Chapter 2

The stout older woman looks me up and down in shock. I can feel the dried blood splattered across the only exposed part of my face and I am sure I have leaves sticking out of my hair. My denim jacket has strains of green from prancing from tree to tree chasing the rogues. Not a typical arrival of someone in such a highly regarded role. But then again, I’ve always been a rebel. 

“Look, I am aware I'm a mess. I need to be taken to my quarters so I can clean up before speaking with the alpha.” I instruct her, pushing my way through the front door.

“The alpha is on the way to the healers currently.” She says as she steps back, “The rogues arrived and he single-handedly led them away, sacrificing himself. I am shocked he survived”

Tears brim her eyes, I can see her respect for her alpha, her genuine distress at the thought of him sacrificing himself. I find her loyalty odd. Omegas are mistreated and develop a sour nature towards their supposed wonderful leader. But this omega seems to genuinely care. Interesting. 

“I’m aware of his condition. I need the room next to his so I can be close to his side if needed for any reason.” Turning, I sniff the packhouse and pick up the scent of the Alpha.

I follow it up the stairs, leaving behind the stunned woman. When I find his door I breathe deeply to make sure it’s the same scent as the man in the woods. When I’m sure it is his room, I open the door and enter, looking around to get a better idea of who he is. In my experience, a man’s room is like a looking glass into his true self.

A coffee cup on his desk sporting ‘#1 Alpha’ elicits a chuckle. Clearly, he has friends who are funny, or he has some young pups who look up to him. That’s a good sign, he is appreciated. His desk is a mess and his chair is knocked over. The top of his green comforter is wrinkled, indicating he slept on top of the bed and not in it.

He must be struggling to sleep or there isn't enough time in the day for him to get everything done. Not super uncommon amongst Alphas. I saunter over to his desk, I can only assume he was sitting here and working when he got the mind link about the rogues and, in a rush, he didn’t take the time to pick up his chair. 

“What are you doing in here?” a hiss comes from behind me and I leisurely look over my shoulder to find a beautiful blonde staring at me.

I smile at her, turning back and finishing my survey of the room. A single small potted plant sits on his window sill looking watered and healthy. He pays attention to details, good. Perhaps this assignment won't be so bad after all. After a moment, I spin around to exit the room, not even bothering to spare the blonde a second glance as I walk right past her.

“Excuse me!” she scoffs, following me down to the left.

I open another door and find that this room is a mess, clothing is everywhere and plates from a few days past are stacked up on this man's desk. This must be the Beta’s room. I close the door, striding past the blonde again and going to the very end of the hall. She clatters behind me in her pink heels. Opening the door, I find an empty room with 3 large hot pink suitcases resting on the bed. Raising an eyebrow and turn to face the tail I know I have. 

“You need to move your things,” I inform her with no emotion.

I enter the room, walking through to make sure it will do. It’s more lavish than I’m used to, but I think I can get used to extra luxuries. The room is a corner unit with one massive bay window facing the woods. A small desk sits before it with basic bronze furnishings, paperweights, a lamp, and a stapler. To the right is the bed with a grey comforter and way too many plush pillows. I look to my left and see an archway and walking through I see the walk-in closet with a makeup station and mirror and a door that leads into the bathroom.

“I will do no such thing!” She protests. “Who the hell do you think you are?”

“Who I am is of no consequence to you.” I am bored with her attitude already.

The moment I saw the suitcases, I knew who she was as a person and to the alpha. Unfortunately for the Alpha, I despise Alphas who refuse their natural mate bonds. If that’s the case, he is going to be in for a very rough time with me here.

“I am the future luna of this pack!” she demands. I roll my eyes and cross over to her, finally giving her the attention she has been desperately seeking. 

“If you were his true mate, and the real luna, I would have smelled you on him and in his room.” I take a menacing step closer to her. “Which means that the only plausible reason for you being here is that you are attractive and mateless and he is growing desperate, so he intends to create a mate bond by breaking the one that was divinely given to him. Detestable.” the words come out as poison as I spit them at her with vigor.

Quickly, I turn from her and walk to the window opening it. I cross back over to the bed reaching for her suitcases. I easily toss them out one by one while she watches in horror. I get a sick satisfaction with the sound of every thud. 

“Now. Please leave my room so I can clean up and meet The Alpha.” I smirk at her. 

“Trudy!” the older woman from downstairs yells as she runs into the room. “What on earth is going on with your luggage?” 

“Trudy was not informed of my arrival, and once finding out who I am, she has agreed to let me have this room for the duration of my stay,” I say.

“Oh. Well that’s out of character for you but very kind.” the older woman says looking at the woman named Trudy.

“Oh, shut up Ethel,” Trudy says stomping out of the room muttering under her breath. 

“Ethel,” I say, heading for the bathroom and turning on the hot water. “Would you mind having someone bring up my bags from my bike? I believe it was dropped off two days ago with my things?”

