The Shadow Alpha
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

I lifted my hand to caress his cheek, “Then don't.” I said with a small smile, enjoying the buzz that Igot from having him so close to me.

He was about to reply when he was cut off by my yawn, Devin stared at my wide eyed face for amoment before bursting out laughing causing me to flush with embarrassment. I crossed my armsover my chest with my lips set in a pout.

"Stop laughing! I'm tired, okay? It's been a really long eventful day.” I whined, but couldn't help thetiny smile that formed on my face at seeing him so happy and watching his eyes sparkle withunshed tears of joy.

When he calmed down enough he grabbed my hand in his and tugged lightly on it, “Come onBambi, let's get you to bed.” I rolled my eyes at the nickname and led the way to my room.

I shut the door behind us and walked over to my closet while he silently inspected the room. Ipulled out a comfy pair of short and a tank top that I usually slept in and slipped into the bathroom.Once I was done with my business I emerged from the bathroom only to replace Devin standing infront of my pin board. The board was covered by an array of pictures and memories from when Ihad travelled the world as well as a whole lot with my pack, friends and family.

I stepped closer to get a closer look at the one picture he seemed to be staring at, it was pinned atthe top left hand corner of the board almost completely covered by the rest of the memories Imade over the years. My eyes zoomed in on the only picture other than the family picture in myoffice that I had of my old life. The picture was of an eight year old me standing in front of Hunterand Devin who were both ten years old; Devin's face was scrunched up in concentration as hefocused on clasping bracelet he had gotten me for my birthday on my little wrist while I smiledshyly at him. Hunter stood beside Devin scowling at the two of us.

I still remember him boasting to Hunter how he had picked out and paid for my gift himself unlikethe car that Hunter bought for me. He claimed I liked the bracelet more, because it I would alwayshave it with me.

It was a bittersweet memory, one of the last of the good ones I had with both boys, before thingswent south. The picture along with the bracelet, car and a black leather diary was kept in a woodenbox; the wooden box and diary being the last gift from my parents before they were kidnapped.They were not memories I visited often, choosing to not rehash the sentimental pain that wasattached to them; I kept it at the back of my mind.

I walked over to the dresser and took out the box. I was part of the few things I took with me when Ileft the Full Moon pack, though I'm not sure why I did when in the past twelve years I onlyassociated those memories with pain.

Devin's eyes never strayed from the picture until I placed the box in front of him; he glanced at mefor a second before opening the box. His breath hitched as he caught sight of the contents, “Youkept it.” He picked the thin chain between his fingers; there was an awed look on his face as hestared between the bracelet and the car.

“No matter how hard I tried, no matter how much seeing it pained me. I could never bring myself tothrow it away.” he placed the bracelet back in the box and handed it back to me wordlessly, his faceheld a thoughtful expression, but I couldn't decipher the look no matter how hard I tried.

After laying the box back in the drawer I walked over to the bed and pulled back the covers. He wasabout to tuck me in once I climbed on the bed, but I stopped him.

“Stay.” His eyes widened a fraction before a wide smile took over his face and he nodded hurriedly.He peeled off his t-shirt before scrambling onto the bed beside me; I closed my eyes and took alungful of his delicious woodsy, pineapple scent when he pulled me into his chest and fell into aslumber, more peaceful than anything I'd ever experienced before.

I was woken up by a fierce growl and a crash that sounded from downstairs; I shot out of bedresulting in Devin being shoved to the edge of the bed from the sudden movement.

"Hmm what, what's wrong?” he jumped off the bed, his eyes scanned the room for any danger, Icould feel his wolf at the surface and his eyes were slightly glazed over. Once he was satisfied thatthere was no imminent danger his eyes landed on where I was throwing on a hoodie and a pair ofsweatpants.

“I don't know, but we're about to replace out.” I declared and the both of us took off out of the room.We raced down the stairs and came to skidding halt at the door of the gym, I threw it open to revealthe six newest members of the Blue Moon pack standing around a half shifted Christopher who waswrithing on the ground looking every bit like a feral wolf.

The instant we entered all heads shot in our direction and as if previously rehearsed, twelve eyedwidened in unison and darted between Christopher's agonised state and us who stood staring athim writhing on the rubber mat that lined the floor area of the gym.

"What the hell is going on?” I shouted and rushed forward, but before I could make it far, twostrong arms wrapped around my waist bringing me to a skidding halt. Christopher might not havebeen in my pack for anything more than a few hours, but I felt a certain connection to him andfurthermore, he was a pack member and as his Alpha I felt his pain. I struggled in Devin's arms as Iwatched Christopher biting back the screams that were wracking through his body.

I turned to Oliver with pleading eyes, “What's happening to him?” Oliver sighed and ran a handthrough his hair; I could see the pain in his eyes as he gazed at Christopher.

"His mate is mating with another.” My eyes widened as I glanced back at Devin whose grip hadloosened, before he could realise I slipped from his grip and leaped towards Christopher. The closerI got the more anguish I saw in his cognac brown eyes.

I had to help him.

“Alpha no, it's too dangerous!” a voice I recognised as Shane's cried out as I advanced in hisdirection. Devin tried grabbing onto me before I was close enough to touch him, but my fastreflexes were too much for him.

"OUT!" My Alpha tone shook the room leaving behind a deafening silence. The air became thickwith tension with both Devin and Oliver fighting to disobey my order, which proved unsuccessfulwhen they left the room one by one, Devin being the last.

Devin stopped in the doorway and looked back at me with a mix of hurt, betrayal and mostprominently; anger. With one last lingering look he slammed the door loudly behind his tensefigure.

A stab of pain shot through my heart and my wolf cried inwardly at the hurt in her mate's eyes, I felttorn between the need to comfort my mate and my duty as an Alpha. The feeling was foreign to meand I found it extremely difficult to choose.

Another strained growl tore from Christopher's chest which snapped me from me daze and back tohis distressed eyes.

In that instant, my mind was made up.

I will help Christopher and deal with Devin later. No matter how much the thought pained bothShadow and I, we understood our responsibility as the Shadow Wolf.

I sucked in a deep breath and pulled his large form towards me, he was curled in a foetal positionwith his hands balled up into fists. With my left arm I held onto his left shoulder and held his arm offhis chest. I carefully laid a warm hand on his chest directly above his heart, where I expected theorigin of the pain was.

With my eyes shut I concentrated hard on the rapid beating of his heart and opened my mind tohis. I could hear each and every one of his thoughts, he was screaming out in agony, I could feel theinflux of emotions and latched onto it.

I felt pain travelling from my hand that lay on his chest to the rest of my body. I clenched my teethas I endured and shared the in pain he was feeling

I had a very high tolerance for pain so what I felt was not anything I could not handle, but the factthat I was using my mind link as well as enduring such pain placed immense strain on me. I felt thewrithing ease up and his tense muscles loosen drastically as the emotions drained from his body, Ikept my eyes sealed shut and my hand placed firmly on his chest till his inner torment subsided andhis mind shut down, a few seconds later his body fell limp in my arms, his ragged breathing calmedinto soft pants as he lost consciousness.

My body keeled over and my mind cut off the link as the strain from Christopher's shared painweighed on me.

My breathing was ragged, I felt completely drained.

“Devin..." I whispered through the mind link, but I was sure he would not hear me. A little while laterI felt arms grab me and lift me into the air, the voices around me were all a haze.

If it had not been for the tell-a-tale sparks I would not have known who held me in their arms, thelast thing I felt was a feather light kiss on my forehead before I fell into a deep slumber.