broken man infront of me. Maybe that’s what Rose had meant in her message, maybe loving Mina, being a real father finally, maybe that could bring out the old Mitchell that I could see a glimmer of now.

“ Please let me prove I’m the Alpha I believe I can be” I could see the plea in his eyes, this was why it was so important I stayed. He needed to prove himself to be the man Rose said he was. He wanted me to see it because I had been closest to Rose, because I had loved her as much as he had.

I just stood there silently, completely dumbstruck by his confession he knew he’d done wrong and he was trying to right it. How many Alpha’s could you say that about. From what I knew of them they were to be feared and obeyed, never would an alpha admit he was wrong even if he was. I looked back down at the paper in my hand his large hand still encasing mine between us stroking the back of my hand gently.

I felt alpha Mitchell’s hand leave mine and he silently moved away from me. I looked up to see his retreating back. I felt something inside me shift and the overwhelming urge to say something crept up into my chest. I didn’t think as I spoke, Rose’s words echoing in my head ‘ he’s just scared Ali, show him it’s ok to love her’.

“ ALPHA!” I raised my voice slightly, startling myself by the sound of it’s high pitch. Alpha Mitchell turned back to me with his hands in his pockets, he still looked the same as when I’d seen him in his office earlier yet he was different although there was still power and intimidation there his phasared had fallen away slightly, giving me a glimpse of the half destroyed man underneath. I had judged him so harshly before, yes he’d done wrong but could you honestly say you’d done everything in your life perfectly. I sure as hell hadn’t. I had secrets I couldn’t even tell my own family about. I was so ashamed yet I hadn’t even hesitated to tell my Alpha how disgusted I was with him. The image of him with the omega still filled me with rage, more than his actions towards me when we’d first met but Johnny was right he was trying and he hadn’t once lied when he had made promises. Once again I had bit at the first thing I didn’t like, seeing his pain now so clear in his handsome face was almost too much. I wanted to tell him I was sorry and that I understood but something held me back.

“ I have a lot of rules, do you really think you can handle them?” I said seriously now knowing how he’d once told me he didn’t take rules well. His head shot up in surprise, he had been expecting me to take the transfer papers and run for the hills the second he’d left.

“ I love rules” he half smiled at me with amusement dancing in his eyes. I couldn’t help but grin back at his words knowing they were a lie. I raised my eyebrow at him letting him know I wasn’t convinced.

“ ok I can compromise” he chuckled lightheartedly he suddenly looked ten years younger like the boy I’d watch grow up alongside my brother. Shaking off the weird nostalgia I focused again.

“ I have some conditions. '' I folded my arms over my chest looking more confident than I was, though it probably didn’t look much better since I was still in Lucas’s oversized T-shirt. Alpha Mitchell didn’t seem to notice he simply nodded, his face changing to one of business.

“ one, non negotiable, your females and pup are to be kept separate, no more females in her nursery…EVER!” He looked like he was going to say something but instead he just nodded in agreement.

“ Two, I would like Mina to attend the pack nursery. I think it will be good for her social development with other pack members her age” it wasn’t a deal breaker I could always find other ways to integrate her into pack life, after all I’d been doing it for three years already but I thought I’d ask while I had the chance, I’ve always been keen to introduce it when the time was right but alpha Felix always shut it down before. Alpha Mitchell nodded again and I got the impression that was going to be his response unless he didn’t like my conditions.

“ Three, I know your a busy man but a relationship with Mina won’t happen unless the time is put in, so I want you to have time, real time, you put aside for her. Even if it’s just for an hour, where she has your undivided attention” that was more for him, if he really wanted my help he needed to put in the work he’d already missed three years of Mina he had a lot of catching up to do.

“ and yes the weekly tiara tea party is a real thing and non negotiable as well” and yes she would make him wear a tiara, possibly a tutu, I made a mental note to look for one that would fit him just to be sure. We both chuckled feeling the mood lightening.

“ So I'll take it that you'll stay then?” He asked with hope in his eyes. I couldn’t help but smile looking down feeling a little awkward at the weird feeling I was getting. My stomach felt like it was doing backflips every time he looked at me like that.

