ALPHA
CHAPTER 24

-Adira-

The sounds of birds chirping and the soft cool breeze were the first thing to fill my senses as I woke. I squinted as sunlight peeked through the trees that allowed some coverage from the rays.

Confusion came over me for a second before I realized why I was in the forest. Looking down I saw the familiar tan arm of my mate wrapped around my waist holding me close to him.

The memories of last night came flooding over me and I felt myself smiling with complete happiness. Rhys and I were fully mated now.

There was a dull ache in my lower regions and I knew I would be sore for a day or two. Rhys and I didn’t exactly hold back last night. Looking down at my marked and smudged painted body, I confirmed we indeed had been more in touch with our carnal side.

My hand instantly went to my neck and felt the two puncture wounds of Rhys’ mark now permanently left on my neck. Small tingles ran through my body as my fingers brushed over it.

“Good morning.”

My eyes snapped up to see Rhys icy blue eyes staring at me with so much love and adoration I felt the breath momentarily leave me.

I hoped I was reciprocating the same look.

“Good morning.” I replied suddenly feeling shy.

“How are you feeling?” He asked removing his arm and propped up on his side. I took a moment to look over his body and held back a giggle at the sight of the dirt, twigs, and leaves covering his body and hair. I was sure I looked the exact same.

I shifted uncomfortably as the ache down below made its presence more known “I’m pretty sore.” I admit looking away from him.

Rhys lifted my chin with his hand, his brows were furrowed with worry “Was I too rough? I’m sorry.”

“No, you were perfect. The other mated women warned me about this.” I reassure him by kissing the palm of his hand.

Rhys let out a sigh of release before moving his gaze to my mark on my neck “It healed nicely. You look beautiful bearing my mark.”

“You don’t look so bad yourself with my mark.” I tease kissing his chest admiring the puncture marks on his neck “Have you tried mink linking yet?”

By fully mating with me, Rhys can now hear my thoughts and I can hear his. We were also now able to mink link with each other now. Since he has not been accepted into the pack, his connection to them has not been developed. Soon though, he would have that connection as well.

“I was waiting for you to wake up.” He says then sat up “But mink linking can wait, let’s get you home and showered. You smell like a wet dog. Your cousins will be arriving today.”

I gasped in feigned shock “How dare you! I smell like flowers and citrus!”

Rhys chuckled and kissed me “I don’t think so my love. The dog smell overpowers the flowers. Come on, I can’t bear the smell much longer.”

I rolled my eyes before standing to my feet, my body was sore and right now all I wanted was my soft and comfortable bed. This would be the last time I had sex in the forest.

“No it won’t.” Rhys grins and I glared up at him.

“What happened to mind linking later?” I demand before putting up a wall to block him from my thoughts.

“I didn’t say anything about reading your thoughts.” He shrugged and pulled me close. I scowled before it melted away and I leaned into his embrace.

“I love you.” I say staring up at the man who has captured my heart. I was still unable to believe that Rhys was mine and mine only.

“I love you Adira.” He leaned down and kissed me passionately making a moan escape my mouth. Rhys pulled back softly and ran his thumb across my lower lip gently “Let’s go home.”

~~~~

After an eventful shower and scolding Rhys to let me get dressed, I was finally able to escape his grasp in the mid afternoon to go to my office. There was a certain Lycan Alpha that I needed to call back.

I still felt bad for hanging up on Alpha Thompson like that. I knew he had something important to tell me but I had a feeling I wouldn’t like what he had to say.

Sitting down in my chair I felt a twist churning feeling in my stomach. This phone call was going to change everything.

Dialing the number that was on file I held the phone up to my ear and blew out a deep breath.

“What?” A deep baritone voice came through the receiver of the phone.

“Hello to you too Alpha Thompson.” I greet attempting to hold back a smile.

“Adira.” There was no surprise in his voice and I had a feeling he knew I would be calling.

“I’m sorry I hung up on you last time we spoke. You had something important to tell me?” I asked wanting to get to it.

“I did. Congratulations by the way. I assume you and Rhys have finally mated?” He asked. I couldn’t tell if he actually cared or not.

“We uh did. We are fully mated.” I say with red cheeks “Now, what did you have to tell me.”

“Easy Adira. I need you to be opened minded and not let your feeling overpower your logic. Can you do that for me?” River asked with all seriousness.

I gulped and nodded my head “I will try Alpha.”

River sighed into the phone “Okay then. I was able to get in contact with my spy inside the crimson pack. Adira, the Crimson Pack is not gone.”

I felt my stomach drop at his words. This can’t be. It’s not possible. Rhys was so sure that his pack was gone. No one could fake that kind of pain and heartbreak, right?

“How-how is that possible?” I stuttered into the phone.

“I’m not sure. My spy didn’t even know Rhys was missing. No one in the pack did. The Beta and Gamma have kept his whereabouts a secret not wanting to worry the rest of the pack.” He explains.

“But Rhys was convinced the pack was gone. He believes his best friends are dead. I’ve held him as he had nightmares and flashbacks of his life. He can’t be acting.” I argue feeling my head throb at the thought of this situation.

“And he may believe that Adira. Rhys has suffered memory problems and the mind can make us believe strange things.” River says before sighing again “There’s something not right about this situation. I was also made aware of the rogue problem the pack has. It’s like they’re being trapped on their land. No one can go past their borders without being attacked.”

“Do you think it has to do with Rhys too?” I question.

“Possibly-“

His sentences faded in my head and I felt the familiar pushing and prodding of someone trying to mink link me.

Letting down my walls I heard the familiar voice of my mate enter my head “Adira. There’s a problem at the north border. Selene says it’s urgent.”

Couldn’t I have just one day? That’s all I ask. I rubbed my forehead that had now begun to throb.

“Meet me downstairs in 5 minutes. We’ll go there together.” I say before cutting off the link.

“River there’s a problem in my pack. I have to go.” I say urgently into the phone.

“Adira there is one more thing you need to know-“

“I will call you back after the situation has been handled.” Was I going to have to hang up on the Lycan Alpha once again?

“Fine.” River sighs out seemingly annoyed “But please call me back soon. You’ll want to hear this.”

“I will.”

Hanging up the phone I raced out of my office to meet my mate. My head was filled with some many thoughts and one important question came to mind.

Would I tell Rhys about his pack?

