The Bloodlust Alpha - Chapter 17: Chapter 17

"So just to catch you up in the motion of things...
Right after you left to train Cade's pack, Walker asked Selene to come to Nightwake and then proceeded to make bullshit demands about getting together with her because his chosen, who happens to be her bitch of a sister, found her mate and changed her mind about being with him. Then after brutally shutting them down, Selene was about to go on her merry way toward the exit only to come face to face with the fucking Bloodlust Alpha who Hestia, surprisingly, claimed was her mate. After getting lost in each others eyes for like five minutes, Locksworth declares that Hestia was lying about being his mate, which got Selene's asshat of a father mad cause 'its disrespect to his bloodline'. Asshat then goes on to challenge Alpha Locksworth's claim to the Sacred Pool and for some strange reason invited Selene to go as a 'reliable witness' -I think we all can agree that was just a slick excuse to get Selene to go with him- to which Selene agreed. Yeah. No surprise. I mean if a guy as hot as Alpha Locksworth asked me to drown, I would. But anyway, everyone gets to the Sacred Pool and Alpha Locksworth and Hestia drip their blood in and the Pool, being the werewolf equivalent of Maury Povich from the Maury Show, gives out the test result that they are...
NOT mates. Woaaahhhh, what a motherfucking surpriseeee- not. And so Asshat was all like 'oh em gee I was just jk jk but not really jk. I am so sorry Alpha, my daughter didn't mean it' but Alpha Locksworth totally like... ignored his existence -almost like how I ignore Weston's- and went straight to Selene and just reaches out for her and goes, 'The test. I'd like to try it with you' and bitch, when I tell you I almost passed out from the sexual tension, I meant it. I seriously forgot how to breathe. They were so eye-fucking each other. You think its over but oh-ho wait til you get a load of this... Walker is like fuming.
He's jealous.
He's angry.
He's irate!
Yes, I got that from The Office Season 5, Episode 7. Hey! Don't look at me like that. Its a good show! This is a judge free zone, Everdale! But anyway, you can see it in his eyes that Walker's pissed off. And Locksworth is like 'ion give a fuck bout this fuckboi' and pays him zero attention. So they go to the Pool, holding hands. That's right. You heard me: holding. hands. They get their blood in the water and- oh yeah, remind me to give Selene a knife cause she totally cut her palm with a claw. It's badass but we can't look like we don't have resources.
And the anticipation is real. I mean, I knew it was impossible since you know... Walker won't just die but for some weird reason, I was holding my breath too. The water turned red being the little shit it is and as disappointing as it was, the development after wasn't. So we all left and everything and Alpha stayed at the Capital until a few days later. It was the day of the Gala where shit went down. My weave was snatched. It just flew the fuck away. So Selene came out there looking fine as heck and everybody was looking. She's showing these fuckers what it means to be an Alpha when a crusty ass boy who I think is Chancellor Williams' nephew started talking to her. Walker was there too, but no one cares about him. He is irrelevant. Guess he didn't get the memo cause next thing we know, he's about to march over there and rip the nephew away but then..."
Noah takes a huge breath in,
"BOOM, Locksworth showed up. He's looking sharp and fuckable, like a three course meal for our Alpha. He's looking around the crowd, looking for a specific person and then he sees Selene. It's like the world just stopped for them. I swear I saw glitter and shit when their eyes connected. He walks over to her, they talk, he hands her a drink, next thing you know they're on the dance floor getting frisky. His hand is on her thigh, her leg is around his waist and I swear they kissed like a thousand times but not on the lips cause I guess teasing is a kink or something. They looked so good together. Everyone thinks so too. Soon enough they stop dancing. We go home but before we do, according to Alpha, Walker being the villain he is had to say something along the lines of 'you my mate, you no go to other men. you mine.' and then Alpha was like 'shut your bitch ass up and leave me the fuck alone you selfish, sister-fucking, traitorous, no good mate'.
After that, Hestia made it a point to make a visit which I don't really know about then out of nowhere Alpha Locksworth is here with Chancellor Williams. He goes looking for Alpha and then I notice he was gone for like twenty minutes so I go looking for him and when I open the door they were full on making out. Therefore the text I sent you about Alpha being eaten was justified . I dip real fast not really wanting to see the process of pup making right in front of me, complain to Meredith and then here you are."
Isaac stares at Noah.
I stare at Noah.
Meredith stares at Noah.
Mailia stares at Noah.
And then silence.
"You forgot the part where Alpha Locksworth sent her flowers."
Mailia pitches in. Noah snaps his fingers, pointing at Mailia with a shit eating grin on his face.
