The Mark of an Alpha

Life is cruel. If I could laugh I would. Life was looking great for a moment and then it is all taken away in a matter of minutes.

His sharp teeth are bared at me and I know that there is no reasoning with an animistic soul. He is ready to attack and my chest tightens as there is nothing that I can do before his teeth rip into my flesh.

Let it out!

What?

Let what out? I am all alone, in pain, and a beast looms above me waiting to tear me into two.

I can sense that my wolf is getting ready to battle her presence is close to the surface.

Zeke inches closer his breath moves my hair. There is a pressure building in the pit of my stomach.

Just let it out.

I release what it building inside of me. A mighty cry rumbles through my chest and up my throat the cry unleashes through me and my wolf seems stronger than before and it seems to connect in a level that I did not know was possible.

Zeke steps away from me his head lowering a bit as if I just ran my fingernails through a chalkboard. My body trembles and my legs crack as my wolf surfaces completely. Paws hitting the ground make Zeke turn to see who is coming.

A growl erupts and a chocolate brown wolf lunges at Zeke.

Melany, I got your back! Andrew snarls at him.

Thanks. How did you get here so fast?

I’ve been dying to sink my teeth into him for some time already and your battle cry makes my wolf surface with retribution.

He wants the blood of the person that hurt and threatens his alpha.

I shift completely as a dusty tan wolf comes to my side. Hunter looks me over making sure that I am fine but for the moment being I do not feel any pain.

Andrew lunges at him again and Zeke lifts himself on his hind legs and his claws lash out on Andrew’s face. He whimpers back and shakes his head trying to shake off the pain.

Dammit!

Andrew is hurt.

Hunter stands between us but I will not let that slide, I run around Hunter and at Zeke making him back away from Andrew. He stupidly thinks that is all I am going to do. He steps back a bit but is surprised when my teeth nudge at his neck. He backs off quickly not wanting me to get a better grip on him.

“Zeke, what are you doing?” His head snaps in the direction of his brother.

Calvin is there with Derek and Mathew. Calvin is staring at his brother with remorse and Zeke's breathing is coming in rapid. He is having an inner battle with himself that no one can understand unless they lost themselves to their animal side as well.

Hunter’s claws are digging into the ground and I can see that he is ready to lose it.

“Turn back!” Mathew yells at Zeke and his eyes show some light as if he were getting some of his humanity back. Zeke is naked on his knees before everyone.

Hunter shifts back and glares at him, “If you ever touch her again I will kill you.”

Andrew shifts as well holding him back not wanting him to fight a vulnerable man and Hunter falls back letting Zeke stand up before us.

Angie is running to our side she has something in her hands. She hands Hunter and Andrew some sweats and then turns to me. Andrew’s face is healing quickly the gashes do not look as bad as they did at first.

“Sorry, all I have is a blanket.” I nod and shift back into my human form. I am happy for the blanket not that people seeing me naked was embarrassing but the fact that it is very cold outside.

Angie wraps the blanket around me and Hunter makes his way towards me draping his arm on my shoulder. He rubs my arm as if to soothe his beast and comfort me as well.

“What were you thinking attacking an alpha and one of my guests,” Mathew snaps at Zeke and Calvin stands next to his alpha looking at his broken brother.

“I’m sorry,” Zeke does not lift his head to look at Mathew. Hunter snorts and shakes his head.

“Sorry isn’t going to cut it with me. I should banish you for attacking my next in line.” He bellows at him and I can see that Mathew is considering it.

“Wait a minute,” I can see the relief in Calvin’s eyes, “banishment is a bit much don’tcha think. He’s overwhelmed,” I stare into Mathew’s blue eyes and his anger still lingers within them.

“That doesn’t justify what he tried to do. Zeke, I am sorry but this is not forgivable in my eyes-”

“You banish him and I’ll take him into my pack!” I straighten up and take a step towards Mathew. “I know that he messed up but who hasn’t? I will not take it easy on him but he will have a place to call home. Alpha, he is under a lot of stress at the moment. Give him some time.”

