The Alpha’s Shadow

Chapter 3

Anne’s POV

I had taken off the moment my weapon allowed me the liberty to.

Alpha Jonathan had fallen backward with a grunt, obviously having not expected that.

And I had thought my freedom was finally within my reach, but then I heard not one, not two, not ten footsteps but a lot of footsteps, and they belonged to the guards. And I knew how done for I was.

I wasn't going to be punished for just running away, I was also going to be punished for attempted murder. I attacked an alpha.

My heart beat faster, my pace accelerated as I ran even though I know it was useless. I knew no matter how fast I ran, they were still going to catch up with me, but still I had a little faith thinking I could make it through and survive.

How wrong I was because even with how fast I ran, they eventually caught up to me and attacked me, pushing me with full force. I found myself flying into a tree. A certain pain erupted in my body as I groaned in the floor, looking up at the shifted guards.

My vision was blurry. I wanted to get up and run for my life and freedom but I didn’t understand half of the things that happened around me. My eyes failed me, alongside my body. My eye lid closed as my whole body became unconscious.

*************

I could already picture my new cell before I had the strength to open up my eyes, could already vision the cement floors and walls and hoped they would be another leaky sink to count my days again.

But I opened my eyes and stared up at the dazzling white ceiling with tiny flat, round light bulbs scattered around it.

A frown easily crept unto my face when I felt the soft mattress I laid upon with a fluffy pillow beneath my head. Where was I?

And whilst still trying to make sense of my surroundings, I began to perceive the unique scent of my supposed mate. My heart sped up thinking he was somewhere close only for me turn and see him seated in a chair beside the bed.

I panicked and jumped to a farther side of the bed away from him, sticking my arm out.

He frowned at my swift movement before rolling his eyes with scoff, "How do you feel?' he asked and I was momentarily distracted by his deep baritone voice and subtle accent asking such a tender question like he actually did care with those cold eyes of his.

Waving his hand randomly, he added, "You passed out when the guards got you, so are you alright now?"

Instead of answering, I focused on the white bandage on his arm, the arm I had stabbed. How come? Hadn't he healed by now? Wolves heal fast and alphas, twice as fast.

"Anne," he called and I almost came undone, my eyes flying up to meet his. He knew my name, and his voice made it sound better, so much better, almost as though it wasn't my name at all.

"How are you feeling?" he asked again.

"Wh…what am I doing here? Where am I even?"

"You were in very bad shape and in need of treatment." he stated, as his eyes scanned my entire body.

I grew tense under his stare, my eyes noticed the bandage on my toe and there was one on my head too. I did in fact get treated, "So what now? Will I get sent to the cell now?"

"I'm not going to send my mate to some cell," he answered defensively.

What? Did that mean he accepted me as his mate? I chose not to believe that, there must be something else. "What do you want from me?"

His jaw tightened, "I'm not going to answer that, Anne"

"Why?" So there was something else…..

"That's a stupid question Anne, surely you have better ones?" he cracked his knuckle and looked away.

Well I did have more questions, "Your arm? Why aren't you healed yet?" I may have been a little concerned that I had hurt him so badly but I was also curious.

"Actually, I was hoping you'd tell me that. I've never had an injury on me for more than ten minutes. So tell me, what did you put in that flimsy metal?"

I frowned, "I didn't put anything on it, it's just a handle from an old bucket. But if you allow me I can….." I paused; I was just about to tell him my ability to heal others. I had never told anyone that, why would I?

Nobody thought an omega was good for anything other than servitude. No matter how much my mother had tried to convince me otherwise by telling me I was special, by calling me a healer. So I refrained from helping him, he didn't deserve it anyway.

"You can what?" he asked, clearly curious.

"I'd like to know what you intend to do with me sir. Surely an alpha as ruthless as you would have a good reason for keeping an omega." I steered the conversation in a different direction

He exhaled before answering, moving to sit at the edge of his seat. "You have two options Anne," he was beginning to use my name a lot. "You can live in the pack as one of my mistresses, earning yourself my protection and an upgrade from your pitiful rank as an omega."

he stared pointedly at me before continuing, "Or, you continue living like a slave with zero privileges. I won't be able to protect you without a title attached to you, even if I want to."

I stared at him, momentarily at a loss for word but eventually managed to ask, "One of your mistress?"

He leaned back, "surely you know who a mistress is."

I was right, only my body seemed useful to him, he would never actually regard me as his mate. Stupid me. Stupid Anne for hoping for something different. Stupid Anne for forgetting how the world worked.

So with a scowl dripping with anger on my lips, I opened lips and held on to my pride, "I'd rather remain a slave, so hold on to your protection because I'd rather die than serve you in your bed.”

I could tell from the look on his face that his ego had been bruised.