"Oh damn, you're right. Good catch, Mailia."
Slowly, Isaac turns to me with a blank look on his face.
"You're sure you don't want another Beta? I can easily name you four people at the top of my head who would do wonderfully-"
"I know where you keep your stamp collection, Everdale."
Noah interrupts sharply.
"I don't have a stamp collection."
"That's what you think."
The two look at each other for a second. Isaac looks as though he wants to question him once more as Noah stares back at him. He chooses not to by the end of it. My wolf, though amused at the banter she missed when Isaac left, was more concerned about the woman sitting in front of us.
Meredith sighs, leaning against her chair with a drink in hand. Her hair was loose. Her short gray bob framing the distant look on her face. She'd been awfully quiet ever since her talk with Raizel two days ago. She didn't say anything about the conversation she'd had with Raizel. I had a feeling she would rather keep it to herself.
She didn't give much hint as to what they could've discussed. I had a hunch it was about me. As much as I wanted to grill her about their topic of conversation, I thought it'd be best to leave it alone. If anything was going to concern me, I was sure they'd let me know.
"Alpha, are you worried about Alpha Locksworth going with you to Nightwake?"
Mailia asks quietly. Her brown eyes gleamed with worry, her lips turned into a slight frown as Noah placed his hand on her knee. Of course I was worried. I could practically taste the disaster at the tip of my tongue. The detaining operation was going to commence today and all we were doing right now was waiting for Raizel to arrive. We'd agreed on keeping the operation on the low. We didn't want to catch lingering gazes and cause panic in Nightwake or possibly alarm the rogues something was going on.
Williams had sent his warriors to accompany us, but they were instructed to wait outside the border unless their assistance was required.
With that said, I was only bringing Isaac with me.
Noah was to stay here with Meredith to keep watch the pack. I had to be careful now more than ever with all that's going to happen. Raizel had decided to do the same; Weston keeping track of everything at Ignis Red while his Gamma would go with him.
Anxiety began to grow inside me. So much could go wrong and no part of me doubted that. It was all a matter of who provokes who first. Whose impatience would get the better of them. My bet was on either Walker or Dixon. Remembering the outburst Landon didn't help to reduce the stress on the my shoulders. Chances are, he'd act the exact same way-- maybe even more since Raizel would be with me.
Curse the damned mate bond.
Regardless of the little effect it has on me, it seemed like Landon still felt everything. Was it a side effect of being the one who initiated the rejection? Did the Moon Goddess interpret the rejection as one sidedly his fault?
"Yes,"
I breathe out,
"I'm sure something will go wrong. Whether it be Gamma Chamberlain refusing to cooperate or Dixon making a scene. Worse case scenario a fight will ensue between Raizel and Landon."
I felt a smile twitch on my face,
"I'm fairly certain that's what Williams wants anyway. Why else would he order Raizel to accompany me? With all the trouble they've caused, Williams knows Raizel doesn't like Nightwake much. And if he finds out Landon was my mate?"
I scoff with a roll of my eyes,
" might just make an appearance."
I hadn't told him, but when he found out about my rejection, Raizel's wolf had released very threatening snarls directly to my wolf. He was vocalizing his anger for us, trying to reassure us he and his human wasn't the same as my ex-mate. His wolf going as far as comforting my wolf with promises of killing my ex-mate for my honor. It was kind of funny. His wolf adorably nuzzling his snout against my wolf's in attempt to 'relieve' us the pain.
Raizel didn't seem to notice his wolf's outrage, too focused on his own to realize the kinds of things his wolf was communicating to us.
"I'd pay to watch that."
Noah mumbles, seemingly getting lost in his thoughts. No doubt imagining the scene in his head.
"I would literally pay him thousands."
"You know, Alpha. It might not be so bad if he goes with you."
I look to Isaac who shrugs.
"I mean, who really cares what he does? If he wants to sign his death warrant by pulling something with you in front of Alpha Locksworth, no one would object. Besides, he doesn't even know Landon's your ungrateful ex-mate. He doesn't even know you met your mate! It can't be that bad."
There's murmurs of agreement circling around us. The mood getting considerably lighter when he brings up this point. I whip my head around, seeing everyone nod enthusiastically at Isaac's logic. If only they knew. I hadn't told them that Raizel knew of my rejection. Things had been so hectic with Isaac coming back, then the rogues and now going to Nightwake that it sort of just escaped me. Clearly they didn't see the potential of a murder happening with this operation. The murder of Landon and quite possibly the murder my father.
I bit my bottom lip. Shifting my attention to Meredith, she holds my gaze and immediately I realized that she knew.
