CHAPTER 11: Fighting the Alpha

Lexus’s POV from earlier in the day

            After I left Sadia and Aqua together, I instantly regretted it. They already spend time together shopping, and I didn’t need them spending even more time together. If they got close, then that would mess up any chances I had with Aqua. Aqua asked me if I loved Sadia and if I were being honest, I would have told her I didn’t. I haven’t told anyone how I actually feel about Sadia, not even Cade. There’s no point because either way we’re staying engaged regardless about how I feel. Cade understands my relationship with Sadia but not how I feel about her.

            When we got to the conference room I was annoyed to begin with. “Let’s make this quick.” I sat down at the long table. “What else do you guys want Ruben?” 

            Ruden was the son of the alpha which meant he was the next alpha. He was the first one who had a problem with me since I started showing up here. His father welcomed me with open arms since I’m the prince. Naturally, he wanted me and his son to get along so we could benefit each other as future leaders. Ruden felt instantly threatened by me. I wasn’t trying to take his pack away from him, but he always acted as if that were my ultimate goal. “I told you last time, we just want one of the gemstones your family holds so close.” Since he has a problem with me so do the few that are desperate for his approval. “That’ll be the last thing then you won’t have any trouble from our pack. You can marry Sadia with our blessing and come and go all you want.”

        “That’s not something I have access to.” Those stones were the most valued thing in our family. The King, Queen and Adviser were the only ones permitted to it. If I wanted to take it, I didn’t have the passcode to get into the safe where it’s stored. “Why do you want it anyways? You don’t need it’s power, you can’t even use it.”

            Ruden leaned back in his chair. “It shouldn’t be in your possession, it’s not what the moon goddess would want. We share the same goddess but it’s clear that one of our two species respect her more.”

            He was wrong, we were protecting the gemstones because of our respect for Diana. “Your father knows about the kind of demands you're making?” 

            Ruben hesitated. “He wants the stones as much as I do.“ Even if the alpha did want the stones, he wouldn’t risk damaging his pack's relationship with our family. He sat up straight. “You’re taking something valuable away, a member of our pack. So, it makes sense for me to request something just as valuable as her.” 

            I scoffed. “You don’t see Sadia as valuable; you never have. I’ve given you money and I’ve done favors for you.” All he was doing was trying assert dominance over me. I didn’t doubt he cared about the stones, but it was still a big request.

            “Sadia is the strongest female of the pack and the only dragon shifter here.” He started and I gave him a look of warning. “Maybe I’d want to make her my Luna and start the beginning of a hybrid pack.” Hybrid packs were made up of werewolves, dragon shifters, and hybrids of our two species. They were also the strongest packs and the most feared. 

            I glared at him. “I think we’re done here.” I was afraid at first that if I didn’t give him what he wanted that he’d lead his pack to terrorize our inner cities. It would get my parents attention and then they’d find out about my life here.

            “Come on Lexus, why do you really want to marry Sadia? Are you doing it to piss me off?” No but that was a bonus. “You’re going to make someone like her the Queen?” He was only making me madder, so I stood up. “I heard you might have found the holder of the abilities granted by the moon goddess. I guess that gives you another play thing to go along with Sa-“ I threw my fist at his face before he could finish his sentence. I wasn’t going to let him go on and on talking shit about Sadia and Aqua. I knew he was baiting me, but I still couldn’t ignore it.

            He jumped up out of his seat and we started trading punches. The guys pulled us apart and then let me go so that I could leave. I walked down the hall but then I turn around to see Ruben running at me. They weren’t able to hold him back, so we started fighting again. I heard a wave of pack members rushing down the hall our way to see what was going on. Ruben shifted into his wolf form which was fucked since the ceiling was too low for me to shift. Once you start a fight all a werewolf wants to do is finish it. 

            There were only teens and young adults here because this wasn’t the main pack house. There were two, this one had anyone under 21 while the main pack house held everyone older. Ruben ran this one while his father ran the other. His father since had control over both.

            After a few more minutes I heard Sadia yelling my name. “Goddamnit Lexus!” 

            I had Ruben pinned down to the ground when he was back in his human form. “What?” I looked up and she was angry, so I got up off him.

            Ruden got up and growled. His friend suggested that he should go on a run. “I hope you’re not here when I get back.” He threatened before he left alone.

