The Alpha’s Feisty Mate
Chapter 9: Dinner is served

Alpha Drake POV

Later in the afternoon, Erik and I decided to go for a run along the territory border before getting ready for dinner.

I couldn’t stop thinking about everything Alpha Blain told me in his office. I wonder who these rogues were after?

“So, what’s the plan, boss?” Erik asked casually.

“I’m just feeling a little restless after the meeting with Alpha Blain. Devon wants to checkout the territory border, and I kinda do too.” I said before continuing. “Let’s go for a run before we wash up for dinner.”

“Sounds good to me. After being stuck in a car for hours with you, I could use the fresh air.” Erik said teasingly.

“Ya, I could say the same about you,” I said, and we both chuckled.

Once we made it to the tree line, we stripped our clothes off and shifted to our wolves.

My wolf Devon is black and abnormally large. He’s stronger and faster than any wolf we’ve come across so far.

Erik’s wolf, Jester, is also big, not as big as Devon, but still very strong. That’s why he’s my 3rd in command. Erik’s wolf is chocolate brown, basically the same color as his hair.

Once we were shifted, I take off, running through the trees with Erik hot on my heels. We reached the border and started to parallel it, watching for anything suspicious or out of place.

We slowed to a trot after running halfway around the territory, we came across a few patrol warriors along the way, but that was about it. We knew they were pack members because each pack has its own distinct scent and each pack member possesses a bit of that scent mixed in with their own personal scent.

Alpha Blain had given them heads up that Erik, and I were out exploring the border in wolf form, so they weren’t surprised to see us. We just nodded at each other and went on our way.

After another 15 minutes, I started picking up an unusual scent. I mind-link Erik to be on alert. The smell was so faint I could barely pick it up.

As we continued West along the border, it got a bit stronger, and then I recognized it. ‘Rogues.’ I mind-link Erik again, making sure he had smelt it too, and he did.

We slowly continued West, and the scent got a bit stronger, but it seemed a bit old, like they had been here but left before we arrived.

I heard a shuffle in the distance that got my attention. I mean, it could be a squirrel, but I’m still on high alert.

‘Hey, you hear that?’ I mind-Link Erik.

‘Sure did, boss. What’s the plan?’ he linked back.

‘You keep approaching from this side. I’m going to go south a bit and circle around. If there is someone, they won’t make it past us.’ I linked him.

‘I’m on it.’ He replied, and I headed south.

I stayed low to the ground and moved as quietly as possible like a predator stalking its prey. I could sense someone near, but the scent wasn’t a rogue.

As I got closer, the scent was getting stronger. It smelled like a pack member. I figured it was another wolf on patrol, but when I came around the corner, I found a man walking in the general direction of the packhouse. He hadn’t noticed me yet, and I could see anger and frustration clear on his face. He’s fully dressed, so he’s not on patrol, and he’s alone, which was odd since the Alpha had told everyone not to be wandering the forest alone.

As I was processing my thoughts, Erik came out of the trees on the other side of the man. The man immediately noticed Erik’s wolf and had a shocked look on his face, almost like he was caught doing something he shouldn’t have done.

Since he’s aware of our presence and knowing that he’s a pack member, I shifted back to my human form, and Erik followed suit.

“Who are you?” I asked.

“No need to interrogate me. I’m Derek, one of the head warriors. I’m doing my job.” He practically spat at me with so much frustration that it was clear there was more going on.

“Well, last time I checked, Alpha Blain said no one is to be out In the forest alone. Care to explain?” I asked with my Alpha aura very much present as I raised my eyebrow.

“I’m a warrior. It’s my job to be out here.” He said with that same tone.

“Interesting, I didn’t realize your pack does patrol in human form. Isn’t that pretty useless when your senses are heightened in wolf form?” I asked, but I already knew his story didn’t add up.

“Whatever, I was out for a walk. That’s not a crime.” He said with his defiant tone. One thing I can’t stand is defiance.

“Do you know who I am? I’m going to give you the benefit of the doubt and assume you don’t because if you did, I would kill you on the spot for your defiance and disrespect.” I threatened while staring at him before I continued.

“You will not speak to me in this way again, and if you fail to follow your own Alpha’s orders, I’ll see to it personally that you’re punished for your actions. Am I clear?”

