CHAPTER TWO

It's been three days since the challenge, and I can't stop thinking about him.

Rafael.

That's his name. Rafael. Our new alpha.

My whole body is practically humming with excitement as I sit in the clearing where the challenge happened, and I'm watching Rafael and some of the other pack members spar.

The past three days have been a whirlwind. Our pack has changed so much since Rafael won the challenge, and I love it.

First, Rafael reversed all the silly, stupid laws that our alpha had set up. Rafael is the kind of alpha that actually cares about the pack, and he makes sure that even the lowliest of wolves is given a voice.

It's really made me proud of my pack.

I've been a bit of a rebel in the past, and it's nice to have someone like him to look up to.

I can't stop thinking about him. I don't think I've ever felt so drawn to someone before, and I don't think I've ever felt this kind of connection to anyone.

I know it's crazy. I mean, I don't even know him. We haven't even been properly introduced.

But something about him is so familiar.

He's got light brown hair, a little shaggy, and his eyes are a pretty, piercing green. He's tall, lean and muscular. And he's so confident.

He's cocky without being arrogant, and he's powerful without being bossy.

He makes me feel safe and excited at the same time. Something about him calls out to me. It's as if he's been in my head for years. Like he's someone I've been searching for my whole life.

Rafael is everything that I've ever wanted in a mate.

Suddenly, I'm walking through the forest. It's as if my legs have developed a mind of their own, and they're taking me straight to Rafael.

He's teaching some of the betas how to fight. I get there just in time to see him catch and toss one of them into the air.

"Deeper breaths," he says, his voice deep and powerful, and I can't help but shiver at the sound of it. "Don't hold your breath. Be relaxed. Make your opponent think you're relaxed."

After he says this, he moves quickly and catches the beta off-guard. He forces him onto his back, pinning him down.

He looks up and sees me standing there.

"Hello," he says.

"Hi," I say.

"Can I help you...?" He trails off, and that's when I realize he doesn't know my name.

"Samantha," I say.

"Can I help you, Samantha?"

"I'd like to join," I say. "I'd like you to train me."

I want to retract the words as soon as they've exited my mouth. I don't actually mean them. I just want an excuse to be near him.

"Okay, Samantha," he says, and the way he says my name sends a jolt of electricity up my spine. "Let's see what you've got."

And just like that, he leaps at me. I get my arms up to defend myself, and I try to kick him but he grabs me by the leg and pulls me onto my back.

He pins me down, his body on top of mine, and he's staring down at me.

I gasp, the breath rushing out of my lungs.

My heart is racing, and I'm painfully aware of every inch of his body that's touching mine.

I feel my cheeks go red as I look up at him, and I don't know what to say. I'm so embarrassed and I wish I could disappear.

"Hey," he says with a smile, his voice deep and soothing. "Not bad. There's definitely things here I can work with."

I'm not sure if he's talking about my fighting skills or something else, but I'm too embarrassed to ask him.

"Thanks," I say, trying to sound nonchalant.

"Anytime," he says.

"Alright, I think that's enough for today," he says to the group. "Why don't we break for the night and meet back up here tomorrow afternoon."

They nod and disperse, but I just stand there, staring at him. I can't bring myself to move.

"Want to walk back with me?" He asks.

I nod. I've never wanted anything more.

As we walk back, he tells me a bit about himself. He also tells me about his hobbies, and some of the things that he loves to do.

I can't help but feel my heart swell with joy. I can't believe that I'm really getting to know him.

He tells me how he came to our pack, about how he was born a rogue and our pack adopted him.

"I'll always be grateful for that," he says.

Me too, I think. I'm grateful for every decision, every moment, that brought him here. With me.

He asks me about my past, about my family, and I tell him. But I don't share much. It seems so boring compared to his life.

But he seems interested anyway. He smiles at me, and I melt.

And when I'm sure he's comfortable with me, that things are going well, I decide to ask him about the challenge.

I stop walking and I turn around to face him.

"Can I ask you something?" I say.

"Sure," he says with a smile that causes butterflies to flutter in my stomach.

"How did you know you were the one to challenge the alpha?" I ask. "How did you know it was time?"

"I listened to my gut," he says. "Sure, there were signs. There were always signs. But I didn't want to admit them. I didn't want to admit that I was better than him."

"So, why did you do it?" I ask.

"It was the only way they were ever going to take me seriously," he says. "I needed to prove that I was worthy of being their leader. Of being their alpha."

"You are," I say.

I want to tell him that I want him to be my alpha-- my one true mate. I don't. But I want to.