The Alphas’ P**n Star Mate

"Maybe I should," he laughed, then his laughter faded into a more somber expression. "Seriously, Boyd. I hope there aren't any hard feelings. I know you liked her, but...." That look of sincerity came over his face again. "She's my mate. I couldn't give her up for anyone. I'm not sorry for punching you that one time, because you earned it, but I am sorry we couldn't be better friends before all this shit to work it out in a better way. You are still family. You know that right."

I stared down at my hands, at the scars around my wrist, feeling a bit self-conscious from hearing that so much over the last few days. Winnie says it all the time, and so does Beau. Hearing it from Mick just hits differently though.

"Family," I murmured. For some reason, no one from the Broom StiXXX family I have known and lived with for years came to mind right then. Instead, a red-headed beauty's face flashed through my head, making my wolf stir restlessly.

"You have a spot in this pack, Boyd. I wanted to be the one to tell you the invitation is always there. Just let me know, and we can do the initiation."

"Thanks," I whispered, still disturbed that the woman who saved me is the one to come to mind at the thought of family, and not Beau or the others.

"Yeah," Mick continued. "No problem. Do you need anything, by the way? I know the others are taking care of you, but is there anything you need from me as an Alpha?"

I scoffed lightly at the word 'Alpha'. I hated that term and title for so long for everything it took from me. Now, I don't know how to feel, since Laura seemed like the true puppet master from my old pack. Alpha Ford was just another of her victims. Just like me.

Mick must have taken my silence for a different meaning, because he asked, "Do you want to join the pack now?"

Maybe if I accept the invitation to join this pack, I could sever the bond Laura forced on me a lot easier. I last tried to reject it two days ago, and was met with a powerful command from Laura directly not to. I'm not strong enough on my own to go around her command. Maybe with Mick's help and the acceptance of a new pack....

Suddenly, my head started to ache something terrible, a pressure feeling like it was about to explode behind my eyes.

"I am your only Alpha. You are to never accept another." Instead of Laura's command, it was Alpha Ford's, and the weight behind it was like nothing I had felt before.

I gritted my teeth, and managed to groan out a "No". As soon as the refusal left my lips, the pain stopped.

Mick looked at me for a long time, his eyes penetrating mine like he was searching for something. The concern on his face was evident, and made me feel like an ass for the strong refusal to join the pack. He probably just thought I was angry that he asked.

I took a deep breath, making sure the headache of Alpha Ford's command wouldn't hurt me, then said, "I'm sorry, but I think I need more time."

Mick smiled tightly and nodded after another couple of seconds. "I understand. No problem. Take all the time you need."

"Thanks."

There was a soft knock on the door, and when I turned to see who it was, Sirius started growling right away.

It was her. The redhead that was just plaguing my thoughts. Estel. She was standing beside Chloe, a pensive look on her face.

"Hey, cara mia," Mick said brightly. "Is it time for lunch already?"

"Yep," Chloe same right in, walking around the desk to fall into his lap. She seemed too cheerful, hanging off him like I wasn't even there. "It's time for you to feed me."

"I'll give you something to eat," he growled playfully.

I didn't give the cringey couple a second of my concern. It was like they weren't there either. I was too occupied with the woman still standing at the door.

Estel.

I couldn't look away from her, even though my wolf was shaken by her presence. His hostility surprised me, like it does every time, because it goes against every human thought I have about her when I am not overwhelmed by her sweet scent. This time, his reaction was stronger though.

Then she looked up, her eyes gazing into mine as a small smile formed on her lips.

Sirius pushed forward and growled venomously, causing her smile to drop and my heart to drop with it.

"What is wrong with you?!"

"I don't know," Sirius sneered, "but I know we need to get away from her."

"WHY?!"

"I DON'T KNOW!"

I was breathing deeply, trying to get my wolf under control. My claws had already come out and were tearing into the chair's armrests.

Why was Sirius so much more violent today towards her? Is it because I haven't seen her since the day we got back? This was different than ever before. "I'll meet you guys in the dining room," Estel said softly, her expression still looking hurt.

The second she was gone, and her scent wasn't bothering me anymore, Sirius finally calmed down and went back to his solemn corner at the back of my head. "I gotta go," I grumbled, not giving Mick or Chloe another look. I got up from the chair and sprinted for my room, in the opposite direction that Estel just went. Still, some part of me, a part that felt like it was buried under something dark and heavy, was pushing to be free and run towards Estel instead. It scared me.

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Estel POV

"That sucked," I whispered as I came around the corner and walked right into Miles.

He rubbed my arms to calm me, then looked around before leading me to another room to calm down and let the tears out.

"Fuck, that sucked so bad."

"I know," I whispered. "But we confirmed what we needed to."

"That he fucking hates me," I growled, angrily wiping the moisture falling down my face.

"No," Miles laughed humorlessly. "That he is bothered by only you. He didn't give a shit about Chloe. Even when she was all over Mick, who he used to hate. He feels the bond, Estel. Just not in the right way. It's just like Chloe said."

I didn't fully believe her when she told me her theory on black magic. After a few days of convincing, and lots more training sessions of getting my ass handed to me in the friendliest of ways, I finally relented and agreed to see him again.

My wolf missed him, but hearing his wolf tear out of him like that just from me smiling hurt her all over again. I didn't know if I could cope with another reaction like that.

"He's definitely influenced by black magic," Miles continued to rub my arms as he thought out loud. "Mick said that when he tried to get Boyd to join the pack, his eyes went black, and you could see it on his face. It's not you, Estel. He's not rejecting you. The magic is." "I don't care," I growled. "It fucking hurts to not be accepted."

He smiled sympathetically. "I know. I really do. Just hold in there a little longer. There has to be a way to get the magic out of him."