CHAPTER FOUR : THE BEGINNING OF TROUBLE
1667 Words
It took me a second to realize I was still in his arms.
I pulled away so quickly I nearly stumbled again. Heat rushed to my cheeks.
I lowered my eyes “I’m sorry.”
Instead of answering,
He studied my face. His expression softened.
“Are you hurt?”
The words settled somewhere deep inside me. I couldn’t remember the last time anyone cared enough to ask.
I blinked before shaking my head.
“No.. I don’t think so.” He let out a quiet breath, almost as though he had been worried. “That’s good.” I smiled nervously.
“Thank you for catching me.”
“I couldn’t exactly watch you fall,” he replied with a small smile.
“That wouldn’t have been very honorable of me.”
A laugh escaped before I could stop it.
“Then I suppose I owe you my dignity.”
The corners of his lips lifted.
“Only half of it.”
“The other half disappeared the moment you nearly knocked me over.”
I covered my face, groaning.
“Please don’t remind me.” To my surprise, he laughed. A genuine, effortless laugh that made something inside me feel strangely light. For the first time in what felt like forever, I laughed too.
Then I looked beyond him.
My smile disappeared the moment I saw Brant.
He was standing across the square, staring straight at us.
Fear settled in the pit of my stomach, and I knew I was already in trouble.
“I have to go now, thank you for helping me.”
His smile faded. “So soon?”
Before he could say anything else, I turned and disappeared into the crowd. I didn’t stop until I reached the quiet path behind the gathering hall. I pressed a trembling hand against my chest, trying to steady my breathing.
I had barely gathered my thoughts when someone grabbed my arm, before I could turn
A sharp slap cracked across my face, and pain exploded through my cheek.
Brant. His eyes were filled with rage.
“So this is what you’ve been doing behind my back?”
“I don’t understand,” I said, my voice trembling.
“Don’t lie to me!” he snapped. “I saw the way you looked at him.”
“He only caught me because I tripped.”
Another slap landed before I could finish.
“You must think I’m a fool Naya.”
Tears immediately blurred my vision.
“It wasn’t like that.”
He stepped closer, lowering his voice until it became even more frightening.
“I own you, Naya.”
“Don’t you ever think of trying to embarrass me.”
He shoved me backward.
“Wipe your face.”
“If anyone asks, you will smile.”
Without another word, he walked away.
I stood there, fighting back tears, as I forced myself to act as if nothing had happened. A man walked past me, his eyes lingered on my cheek for the briefest second before he continued walking.
Had he seen what happened?
I couldn’t tell, because I didn’t stay long to find out.
I couldn’t bring myself to return to the celebration. Instead, I followed the narrow path leading away from the music until I reached the old oak tree overlooking the pack square.
From there, I could still see the lanterns glowing in the distance. I could hear the music and laughter, but I was far enough away that no one would notice me.
I wrapped my arms around my knees and stared at the celebration below, wondering if happiness was ever meant for people like me.
Across the square, I spotted my mother leading Celine straight toward the Alpha.
Even from where I sat, I could see the excitement on my mother’s face as she spoke to him.
Celine smiled sweetly, occasionally lowering her eyes the way she always did when she wanted to appear shy.
I couldn’t hear what they were saying, and honestly I didn’t care much.
Mother was introducing her.
After a few minutes, the Alpha excused himself and walked away.
To my surprise, he didn’t head back toward the celebration.
Was he coming here?
I glanced behind me, half expecting him to turn down another path.
He didn’t.
The Alpha slowed for a moment, as though he hadn’t expected to find anyone there.
Then recognition flickered across his face.
“You,” he said with a small smile.
“I hope I’m not interrupting,” he said.
I quickly stood. “No, I was just about to leave.”
“Really?”
He glanced at me. “Then I suppose I’ve chased you away.”
I blinked before letting out a small laugh.
“No you didn’t.”
“Good. I’d hate for that to be my reputation.”