“That’s y-y-our bike?” She asks, her eyes going wide as she looks at me. 

It has been the same reaction I have had for the last two committee members they tasked me with protecting. I remove my jacket and hood, place them to the side and peek out around the door frame.

“Ethel, I hardly think a big burly guardian type would drive a black motorcycle with purple wings on it.”

 “Well, that’s probably true, but they are just dangerous contraptions for a girl.” I frown at her. I hate that this is the common reaction to me having a motorcycle. 

“Ethel, I protect the strongest alphas and committee members. Did you expect me to show up in a pink Volkswagen beetle?”

“Oh, I suppose not.” She stands there thinking for a moment and I’m losing my patience. 

“Ethel. My bags, please. When I am done, I will need to know where the healers are so I can officially meet the alpha.“

I turn back into the bathroom, closing the door and peeling off my camo boots followed by my skin-tight skinny jeans and my tank top. I look around the bathroom, pleased with its design. Its stunning pale blue walls instantly washed me with a calming feeling as I stepped through the glass door and under the boiling hot waterfall shower. I tilted my head back, letting the water run down my face and shoulders, relieving the tensions from my mildly eventful day. 

After I exit the shower, I’m relieved to find my bags are in my room. I lock the door and open my suitcase, pulling on fresh undergarments. Hesitating for a moment, I try to decide what to wear. I don’t want to appear lazy and uncaring, which seems to be my preferred taste.

Sighing heavily, I grab an emerald green flowy blouse and my black leather pants and pull them on. The best of both worlds, blousy badass. I swipe on my eyeliner and mascara and quickly shove my feet into my shoes and walk out the door, tossing my wet jet black hair up in a messy bun. Ethel meets me at the front door and hands me a piece of paper with directions. 

“I’ve sent word to the Alpha. He will wait for you on the porch of the healer’s house,” she says as I smirk at her.

I quick glance over the piece of paper she hands me, memorizing the contents and handing it back. I walk over to my baby and inspect her to make sure she is still in tip-top shape. Her smooth black paint is still in perfect condition, as are my purple details. Feeling pleased, I toss my leg over and bring her to life. 

The vast expanse of the woods absorbs the sound of my bike as I drive down the long, winding road. I pull up to the house, put down my kickstand, and cut the engine. The sounds of life flood back into the void to replace the sounds of my engine. I can see a figure sitting on the porch with someone closely nuzzling them.

I rise up off my bike, the stones crunching under my feet as I make my way to the steps. Mentally, I try to prepare myself. I know this is going to be a rough start. I already hate that he doesn’t value the mate bond. Taking a deep breath, I climb the stairs, turning and looking to my right. 

A very handsome man sits with his chest bandaged with white gauze and a little blood. Werewolves heal fast, but he had taken a lot of bites to the same spot. His green eyes assess me, drinking me in as he tries to comprehend who is in front of him. Next to him, Trudy clings to his arm and a low growl emerges, showing my disapproval. He raises a brow, amused by my reaction. Clearly thinking it is one of jealousy.

“Alpha Wade,” I say, nodding to him. He nods back in acknowledgment. “My name is Ali. I am your appointed Guardian until my mission is complete.”

“I’m sorry.” He says, his tone is condescending. I sigh heavily, leaning back on the railing. I knew this was going to happen, it seems to be a trend lately. “But you’re a girl.”

“Alpha Wade. Let me start by saying, I have heard every sexist remark possible and none of them have been as frustrating as when I am told I am a girl. I am a fully developed woman.” I look down to my spectacular breasts that are highlighted in my blouse and look back up “who saved your ass tonight in the woods with only my blade and my body. Not only that, but I am your senior in age. So, calling me a girl insinuates you are a petulant little boy who is incapable of protecting himself and his pack. Is this what you are trying to insinuate?” my eyes glitter with mirth. As much as I hate these types of exchanges, I also find them oddly satisfying.

“How dare you speak to him like that?” Trudy says, jumping up from her seat. I toss her a dirty look and she squeaks as she sits right back down. 

“I do not speak to heathen women who aim to marry into a role they are not worthy of.”

“I am the future Luna of this pack!” She demands, sounding whiny, hiding behind her alphas bulging biceps.

“Enough! Trudy. Leave.” Wade says, standing and walking over to me. He towers over me at a massive 6’3 to my 5’6. He looks down, trying to intimidate me, but that’s not an easy feat to do so I sweetly smirk at his efforts.

“I do not need a guardian. I deny your protection.” He says, locking eyes with mine, a challenge lingering in his gaze. Oh, I do love a challenge.

“We will see, Wade.” Going up on my toes, I bring my face a measly inch from his. I intentionally leave out his title, Alphas hate that and I can see the rage at the insult. I smile brightly at him. I’m already winning.