Alpha's Chosen

5

Meredith’s POV

"No?" I prompt, coming to stand as Alpha Cole continues to look blankly down at me.

"No" he repeats, dark green eyes looking determinatively down at me now.

"You wouldn't like to go back to your rooms?" I ask utterly confused by what is happening right now.

"No. No, I don't want another guide" he states, his words apparently law as he walks to now leave the room.

"Wait..... wait wait!" I call, moving quickly around my desk to catch up to him.

"You don't want to join me?" he asks, his strides forcing me to near jog beside him.

"Could you...." I begin, Alpha Cole raising an eyebrow at me as I do.

"Just stop for a minute" I urge, grabbing his arm as I do.

"Did you not just hear my father?" I ask.

"Are you afraid of me?" he asks instead, head tilting to the side as he does.

My eyes stare up into his, curious of his question but answering him all the same "No".

"But what does that...." I begin.

"So come with me" he interrupts.

"Not many wolves dare to step close to me.....touch me" he says, eyebrows raising a little as he looks down at me hand still lingering on his arm.

I snatch it back as his expression changes into a small smirk, "But one word from him and your tails between your legs".

"It is not..." I reply agasp before composing myself and stating "He's my father, my alpha".

"Mmmmmm" Cole hums in reply, the smirk still lingering on his lips.

"Think about it, the offers there" he says, a small nod his final offering before he turns and leaves me alone in the hall.

I watch his looming figure until he turns the corner out of sight and I question.... did that really just happen? Or did I dream that up from years of being trapped within these four walls?

And the bigger question... should I accept his offer?

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Cole’s POV

Making my way quickly back to my rooms I close the doors swiftly behind me.

Did that really just happen?

And why exactly did that just happen?

We've been allies with George for years and now I've just put the alliance, our trade agreements in jeopardy for a women I didn't even know existed an hour ago.

Why the f*ck have I done that?

My eyes close as I rest back against the door, Ares completely at ease as he answers “because if it were us, we would want someone to do the same”.

My eyes open to instead look at the ceiling as I silently admit to myself that I wish someone could do the same for us.

That someone could help pull us from our current turmoil.

If only.

My eyes move to glance at the bed, my whole body yearning to feel what I’m sure is a feathery soft surface, but the thought is dashed as I then look at the clock. Twenty minutes would be worse than none at all, and I can’t exactly miss the first meal offered by my hosts.

With a massive sigh, I instead head towards the couch, collapsing down to scan through and reply to the countless emails awaiting me.

Wolves applying to transfer and join our pack, warriors wanting to undertake training within Hunter's moon, Alphas emailing to set up future meetings to discuss alliances, ongoing trades and mating balls.

All of these would usually be handled by the Luna..... "Like she would ever do anything useful" Ares scoffs in reply, his hatred of her becoming more obvious with each passing day.

"She's our mate" I reply with a sigh, not so ready to give up the goddesses gift as my wolf.

"She was" he snarls, his only response before he retreats into the depths of my mind, the thoughts of that day enough to bring us both to a standstill.

Ares now gone I rub my hands down my face as I again ask myself why I am defending her when deep down my blood still boils at her betrayal.

I then throw my phone to the side before allowing myself to fall back onto the couch, closing my eyes as I try, in vein, to clear my mind of the memories that are slowly creeping in.

But as always, they overpower me.

The sounds of those days echoing through my mind.

Voices.

The creak of our bedroom door.

The laughter turning to a scream of surprise.

The voices beginning again.

"Cole.... Cole it's not what it looks like"

"Alpha... Alpha I.... I..."

I shake my head trying to rid my mind of the memories, but they continue.

"It was an accident....."

"I've just been so lonely without you"

"You'll forgive me, won't you?"

"You'll forgive me, won't you?" the sentence I've heard each time from her, instead of the one I yearn to hear.

The promises she never makes because she knows she will never be able to keep them.

The promise to get help.

To stop.

To accept what she is doing is wrong.

To not just call it a 'problem' and throw it in the too hard basket along with any feelings I may have over the situation.

Over the years, I've tried everything.

From pampering her with attention to easing off and allowing her to be free.

From having s*x near hourly to now none at all.

But none of it helps.

And every door I open, I now tense to see her and her latest companion on the other side.

Divorce is what the humans call it, but as wolves there is no word for it.

You find your mate.

Commit your mark.

Live happily ever after.

No one ever talks about what to do if you find your mate and before you've even had the chance to mark her you find her in bed with another.

Should I have just walked away?

One strike and your out kind of deal?

And what should I do now?