I smiled despite myself. “The Alpha who scares people away?”
He placed a hand over his chest dramatically.
“That’s a terrible title.”
“Or you could be known as the alpha who makes girls fall.”
He laughed so hard. “I believe you already tested that theory.”
Heat rushed to my cheeks.
“I did not fall on purpose.”
“So you are saying you usually make grand entrances?”
I covered my face for a second. “Can you just let it go?” I said with a wide smile on my face.
He hesitated for a moment, as though unsure whether I wanted company.
“Can I join you?” He asked.
I stared at him before nodding. “Of course.”
I moved aside to make room for him.
“You are the alpha.”
He chuckled and sat beside me.
Our shoulders were only inches apart.
Close enough that I caught the faint scent of cedar and rain clinging to him.
“So,” he said, breaking the silence.
“Why did you leave the ceremony?”
I gave a small shrug.
“I just got tired, that’s all.”
He let out a quiet laugh. “So did I.”
I turned to look at him. “You did?”
“I thought Alphas enjoyed ceremonies.”
“Oh, we do, at least that’s what everyone assumes.”
I frowned slightly.
“What do you mean?”
He leaned back against the tree.
“People don’t usually speak to me.” “They speak to the Alpha.”
He picked up a pebble and rolled it between his fingers. “Sometimes.” He smiled faintly,
“I’d rather just be Gavin.”
I was silent for a moment before asking,
“So Alphas get tired of being Alphas?”
He laughed. “You would be surprised.”
“On that, I honestly don’t envy you.”
His eyebrows lifted “You don’t?”
I shook my head. “I think people see the title”
“They don’t see the responsibility”
“They see power, I see pressure.”
“Sometimes the strongest people carry the heaviest burdens.”
A smile spread across his face before he could stop it.
“No has ever said this to me before.”
“Maybe no one thought about it,” I said.
“Or maybe” he said with a grin, “I've finally met someone different.”
The word honest struck me harder than it should have.
If only he knew.
For one reckless moment, I almost wish I had told him everything.
Instead, I stood. “I should go.”
“So soon?”
It’s getting late,” I answered quickly.
“Can I at least get to know your name?”
I smiled over my shoulder. “I will tell you the next time we meet.”
“Tomorrow?”
I don’t know why I said yes.
“Fine.”
“Tomorrow."
His smile widened. “I will be waiting.”
I walked away before anyone could see us.
My heart was full, and I found myself smiling as I walked towards the ceremony that was almost ending when familiar voices pulled me back to reality.
“Naya.”
Mother and Celine called the moment they saw me.
“Where have you been?”
You just missed him.” She hurried over before I could answer, excitement written all over her face.
“If you had come a second earlier, you would have met the Alpha. He literally just left.”
I stared at her without saying a word.
“Oh mother,” Celine squealed, “did you see the way he looked at me?” She pressed a hand dramatically against her chest.
“I swear he couldn’t take his eyes off me.”
Our mother then laughed.
“I told you my daughter would catch his attention.”
“It was unbelievable,” Celine continued,
already carried away by her own story.
We talked for so long, I almost forgot there were other people at the ceremony.
Then before he left. She paused for effect, waiting for our mother to lean closer..
“He took my hand and kissed it.”
Mother gasped…
“Oh, Celine!” Vivian clapped happily. “I knew it! I knew this ceremony would change our lives.
I lowered my eyes to hide the smile threatening to betray me.
Unless there were two Alpha Gavin storme walking around the pack….
Celine was definitely lying through her teeth.
I stood there watching my mother and sister talk about a man I had been talking and laughing with.
“I’m happy for you Celine,” I said with a faint smile.
Before she could reply my mother immediately dismissed me.
“Go home Naya, Brant must have been searching for you.”
The smile on my face disappeared. I was reminded again of the life I didn’t choose.
As I walked home, the only thing I could think about was the Alpha’s final words.
Tomorrow, I will be waiting…
- Writer
