Alpha Rick
Chapter 48

Third Person POV

As Skylar makes his way to the library to read a bit, Alsrick makes his way down the stairs with a smile on his face.

He had just offered Livie a stroll down the neighboring city to show her around. He knows she's not comfortable around humans, so the fact that she agreed made him excited for the next day.

"Alpha Skylar, doing a little reading?" he asks, making Skylar stop in his tracks. "I am. How are you this evening?" he asks, still feeling a bit bewildered about the conversation he just had with Alpha Lucian.

"Great. Great, and yourself? How is the house my wife picked for you and your mate? Getting acquainted, I presume?" he asks, making Skylar grunt inwardly, remembering the argument he had with Leah before he decided it was best to step away. "We are. Thanks again for your hospitality and for opening your doors to my pack in these dire consequences."

"Don't mention it. I have no doubt you would do the same for others." Ricky adds, smiling at Skylar. "Yeah... of course," Skylar replies, as the feeling of lost hope envelops him inside his heart.

"Anyway, I should go. I have a few more things to tend to before dinner. I look forward to you and your pack joining us."Ricky says, making Skylar nod with his lips pursed, politely.

Ricky begins to walk away, making Skylar turn to walk inside the library. "Oh... by the way, alpha Skylar," Ricky says, making Skylar turn back to him.

"Yes,"

"See... Livie and I were planning on a quiet afternoon tomorrow in our neighboring city. I know these days haven't been very... easy. How about you and your mate join us? We got an exclusive invitation to a new art gallery. We're also planning on going to a nice restaurant a friend of mine just opened. I think it would be a nice distraction for you and your wife and ease all the tension in the air. What do you say?"

Skylar had just asked Leah to return everything she and Evelyn had bought, making his personal card reach near its max. How would he look if he said no to this invitation to the man who was practically saving his ass and his pack? But he worried if he said yes, Leah would not hesitate to ask him to buy her all kinds of useless things.

"..."

"Don't worry about any expenses, it's all on me this time."

"Alpha Alarick, I appreciate the offer, but I just couldn't,"

"Of course, you can. Please, it will be an honor to have you guys."

He thinks about the pros and cons. He could really use some distraction, and maybe this could help make up with Leah, even if he had to go back on his word and let her keep a few things to wear tomorrow.

"You're right. Leah and I could really use a distraction from all this. We'd love to join you and your mate tomorrow."

"Great. We'll meet tomorrow after morning practice in front of the pack house. Have a good evening, alpha." Ricky says, waving at him and leaving him.

As Skylar made his way into the library, he was fascinated by how big of an inventory they had. Old collection dating hundreds of years, yet, the books were in such a great state. He read for hours, losing track of time, until his phone vibrated with a call from his beta, Vincent, wondering where he was since it was nearly halfway through dinner time.

He made his way, and ate his food silently, making everyone at his table feel awkward, and then got up without a word and left. Leah was feeling a bit guilty, she knew maybe... just maybe, she had acted erroneously.

She went back to her room, ready to call defeat, and asked Evelyn to give her back all the things she had bought with Skylar's money. Evelyn was mad, but she did as Leah told her. She knew better than to make her angry.

As she began to pack things back and went through all the receipts to get ready and return them tomorrow, Skylar came in.

"What are you doing?" he asked, looking at her with remorse in his voice.

"What does it look like? I'm getting things ready to take them back," she says, annoyed, making him sigh.

"Leah. Maybe I acted out of character. I'm sorry. I was rude to you, and I shouldn't have raised my voice at you. Maybe... you don't have to return these things- at least not everything." he says, making her eyes widen in shock.

"Really?" she says, losing her pout and smiling at him. "Really. Look, Alpha Rick, and Olivia are going out for the day tomorrow. They asked us to join them. I figured you'd want to use some of the stuff you bought." he says, making her squeal with joy.

"Oh my goddess, for real? That sounds like so much fun. Oh, I have the perfect outfits for tomorrow. Do you know where we're going?" she asks, excitedly. Skylar gives her the details, and the more he explains, the more excited she gets, digging through her stuff and getting one outfit out after another, unable to think of what to wear. It had to be perfect.

She had never been to an art gallery, all she knew was that people usually go dressed fancy, which meant she had to prepare the perfect getup for herself and Skylar.

The rest of the night, Leah daydreams of the possible outcomes that tomorrow will bring. She smiles gullible through dinner time and doesn't waste time digging for the right outfits.

