ALPHA
CHAPTER 9

I woke with a gasp and noticed that I was not in my own bedroom. Sitting up in bed I glanced around to see the familiar gray walls and framed floral paintings. This was Emilia's room.

I rubbed my head as flashbacks of the previous night flooded my thoughts. The intruder. Fighting for my life. Rhys.

Quickly I put a hand to my throat but didn't feel any tenderness or pain. Thank the Moon Goddess for werewolf healing.

I looked down at the digital clock on Emilia's nightstand and read the time. 9:30 am. How long was I out? Who's watching the pack?

I needed to get up.

Just when I was about to get out of the bed the door of Emilia's bedroom opened. The sweet smell of my mate and breakfast filled my senses as he walked in with a tray of food.

He paused with wide eyes seeing that I was awake. "Oh. I didn't think you'd be awake." He gruffed out moving to set the tray at the end of the bed.

"How long have I been here?" I ask leaning back into the pillows.

"Just for the night. You healed yourself an hour after you fainted."

"Did they catch him?" I asked looking down at my hands.

A low rumble sounded from him "No. The bastard covered his trail. Selene and Lucas have teams tracking him now but so far nothing."

He was scowling and obviously angry at the fact the intruder who tried to kill me got away. I have no doubt that his wolf is out for blood.

He began pacing angrily "I'm sorry Adira. I should have done something. I should have gone after him when I had the chance. Maybe I could have-"

"Rhys" I interrupt getting up from the soft mattress and put a hand on his arm to stop his pacing "You were with me when I needed you. That's all that matters. We'll replace him."

The words left my mouth easily but even I didn't believe it. Fear crept up my spine at the thought of the mysterious man roaming near the pack.

But Rhys was angry and I had to say something to calm him down.

The hard look on his face softened and he took a step closer to me cupping my face with his hand "I will always be with you when you need me Adira." His thumb stroked my cheek as he looked into my eyes apologetically, "I'm so sorry."

"You apologized already." I was able to muster out the words suddenly not able to breathe at this close proximity. Tingles erupted all around my body at his touch. The feeling made me weak at the knees.

"No. I'm sorry for what I did when we first met. I was disrespectful and didn't treat you like an Alpha. It certainly wasn't something I was expecting from my mate but I'm damn proud of who you are.

I don't care who is Alpha of this pack whether it's you, me, or the both of us. We'll figure everything out. Right now, I just want you. I truly am sorry. Will you forgive me?"

I could feel the walls I built between Rhys and I begin to crumble at his apology. I could sense he really meant the words he was saying. But I could still feel fear consume me.

What if it was all an act to take my title? What if he was just using me? I pushed those negative thoughts away and took a deep breath. I didn't want to be like my sister and drag out the mating process.

I needed him just like he needed me.

"I forgive you Rhys."

A large smile appeared on his face and he moved to embrace me tightly. I wasn't used to seeing a full smile on his face and I was dazzled. He was so handsome. "Thank you Adira. I promise I'll make it up to you.

I pulled back and stepped out of his arms "We take this slow. For now we'll tell the council we are mates and go from there. Deal?" I held my hand out for him to shake eyeing him sternly..

He took my hand and brought his lips down on my knuckles with a smirk "Deal."

What did I get myself into?

I spent most of the day locked in Emilia's room though it wasn't my choice. Rhys and the pack Doctor had insisted I get as much rest as I could. Even though I was fully healed and they knew it.

Instead of arguing with those two who somehow teamed up on me, I decided to "rest." I made sure Lucas snuck some paperwork for me to do so I didn't feel too useless.

"So Rhys seemed happy today." Emilia says not bothering to look up from her book.

My sisters had switch off with each other to keep me company throughout the day. It was now Emilia's turn. With Selene working with the warriors and Nat no doubt having patients, my little sister was the only one available to be with me. Not that I needed people to babysit me. I just didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings.

"Did he?" I replied flipping through paperwork trying to hide my expression.

"Uh huh." She mused "Do you have anything to do with that?"

Damn Em. Out of all my sisters, she was the most observant. How was she able to guess that just off of Rhys' mood?

I sighed and set down the paperwork "I've decided to give him a chance. We're starting off slow."

Emilia's eyes lit up with happiness "Oh Ad, I'm so happy for you!" She brought me into a tight hug "I hope he's everything you wanted in a mate."

"I do too." I murmured into her shoulder. Doubt still racked my brain and I wasn't too sure on this whole mate thing. But I would give Rhys a chance. It wouldn't be fair if I didn't.

Emilia pulled back smiling widely "You don't need to worry, Big Sis. Rhys is a great guy and I think you made the right decision."

I chuckle and rose a brow "How are you so sure Em?"

"I just know." She huffed moving to lay her head on my lap. I ran my hands through her hair as we sat in silence.

This was something our mother and Emilia used to do together. They'd have their own time where Mom would play with her hair and Emilia was able to talk about whatever she wanted to. It was their bonding time.

Out of us all, Emilia took our mother's death the hardest. That day I vowed to do anything I could for Em to have those moments.

Immediately our moment was ruined when the door slammed opened revealing a seriously pissed off Selene who was being led inside by Rhys holding her by her shirt.

"I can walk you know!" She snapped trying to twist to punch my mate.

