7: Tough Love...

Dina’s POV

“See ya!”

Michael’s voice suddenly entered downstairs, before the door slammed again. A second later, Alpha Stone showed up in the kitchen. I must honestly admit, I was a bit nervous. I mean, I’d known the alpha for less than a day, and I was already screwing up--- everything!

Perhaps it was best that I just moved out…

“Did I---?” I asked, swallowing the lump in my throat, as he sat down again. “Did I do something wrong?”

“No,” he said casually and picked his utensils back up. “I informed him about your brother.”

“Oh,” I said, not really knowing what to feel about that. I was relieved that there wouldn’t be some weird rumors about me and the alpha--- right away, anyway... But I was sure they were going to come in the future. I also felt immensely ashamed that I was put in this situation because of my callus brother. And now Michael knew too...

“Will a lot of people know about Dylan?” I asked nervously, glancing up at the alpha. His eyes met mine, and my wolf purred at their beauty. I think that most would describe them as cold and detached. But they were beautiful too. I mean the way the color changed from forest green to an almost moss-brown color sometimes, depending on how the light was reflected in them. The way he was looking at me now, they were like a stormy sea; powerful and dangerous, yet beautiful and strong…

“It’s on a need-to-know basis,” the alpha answered to my relief. I released a breath I didn’t even know I'd been holding and felt my tense body relax. I didn’t even realize how anxious Dylan made me until I was seated in front of another wolf.

“Thank you,” I sighed, feeling the stress leaving my body.

“You know,” the Alpha suddenly said, glancing my way again. “It’s not your job to protect him.”

“I know,” I answered truthfully and shrugged. “Old habits die hard I guess.” I quickly glanced around, trying to find something else to talk about. The can of worms, that was my brother, was something I really didn’t feel like getting into right now. “Funny seeing Michael though. I haven’t seen him in years.”

The alpha grunted something that I didn’t quite catch and stabbed the steak with his knife.

"The cow is already dead, you know," I grinned, speaking without thinking. But my grin died a quick death when I met the alpha's cold glare.

"Sorry," I muttered quietly and, without meaning to, pouted. “I guess I need some time to adjust to--- you,” I said, but was already regretting the words before they left my mouth. Suddenly, he stopped cutting and looked up at me with a raised eyebrow; the way he seemed to do when he was confused. I muttered another apology, pressing my lower lip firmly against my chin. I didn't know why I did it; a bad habit I guess, but while others bite their lips, gulp, or blink when they get nervous.

I pout...

But then again, with a bigger-than-average wolf, a bad habit of crashing into just about anything, and being stronger than most she-wolves my age, I guess I just couldn't do 'normal'. Hell, I could even take my brother in a fight if I really wanted to but--- Yeah, let's not get into how he always gets even, but I'll tell you this much: silver sucks! So I stopped resisting him if only to make it easier for myself.

I guess I really was a freak...

“Did your relationship end badly?” he asked suddenly and brought me back to the present. I looked up, despite my warm cheeks, and I could have sworn there was a hopeful gleam in his eyes.

Was he talking about Michael?

“No,” I replied, trying to remember what actually broke us apart, while the alpha frowned. “We met while he was a senior and I was a freshman. And it was fun for a while, but---,” I trailed off not really knowing how to proceed.

Not a lot of people knew what happened. We just woke up one day and got a mind-link that the alpha, Michael's Dad, was gone. Michael was supposed to take over then, but--- he didn’t. He was a fucking mess and, honestly, a lot of us were worried about the pack’s future. It was about that time, I just stopped seeing him. He didn’t seem too heartbroken about it. Found himself another girl, someone he could fuck. And another one after that. And another after that… And then he was basically a man-whore. He partied hard and messed around – a lot.

It didn’t take long for the pack to crumble. Without a leader, a pack fell apart. Rogues attacked and killed. Kidnaped and rapped several pack members. And nobody did anything…

Until, suddenly, Levi Stone emerged and became alpha. We all knew he’d been adopted by the alpha family, but nobody knew much about him - except that he was supposed to be crazy! But whatever he was, he saved us. Saved the pack! He took the lead and made us strong again...

Michael became the beta although many didn’t like it. But Alpha Stone quickly silenced anyone who spoke against him and we came to terms with our new alpha. He was young, but he did what was good for the pack.

And we didn’t ask for anything more…

“He lost his appeal when he wasn’t the alpha anymore?” Alpha Stone asked, venom dripping from his every word. I scoffed. Typical men, I mentally rolled my eyes at him and hoped that the glare I gave him would put him 6 feet under.

“I was going to say that he changed,” I snapped, not appreciating what he insinuated. That I only dated Michael for his title. “The guy lost his dad and he became a mess. I was already dealing with that from my brother at home and I didn’t want to date someone who didn't give a shit about me either.”

The alpha looked like I'd just slapped him - or at least humbled him a little...

“Oh,” the Alpha mumbled, regret flashing in his eyes, and a nice shade of red shame trailed across his cheeks. I had to suppress a grin.

Serves him right for judging me!

“To be honest,” I continued, quickly getting over myself. “I don’t know what you did to him, but he looks like you were a better friend than I was. You got him through.”

“I’m his alpha,” he shrugged, suddenly looking a bit sheepish. “I commanded him to get his act together or I kicked him out of the pack.”

“Though love then,” I grinned, taking another bite of my pizza, while the alpha shook his head, watching the fruits on my dinner. I quickly swallowed, when another question popped up in my head: “Why was he here looking for you?”

I guess, I also forgot that this was the Alpha Stone I was talking to. I mean, I didn’t really forget, but the atmosphere around us was just so relaxed and calm. For a second, it felt like I was simply talking to a new friend.

“It’s Sunday,” he replied without looking up from his overcooked noodles. “His mom cooks for the entire family on Sunday.”

“Are you telling me,” I spluttered, nearly choking on my food, and finally catching his attention. “You could be somewhere and get an actual home-cooked meal, but instead you’re here eating dried-up steak?”

“Guess I am,” he shrugged and returned his gaze to the plate, leaving me utterly perplexed.

“Why?!” I gaped before I could help myself.