“ yes” I whispered without thinking twice about it but the words were out before I could stop myself. I wasn't sure if I was making the right choice here but something inside me relaxed at the thought of staying in my home pack.

Alpha Mitchell beamed a real full on smile with pearly whites and everything. It was heart stopping he looked like a kid who’d just seen Santa. I smiled at him adoringly, realising why I was finding his smiles so warm to me, they were Mina’s smiles; the ones I had lived to see every day for the last three years, he looked just like her with that face. “ I’ll be sure to let Mina know, she’ll be over the moon we get to keep you” he said, still smiling. I saw him turn to leave when he quickly turned back, his hand went to rub the back of his neck like he wasn’t sure if he should say his next words.

“ so, Lucas?” He asked awkwardly, Oh goddess he wasn’t seriously asking. I was reminded of the moment he came into the room, his eyes going straight to my discarded bra next to him and internally cringed. I played with my hands in front of me picking at the edges of the paper work still in my hand.

“ You don’t approve” I peaked back up at him nervously. It wasn’t a question I could tell by the way he had looked at the scene when he’d walked in he hadn’t liked what he’d seen but I thought it was only fair for him to give his two cents seeing as I’d given him mine.

“ he’s one of my greatest friends, he brought me back from the brink of insanity, I owe him my life” he was being careful about what he said, he was loyal to his friend but he clearly had more of an opinion on the subject.

“But?” I urged tucking a loose strand of my hair behind my ear, nervous about his answer.

“He's a complicated man Alisha, I wouldn’t be doing my duty if I didn’t warn you it will probably end in heartbreak” without another word he turned and left leaving me with his words, filling me with doubt. What was I thinking, that was now the third person to warn me about getting involved with the mysterious handsome American. The fact that one of them was his good friend worried me the most but was he warning me away because Lucas was a bad idea for me or me a bad idea for Lucas. Now that was a loaded question, one I defiantly didn’t want the answer to.

I sighed heavily, my life was slowly turning into a cheesy american soap opera and I was getting whiplash from all the emotional turmoil, it was swirling within me. Maybe I should take alpha Mitchell up on his offer to see his Doctor friend. He did tell me talking about things out loud had helped him. Maybe if I got everything off my chest and said it all out loud just once it might be enough for me to get my head straight. Though I’m sure after talking to me his therapist might need therapy.

I stood there in the hallway taking a moment to enjoy the peace. It was late in the afternoon now and I knew mom would be driving dad crazy, I hoped Johnny would have told them I’d seen him and I was ok, I was sure he had, otherwise mom would have sent dad over here by now. I decided to mindlink dad and update him on the situation.

Hey dad, just checking in.

Hey baba how’s it going your moms pacing the floor here.

I’m sorry the alpha and I had a lot to discuss. I wasn’t going to mention Lucas. I knew dad had his own reservations about him.

He’s not dragging his feet with the paperwork?

No he signed them…but we talked about things and I think I might want to stay.

It was silent for a while and I had imagines of my dad storming over here to drag me back home to pack my bags right now.

Are you sure baba, if leaving is what’s best for you, you know me and your mom are with you one hundred percent. I smiled hearing the hope in his voice now. They were behind me and I loved them for that but like Johnny I could easily hear the lift in his voice at the thought of staying.

Yea dad this place is home and Alpha Mitchell seems to genuinely want to make amends. I hadn’t told anyone about my Rose encounter. How could I. It sounded insane even in my head I’d likely end up in the looney bin. I mean who would believe me anyway. I couldn't even get anyone to take me seriously on what I’d seen the night of the rogue attack. Those red eyes had haunted my nightmares since but as far as anyone else was concerned the rogue king was long dead. I could only hope that the truth would become known before he could strike again.

Ok baba if you're sure but no more lies if the abuse continues you talk to us.

I promise. I had no intention of carrying on with staying silent anymore. Alpha Mitchell had promised things would change and if I was going to stay I wouldn’t live that life anymore. This was my home and I hadn’t done anything wrong I felt the fight of my old self returning I needed to remember who I was, I was Alisha Clayton daughter to the great Beta Clayton and I was done hiding, I was determined to break this mate bond and live my own life I shouldn’t have to be ashamed of myself anymore.