Zeke whimpers, “You shouldn’t stand up for me,” he whispers. He is willing to be packless and become a rogue.

“You’re damn right she shouldn’t,” Hunter hisses. My elbow hits him on the ribs. He glances down at me, “What? He attacked my future wife! He’s lucky that he’s part of the head alpha’s pack or else he would be dead,” when the last word left his lips he looks at Zeke, Hunter’s eyes glow an amber color. He shakes his head sending his wolf back down.

“I can take care of myself,” I am not sure at who the words are directed to but I want them all to get that clear. “Is this because I’m a girl?”

Their eyebrows shoot up and even Calvin steps back shaking his head as if saying he has nothing to do with this.

They all look at each other and then Hunter clears his throat, “No, you can kick Zeke’s ass without breaking a sweat I’m just a bit overprotective that’s all.”

I look over at Mathew and he shrugs. “Would you be like this if it was Hunter?” I hiss.

“Yes and no. He’s a guest in my home and all but the reason I’m outraged with Zeke is that he’s mad he didn’t keep his ranking. Zeke,” Mathew's eyes are on me and I keep mine glued to him showing him that I am not backing off. “You can stay with my pack if you want to but one paw steps out of line and your ass is out, am I clear?” Zeke nods and his body sags in relief.

“Yes master,” he bows his head in respect.

“You do not call me master. You're not my slave and I am not your master. You can head into my office I need to speak to you in private,” Zeke nods and walks away without a glance my way, “Calvin, you can go with him.” Calvin stares at his brother’s retreating and throws a glance at Mathew.

“Thank you,” he runs after his brother.

“Well we’ll be heading inside,” Andrew says and then looks at me asking if that is okay, I nod and he heads inside with Angie and Ken.

“I think it’s time for us to head home,” I glance up at a calm Hunter. His tiresome eyes fall upon me and he gives me a goofy smile.

“Yes, we should.” He presses his lips on my forehead and I inhale his scent happy to have him by my side.

“Thank you for everything,” Mathew gives me a small smile as he looks at us.

“Before you leave can I speak to you two,” his eyes are on me and I know he wants to talk to me, “after you’ve changed and all.” I shrug and give him a nod, “I’ll be waiting in my office. Come, nephew, we have work to do.” With that Derek and Mathew walk away.

Hunter and I make our way to our bedroom. Hunter allows me to shower while he packs up our belongings and when I am getting ready he showers. When we are done I stare at Hunter wide-eyed.

“You!” He smirks at me and his golden eyes dance behind his bold rimmed glasses. He is wearing black jeans with a white tee shirt just like I am except mine is a v neck. I glare at him and he shrugs making his way towards me.

“What?” He pulls me into him.

“You copied me,” I hiss at him.

“Ha, no I have a beanie and glasses,” he presses his lips against my forehead and I push away from him. The burgundy beanie sits tightly on his head as a flap hangs loosely on the back.

He looks adorable and I voice my thought. Hunter scrunched his nose and mutters something like adorable is for a child.

We make our way out of our bedroom and towards Mathew’s office. Hunter’s hand swallows mine keeping my once cold hands warm. Looking over at him my mark is very prominent on his skin making my hand wander to my mark.

There are a couple of people hanging around the hallway but none of them catch my interest until my eyes fall on Calvin as he makes his way towards us.

“Melany,” he smiles happily at me.

“Calvin,” he wraps his arms around me and ignoring Hunter’s death glare.

“I heard you two were leaving,” he frowns at me.

“Yeah well it’s time for me to finally take care of my pack,” I sigh, my homesickness suddenly hitting me with full force.

“Promise to keep in touch,” I smile at him, he has become like a brother to me and I am going to miss him.

“Of course and you too,” he nods. He bids farewell to us and is on his way to fulfill the alpha’s orders.

Hunter and I walk inside Mathew’s office and he is sitting behind his massive desk with Derek next to him.

He gestures for us to take a seat.

