The City's Alpha

2. Change of Plans

My body was pressed firmly against the wall, strong hands held me in place, and my whole body was alive. The man inhaled my scent and let out a deep moan.

"Mia, where have you been? I've been searching everywhere for you." 

I looked up and was met with dark gray eyes. My breathing hitched and my heart started beating so hard that I thought it was going to explode out of my chest. 

"I'm s-s-s-sorry. Who... Are... You?" I managed to say, trying to catch my breath. I could feel my blood pounding in my ears. I had never seen this man before, but all I wanted to do was touch every inch of his body.

A look of confusion fell over his face and he loosened his grip on me. "I'm your mate."

"Wait, what? No. That's a bunch of bull s**t. And how the f**k did you know where to find me?" I let out, finally finding my voice in one long breath. 

His gray eyes looked dumbfounded. "Mia-"

"And how do you know my name?!" My voice rose two octaves.

"What rock have you been living under!" He exclaimed, frustrated, then he softened his voice. Upon seeing the look of fear in my eyes, he let go of me and stepped back. "My pack has been looking for you, when we were informed of your arrival."

"What pack? The City is supposed to be neutral territory! And how were you informed of my arrival?" 

"The Council appointed this Night Shade Pack territory three years ago. Things were getting out of hand and they needed a strong alpha"- he gestured to himself- " to handle things. This isn't the time for a history lesson." 

He looked disappointed, "I thought you would have been excited to see me. I assumed your pack's seer would have told you that you were moving to meet your mate. Seriously, where are you from?"

"Seer? What are you talking about? I don't mean to sound rude, but I have no idea what the hell is going on!" I took a deep breath and calmed the hysteria I felt rising in the back of my throat. "Okay, listen. I moved here for a job. Apparently my former pack, Moon Valley, was not as advanced because we didn't have a 'seer.' I am just really confused. This mate-thing does not exist- obviously I'm extremely attracted to you because I would have kicked your ass from here until Sunday for laying a hand on me." 

He let out a deep, throaty laugh that made me want to tangle my fingers in his dark hair and press my lips to his. 

"First of all, I'd love to see you try to kick my ass. I'd have you on your back in three seconds flat for a much more enjoyable activity," he winked. "Second, Moon Valley does have a Seer and the 'mate thing' most certainly does exist. I'm not sure if you're full of s**t or just really ignorant?"

I scoffed and he continued "well, I guess you'll just have to spend the day with me and learn your role as Luna." 

"I am not going anywhere with you. I have to go to work! And I don't even know your name!" I sighed. "This is crazy." 

He studied me for a long minute. A look I couldn't quite decipher clouded his eyes and he declared in a deep voice, "Mia, I have been waiting for you for a very long time, then I knew you were on my land, but I couldn't find you. Now that I have-you're even more perfect than I could have ever imagined." He reached up to touch my face, but dropped his hand before it made contact. My skin was screaming for him to touch me.

 "You'll have to forgive my manners, I got overly excited when I found you and I just assumed that we would both be informed. My name is Grayson." 

He extended his hand which I cautiously took to shake. He wrapped his fingers around my hand, pulled my body in close to his and whispered in my ear. "I don't want to frighten you, but if I had it my way I would take you into this bathroom and mark you right here and now. You truly are the most beautiful thing I have ever seen." 

I felt my face start to flush as I felt a whole new sense of feeling course through my body. 

He can't be the only one with the power to effect me like this. I'm not doing that again.

Mischief washed over me as I leaned forward and brushed my lips against his ear. "If I knew I could trust you, my clothes would be on the floor and my legs would be wrapped around you." I gently nipped at his earlobe and he let out a moan that sent shivers down my spine.

"Then let's get out of here so I can prove how trustworthy I am, my sweet beauty."

I walked up to the counter and grabbed my drink and straw. 

Cody, the barista, hustled over to me and whispered " hey Mia, I didn't know you were the alpha's mate. I would not have said anything to you." 

I looked into his eyes. "Cody, I didn't either until about two minutes ago. Please don't worry about it." I felt Grayson's eyes boring into the back of my head. 

You're leaving with a complete stranger because you want to f**k him. Give him a little show to let him know he doesn't have total control over you.

I gave Cody a quick kiss on the cheek and a big, flirtatious smile. "Thanks for the coffee, I'll see you around."

I swear I heard a growl. 

I sauntered over to Grayson. "Hey, I know you wanted me to spend the day with you, but I have to be at work in an hour."

"No, my mate does not work. You will be busy with your duties as a Luna. As soon as an informed pack member spotted you this morning my beta called Melina and let her know. Who was that?" Grayson asked still staring at a forlorn Cody. 

Melina was my new supervisor. "You can't just tell me I'm not allowed to work. Those are decisions that I need have some input on because its my life, Grayson."

"Mia, your fate has chosen a different path for you. You must understand that. Now who was that man you just kissed?"

"I just need to know these things! His name's Cody. He's a kind barista who bought my coffee for me this morning." I purposefully left the part about Cody's not so tasteful advances out.

With that he huffed and grabbed my hand, hauling me out the front door.