Challenge the Alpha

Chapter five - Not Without Doubt

Indie;

I really liked Kim. The way she came bounding up to the car, her beautiful, auburn hair tied up in a messy bun that flopped from side to side as she moved. Her smile was infectious and she had a very attentive, almost motherly nature about her.

She had clearly found me out the fluffiest throw blanket she had. Wrapping me up and cooing over the state of me. Marcus had tried to come with us and with just a look from her he backed away.

"Sorry babe," she called out to him, "my new honey needs me."

She led me through the chilly morning into, the far side of the L shaped building. We stepped through a huge oak door, into large entry room with a high ceiling and a stair way to the back that split in either direction. She quickly pointed out some key areas, the part we were in was more private and for people who live in the house or if you're invited or working there. The other section of the house was all one floor and consisted of a large kitchen and dining area, a cinema room, a pool room, an office - a general social space for people all over the pack. She pointed to the left in the private area, down a corridor,

"The ground floor over here is all mine and Marcus's. As the Beta and his family, we have to be close to the Alpha and our pups will all grow together learning the ropes," I nodded, struggling to take in just how glorious the whole place was,

"And up here, is the Alphas rooms." We headed up the stairs, careful not to trip on the blanket still wrapped around my body. Where the stairs split, we turned right.

"Up this way is your room for now, the other way goes to the Alphas."

We wondered up a few more steps and past an open landing with a floor to ceiling window, a large navy blue love seat drowning in throws and cushions of all colours situated to the left of it against a wall, a small bookshelf opposite. I could definitely see myself wasting hours away in this little reading snug. Kim opened up a door and ushered me inside, shutting us both in. She flitted around a large bed, made up of a beautiful blue duvet that matched the love seat outside, the floor was wood but covered mostly by a grey fluffy rug so the room must have kept it's heat. She switched on a lamp and I looked around me. The walls were fairly plain, a simple cute grey making the blues and yellows dotted around the room pop. There was a another large window and two more doors,

"That ones the wardrobe, I believe Rollo arranged some things for you in there ahead of arrival," she casually gestured to the door by the window, "come on, let me show you the bathroom and help get you clean."

Heat rose to my cheeks and I held the throw tighter to my body. I had been seen at my worst today and the idea of being naked around someone still bothered me. The fact that Kimberley was killin' it in the yoga pants that clung to her peachy backside didn't help. She sensed my distress and became very serious,

"Indie, I'm not taking no for an answer. Let me help you," She walked towards the other door, "besides, this is like the best bath in the whole place, I've always wanted a go but never been allowed !" Her cheery demeanor taking over once again. I slowly followed and the second I stepped through the doorway was blown away. As you walked in there was a step in shower to the left with a waterfall head, easily large enough to fit me and three others at once, to the right was a sink and toilet with a huge mirror along the top like a fancy hotel but she was right, dead ahead was the deepest, widest bathtub I'd ever see. The taps sat in the middle instead of an end and it was placed next to a wide windowsill with several candles scattered along. The window while it didn't sit any lower than the edge of the bath was massive, easily filling the room with ample lighting throughout the day. The floor and walls were black marble with flecks of gold in them, reminding my greatly of Rollos eyes in the car when I'd really upped the game and flirted. The bath and toilet were white, while the sink was made of glass with a shining gold tap.

Kim played around with the shower, making sure the water was warm and pulled my cover away, tossing it towards the door,

"We should start with your hair and after, if you want, you can laze in the tub."

I couldn't see me winning thisand feeling completely drained of any fight, I simply agreed, pulling the oversized tshirt from my body.

Rollo;

I sat in my office, hiding out while Kimberley took care of Indie for me. Her f*****g comment in the car had floored me. This whole bond was messing with my head, me and my wolf were at odds for the first time, I was losing my self control. I'd had to leave her there before I'd completely lost my s**t. I placed my elbows on the desk and rested my head on my hands. It was nearly 4am, we'd been out all night and the idea of going to an empty bed now caused Clay to whine.

I was in a weird place. I'd skimmed through a load of Josies messages and some things she said about us had made sense. Being away from Indie now, it was like I could almost think clearly. Like her being near clouds all my judgement. I was ruthless sure but in any other instance, I never would have shifted in front of a human at another wolf like I did last night. Josie and me had been friendly for years, neither of us were affected or weakened by the other, we only made each other stronger, not got in the way of my Alpha duty.