We spoke.
Was all she said to me in our mind link. The last word being emphasized to give me somewhat of an understanding of what it was they spoke about. There's an unmistakable twinkle in her eyes accompanied by a smile ghosting across her lips. It was obvious he'd gotten Meredith's wolf's approval. The feeling surging forth from her similar to the motherly affection she directed at me.
It was then that things were beginning to make sense in my head.
Raizel had more than likely asked Meredith for her blessing. Possibly doing his best to assure her he wasn't going to be like Landon. I felt my wolf whine. She rolled onto her back with her paws sticking up high in the air.
She didn't want to think about our ex-mate.
Meredith gave me a knowing grin before looking away. To know that Raizel had cared so much about Meredith's approval spiked an unfamiliar wave of pride in my chest. My heart swelling with affection over the man who held me in such high regard. Pride at the fact he was now mine just as much as I was his.
I felt a steak of warmth filter through me. An involuntary smile inching across my face.
"Uh-oh. Guys, I think Alpha broke. We broke her. Ah fuck, its just like last year-"
"I told him."
It's almost funny how I could hear everyone's head snap in my direction. Noah's eyes are wide open, his jaw hanging loose as Isaac shares his expression. Isaac's eyebrows have rose so high it almost touched his hairline. I might've spared a laugh or two if the conversation was anything but this.
"What the fuck?"
It's Noah who speaks first. He sounds exasperated. Seemingly breathless from the shock. His wolf who was sitting on its hind legs ever so slowly titling his head to the side like he couldn't comprehend what I'd said. As if it was beyond the realm of reality.
"I told him about my rejection."
It's silent for a while. No one saying a thing about what I had just told them until Mailia whispers,
"You told him everything?"
I shake my head.
"Only that my mate rejected me."
Another wave of silence goes by. No one says anything, no one looks at each other. They all take a moment to soak it in. Mailia suddenly walks over to me, sitting on the armrest as she wraps an arm around my shoulder. Pulling me in a tight embrace, I see a large smile on her face.
"He's a good man."
She says with finality. No one needs to question if the conversation had ended well. It's pretty obvious with the way Raizel and I... parted.
The knee buckling kiss.
"He is."
I respond.
It's almost embarrassing the way I sighed out those two words. Like a lovesick fool on cloud nine. Though I know none of them would judge me for it, it's still a little overwhelming to feel so much for someone. Someone who wasn't my mate but was better in every way possible.
"Well, now we know for sure Williams dragged Alpha Locksworth in this for a reason."
Isaac shakes his head a grin.
"I'm just glad I get front row tickets for the show."
I roll my eyes. Of course that's what he thinks about. I was about to tell him that now wasn't the time to murder Alpha's, but Noah's horrid "Noooo!" stops me. We all look at him who is now hunched over his knees, his face buried in his hands. Slowly, he peels himself off the comfort of his palms and stare at us in horror,
"I won't get any of the action. I'm pack ridden!"
He grumbles, a look of devastation crossing his face. Mailia gives her mate a sympathetic look before pausing. Realization dawns on her that she too, won't be seeing anything, and just like her mate, she goes on with the dramatics and just flings herself at him. They hold each other, muttering something about 'the cruel, cruel world' when a cough brings them out of their exaggeration.
Isaac chews on his lip,
"I can film it for you."
Noah sniffles, pressing a kiss on Mailia's forehead before looking up at Isaac like he was a gift sent from the Heavens above.
"You're a true friend, Isaac."
Noah cries, moving toward his friend and grasping shoulder.
"But of course, Nate."
"Fuck you."
"I want you to take the test again."
Meredith looks at me softly. Gray strands falling over her face as she tucks them back. Isaac, Noah and Mailia were downstairs alerting the pack border officers about Raizel's arrival. All of them choosing to go all at once mostly to give Meredith and I time to talk. They noticed Meredith's quietness, the tension her body language was reading. Much like her, her wolf was also brooding about something. A confused whine spouting from her as she laid on her stomach.
"Test?"
I asked.
"The Sacred Pool."
At this, I couldn't mask my surprise. I spin my chair to face her direction, my eyes wide and unsuspecting to her sudden request. She wanted me to take the test again? Why on earth would she want me to do it? It was completely unnecessary the first time, and now a second time? It's just be a waste of time.
"Why?"
She lets out a small breath. Her hands grasp onto the armrests of her chair before she pushes herself off. Standing tall with the aura of an Alpha, she wipes her face of any emotion. Her hands clasp together, her eyes regarding me with such seriousness that i honestly don't know what to do with myself. There's a slight movement of her head. A little nod at me. So, I stand. I stand and walk slowly toward her. Each step feeling like I was getting hotter and hotter in finding out what was going on.
