ALPHA
CHAPTER 8

There are perks to not having many memories of where you came from. One of those perks include not remembering the awful things that have happened to you throughout your life. The terrifying childhood memories that haunted your dreams and never seemed to leave you alone. Or the time you embarrassed yourself in front of your teen crush and the mortification that stays with you forever. I didn’t have any of that with the loss of my own memories.

There was nothing horrible to remember.

But tonight? Tonight marked the most terrifying night of my life.

After Adira collapsed in my arms all chaos broke loose. Unable to control myself, I flew into a rage that led to me shifting into my wolf standing pacing in front of the bed Adira currently laid on. Selene and Lucas immediately ordered for the warriors to track down the bastard that was foolish enough to break into my mate’s bedroom. Natalia had gotten Emilia to call for the pack doctor while she attempted to get me away from Adira.

I kept myself near Adira’s body snarling and snapping at anyone who got too close. It was like a switch had gone off and my wolf’s instincts had taken over. There was one thing on my mind.

Protect Mate.

“Rhys listen to me.” Natalia began getting to her knees to show she meant no harm. I didn’t care. The idea of anyone touching my mate made me see red. I bared my teeth in warning letting her know to stay away. “Adira needs to be checked on. We need to make sure she’s okay. We can’t do that if you’re going all wolfman on us.”

A growl left my mouth not amused by her joke.

She sighed and ran a hand through her dark hair “Do it for Ad, please Rhys. We just want to take care of her and I know you do too but you’re not helping anyone right now.”

I huffed and resumed my pacing trying to calm my wolf down. Nat was right of course. I had to let them check on my mate but the thought of people touching her sent me into a rage. I knew they were her family but damn it, I couldn’t help it.

The pack doctor ,Olivia Beckham, walked into the bedroom nervously feeling the tension in the air. Her hazel eyes glanced between Adira and myself. Natalia shot her boss a warning look. The message was clear. Don’t go near Ad.

I watched as Emilia kneel next to her sister. Her deep brown eyes held worry and desperation. “Rhys please. Just let Dr.Beckham and Nat check on her. If not for us then for Adira.” She paused before trying to her her smile “She’d be very upset if she replaces out you kept us from helping her.”

My ears folded back at the realization. If Adira found out I went ‘wolf man’, as Nat put it, on everyone then I’d have an angry mate to deal with. I was already trying to get on her good side, no need to push her further away.

I huffed once more and slowly moved away from the bed allowing Dr. Beckham and Nat to rush over to her sister. I pivoted my body in order to watch them with narrowed eyes. Right now my wolf didn’t trust anyone. Not even my mates own family.

Emilia smiled victoriously and plopped next to me sitting Indian style. Her hands ran up and down my fur soothingly “Thanks Rhys.”

I make no sound and never took my eyes off of my unconscious mate.

The minutes went by agonizingly slow making it seem like hours have passed. It was 15 minutes later when Natalia finally turned to us looking much more calm than earlier. Before she could speak Lucas and Selene entered the room looking extremely frustrated and angry.

Lucas held a pair of black shorts in his hands and held it towards me tilting his head towards the bathroom where I could shift. It was obvious we needed to talk but I wasn’t moving from this spot anytime soon.

I growled loudly at the thought of leaving Adira. Lucas glowered at me raising a brow. His jaw was clenched and his eyes held no humor in them. It seems like the events of this evening made the laid back Beta on edge. “You really want to shift in front of your mate’s sisters?”

That made me quickly take the shorts from his hand and dart to the bathroom. The sounds of the girl’s giggles rang behind me.

I threw on the shorts and stomped out of the bathroom. “Well?” I demand gruffly eyeing Nat and Olivia.

Dr. Beckham cleared her throat nervously “The Alpha will be fine. There’s some minor bruising to her throat but that will heal in a few hours. She will be back to normal by morning.”

I nodded my head and let out a deep sigh. My shoulders relaxed and the tension left my body. Adira was going to be okay. My mate was safe.

“Thank you.”