            Sadia walked to me as the crowd disbursed. “Your face is bruised; you’re going to have to figure out how you’re going to explain that to your parents.” We started walking down the hall. “You’re an idiot.” She said as we walked into one of the rooms. 

            Aqua was talking with the future beta of the pack. He was best friends with Ruben, so it was clear to me he didn’t like me. I didn't mind Aqua being with whoever she wanted since I was with who I wanted. I just didn’t trust anyone close to Ruben. Even though I didn’t care the mate bond was causing me to feel a little jealous. I wouldn’t stop her from being with anyone though. Sadia kindly allowed us to stay for a little longer, so we headed to a room to spar. “I’m glad you roughed Ruben up a bit Lexus.” One of the guys said.

            “He deserved it, the guys always been a jerk.” Another said. “He’s nothing like our alpha.” He looked towards the girls. “No offense but why are you suddenly interested in Sadia? I know you guys were kind of friends, but it never seemed like you liked her.”

            I blew out smoke from my hit. “You’re not supposed to notice.” I shrugged. I passed the blunt to the next guy in the rotation. “I know you guys don’t really like her, but she doesn’t deserve that. She’s a cool person.”

            “What about the other girl? She’s the one who could hold the abilities right? She’s Cade’s sister?” 

I nodded. “I barely know her.” I didn’t feel like I barely knew her, but I did. I wanted to know more about her but it’s not that simple. It was clear she didn’t know what she really wanted from me. “She is Cade’s sister, and she does have the abilities as far as I can tell.” I liked talking about Aqua but she was still so far out of my reach. 

            We sparred for a while until Cade came then we took a break. “New work schedule since I’m not assisting Lexus throughout the week anymore. What did I miss?” One of the guys told him about the fight. “Congratulations Lexus, you’re now the biggest asshole,” he joked. “You came into Rubens own pack house and beat the dude up.”

            I couldn’t stop looking at Aqua. “I couldn’t let him talk about Sadia the way he did.” Aqua was all that was on my mind, but I had to forget about that. She wasn’t interested so I needed to stop trying. All I had to do was wait till the next full moon then we’ll be free of the mate bond. 

            When we got back to the castle Aqua went to her room and I went to mine with Sadia. “I think our problem with Ruben is out of my control. I can’t do what he’s asking so I can’t do anything about what happens next.” I sat down on my bed and took off my shirt. 

            Sadia sat next to me. “If it’s too much we can call off the engagement.” She must have felt really bad to have suggested something like that. 

            I gently turned her head to face me and kissed her. “I’d rather take the risk.” 

            Sadia took a deep breath and forced a smile. “Okay.” She leaned her head on me. “I think me and Aqua are going to be good friends. She’s kind of strange but I guess growing up in the human world would do that to you. She dated this human guy there and he broke up with her like a week before she came here because he thought she was too submissive.” He must have been a tool. “I think she was really broken up over it but maybe Calvin is just what she needs, you know?” 

            I didn’t say anything because it would have been biased. Sadia was falling asleep on me anyways. I grabbed her phone off her lap and sent myself Aqua’s phone number. I deleted the message so Sadia wouldn’t see it and put her phone on my nightstand. 

            Through this whole thing I haven’t questioned why out of everyone I had a mate. Was this an accident or a gift? The moon goddess isn’t one to make mistake and she is known to bestow gifts. That still didn’t answer why. If I told my parents, would they want me to be with Aqua? Since she’s the holder they might want me to reject her. I didn’t want this to be anyone’s decision but ours. I already decided who I wanted to be with before Aqua even came along. I want to keep this private and out of the news. It’s not like mates have been around so it’s hard to say how anyone would react.

            I answered my phone when it rang. “Hello?” 

            “Do you want to meet up?” It was Vella, Cade’s girlfriends. “I’m really stressed because my relationship is falling apart. I want to get a few drinks and not think about it.”

            “I’m not interested Vella.” I whispered since Sadia was asleep against me. “Don’t reach out to me again.” I thought I made it clear to her before that it was a onetime thing, but she was desperate. “Your relationship would be fine if you stopped worrying so much about him finding out.” She was only sabotaging herself. The only girl I wanted other than Sadia was Aqua. If Aqua was the one to call she wouldn’t have to ask twice, and I wouldn’t hesitate.

            “Ugh whatever.” She hung up.

            I deleted my call history and blocked her number. I wasn’t interested in Vella, not at all anymore.