Alessia’s smile dropped and her face became blank as she stared at the moon. “No, you’re not missing anything,” she said, “Female Alphas are rare. It pretty much never happens, even when you’ve got the right blood. I was my dad’s only child, the only heir with Alpha blood in my veins. I spent my entire life training and preparing for the Alpha position, but when he died, it didn’t matter. All the pack elders wanted to give the position to my dad’s Beta. They insisted that I’d be happier “not on the battlefield.” That’s code for them telling me I needed to stay inside the house, find a mate, and pop out a bunch of babies like a docile female wolf.”
Alessia’s face was blank but I could see the rage burning in her eyes.
“I’m sorry,” I said, “That’s awful that they tried to toss you aside like that. But if everyone was against it, how did you manage to become Alpha?”
Alessia’s mouth twisted into a bloodthirsty grin as she turned to look at me. “That Beta they wanted to put in my place? I slaughtered him in front of the pack. They changed their tune pretty quickly after that.
My jaw hit the floor.
I was not expecting that.
It took me a moment to regain my composure after that bombshell. “Oh, I…see.”
Alessia laughed like she’d been expecting that reaction. “Come on, Clark. I know you’re human but don’t tell me a little bloodshed makes you that uncomfortable. I’ve heard about you, and if the rumors are right, you’ve spent too much time around wolves to have a weak stomach. Or are all humans just weak?”
I couldn’t stop myself from lashing back at her – even if it probably wasn’t the best choice to give attitude to a girl who had just described her kill to me.
“I’m not weak,” I retorted, “And humans aren’t either. We might not have the physical manpower but at least most of us aren’t still living in the 18th-century with a monarchy. Human women are actually allowed to hold positions of power without murdering someone for it…or at least, in the past twenty years they can.” O
As soon as the words were out of my mouth, I wondered if I’d made a mistake. Was she going to physically retaliate? Even the hot blood and adrenaline pumping through my veins didn’t give me enough confidence to think I could stand a chance against her.
I might’ve had held my tongue in another setting, but I wasn’t tired of feeling pushed around like I was somehow inferior for just existing. What was so bad about being human? At least humans had options. We could carve out our own destinies, some more than others. Wolves would never have that power. Everything was bloodlines and hierarchies and dominance to them.
“Well, well,” Alessia whistled lowly, “You have more bite than I thought. Maybe not all humans are just weak babies.”
I let out a sigh of relief, grateful that she hadn’t taken any real offense to my words. “Gee, thanks. What a high compliment.”
“Coming from me, it is. I promise.”
There was a lull in the conversation, and for a moment, we both just took in the bright moon and the inky night sky.
“So, why were you on a late-night stroll?” Alessia asked.
“I couldn’t sleep. Walks usually calm me down, but I didn’t want to get too lost, so
I ended up here. What about you?”
“Oh, I followed your scent out here,” Alessia said, shrugging casually.
I whipped my head around. “Wait, my scent? You followed me out here?”
Alessia closed her eyes and inhaled sharply. “Yeah, I wasn’t trying to stalk you but I caught a whiff of your scent in the hallway. You smelled ridiculously good and I was curious.” [2
“I smell good? In like a flattering way, or in a you-would-like-to-eat-me-for- dinner kind of way?”
Alessia seemed to ponder the options as if she wasn’t sure. “More in a flattering way. I almost thought you were my mate for a second if I’m being honest but the scent wasn’t strong enough and I would’ve known when we made eye contact.’
I blushed.
12
“But there is something about you. It’s like your natural scent is fine but it’s mixed with something else something that smells amazing,” Alessia looked at me curiously, “I’m not sure what it is.”@
I knew enough about mating bonds to know that a wolf’s mate was supposed to smell irresistable to them.
“Well, I’ve come across a few different wolves while I’ve been here,” I said, “Maybe I interacted with your mate along the way and that’s what you’re smelling?”
“Maybe,” Alessia hummed, and then began to walk back to the door, “I think I’ve gotten enough fresh air for tonight, and unless you want to add a layer of frostbite to those jammies, you might want to come in too.”
Although talking with Alessia had been a nice distraction, the goosebumps were starting to reappear on my skin and my teeth were beginning to chatter. D
“Yeah, I think you’re right. Will I see you tomorrow at the meeting?”
“Not sure,” Alessia shrugged, “I haven’t decided whether I’m going to be ‘sick’ or not. Either way, I have a feeling I’ll definitely be seeing you again, Clark.”
“Funny. I’ve got that same feeling, Alessia.” O
“I am no bird, and no net ensnares me; I am a free human being with an independent will.”
Charlotte Bronte
After my impromptu walk and my conversation with Alessia or Alpha Alessia as I’m sure she’d rather be called – I was out like a light.
That night, I dreamt of the same man I had a week ago. I couldn’t see his face but the large griffin tattoo that wrapped around his forearm was as prevalent as ever.
I wanted to see more of him. If I could just see his face then maybe
“Clark! Clark! Clark!”
The screeching sound of my lovely sister’s voice felt like a dose of cold water pulling me from my dream. I screwed my eyes shut and groaned into my pillow. “Just five more minutes, Lil.”
For a moment, she didn’t respond and then I suddenly felt her snatch the covers out from under me.
I shot up in bed, trying to grab them back before I felt the morning chill on my bare skin. My human reflexes were no match for Lily, of course, and she moved back before I could snatch them from her.
“Did you have to take the covers?” I whined, “It’s cold.” I hugged myself to preserve what little warmth I had left and glared at Lily’s smirking face.
“Yes, I did,” she said, “It’s time to get up, Clark. The meeting is in a couple of hours and there’s only one bathroom in the suite. I’m not going to be late just because you wanted to sleep in.”
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