Clay growled at me, bearing his teeth wildly.

'Oh shut up, dog, how do we really know she's made for us. She's human after all.'

Clay snapped and yelped and turned his back to me. He wasn't even talking back anymore. I smelt Marcus and a moment later, he kicked the door open, two glasses in one hand and a bottle of rum in the other.

I barely moved.

"I thought I'd bring us a drink to celebrate, why do you look so f*****g miserable?" He slumped into one of the chairs in front of the desk and took a swig straight from the bottle,

"Why do you always bring glasses when you know we never use them?" I still hadn't lifted my head, would be understand what I was feeling? The doubt? Did wolves ever doubt their true mate?

"Good intentions and all that. My Momma would be proud I thought to grab them at all!" He slid the bottle in my general direction and I swung a hand down to catch it before it hit me.

"I'm not sure she's made for me."

The s**t eating grin dropped instantly from Marcus's face. He frowned at me, his eyes flickering to a deep ocean-blue. His wolf wanted to jump forward and give me hell. This is the closest I'd come to seeing my Beta truly angry at me.

"And why would you say that?" He asked, leaning over and snatching the drink from me before I could indulge.

"Your mate should make you stronger in any instance. A Luna in particular should be strong for her pack, Indie's a human.. "

"Indie's a human who bit out a wolves throat after being held hostage and tortured for f*****g days." Clay huffed, agreeing with Marcus,

"It's hard to think around her.. "

"More proof to her being your one.."

"THAT DOESN’T MAKE ME STRONGER." I lost it, standing up and toppling the chair behind me. I couldn't explain this to him, he wouldn't ever understand. He was blessed by the goddess with a mate like Kim. I turned away from him and stared out towards the wood. A run could help. I could run to Josie and let out some of the frustration, maybe then I could think straight.

I watched Marcus in the reflection of the window. He set the bottle back down on the desk, headed to the door to leave and stopped,

"I could tell by the look on your face the moment we got there." And he left, slamming the door behind him. Well, she'd won over the Beta already.

Indie;

I lay tucked up in the soft duvet on my temporary bed, trying to calm my racing thoughts.

Kimberley had helped scour my skin, till it felt raw, at my request. She had washed all trace of the last 4 days from my hair while I sat on the floor and sobbed my aching heart out. I had been overcome by emotion and feelings all too sudden and couldn't stand anymore. She had soothed me, simply letting me vent all the pain from within. After 40 minutes she eventually turned the water off and coaxed me into a pair of pyjamas shorts and strappy top. She offered to stay with me over and over but I could feel her wanting to be with Marcus so insisted I would like some alone time and to sleep.

I must have lay here for an hour with no sign of the sandman. I was beyonded exhausted but my eye lids refused to stay closed, forcing me to remain silently staring at nothing in particular and trying to make sense of the last 7 hours. I was stuck between avoiding the nightmares Matty will have surely cursed me with the rest of my life and the weird feelings I had developed for Rollo. I couldn't keep my mind off him. I thought of his dark eyes, the way he seemed to lose control of himself, his threat to dominate me. Urg, I was horny for a Werewolf in charge of running this whole place, who seemed to have a girlfriend and was so far out of my league. I tried to shake away the anxiety but a cold feeling was crawling across my skin with the thought of never being with him.

I let out a disgruntled huff and kicked the cosy duvet off. There was no point hanging around doing nothing but upsetting myself. I sat up and stretched. My body was still extremely sore and stiff. I considered going and seeing what books were tidied away in the reading corner we'd past earlier. Hmm, maybe they have the hobbit. I wonder if there's anything I can grab to snack from the kitchen, Kim said I could help myself to anything. I decided I would find something to munch, perhaps grab a drink and find a book to bury my nose in.

Jumping from the bed, I scooted towards the door and stuck my head out. I couldn't hear much of anything, which since it was still dark out wasn't surprising, I guess everyone is asleep. I snuck along the landing and headed down the steps, careful not to slip on the smooth wood. I paused at the bottom of the stairs to get my bearings, I wasn't sure where the light switches were but figured if I could find the fridge, I'd have something to illuminate. I strolled along and would occasionally glance out the windows, noticing how dark a morning it was. The sky was chock-full of clouds, blocking out all trace of moon or stars.

