Alpha Rick
Chapter 24

Livie

"Livie! Breath...ok, look at me?" Molly says, bringing me out of my trance. She gestures for me to follow her moves, "Breath in....breath out. Again, breath in, breath out." she continues until my heartbeat slowly returns normal. Margot can't help but look at me in concern. I hated to act this way in front of them. I was going to become Luna for goodness sake!

How could I've allowed such a moment of weakness?

“Come on, sweetie. I think we had enough shopping for today. Let's get you home so you can rest, shall we?" she says, masking her concern with a smile. I nodded, giving her an apologetic smile in return. "You want to tell me what happened back there?" Molly asked as we sat in the car and made out way home.

"Did it maybe... Have to do with you seeing the luna from your ex-pack?" Margot adds, making my eyes widen in surprise. "I saw her getting in her car with another girl," she says, making me drop my eyesight to my hands. "I... I just," I stuttered, unwilling to look up. "It was like I was pulled back to my old life. The mistreatment, the bullying, the hitting, everything. I spent so many sleepless nights there, begging and hoping they wouldn't barge into my home one day to beat me in the middle of the night. Leah...Luna Leah," I corrected myself. I know I shouldn't be because Alarick is a wonderful mate, but still, a part of me hated her. Skylar had rejected me and made me feel worthless when he chose her over me.

And yes, Alarick is multiple times better than Alarick, and still- the fact I was rejected hurt.

"They made my life a living hell while I was in that pack. There wasn't a day when Leah and her two goons wouldn't take joy in hurting me. Whether physical pain or emotional. They knew exactly what to do to keep my spirit and Freya at our lowest." I said making Freya whimper. Molly and Margot looked at me with mixed emotions. They looked saddened by my reaction to the memories, but mad that I had to endure all that pain with Leah, Evelyn, and Valery.

"Well, all that is in the past. Forget about them, Livie. I mean, I get it. There are things you can never forget. But it doesn't mean you let them linger so they can keep tormenting you. The past is never forgotten, and when those memories are longer, you use them as fuel. Fuel that you can use to make you strive harder, make you stronger, and braver. You were in bad condition when we found you. And I know why now. But let me tell you," she says, pointing a finger, looking at me seriously.

"You've come a long way in such a short time, Livie. My brother and Black were right. You are strong, and you have so much potential. You just have to learn to face your demons and fight with all you got. If the opportunity comes, you show that bitch the real Livie we know. The strong, confident, badass bitch you are." she says, making me chuckle through my tears.

"Hell yeah," Margot adds, making us chuckle.

I don't know why I was so vulnerable back there. Truly, I have become stronger. And I've learned to defend myself in such a short time. But I guess it was different back then. I was alone, scared for my life, with no one to back me up. But now... Now I have a pack that I adore, friends who stand by me, and a loving mate who makes me feel like I can conquer the world by his side.

When we were close to our pack, I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed, in a good way!

Margot had contacted Zane and told him what had happened. Molly did the same contacting my father-in-law and Ricky. The rest of the ride home, my father-in-law kept giving me small pep talks to cheer me up, and Ricky kept asking me if I was ok and whether I needed something. From our driver's irritation and our guards, Ricky was boarding them with questions and orders to make sure I was ok.

When we were finally home, Ricky was at the entrance, already waiting for me. He was mad, I'll tell you that. He knew who had beaten me, and by the looks of him, he did not like that I had seen them again. "I know it's inevitable, but I hate that they make you feel this way. I...damn it, maybe it was a bad idea that I agreed to protect their pack. They don't deserve my mercy. Look how they treated you?" he says, clenching his jaw, and holding me by my waist. He buries his head on the curve of my neck, sighing deeply. "I should have taken the damn day off and gone with you. Did she try to talk to you? Did she say or do anything inappropriate?" he asked, making me chuckle. "No. Ricky, I'm fine. Stop worrying, ok? Like Molly and the boys already explained to you, I only saw her from afar. I doubt she even saw me."

"Alpha, she did try to go into her dressing room, but we managed to stop her before she could." my youngest guard, Tate explained, making Ricky's eyes darken and jaw tighten. I knew Black was agitated. I could feel him. Freya was trying to calm him down. "Ricky, nothing happened. I'm fine. And you protecting them was the right thing to do. Eventually, Skylsr will have to learn to control, his pack, and until then, protecting them is the right thing to do. Lesh'd misbehavior shouldn't be the reason to put the rest of the pack in danger." I say, feeling him calm a little.

He took me into the pack house, where more of my members were worried. They hugged me and welcomed me home. I never felt so loved as I do with them. My father-in-law and Molly had made me a warm cup of tea to calm my nerves, and after a small chat with them to assure them I was ok, I went to my room to rest.

Ricky set up a hot bubble bath for me while I sorted the things I had bought. Afterward, I soaked for a while in the tub, letting the hot water soothe my muscles. Ricky stayed with me the whole time, sitting behind me in the tub, as he poured water on my back soothingly. I wasn't sure how long we were there. But I loved it.