When morning comes, she is up and ready before Skylar is even out of the shower. Bags in hand, makeup intact, and every outfit well thought of has been properly and carefully done.

Of course, Evelyn wastes no time pouting and spitting green as jealousy seethes through her seeing as she walks out with a bright smile toward the fancy sports car, placing her bag carry bag and Skylar in the trunk. Was Livie ok with it? No, obviously she would have preferred Molly or Margot's company, hell, even the company of one of the omegas and their mate, but hey... how could she be a bad sport and tell her hubby Ricky that they were not allowed to tag along, right?

"Hey, good morning guys. Ready to go?" Ricky asks with a smile, holding Livie by the waist. "Ready as well ever be! Where are we going first?" Leah responds, cutting off Skylar before he dove the first word in.

"Well, Livie and you will be going to a store alone if you don't mind. I have a meeting to tend to, and I would like for Skylar to attend but don't worry, Livie's guards will be with you guys at all times." Ricky replies, gesturing to Skylar.

"Ok. Sounds great. I love shopping, I just bought the cutest outfit,"

"Ricky, it's late. We should get on the road, don't you think?" Livie cuts in, making Leah bite the inside of her tongue angrily.

"Of course, baby. After you!" he says, smiling at Livie and gesturing for them to get in the car.

They board the car and take off. The ride is left in awkward silence, with nothing but soft piano music playing at a low volume. Leah is already bored, and ready to fall asleep after the first twenty minutes. She had never taken a liking to classic music. It always made her fall asleep fast. "Can we change the music, if you don't mind?" she asks, making Skylar give her a warning look, as he gets embarrassed by her request.

"Not fond of Chopin, I presume," Ricky remarks, making Livie chuckle lightly. "Who?" Leah responds, making Skylar grunt, closing his eyes and dragging his hand across his face feeling ashamed.

"Frederick Chopin, darling. One of the most famous and influential piano composers and players in history. Why, his work is so original, filled with grace and so distinct that not many can ever compare to his work. He was Poland's most famous composer of his time,"

"Ok, I get it. He was famous." Leah cuts her off, folding her hands over her chest and scuffing as she looks out the window.

"How much longer until we get there?" she asks, making Skylar give her another warning look, making her irritated.

"Just a few more minutes," Ricky replies, grabbing Livie's hand, kissing her knuckles, and interlacing their fingers as Livie smiles.

Ricky makes his way toward their destination, unaware they have a tiny bug drone following them.

The King got word that Skylar and Ricky were out together with their Lunas. What better opportunity than to get them both where it mostly hurts, to force them to give up Noah?"

They stop at a fancy hotel, where Ricky registers for the night, and they make their way to each of their rooms, but the King's inpatients are getting the best of him.

He takes a risk, dressing like a bellboy and disguising his scent from everyone. He can only hope that Ricky doesn't see his face, because if either one of them recognizes him, it will be over. Mayhem will unleash, and the last he wants is for dumb naive humans to realize there are supernatural creatures in the hotel.

He knocks on the door and waits for them to open. He hears giggles from a young girl and clenches his jaw.

He can only imagine that she must be as gullible and entitled as all the other lunas he has met. "Bellboy, your luggage is here," he says, knocking on the door again.

His hands become clammy, he's never been this nervous, and he doesn't understand why... all he knows is that he wants revenge... nothing will stop him, even if he has to take strenuous consequences.

"I'll get it. You finish your phone call." the young girl says. He can hear her footsteps. "This is too easy." he thinks, smirking as he looks over his shoulders, hoping no one sees what he is about to do.

He has to think fast. Act fast, before anyone can get to him. With every step getting closer, his heart begins to pulse faster and faster. The door finally opens, and his hands fist, ready to act. But he can't.... It's as if life has stood still.

He looks up and sees a pair of brown eyes looking back at him with a smile on her face making him go into a trance. His mouth gawks open, and he can't help but look at her neck, it's a mix...

A big scar taints her delicate skin that evidently goes under her collarbone, and up to her jaw. But it's also adorned with a mark. The Mark of her mate.

He's unable to move, unable to talk... that girl... it has to be her, and no matter how many words she says, he can't hear... he's speechless. "Hello!" he finally hears, making him come out of his thoughts.

"Are you ok?" she asks, holding her hand out for him. He turns on his heel quickly and takes off, leaving her feeling dumbfounded.

"All this time... all this time she has been mated to him. The guy I was willing to end his life if he got in my way. But how? We have been under the same moon all this time, and... I... I never had a clue where she was." he says, running quickly and hoping to stay unseen.