“Yes, Alpha,” Derek said with a look of pure fear in his eyes.

“Now get back to the packhouse,” I commanded, and he nodded before running in the direction of the packhouse.

Erik is looking at me, slightly amused. He knows me all too well, You disrespect me, and you’ve basically dug your own grave.

“Alright, Erik, I’ve had enough for today. It’s getting late. Let’s head back and wash up before dinner.” I said.

“Copy that, boss,” Erik answered. We both shifted back into our wolf form and headed back to the packhouse.

Once back in my room, I hoped in the shower to freshen up. Then I got dressed in low-rise ripped denim jeans and a grey v-neck t-shirt. As I finished getting dressed, there was a knock at the door, and I knew it was Erik meeting me to head out for dinner, so instead of calling him in, I headed to the door and opened it. Sure enough, I was right. It’s Erik.

“Hey boss, you ready for dinner? Maybe that cute little she-wolf, Isabella, might be there. “ he said with a wink, clearly trying to get a rise out of me.

“Ya, ya, let’s get this over with. I’m tired.” I said with an eye roll.

“Whatever you say, boss.” He said with a smirk.

We made our way down to the dining hall. It was 6:00 pm, and the place was packed.

We both grabbed a plate of food before spotting Alpha Blain, flagging us over to his table.

As we approached, I could see his son Declan sitting on his left side and Isabella sitting on his right. She was wearing a black tank top with a decent amount of cleavage on display, but her bottom half was hidden under the table, so I could only dream about what she was wearing or not wearing under there.

Her hair was hanging loose over her shoulders, and all I wanted to do was run my fingers through those gorgeous blond locks.

Isabella shot me a quick glance but quickly looked down at her plate, acting like she didn’t care, and continued eating.

Beside Isabella sat another pretty she-wolf around the same age as Isabella with long black raven hair. She looked a lot like Alpha Blain’s Beta, who was sitting beside the she-wolf, so I’m assuming she’s likely his daughter.

I sat in the vacant seat across from Isabella, and Erik sat beside me, across from the other she-wolf.

‘Our mate is so beautiful. She’s perfect.’ Devon said to me in my head, sounding like a love-sick pup.

‘Get over it, we are out of here in a few days, and we won’t be seeing her again,’ I told him, and he just growled at me.

“Alpha Drake, Gamma Erik, glad you could join us for dinner.” Alpha Blain said with a smile before introducing us to the faces we didn’t recognize at the table. Including the she-wolf beside Isabella, whose name we now know was Clair.

“Thanks, Alpha. We appreciate the hospitality.” I told him with my own small smile.

I can’t help but notice that Clair keeps glancing at me nervously. Probably from all the rumors going around about me. Still, why so nervous? I thought to myself.

“So, Alpha, how was your run along the border?” Alpha Blain asked me curiously.

“It was good. We came across a few patrol members, but they recognized us right away, so there were no problems,” I said, then continued.

“We did catch a faint rogue smell along the western border. It was faint, so I’d say we had just missed them.” I told Alpha Blain.

He looked worried. I don’t blame him. They seem to have been hitting his territory hard the past few days.

“I see.” He said.

“Oh, and right after we scented the rogue, we came across one of your pack members walking around the forest alone. I think his name was Derek?I mentioned and waited to see the Alpha’s reaction, I heard a snort, and I looked over to see Isabella with a disgusted yet annoyed look on her face.

“That’s enough, Isabella.” Alpha Blain said to his daughter, and she rolled her eyes at him.

I would have punished her for that disrespect if she were mine, but I was surprised when nothing came from Alpha Blain. He just shook his head at her with disapproval written all over his face.

“He’s one of my top warriors. He was probably checking on patrol.” The Alpha said dismissively.

“That’s bullshit, father, and you know it. If I can’t go out into the forest alone, why isn’t he being punished for disobeying your orders?” Isabella spat out while slamming her utensils down on the table.

“Isabella, watch your tongue. Do not disrespect me again, or there will be consequences.” Alpha Blain said with frustration clear in his tone.

I glanced at Erik, and he was just as shocked as I was with the way she was speaking to her father, the Alpha.