We soaked in the tub with a comfortable silence, enjoying each other's presence and in each other's arms. I always feel protected by him, and his arms have become my favorite comfort spot to be in. I couldn't possibly ask for more.

Alarick (NEXT DAY)

Last night Livie slept like a baby. I couldn't bare to take her up for dinner. She slept through the night and woke up past eight this morning. Whatever happened yesterday wore her out. But she some up refreshed this morning and with so much enthusiasm to continue her training.

She's gotten so good, she had topped matches with my top female warriors and even went on to sparring with Zane and a few other of my warriors. I was reluctant to let her spar with them at first, but she did great. I'm so happy for her. But- I have an interaction to take care of at the Silver Moon Pack to deal with. So, I made my way out there.

When we got to their perimeters, I saw Skykar had advanced a good distance rebuilding their walls like I had told him to do so. They were still busy, hauling cement bags and concrete bricks around. I made my way out there and decided the conversation could wait. I had extra jeans in the back. I took off my suit, placed on the jeans, left my undershirt on, and get to work.

It must have been a good five hours in when we finally took a break. Skylst invited me in for a drink, which I happily obliged. We sat at his outdoor tables with a large glass of lemonade each, while we talked. His wife finally came out after a while and hugged him around his neck from his back, kissing his cheek. I could feel there was tension between them.

She was always dressed up as if she was ready to go out anywhere at any time. "Hi, boys. Is dinner ready yet?" she asks, making Skylar look at her confused.

"What do you mean, is dinner ready yet? Didn't you just see us get here from working? Why haven't you gone into the kitchen to make sure the omegas are in there cooking?" he spat, making her roll her eyes irritatingly.

"It was just a question, Skylar. I figured you'd know since you guys have a damn lemonade in hand." she spat back, making the air feel heavy. He growls, making her look angry at him. She undoes her arms from him, placing her hands on her hips.

"Don't growl at me! I am not that stupid mutt, Olivia," she says, rolling her eyes and twisting her lips. Her remark toward my mate made me growl in a low tone. She looks at me, surprised by my reaction, and then looks at her husband.

"I'll go see what the omegas are cooking. Hopefully, it's almost done, because I am starving," she says, smiling, and walks away.

I was ready to go back to my pack. This damn pack is too problematic on its own. It would be useless for me to argue with one of them. They would never see their own faults even if it hit them in the damn face.

"So, how is Oliva, alpha Rick? Is she giving you any trouble?" he dares to ask, making me close my eyes to calm Black. If there is something he and I can't stand is having some mutt try and bad mouth our mate. "She's doing well. Why do you ask?" I ask him, making him chuckle.

"No particular reason. I'm just surprised you haven't sent her back. She was nothing but trouble here. She was always breaking shit and causing trouble in the kitchen. My mate was always stressed out with all the trouble she caused her." he says, making me with- hold a growl.

"Sky, dinner should be ready in five. Alpha Rick, will you be joining us?" Luna Leah returns, with a smile. "No. My mate is waiting for me. I should get back to her." I say, joyfully.

"Oh, that's right. I heard you have found your mate, how is she? When will we have the pleasure to meet her?" she asks, making Black chuckle.

If only these imbeciles knew Olivia was my one and only mate.

"Yes, about that. Luna. My guards notified me that you tried to barge into her dressing room today." I say, making her and Skylar's eyes widen. She was embarrassed, to say the least, but he was mad as hell. I doubt he was as heated as I was though. "Me? No no. Why would I?"

"Let me make something clear to you, Luna Leah. The fact that I agreed to protect your pack does not give you the liberty to do as you, please. I expect you to respect my mate and treat her as such. She is new here, and I don't want her to feel threatened by anyone, especially you."

"Me?" she asks, feeling dumbfounded.

"Wait, what the hell are you talking about? Leah, what is he implying?"

"Nothing, ok? Alpha Rick, I think there was a misunderstanding. Please, I can sure you, I meant no harm." She adds. Skylar steps forward, holding his hand out.

"Look, can we talk about this? Alpha Rick, I can assure you, it has to be a misunderstanding. Leah would never."

"Misunderstanding or not. Alpha Skylar. I expect you to keep your mate civilized. My mate is the most important person in the world for me. And no one, and I mean no one will seek mercy if they dare to hurt her."

"But, alpha. I can assure you, I meant no harm," she adds, making me clench my jaw. I would be damn if I let this woman near my mate and let her hurt her again.

"Then let's keep it that way. I have no intention of protecting a snake pit willing to hurt my mate or make her feel like she is in danger, am I making myself clear?" I said, clenching my jaw and fisting my hands.

"So I suggest that from now on, you stay clear of my mate. Be glad she has asked me to keep protecting your pack, because of it was for me, I would be long gone." I said, standing up calmly.

My guards, Beta, and warriors stand, following behind as they stand there. Luna Leah looks at us dumbfounded, as her mate, alpha Skylar throws daggers at her with his sight.

I think this is a good night to make a nice peaceful bonfire to relax with Livie once I get home.