"Meredith..."
I mumble when we're a feet apart.
"What's going on?"
She reaches out to caress my cheek. She smiles.
Alarm bells ring into my mind when she does this. Neither my wolf or I understand what's happening. I try to search for her wolf for any kind of clarification but to no avail. Meredith's wolf kept her silence as respect for her human. Whatever mutual agreement they've come up with clearly doesn't benefit me seeing as I have no clue as to what is running through her mind.
"I think... I think you two are mates."
"Meredith, that's impossible. You know who my mate is."
I tell her quietly. No matter how much I could wish on a star or pray at the shrine for it to be any different, nothing would change. The Moon Goddess chose to put us together only for us to realize how wrong our pairing was. Goddess, I can't even stomach the thought that we were supposed to be mated. Just the thought of baring his mark was enough to make me sick. My wolf growls out, revulsion pulsing through us.
Meredith shakes her head, her hand falling to mine as she tightens her hold.
"No, no... listen. It might sound crazy but."
She pauses.
"I think your bond with Locksworth is overpowering your bond with Landon."
My eyebrows screw together. My bond with Raizel? Overpowering the bond with Landon? I wish I could automatically shut that idea down but I can't.
It doesn't make sense and it should be impossible but I don't feel that way.
At this rate, nothing is truly 'impossible' anymore with mate bonds.
It was impossible for a wolf to reject his or her mate, yet here I am. Living proof that it is possible with the scars and emotional trauma to prove it.
It doesn't sound so farfetched anymore. I have to be honest when I say my connection with him was way stronger than my connection with Landon. Even before the rejection, nothing compared to the way i felt with Raizel. The pure electric desire coursing through me whenever Raizel was near was something I've never experienced with Landon. It's crazy to even think that. My attraction being stronger to Raizel rather than my mate.
It's almost taboo.
My wolf was never this attentive to him either.
If anything, Raizel was more of a mate than Landon was.
I was always confused as to why. Why I was attracted to Raizel since the moment I saw him, smelt him. The attraction was mutual too- so strong on Raizel's side that he was convinced we were mates. He had to be if he asked me to try the test with him. Then there's the coincidence of always being around him. Hestia pinning after him, our meeting, the Capital... Everything seemed way too coincidental for it to be anything other than fate.
But it didn't make sense.
The Sacred Pool already determined us as not mates so why would it change now?
It isn't something that adapts to situations. Or at least, it shouldn't be.
"The more time you spend with him... The more intimate you get, the stronger your bond gets. It's so strange. I've never mentioned it before but, my wolf recognizes you as a pair. Not just because I know you two are together now, but even before when I first saw you two at the Gala.. my wolf saw you two as a true pair. As mates. A choice in mate bonds has never happened before but..."
Meredith gives me a look of soft joy. Her hand loosens around mine as she lifts her fingers to brush the hair over my forehead.
"I think the Goddess is finally giving you a shot at happiness. There's no harm in trying, my child."
Although I still had my doubts, I agreed.
I'd ask Raizel to try the test with me again.
Isaac and I stood out the pack house. We'd decided to wait outside when we got word of Raizel's location. He was due to arrive any time now, already crossing our border patrol. A few pack members strolling by greeted and bowed their heads in respect before going on their way. An occasional conversation held here and there asking about Isaac and his extended stay here until he would return back to Cade to finish training. It was amusing to see the slight blush decorating his cheeks when the older wolves would ask about his luck in finding his mate. Unlike me, Isaac still had yet to find his mate. Though admittedly, he told me he would much rather find her when all of this rogue nonsense ended.
He wanted to focus on avenging his pack.
Still, I feel that little dwindle of emotions his wolf runs by me when he thinks of his mate. Loneliness and hopelessness taking up most of them.
A group of pups who were playing in the fields took the time to stare up at me, nervously kicking at the ground before asking me if it's true that Raizel was my mate. The question was completely out of place. Their mothers immediately trying to usher their pups away with mortification painting their faces. After blurting out apologies and feeling their embarrassment pricking my wolf, I realized that's what everyone assumed.
My pack members knew nothing of my past. All they knew was that I was the lone survivor of the attack in Duskfall and that itself was a secret among our pack. Sworn by oath to follow me and listen, none of them ever doubted my credibility or question my mateship. They'd all assumed I simply didn't meet him yet. If they thought anything else, they definitely didn't seem to mind me being the sole leader.