~~~~

Rhys and I jogged towards the north border and I could see the figures of Selene, Lucas, their warriors and the familiar bodies of my cousins Enzo and Giovani.

Standing in front of them were two wolves growling and baring their teeth. One was laying on the ground as if it had gotten attacked. It’s fellow companions stood over it protectively.

What the hell was going on?

Selene spotted us first and jogged over before we could reach the circle.

“What happened?” I questioned, my eyes moved towards the wolves. My cousins growled warning them to keep their distance. Not even a day in the pack and they already start trouble. Typical.

“Enzo and Gio just arrived. I greeted them at the border. Not long after these three came out of the woods attempting to cross over. Enzo had to stop one from getting over.” Selene explained her gaze not leaving the three rogues “They seem desperate for something but they won’t shift so we can’t help.”

I looked up at Rhys to see he was staring at the three wolves with a look of confusion. His brows furrowed and his jaw was clenched tightly. I put a hand to his chest and got his attention once again “Are you okay?” I asked searching his eyes to see if I could figure out what he was thinking.

He nodded slowly “There’s something familiar about those wolves.”

I rose a brow then pressed a kiss to his chest “Stay here, I’ll take care of this okay?”

“Okay. I’ll be right behind you.” He says before tilting my head up and kissing me deeply.

“Ugh please do that after we handle the rogues.” Selene groaned making Rhys crack a smile briefly then it was gone.

Rolling my shoulders I turned to the three wolves who seemed to get more and more agitated by the minute. The two helped their companion back to its feet and it moved to stand at the front. That must be their leader.

I pushed past the warriors and placed myself next to Lucas who eyed the rogues daring them to make a move. “I tried getting them to shift Alpha but they’ve ignored my orders.” He says raking a hand through his hair in frustration.

“You did good Luc.” I say and finally decided to address our visitors and to get my cousins to back off “Enzo, Gio, that’s enough.”

My cousins growled lowly and took several steps back. Enzo’s dark eyes met mine and I noticed that he hadn’t been wearing clothes. He must have shifted to keep the wolves back. “Dì la parola cugino e li uccideremo.” (Say the word cousin and we will kill them.)

The three wolves stared at me blankly as I stood before them. They were no longer growling but seemed to be a little confused “I am Alpha Adira Carson. I would like for you to shift so we can continue this conversation”

I could feel Rhys pride and pleasure through our bond at my use of his last name. We were now in the eyes of the humans, married. I would use his name for the rest of my life.

The wolves made no noise and I realized their gaze wasn't on me but on my mate who stood behind me.

“Shi-“ I was in mid sentence when they suddenly shifted into their forms. There were two men and a woman, all standing naked but their gaze never left Rhys.

I felt the feelings of confusion, fear, pain, and happiness all fill my body. I knew these feelings weren’t from me but from Rhys.

I turned around to see his eyes wide with shock and his mouth was parted slightly. It looked like he was staring at a ghost. Who were these people?

“Rhys!” The leader of the group, a tall dark haired man with deep brown eyes. His bloody chest had four claw marks raking from one side to the other. Enzo had gotten him good. A look of relief washed over the three wolves faces and I suddenly had a feeling I knew who we were looking at. What Rhys said next made the churning feeling in my stomach return.

“Killian?”

Surprise??

How many of you saw that coming?

I know Adira and Rhys’ “honeymoon” was short lived but don’t worry there will be more romance soon.

We’re finally getting to the exciting parts of the story and will be bringing it to a close soon! It’s crazy that I’m actually saying that!

I can’t for you all to read the rest of this story!