Chapter 5

(Kaeleigh’s POV)

“Oh my God!” The door to the bedroom had just burst open and the most amazing scent of oak and rainfall slammed into me, and through me, intoxicating me, and sending my mind into overdrive. Then I heard one word!

“MINE!” 

And everything crashed into place. It was like suddenly a piece of me had been missing and I didn’t even know it was missing until now. I could have lived without knowing that piece, but now that I knew about it, there was no way I could consider an existence without it.

I looked up at Jensen, who must have realised what was happening.

“Oh, fuck!” he said and then he, and the covers, disappeared into a blur. I felt the chill of the lack of his warm body as I heard the crashing to the side of me. I shot up on the bed and saw a man leaning over Jensen as he punched him over and over, growling. Jensen was making no attempt to fight back and just had his arms over his head in self defence.

“What the hell” I shouted, jumping off the bed. I ran over and grabbed the man’s large arm just as he was about to punch Jensen again. Immediately at the touch, sparks of electricity ran through my arms and into my body, waking up every sense I had. I had never felt more alive, and something deep inside me shifted. The man froze at my touch and I let go and stumbled back, falling on the floor. He turned slowly and looked at me. His dark brown hair was long enough to be brushed back but short enough that it didn’t quite reach his neck, leaving it exposed. His eyes were a deep amber at the centre and star burst into a rich gold round the edge. He had light stubble surrounding his pink lips, the lower one slightly thicker. He was wearing a black v-neck short-sleeved shirt over his broad and defined body. The shirt was close fitting enough that I could see the definition of an eight pack in the lines. And the faded black jeans, sporting a few tears, fit well around his tight rear end. 

He looked me up and down as I used the edge of the bed to pull myself back to standing. I glanced at Jensen, who was just lowering his arms. I could see his face was already bruised down one side and there was blood from somewhere, not that I could tell where. He was holding himself like his left side was injured. 

“Who the fuck do you think you are?” I shouted at the guy angrily and he stood up. I pushed him, or tried to as my hands hit solid mass and he barely looked like a fly had buzzed by him. He was watching me with an almost amused look and it just made me more angry, so I shoved at him again. 

“You can’t come storming into someone’s room and start pounding on them! What were you, born in a cave?” His mouth twitched into what looked like it was threatening to be a grin. “Oh, you think this is funny, do you?” It was obvious that I had just met my fated mate, but I was so angry that I clenched my fist and punched him in that smirking, perfect jaw of his.

Or I tried, at least. His reflexes kicked in and he grabbed my wrist before I could make contact. He glared at me as I struggled to pull my arm back. “Chase.” I looked down at Jensen, who coughed as he struggled out the word. He had a stern look on his face as his eyes flickered between me and the man. I realised what he said: Chase, he called the guy Chase. I looked back up at the man in front of me. This was Chase, the Chase I had heard so much about, the Chase who was Jensen’s best friend, the Chase who was the future Alpha to the Dark Moon pack! My fated mate was an Alpha, of all things, and heir to Jensen’s pack. I pulled my arm out of his grasp and started to back away. He looked back at me as I had pulled away and he looked me up and down again. His eyes flashed the light gold of the Alpha rank and I realised that I was naked. He ran his tongue over his lips briefly and my eyes were drawn to the action, focusing on them as my mind flooded with images of kissing them, biting them, feeling them all over my body.

I felt the tightening in my lower stomach and knew that I was getting aroused and with barely a movement, his nostrils flared and his lips turned into a crooked smile that promised wicked things. I looked him back in the eyes and they held the same wickedness and backed up the promise from the smile. I bit my lip nervously as I felt a flush over my body as the heat of my arousal intensified.

I didn’t even see him move before I felt myself being slammed against the wall. His hands on my arms and our bodies would have been touching if it weren’t for his clothes. He buried his head in my hair and to the side of my neck and breathed in deeply. It felt like my whole body was on fire with the heat from his touch, from his smell. My mind clouded into a haze of lust as he lifted his head slightly so his lips grazed the side of my ear. 

“Mine,” he whispered before moving enough to crash his lips onto mine. The world exploded as we made contact. He lost no time forcing his tongue into my mouth and I accepted it willingly, kissing him back with the same intensity. His hands travelled down my body, pausing briefly as his thumb grazed over the side of my breast, causing me to gasp and him to chuckle in response. He reached my hips and played circles along them as I shuddered. He grabbed my hips and lifted me with ease, and I took the opportunity to wrap my legs around his torso and my arms around his neck. He finally let go of my lips and we both gasped for air. He went back to bury his head in my neck, nuzzling, nipping and kissing as I grinded myself against him. 

I closed my eyes as the passion coursed through my veins, and let myself get lost in the sensation of him and I could feel something on the edge of me that was awake and trying to break free. It was so close that I could almost see it. 

And then images started flashing through my mind. The Alpha in the alleyway, and the one in that pack. The Alpha who tried to take me at five years old, and killed my parents. All reasons for why I had done my level best to stay away from Alphas, and one of the main reasons why I didn’t want to join a pack. But the one image that flashed in my vision that affected me the most was the one of the only Alpha heirs that I have ever trusted, and the one that I had been wrecked with guilt over my whole life. And the one who lost his life protecting me. Seeing the dead eyes of Jonathan made my blood run cold instantly. 

Chase must have realised because he stopped almost instantly and pulled away slightly to look at me.

