All Chapters of In Service of the Alpha: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

104 Chapters

Chapter 21

Johnathan’s StoryThe boy ran through the forest, his footing sure and strong. At eight, he was already stronger and faster than most human adults, and almost the size of a grown man.He knew these woods better than he knew his own body, and he knew exactly where to step, where to jump, and where to duck.His lanky legs pumped like two pistons as he streaked through the forest, heading for his newest hiding place. He was sure Eli wouldn’t be able to find this one. And even if he did, the boy knew his big brother would never fit. They gave him just enough food to survive, but not so much that he could grow strong and big enough to fight. Johnathan’s mother very carefully monitored how much he ate, but sometimes he managed to sneak a little extra food.The kept him weak on purpose. They didn't want the pack to know how strong Johnathan was. The boy knew, but there was nothing he could do about it.“Johnny,” Eli called out in a sarcastic voice. “Come here little pup. You need to be corre

Last Updated : 2024-10-13

Chapter 22

In Service of the Alpha/Celice Wylder

MaraAt some point, we both sat down, and Johnathan pulled his legs up to his chest as if he was trying to protect himself against the onslaught of memories from his past.“I dragged Valerie into the woods and buried her under her favourite tree. Eli watched me the whole time and wouldn't allow anyone to help me. I remember thinking how heavy she was."Johnathan loudly clears his throat and digs his nails so hard into his palms that he cuts his skin open. It's as if the memory isn't enough. He wants to feel the physical pain of it."By the time I was done digging her grave, she had gone cold and stiff…” Johnathan’s voice cracks, and he keeps digging, keeps drawing blood. "I had to roll her into the grave. I was too small and..." he gags and goes silent.He wanted to say weak, but the word alone is enough to make him physically sick.Johnathan goes very quiet. The silence between us grows thick and heavy. It's as if nature itself is waiting, holding onto his breath until he's ready to

Last Updated : 2024-10-14

Chapter 23

In Service of the Alpha/Celice Wylder

MaraDespite sleeping most of the day and half the night away, I have no trouble falling asleep. I only wake when a bell rings through the house. I found out yesterday that there are two different bells - one to wake the house, and one to summon everyone for breakfast.The waking bell is loud, shrieking like a fire alarm, and it's impossible to miss. I grunt and rub my hands over my face. My eyes feel swollen and my head fuzzy. I glance at the clock on my nightstand. It’s six. I vaguely hope that Johnathan relaxes the early waking hour over weekends. I can't imagine waking this early every single day.I stumble to the bathroom and go through my usual morning routine. Twenty minutes later, I am standing in front of my wardrobe, surveying the clothes I bought. Most of the items have long sleeves, but I did buy a few sundresses - mostly to please Rhoda, but now I’m glad that I listened to her.The light green dress brings out the colour of my eyes and only shows the vivd bruises on my a

Last Updated : 2024-10-15

Chapter 24

In Service of the Alpha/Celice Wylder

Johnathan The car ride into town is quiet. The air between us thick and heavy. Gregory is sulking in the back seat, his bottom lip quivering, but he’s trying his best to be brave. Mara’s quiet presence helps. She’s good with him, and he takes the things she says to heart. I’ve never seen him pay that much attention to anyone. I don’t know how Mara does it, but she’s not doing it on purpose, she just seems to have a way about her that makes Gregory stop and think. I’d get jealous of her ability to have an impact on my son, but right now I am just quietly grateful that someone managed to get through to him. She stays with Gregory while I talk to Joshua, the school master. I watch them through the window that overlooks the long hallway. She's sitting on the bench with Greg on her lap, whispering something to my son. He looks just like me when he gets anxious. His little jaw is set and his lips pulled in a grimace. “Don’t worry, Alpha,” Joshua says when I’m done explaining the si

Last Updated : 2024-10-16

Chapter 25

In Service of the Alpha/Celice Wylder

JohnathanThe rest of the week passes smoothly. I can’t bring myself to tell Mara about that night I fled my pack, and she doesn’t ask any questions about it. I can't put it off forever, but I keep finding excuses not to do it.Within days, Mara settled into my routines, and upon my request joins me for meetings and discussions with the town's leaders. Despite Joshua’s job offer, I still want her to learn pack business and politics. When the time is right, she can decide for herself where she wants to be. Here with me, running the pack, or at the school, wrestling with the pups.Most of the day, she aimlessly wanders around the house, or I can find her in the garden, puttering around in the dirt. She found a little patch of land and asked me if she could plant some seeds.I agreed, although I have no idea what she planted. She’s happy out there by herself, and growing more confident by the day. She doesn’t care who sees her bruises anymore, although they have now faded to the point w