“The forest isn’t safe right now for a she-wolf to be walking around by themselves,” I said and paused before continuing. “Weren’t you and your friend Clair just attacked a day ago by five rogues? And aren’t you the one who stumbled across the dead omega today?” I asked her with a stern, almost condescending tone.

If looks could kill, I would be dead. The defiance and anger in her eyes were clear as day. I also started feeling anger at her very intentional acts of disrespect. No one has ever looked at me with such defiant eyes. Alpha Blain needs to punish her, or I won’t be able to help myself. She needs to learn.

Clair and the guy that was introduced as her brother, Jet, looked between us with wide eyes, waiting to see what would happen. I had a weird feeling that they would appreciate a bowl of popcorn right now to enjoy the show. Isabella shot me a tight smile that faded quickly.

“Alpha, I suggest you keep your nose out of my family’s business.” She said through gritted teeth like it was taking everything in her to remain calm.

“Well, I’m curious now, princess, who had to save your a*s when you were attacked by five rogues yesterday??? Patrol?” I asked her with a mocking smirk, clearly taunting her.

I heard gasps from everyone at the table. Like I was missing something, but I was too focused on the feisty she-wolf sitting across from me, she was currently trying to blow my brains out with her vicious glare, and I swear I felt a headache come on.

“That’s enoug- – -“Alpha Blain tried to say before the little brat across from me spoke again.

“You think patrol saved me?” She scoffed. Still glaring at me and I just glared back, daring her to continue.

“I don’t need patrol to save my a*s, Alpha. I’m fully capable of saving my own a*s,” she spat with venom in her voice. She was getting more and more worked up. I was pissed at her defiance and disrespect. Who the hell does this tiny she-wolf think she is?

I just chuckled, knowing it was going to set her off even further. What the hell could she do facing off against five rogues with another tiny she-wolf as a backup?

“That’s enough!” Alpha Blain commanded, this time glaring at Isabella. The Alpha aura rolling off of him was almost suffocating. Everyone in the dining hall stopped eating and shut up. Everyone’s eyes were on us.

“No, father, I suddenly lost my appetite.” She said calmly as she stood up. She turned to face me with so many emotions running through her eyes, anger being one of the top ones.

“ Thank you Alpha Drake, for your opinions and assumptions on my abilities to defend myself, I don’t recall asking for them, and maybe next time, you could keep them to yourself, so you don’t embarrass yourself further.” She said with a bitter-sweet smile on her face before storming out of the dinner hall.

I was shocked, like jaw on the floor, did-this-really-happen kinda shocked. I had so many emotions running through me, anger being one of the main ones, and the urge to punish her for her disrespectful behavior was growing strong.

Even my wolf Devon was raging with the urge to make her submit after that little scene. Yet he still wanted me to mark and claim her, he believes she would submit if we did.

I look around the table and notice that everyone has different emotions visible on their faces. Alpha Blain and Declan looked frustrated and tired, like this was a regular family dinner to them. Clair was staring at me wide-eyed, waiting for my reaction. Jet, her brother, looked worried but slightly entertained like he expected this. Erik has a curious and also slightly entertained look on his face. He’s smirking at me, which made me want to kick his a*s. How dare he be entertained by that brat’s disrespect?

“Well, Alpha Drake, I do apologize for my daughter’s behavior. She has been through a lot the past few days and is simply acting out.” Alpha Blain said, almost defending her disrespect, but I couldn’t help but notice how tired and frustrated he looked.

“Well, Alpha Blain, this is your territory; therefore, I trust that you will deal with her accordingly for showing such disrespect.” I said with a serious voice before adding, “It’s been a long day. I’m going to head back to my room.” I said, excusing myself from the table.

Erik followed me. We made our way back to our rooms in silence.

I knew Erik wanted to say something, but he knows better and doesn’t. I’ve had enough tonight. I walked into my room, and Erik headed to his next door to mine.

Once I was alone in my room, I stripped off my clothes and climbed into bed. My brain won’t stop replaying what happened at dinner.

Even though she angered me beyond belief, my curiosity about her was still there. She was so headstrong and defiant, yet it almost turned me on. Maybe it’s the challenge? Whatever it was, I knew she would be plaguing my dreams tonight.