Looking at the pups, I felt a little sigh rumble from my wolf. An affectionate, doting sigh that showed her content with being surrounded by children.
The pups refused to budge from their spots. Big doe eyes looking up at me with anticipation eating at their tiny little chests. My conversation with Meredith automatically registers itself in my head. Out of pure surprise at their innocent question, I automatically answered 'yes' without really thinking about it. The answer seemed to satisfy the pups. The answer seemed to excite the mothers. I nearly groaned from the way the women's eyes sparkled with happiness.
What have I done?
"Really?"
One with dark curls asked. He stuck his fist in his mouth, innocent dark eyes staring through me.
"Isn't he scary?"
Isaac snorted back a laugh. Images of Raizel and I's kiss playing through my head sent by him. I grind my teeth, glancing at Isaac with a glare which seemed to make him laugh harder. The pups looked at Isaac strangely; one of them leaning to the other and whispering,
"I like Noah better."
The pups nodded in agreement and that's what makes Isaac stop. He frowns, visibly bothered and childishly pouting.
"He's not scary."
I answer, remembering everything that's happened. From our first meeting to how we are now. Scary was nowhere near the words I'd use to describe him. Though he hasn't showed me anything but the good, I wasn't stupid. I know he has a darker side. I know he's done things much worse than I can imagine, but what matters was what he was like with me. He's a pure bred Alpha from the utmost degree and yet he calls me by nicknames, he holds me with the most gentlest of touches, kisses me with the most feathery kisses like I was the most important thing in the world.
Raizel Locksworth was sweet, considerate, gentle and most importantly warm.
He was so, so warm.
"How come you don't have ta whatchamacallit... mark?"
Another one with red hair asked,
"Mama says mates mark each other."
He points at his neck, then points at mine.
"Where's your mark?"
At this, I found myself speechless.NI open my mouth, 'I'm not sure' at the tip of my tongue when his scent hits me.
"Some people are worth waiting for."
I turn around. Striding toward me with his dark hair messily tousled back, a form hugging black dress shirt and dark washed jeans, Raizel keeps his gaze on me. He smiles just the tiniest bit.
"And your Alpha is definitely worth waiting for."
Heat rushes into my cheeks. A certain shade of pink laying on my skin as Isaac nudges at my mind. There's a deliciously painful jolt in my heart when we our eyes connect. Goosebumps rise from my skin. Like little ridges of sensitivity budding from it's grounds. I ignore him, instead focusing on the man walking to me. The pups' eyes are like gleaming glass marbles with the way they stare at him like a God walking on ground. They follow his figure, mouths hanging loose while even their mothers gawk at the specimen before us.
I don't really blame them.
I was 'this' close to gaping at him too.
From the grumbling sounding from my wolf, she didn't like the attention he was receiving.
"Selene."
He breathes out sultrily. The scent I've recognized on him as sandalwood calls to me.
His dark eyes scan me down, his bottom lip rolling in between his lips while a slight smirk tugs on his face. His wolf is ecstatically barking at mine. Their tails wagging in sync when they catch sight of one another. My heart mercilessly pounds against my chest. The ringing in my ears nearly blocking out the whispers surrounding us.
"Raizel,"
I smile. My wolf puffs out her approval. Obviously enjoying Raizel's desire for us and decides to show him just how much she appreciates it.
I don't have the chance to hold her back because before I know it, she's taking the reins of control and literally flings us on him. Not a thought in mind but getting impossibly closer to him.
My arms open wide, wrapping around his torso in a tight embrace. A ear splitting smile on my face when I don't hesitate to smother myself on his hard chest. My face diving head first into his warm chest catches him off guard. He doesn't stumble back but his body immediately stiffens from surprise. And just like that the traitor of a wolf thrusts me back with control.
Isaac splutters out, clearly not expecting me to throw myself at him.
"Oh look Mama, the Alpha is doin the same thing you do with dada."
The pups.
The mothers.
The whole damn pack is seeing this.
My face boils with embarrassment, my lips trembling from how hard I'm biting down on them in order not to scream. It doesn't help that I'm just stupidly standing here holding him like vines on a wall. Instead of facing the utter humiliation head on, I resort to shutting my eyes tight and just letting the raging heartbeats of Raizel to calm me. Good job wolf. Really, good fucking job.
Just when the mortification was almost too much, I feel Raizel shift. The tension form his muscles relaxed and his chest vibrating from what I think was him slightly laughing. His arms slowly encircle around me. His hand finding itself weaving through my hair to hold the back of my head so he could push me harder against him.
I feel his chin rest atop my head.
"I missed you too, love."
Good job wolf.
No really.
Good job.