"I'm sure you can Sel but I don't want to risk you escaping and Lucas or Kris facing your wrath again." He gruffed out before moving his gaze to me.

"What happened?" I questioned getting up from bed.

Selene said nothing only glared up at Rhys "Do you want me to explain or you?" He growled down at Sel making her cower.

"Go away and I'll tell her everything." Selene argued back crossing her arms.

Rhys rolled his eyes and let go of Selene causing her to fall on her butt. I watched this exchange with wide eyes. No one, except maybe our dad, had ever dared to handle my sister that way. Rhys didn't seem to have a care in the world as she snarled moving to attack him.

"Stop this Selene." I order making her stop and scowl down at her hands.

Rhys' blue eyes were on me once again "I'm heading down to check on those two idiot. I'll be back to see you later?" His question held a bit of hesitation in them. He was scared I'd say no.

"Please do." I smiled up at him. I don't think I'd ever get used to his monstrous height but it made him even more attractive. I wonder what else was....

Down girl. Angry sister to deal with, remember?

"If you don't mind. I'd like to talk to my sister now." Selene sneers interrupting our moment.

Rhys clicked his tongue behind his teeth, pressed his lips to my forehead then left. I watched him close the door with my heart beating a hundred miles an hour.

I cleared my throat seeing Emilia's smirk and Selena's scowl in my direction. "So what happened?"

It was like a bomb had gone off. Selene was on her feet sprouting everything curse word in the book. She paced back and forth angrily "I hate them, I hate them, I hate them!"

"Hate who Sel?"

"Lucas and Kris who else?!" Was her angry reply before resuming her pacing.

"What did they do?" Em asked leaning away from our explosive sister. At this rate, I wasn't sure what she would do. I don't think I've seen her this angry before.

"Kris kissed me!" She exclaimed looking like she was ready to cry.

"He what?!"

"That idiot stole my first kiss." She huffed running a hand through her hair "And Lucas saw. Oh god Lucas."

"Oh no." I murmured knowing where this was going.

"Oh no is right." She chuckled humorlessly "Lucas was so angry. He attacked Kris out of nowhere and Ad, I've never seen so much blood. They were both god damn animals out there. It took Rhys and a few warriors to pull them apart and then I saw red."

She sat down on the floor covering her face with her hands "I attacked them both. I was so furious. Furious at Kris for kissing me, furious at Lucas for attacking my best friend, furious at myself for not handling this situation better." I could now hear how choked up she was "Rhys was able to get me off of them and brought me here."

I silently thanked the moon goddess for Rhys. If it weren't for him, who knows where that altercation could have gone. I could have had a dead pack member on my hands.

"I don't know what to do Ad. I'm still angry but everything in me wants to go and apologize to Luc." Her voice wavered and I knew she was crying.

I sighed and sat down on the floor with her wrapping my arm around her shoulder "Sel, you know what you have to do. Lucas has been crazy about you for years. He wants you to accept the mate bond more than anything."

"I can't." She shakes her head wiping tears from her eyes.

"What do you mean you can't?" Emilia asks gently moving to the other side of Selene.

"Of course you can." I urged trying to pry the information out her.

Selene shook her head harder, the frustration was evident on her face. "You don't understand!"

"Then help me understand Selene!"

"I'm not you!" She shouts rising to her feet to glare at me.

"What?" I furrowed my brow in confusion. What was she going on about?

"We all know you and Lucas should have been mates. You're perfect for each other, hell you're already his best friend. How can I compete with you? My own sister, the Alpha of our whole damn pack! I can't! Lucas deserves you!" The angry tears were rolling down her cheeks as she shouted the words at me.

I could only gape at her in shock. Had she felt this way all these years? Immediately I felt guilt consume me. Was I blind to my sister's feelings this whole time?

It was true, our families believed Lucas and I would be mates. We had been so close growing up and never left each other's side. Everyone just assumed it would happen, even us. But it didn't. The bond wasn't there.

Lucas and I were thankful though, we never shared any romantic feelings for each other. He was strictly my best friend. It never occurred to me that Selene was watching all of this unfold. I knew she had a crush on Lucas as a teen but didn't think more of it.

It all made sense now.

"Selene. That's the point. Lucas doesn't want you to be me. He wants you and only you." I stood up and put my hand on her shoulders "You're the strong, stubborn, terrifying wolf that has stolen my beta's heart. I don't think he'd trade that for anything."

Selene sniffled and wiped her nose with the sleeve of her jacket "Really?"

I smirked "Yes. How could he not? You're a force of your own and any wolf would be blind not to want you."

"That's true. I'm pretty great." She cracked a smile before frowning again "I should probably go and talk to Lucas."

"Maybe not tonight. Let Luc calm down, he's probably still fuming. Rhys will keep him company." I assure and made my way back to the bed.

My two sisters followed me into the mattress and laid each of their heads in my lap and I could only shake my head at their actions while running my hand through their hair.

"Hey Ad." Sel murmured sleepily causing me to break from my thoughts.

"Yes?"

"Thank you. You're a pretty great sister ...most of the time." I could hear the smirk in her voice.

I tugged on her hair playfully "You're not too bad yourself Sel. I love you sis."

"I love you too."