“So,” Mathew clears his throat, “I wanted to have a little chat before you left.” His eyes flicker between Hunter and I and Hunter grab hold of my hand giving me a light squeeze. “I see that you two started the mating process,” his eyes burn into my neck and I fight the urge to cover it with my chin.

“Yes, we did,” I am glad Hunter answered.

“Don’t you think you’re moving a bit too fast,” Mathew’s eyes do not waver from me.

“Pssh, no! If he was my mate this would be a snail’s pace but since he is not you think I’m moving to fast,” I breathe in deeply trying to calm myself, “Hunter may not be my mate but he means more to me than that piece of crap mate I had.”

My anger and anguish suddenly disappear with Hunter’s touch.

Mathew nods and looks at our hands, “Then why not just finish the mating process instead of marriage?”

“Because alpha I want everyone to know that Melany is mine and mine alone as I am hers, even the human need to know.”

“I am only looking out for my goddaughter you know. It appears that you two are set on marriage and I am putting this out there,” Mathew’s eyes fall on Hunter narrowing, “you hurt her and you will feel the wrath of my entire pack, understand?”

“I do.”

“Are you trying to scare him off?” I roll my eyes at Mathew.

“No, I’m just putting it out there. So there is not a misunderstanding.”

“I would rather die than hurt you,” Hunter whispers into my ear and my heart does a double-take.

“With that out of the way I wanted to ask you if you would like to have your wedding here.”

His question surprises me, “Here at the castle?” Mathew nods, “well we haven’t had time to discuss anything about the wedding,” my eyes go to Hunter, “I wanted to get married where my parents lived their last happy moments together, at the pack house. If you don’t mind.”

“Of course I don’t mind,” he beams at me, “as long as the end of the day you’re mine.”

“Fine then,” Mathew sighs, “not here but I am helping you out with the wedding.”

“Now you’re a wedding planner?” I ask.

“No, but I can hire the best,” he sits back relaxed as if he just won this battle.

“Why do you want to help me so bad?”

“Like I said you’re my goddaughter, so you are like the daughter I never had. So we’re not fighting this I’m helping you,” I shrug and then nod my head.

“If it makes you happy.”

“Immensely!” He is acting like a father to me, maybe I should ask him.

“You know no one can take the spot of my father,” Mathew swallows and nods slowly, “but he entrusted you with me and I see that you took it to heart. I wanted to know if you would like to give me away,” his eyes grew big.

His breath escaped him. “I would be honored to give you away,” he gets to his feet and makes his way around a forgotten Derek. I stand up as he gets to me and wraps his arms around me. “You’ve made me so happy.”

After that, we agree to talk to each other regularly. We say goodbye and Derek seems distant as he shakes my hand.

“Your car awaits you out front. I had your stuff packed into already and before I forget your pack members already left.” S~ᴇaʀᴄh the Find_Nøvel.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Hunter and I walk out of the castle and my eyes land on the car waiting for us.

“No way!” I stop in my tracks. “Is that my Jeep?”

The man standing next to my car nods and dangles the keys before me.

“Alpha Storm brought it down a couple of days ago so here you go,” I practically run to him I grab my keys and jump up and down like a little girl. My car feels like home and my heart knows I am heading to where I belong.

Hunter is by me when he grabs my shoulder.

“How about I drive?” I freeze and look over at him.

“Why would I let you drive? This is my car,” there is a mischievous gleam in his eyes. “Do you think I’m a bad driver?”

“I never said that,” he smiles at me.

“Get in before I make you run and you headbutt the invisible barrier,” I glare at him, he opens his mouth but I beat him to it, “I can pass it from what I know.” He nods and heads to the passenger side.

I climb in and turn the car on Hunter is about to put his seat belt when I press on the gas then slam the brake. His body falls back and then flings forward his hands slamming on the dashboard. When he recovers he throws a deadly glare my way and I cannot stop the laughter that bursts through me.

“Buckle up I’m a bad driver,” I press on the gas and Hunter clicks his seat belt.

“Home sweet home,” he relaxes back into his seat and rests his head on the headrest. I drive through the gravel path heading to my territory, at last.