After cutting the link with dad I leaned back against the door knocking the back of my head against the wood. Seconds later the door was gone and I fell right into the arms of a very handsome America who smiled wickedly at me from above. His blonde hair still a mess from my earlier actions.

“ Oh sweetheart you don’t have to swoon, I haven't done anything to you….yet” he said huskily, he pulled me to my feet bringing me back into the room, shutting the door behind us. He still hadn’t put on a shirt, his gorgeous broad chest on full display making me want to drool. It was now I could see the full view of his tattoos too.

Like when I’d noticed them before his tattoos weren't like the ones I’d designed for Johnny, back when I used to draw that is. I hadn’t had the strength to pick up my sketch pad since Rose had died. Her portrait was the last thing I drew and somehow there was something symbolic in that.

Lucas had a beautiful array of swirls and symbols decorating his one arm. I'd thought they were tribal before but they seemed more symbolic, more like runes. It traveled up across the one side of his chest ending at his collarbone before his neck. His other bicep held the same tattoo of the wolf howling at the moon with the infinity symbol around it, I now knew it was the same one he and Mitchell had gotten when they had been in the council’s elite warriors together. There were others under his rib cage too. They looked like a list of names but the writing was so small I couldn’t quite make it out. I glanced up to see Lucas watching me intently, a knowing look on his face, his eyes darkening again and I flushed embarrassed to have been caught staring at him again.

“ you have something to do with that?” I nodded towards the door trying to change the subject before he made me blush more.

“ Well you do know how these alpha’s have to be told when their being a douche, besides I’m gonna need some company if I plan on sticking around” he eyed me with a flirty smile coming towards me, taking the paper work from me placing it on the table close to us.

“Oh and who’d you have in mind for the company?” I eyed him as he wrapped his arms around my waist. Goddess this was a bad idea everyone was telling me it was, dad said he was dangerous, my alpha told me it will end in heartbreak but I just couldn’t seem to vere out of this guy's cross hairs. I felt like our paths were meant to align and what if this was the chance Rose had told me to give.

“Well I have been crushing on the most gorgeous blonde she wolf since I got here” Lucas smirked looking down at me I could already feel his hard body under my hands, my fingers trace the lines of his tattoo that lead up his arm I followed it with my fingers until I reach his chest loving how his breathing laboured under my touch. It affected him.

“Is that right?” I smiled up at him biting my lip. His eyes darkened but then his gaze turned mischievous.

“Yea….but you and I can totally hang out when she’s not around” he chuckled and I smacked his arm pretending to be offended, I pulled away trying to free myself from his grasp but he clutched me tighter.

“d**k” I laughed, he picked me up carrying me to the bed lying me down on the soft mattress spreading my legs with his body so he could lay on top of me.

“You only have to ask sweetheart” he purred trailing kisses over my face then down my neck, I moaned when he nipped at the skin by my collar bone. Before I knew it we were both panting, right back to the same lustful haze as earlier. Lucas stood up abruptly his hands going to my jeans unbottoning them, I lifted myself up of the bed enough so he could pull them down. When he was done he reached for his T-shirt I was still wearing sliding it up my stomach slowly pulling it over my head never once breaking eye contact, only my lace white panties remained but despite being exposed to him I didn’t feel uncomfortable this time.

“ You're gonna be trouble, aren't you?” I said, panting, unable to stop myself, already knowing the answer, how could this end any other way. I wasn’t his mate and he wasn’t mine but for some reason at that moment I just didn’t care anymore. Lucas smiled down at me, his eyes now dark and I knew this time there would be no interruptions. He leaned back down on top of me so we were only an inch apart his strong arms supported his weight so he didn’t crush me.

“ it’s my middle name baby, just seems to know where I am all the livelong day” I giggled but Lucas gave me almost a sad smile like he wasn’t kidding.

“ Consider me warned, trouble” I said repeating his words from earlier, done with talking I wrapped my hands around his neck pulling him towards me until our lips collided once again.