As I crept into the kitchen, I moved cautiously and slowly, I remembered there was an island around here.. OW. Found it. I cursed myself and leant onto the cool worktop. f*****g, toes. Making sure to keep a hand on the countertop at all times, I moved towards the wall that had been filled with cupboards, assuming I would find a fridge hidden among them. I opened a few before I heard the low hum from behind the door I'd paused at next, a small victory cheer for myself as I revealed a light and a wide selection of food. I was spoilt for choice. Danishs, custard tarts, 5,6,7 types of cheese! Eggs, peppers, multiple types of salad leaves. I browsed the shelves, not really sure what I fancied until I spotted it. Chocolate cake. I pulled out the plate and lifted a cover that was protecting it, the smell made me giddy. Well Kim did say I could help myself, so I placed the cake on the island behind me and, leaving the fridge open for light, set to work on finding a plate and knife.

I found the tea and coffee stash first, making a mental note because I would be coming back for that later. But tea meant tea spoons were near and ..AH HA found the cutlery and after a few more tries, the plates. I was pretty pleased with myself at this point, although, I lowkey felt like a criminal rummaging through someone's drawers in the dark.

I brought my attention back to the gooey goodness when the lights came on, making me jump and drop the knife. I snapped my head up and by the wall stood a well curved and extremely pretty woman with wavey brown hair. Her perfectly plump lips pouted at me and there was visible anger etched in her features. She was wearing a tight fitted red dress with long sleeves. It cut low between her well perked t**s and rested towards the top of her long slender legs. Her skin had a beautiful glow about it I could never achieve.

This was Josie. I don't know how I knew but I could feel it. I felt her hate me and I hated her right back.

She sized me up for a moment and clearly decided she was the better of us two, sending me a snotty look she asked me through gritted teeth,

"What the f**k is a human doing in my f*****g house?"

Her house? I asked Rollo outright did she live here and he told me no. I didn't think he lied to me and accidentally scoffed at the thought she was so threatened by me she was trying to intimidate me with a comment like that. I picked the knife back up and decided to get what I came for and turned my attention back to the cake. My dismissal angered her further and she immited a screeching growl directly in my direction. I should have been scared of her but I felt nothing of the sort. I actually straightened and stood up properly on instinct and stared her down.

I faintly heard footsteps and realised her dramatic show had woken the others. Rollo flew into the kitchen and positioned himself protectively in front of me. Marcus circled round the island and Kimberley snuck to my side, holding my hand and giving it a gentle squeeze,

"You okay?" She whispered to me. Was I? I'd clearly either caught a bootycall coming or going and I longed to feel numb. Why was I bothered by this, I'd known the guy five minutes and nothing had happened.

A heavy feeling settled into the air and all the wolves around Rollo dropped their heads down, his eyes never leaving the slut that had literally growled at me. All I wanted was a slice of f*****g cake.

"I told you, not to come here." Rollos tone was terrifying. His voice was low and calm and somehow it made him all the scarier.

"You ditched me for a f*****g human. Look at her, you're honestly more interested in that?" Josier, or who I was now abundantly sure was Josie but hadn't been formally introduced to, snarled back.

Okay, I'm out. I've just come for some cake and didn't plan to hang about for this which would probably result in wild, angry make up s*x I'd have to listen to from my room anyway. I dropped the knife with a loud clatter onto the side and made to leave, Kimberleys eyes widening as we looked at each other.

"Indie, stay here." Rollo barked and I stopped dead. Excuse me, who does he think he is? I'm not part of his 'pack', he doesn't get to boss me around like that when I'm already being insulted by his c**k-topper.

I spun on my heel and pointed a finger at Josie,

"I am not one of your bitches, like her, you can order about." I shouted back.

Tension between us growing thicker as we looked into one anothers souls, neither giving an inch or flinching. Eventually, I turned to leave again and I could have sworn I saw a smirk appear on that breathtaking face of his. I practically ran towards the steps, taking them two at a time until I reached the sanctuary of my new room. My heart pounding against my rib cage. I wasn't sure if I was scared or excited for what he'd do to me for standing up to him like that in front of everyone.

This guy is gonna be the death of me.