“Baby?” His voice was full of concern. I started to panic and struggled to get down and away from him. 

“Please let me go.” I pushed at him and my breathing quickened. He complied and backed away, his hands out, showing he meant no harm. I start hunting around the room for my clothes.

“I need to get out of here,” I mumbled. “I can’t do this.” 

“You’re not going anywhere without me.” I heard him growl, and I glared at him. Fucking Alphas, here he was already trying to throw his weight around and control me. I glanced at the door and he stilled, watching me. I slowly picked up my jeans and top and then eyed the bathroom door. He watched every movement I made like I was his prey. I made a dash for the bathroom, but he was closer and quicker, and I felt his arm around my waist as he lifted me into the air.

“Get the fuck off of me,” I screamed and tried to kick out at him, but I couldn’t get the right angle from behind me. “Wait, stop,” he growled before throwing me effortlessly onto the bed. I could feel my anger boiling over. He was trying to stop me from getting away and I couldn’t get trapped here. I lunged at him, snarling. I must have taken him by surprise because I actually knocked him back a few steps and we went crashing to the floor. But he didn’t falter long and had hold of my hands as I tried to scratch at him. 

He flipped me around and I was suddenly on my back with him on top of me. He pinned my arms above my head while I struggled to get free.

“Stop!” I could feel his Alpha command try to invade my senses, but I pushed back against them and growled back at him. His eyes widened, and then the arrogant bastard grinned.

“Oh baby,” he whistled, “Damn!” I glared at him and growled again. I could feel every muscle in my body taught, ready to jump into action. My survival senses were activated and struggled against his hold. 

“Jensen, get over here now,” He called, the Alpha tone still evident in his voice. I saw Jensen appear cautiously in my field of vision. He was battered and bruised and blood was running down his face. I could tell that it hurt to move. He was watching the Alpha carefully, but then he glanced down at me and his eyes widened.

“What the fuck!” he exclaimed, and the Alpha grinned.

“Yeah,” he said proudly, like he had some shiny new toy, “Do your thing, but just her arm, nowhere else,” 

“But it only works on… oh!” he said and looked back down at me again. He reached out towards me and both me and Chase growled. He threw Chase a concerned look.

“Sorry,” Chase said, and Jensen shook his head. His hand touched my arm, and I growled again. Then I felt something. Like a cool sensation flowing into me, my eyes widened as I tried to struggle away. “It’s ok baby.” Chase said softly, I could feel my whole body relax as the cooling whatever it was seemed to put out my anger and I started to feel more calm. 

Jensen took his hand away and then stepped back out of view and Chase slowly removed his hold on me.

“What the fuck was that?” I exclaimed, sitting up, and Jensen chuckled. Chase watched me carefully. 

“You alright?” he asked, and I scowled at him. 

“No, I’m not alright,” I snapped. “I’m naked on the goddamn floor and I need to get home to my family,”

“Sorry baby,” he said, shaking his head, “I can’t let you leave.”

“Chase,” Jensen said with a warning tone, “Let her go for now.” Chase glared at Jensen and growled.

“But I can let you get dressed,” he said, turning back to me

“Well, thank you,” I replied sarcastically, and he raised an eyebrow at me. I gathered my clothes and headed into the bathroom, and dressed as quickly as possible. I needed to get out of her as quickly as possible. I had seen my phone light up again as another call had come in. Something must be wrong for them to call me this much.

I walked out of the bathroom with half a plan in mind. Chase stood up and walked towards me and I forced a smile onto my face. He seemed to relax at that, and I let him place a kiss on my cheek as he moved in closer to me. 

“Feel better baby?” he asked, and I smiled again. I leaned in close and waited until the right time and then, just as he was relaxed against me, and sniffing my hair, I brought my knee right up between his legs, with as much force as possible. He yelped in pain and I pushed him over while he was clutching his jewels and glanced at Jensen. He was laughing so hard that tears streamed down his face. He saw me look and raised his hands in surrender. Good, he knew what was good for him and wasn’t going to stop me.

I rushed out of the room and grabbed my bag from by the door and ran out of the apartment. I flew as quickly as I could down the stairs and into the street. I could hear that my dear Alpha mate had recovered and was after me. Without a glance back, I ran. I ran in the direction of my home. I didn’t stop even when my muscles began to burn. I got home in under fifteen minutes and burst into the apartment.

I stopped when I saw Jeremy and Elaina sitting on the sofa. Their heads snapped up, and I realised that Elaina’s face was tear stained.

“What is it?” I asked as she ran over to me and hugged me. “What’s wrong?” 

“Oh Kaeleigh,” she cried, hugging me tightly, “We were so worried when you didn’t answer your phone,” Shit, I realised I’d left my phone behind too. 

“Elaina, I’m fine,” I said, reassuring her. But I knew that her tears weren’t just in concern for me. 

“What’s wrong?” I asked again. Jeremy came over and guided a crying Elaina back to the sofa, whilst I followed.

“Jeremy?” I asked, and he smiled sadly at me.

“Kae, Ezra has been in a car accident,” he said quietly.

“What!” I exclaimed “But he’s okay, right?” He was a werewolf, and it took a lot to seriously injure us.

“I’m sorry sweetie,” he said. “His injuries were too great, and he died.” I sat down on the sofa, a numb feeling coming over me. I couldn’t quite wrap my head around what I was hearing. The man who had pretty much raised me most of my life, and my Alpha, was dead.