Last Updated : 2024-10-17

Chapter 26

In Service of the Alpha/Celice Wylder

Johnathan“Douglas,” I start, then realise I don’t know what to say next. It’s not as if he can exert any influence over his Alpha. There is one thing I want to know though. It's been nagging me for a few days now. “Why are you still at Red Ridge?”"Kyson only agreed to dissolve Mara's marriage if I promised to stay here," Douglas says."So that's why you won't leave?""Not exactly, no."“Are you looking for a new pack?” I ask on a whim. "A way out? I can help you."“You don’t seem to understand,” Douglas says. “If I leave... they are coming for me. They will kill my daughter. She’s all I have. She’s the only thing in this world that I love.”“You have a funny way of showing it. Marrying her off to that rabid maniac.”“Kyson made the match. I didn’t know that Lucas…he seemed like a good kid. I did what I thought was best for Mara.”“Good job,” I say dryly.“Yes. By the time I realised I made a mistake, it was too late.”I actually feel sorry for Douglas. I don't want to, but I understa

Last Updated : 2024-10-18

Chapter 27

In Service of the Alpha/Celice Wylder

MaraAs I shower and get ready for supper, I realise that this will be my first weekend at Haven’s Crest. I’ve been here since Monday afternoon, and the week flew by in a blink and blur of activity.It amazes me how quickly I settled in and how comfortable I am. So much so that I plan to ask Johnathan if I can go into town tomorrow. I want to treat Rhoda to lunch. I haven’t seen her since they brought me here, and I want to thank her for all her help.There’s still a little money left on the card Johnathan gave me, and while I'm in town, I want to buy a swimsuit. The Alpha was right, I regretted not having one. I watched the father and son sliding down the smooth rocks, splashing into the deep, cold pools below, and I wished I could join them. Johnathan already saw my scars, and I think Gregory will just accept them the same way he accepted my bruises.I think I'll be okay if it's just the three of us.I saw a different side of Johnathan today. A playful, fun side. I saw a man who kn

Last Updated : 2024-10-19

Chapter 28

In Service of the Alpha/Celice Wylder

MaraI sit on the edge of the pool, dangling my legs in the cool water. It's another warm night, and the urge to simply slide into the water is powerful.The wind is blowing from the direction of the town, carrying with it the sound of laughing humans and a cacophony of different kinds of music. The air smells like barbeque fires, alcohol, and suntan lotion.The town is alive tonight.It sounds, smells, and feels like the summers at Red Ridge when I was a little girl. Before life came around with a series of blows that almost robbed me of the will to live.“Oh God, what a day,” Johnathan says from the patio doors and walks out onto the deck. “Did you tell Preston he had to beat Ally?”I nearly dislocate my neck when I whip my head around to look at Johnathan. “What?” I ask, alarmed by his question. “No! I would never do something like that.”“According to Ally, you did.”“I told her that I was spoiled too, until Lucas beat it out of me.” I pull my legs out of the pool and shake the wa

Last Updated : 2024-10-20

Chapter 29

In Service of the Alpha/Celice Wylder

JohnathanThe panic that rises up in Mara is palpable. Not that I blame the girl. I don’t feel much better about the whole mate issue and rushed mating ritual. We have another two weeks until the next full moon, and I did plan to ease Mara into it. If it weren’t for Douglas’s plea to mark his daughter still ringing loudly in my ears, I would have told the whole lot of them to go to hell.This is not the right way to do it. Mara is still terrified of me. There are moments, glimpses, when she lets her guard down and shows me her true strength. And then there are nights like tonight, when I snap at her and instead of fighting back, she pulls back into herself, shutting me out."Answer the girl," Felicity urges me. "Does she have to be marked tonight?"“Yes,” I finally say, wondering how much of my conversation with Mara's father I have to relay to her. “Your, uh, your father also requested that we do it as soon as possible.”“My- my dad?”“Yes.”“Why?”I look at Felicity who is regarding

Last Updated : 2024-10-20

Chapter 30

In Service of the Alpha/Celice Wylder

JohnathanFelicity returns just as the curfew alarm jangles in the town.Tourists are told that the curfew is for their own safety. We put notices up in all the bars, pleasure houses, clubs, hotels, and the mountain resort. The official excuse is that the town attracts wild animals, and we don’t have enough rangers to patrol the town.No one ever questions why said wild animals don’t enter the town during the day. The promise of stiff fines and the possibility of being eviscerated by wolves and bears is enough to keep them in check.Sometimes, fear, or the threat of danger alone, is enough to keep humans compliant. “So?” I ask the vampire.“She’s still alive,” Felicity says. “I couldn’t get close enough…the witch put up some kind of barrier.”“What?” I snap and jump to my feet. “How is the spell-”“It is a powerful spell. A dangerous one. You knew that. Sit down and relax.”As if it’s that easy. My mate is out there. Alone and in peril. The desire to protect her is all-consuming, and

Last Updated : 2024-10-20

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