Dr. Beckham smiles softly “You’re welcome.” She shuffled her feet holding her medical bag close to her body “I will be going then. Beta, Gamma, if anything happens don’t hesitate to call for me or send The Alpha to the infirmary.”

Selene and Lucas thanked the Doctor before the woman hastily exited the room.

“Did your warriors replace anything?” I ask looking between the Beta and Gamma. Natalia and Emilia moved to the bed to sit with Adira. I watched them with slight jealousy. The way they were able to comfort and be their sister made the wolf in me howl in agony.

I wanted to be where they are. Next to my mate and providing her all the comfort, making sure she was safe. But I couldn’t.

Selene rubbed her forehead tiredly “No. The bastard got through the border and took a little swim in the river. We lost his trail.”

A growl rumbled in my chest. It angered me to know that there was someone out there who managed to get away with hurting Adira.

“We’re looking into it Rhys. Kris and a few others will be investigating out of the pack’s borders to try to replace any clues.” Selene reassures determination in her eyes. Someone had attacked her Alpha and sister, she wanted revenge. That alone made me feel better. There was someone else who wanted to wanted to replace the assailant as much as I did.

“Who could have done this?” I demand running a hand through my hair in frustration.

This time Lucas spoke up “A number of people. Adira has gained many enemies since she took over the pack. Many males here don’t like that she’s Alpha. There are a lot of possibilities of who it could be. But we’ll replace them.” He crosses his arms and clenched his jaw angrily.

Selene put a comforting hand on his arm almost instinctively making Lucas take a deep, calming breath and relax. After a moment he smiled down at her lovingly “Thank you.”

As if her hand had been burned Selene quickly snatched her hand away looking anywhere but at Lucas “Don’t mention it.”

Lucas’ smile dropped and he cleared his throat “Since the situation is under control, I’m going to get back to my post. I’ve got night patrol tonight.” He cracked a small grin before nodding at me and leaving the room slamming the door behind him.

Selene stared after her mate and sighed deeply pinching the bridge of her nose.

I cleared my throat awkwardly “Selene. I know I don’t know you that well but-“

“Save it. I know what you’re going to say.” She snapped angrily then softened her gaze “Drop it please.”

“Okay then.” I nodded and turned just as Emilia and Nat approached us nervously.

“Rhys, we were wondering if you could help carry Adira to Em’s room. With her window broken and the attack, we think it’ll be better if she stays with one of us.” Natalia asks gently almost expecting me to lose control again.

My wolf didn’t like it but I understood their reasoning. It wasn’t safe for Adira is be alone. Her sisters could keep her safe. I know they’ll all be with her tonight.

I was quiet for a moment then spoke “I can do that.”

“Wait really?” Emilia’s shocked expression made me crack a smile.

“Yes Emilia. Let’s get her to your room so she can rest.” Before I change my mind.

The girls worked quickly to grab some of Adira’s things as I gently picked my mate up from the bed and held her close to my chest. Adira let out a soft whimper before burrowing her face into my neck.

I smiled enjoying the feel of her against me. I know I wouldn’t get this opportunity again anytime soon so I relished the feeling.

As we walked I couldn’t help but admire the beauty that was my mate. From her pink plump lips to her small button nose, I couldn’t look away. She looked so peaceful when she was asleep. The weight of being Alpha was no longer evident on her and the worry lines on her forehead had disappeared. She was so beautiful.

I didn’t know how I got so lucky to have her but I knew I would thank the Moon Goddess everyday for her. A man like me didn’t deserve someone as strong and perfect as Adira..

We entered Emilia’s simple grey bedroom and I laid Adira down on the large bed as gently as I could. Her forehead furrowed once we lost contact making me chuckle while she pouted in her sleep. I pulled the blanket over her and smoothed back her hair. She sighed softly and snuggled deeper into the pillow. Unable to contain myself I leaned down and kissed her forehead.

“I promise I will replace the bastard that hurt you my Adira. You are everything to me. Rest well mate.” I say lowly against her forehead.

I made my promise and said goodbye to her sisters leaving the bedroom with one goal in mind.

I was going to win my mate back for good.