Violet Ashes: The Blood Ridge Alpha - Chapter 41: Chapter 41

He just stands there without saying a word. I count to thirty before I nod and turn around to walk inside. I slip my jacket off and run the water on the sink by the washers to get some of this blood off my skin. I don't want Gary's stench in my tower. When I reach to unbutton my holster he beats me to it.
I let the straps slip down my arms and I put them in the plastic tub letting the hot water soak them. I glance back at him as he looks around and then stops at the little bike I was riding. I say little because compared to his, it's tiny.
"This yours?"
"No, it's Baby's. She builds crazy imports like that," I answer and go over to the helmet so I can hang it up on the racks by the stairway. We're both silent for a while. The silence is broken by the cars coming back.
"Ugh, she drives beautifully," Baby hops out my G-Wagon. "Where did you get it customized?"
"His little brother," I point at my mate. "Guys this is Arsenial Barnes. Alpha of Sin's Creek over in Mid-town. Arsenial, this is Ramona and this is Roman."
"You can call me Rome, man. It's good to finally put face to the name," Roman walks up to him and offers his hand. Alpha Barnes takes it.
"Arsen, but here in the city in front of others, it's Alpha Barnes," he smiles.
"Can I get a look at your bike?" Baby blurts out. "Please," she puts her hands together jumping up and down. "She is gorgeous,"
"I think it's fair since I got a look at yours." he agrees.
"Yes," she jumps up.
"Bring it inside. It's late," I say wiping my hands on a washcloth. "I am going to get cleaned up. You two are on the next floor. Make yourselves at home.
"Baby, if you don't mind, I'd like for you to call that fuck Cash Yui. Tell him I'd like to have a word about the way he treated Mr. Thorne last week."
"Fuck yes and that lil hoe owes me for the katanas I stole from that big ass Lycan dude in Bejin."
"He still hasn't paid you for that?" Roman glares at her. "I'll call him."
"Even better. I'll see you guys in a bit."
"What about the big guy?" Baby asks as I rush up the stairs.
"He's an alpha. He's going to do whatever he wants." I call back. "Don't be rude. The blood on those alliance papers isn't dry just yet."
I turn the lights on as I go up to my room to look for what I'm going to wear later. I'm going to be sore. That's already clear. Reconnecting with my brother has opened up a part of me that I don't recognize. I'm not sure what it is, but it feels warm. Maybe it's not just coming from him but the entire pack. My body is reacting to it all and I feel exhausted.
The tension I've learned to carry is being chipped at. It felt like something heavy fell on me back then and I'd been trying to make my way out from under it for years only to be helped out of it after being in the dark for so long. I've had shit fall on me and trap me in dark places, but this had always been worse than that.
As I'm getting my things together, the ache in my body finally gives way and I fall to my knees feeling heavy and completely drained of energy.
"Easy," Alpha Barnes comes over to me and gathers my things. "You need some rest. There's a reason why there is a twenty-four-hour rest after joining a pack. How long has it been since you've been a part of yours?"
"Fourteen years," I whisper. He looks at me, worry etched into his pretty soft eyes.
"You were only connected for two years?"
"Sixteen months," I correct him and reach for one of the empty shelves to lift myself. He stands easily and helps me up when he sees me struggle. "I can do this,"
"I'm not doubting you, Violetta, but you're my mate and it's my instinct to help you. You're going to have to put up with me," he says gently and helps me out of the closet. "Which one of these is the bathroom?"
"That one," I point at the door.
He leans into me tucking his free arm behind my knees and lifts me as if I weigh nothing. I suppose that I don't to someone of his size. He towers over me. His body is easily three or four times bigger than mine. For the first time in a while, my size stirs up all the insecurities I grew up with.
I've always been made fun of because of my size. I had to work harder than the others to keep up. I had to prove that I was born to be beside my brother. It wasn't easy. Especially because this pack was always male-dominant. It wasn't until my grandfather started the Sigma programs that females were allowed to fight. He did it to satisfy my mother's feral wolf. My Mom was proud when I started showing early signs of aggression. My father resented her for it because I have better control than she did.
"I don't know how to be taken care of," I say when sets me down on the bathroom counter. He turns away to run the hot water.
"It's not that hard, Moonlight," he whispers. A knot starts to form in my throat as he reaches for me with both his hands. He pushes my hair back so he can study me closer. "I've never met an alpha female before."
"What? There are a lot."
"Not around here," he shakes his head. "Not like you."
"Technically, I'm not. And there's not a lot of people like me."
"What does that mean?" he comes closer when I don't push him away.
"You know Blood Ridge functions as a combat branch of the throne, right?"
"You have a black ops unit that fights for the King. Yeah, I know that," he nods.
"It's called the Sigma Program. We take alpha-born wolves who don't qualify to be official alphas. Either because they're second-born or aren't strong enough to be acting Alpha. It's to help them from seeking out alternative alpha rank functions,"
"Like killing alphas who were legally placed in their positions."
"Exactly. That's what I am. My mother was the first. My grandpa started the program for her. She was born feral. It's a genetic trait in her bloodline and it passed on to me."
"You're feral?"
"No, but I do have symptoms of it. Had I been born before Vince, I would be."
"Why are you telling me this?" he leans in closer.
"So, you know what you're getting yourself into," I say completely focused on his lips. "It's likely I'm going to get you into a lot of trouble."
"Is that right? Do you know who I am?"
It takes me a moment to process what he asks and then another to completely ignore it. I finish closing the space between us and press my lips to his. My body responds to the bond between us. It's not a violent feeling. Not like it was when we first met, but it's definitely a rush. I pull away looking up at him to make sure I didn't read into this wrong. His lips part as he stares back at me.
"That's it?" he asks.
"I'm sorry?"
"If you're going to kiss me, do it right," he buries his hands in my hair and holds me still so he can kiss me back.
His kiss isn't just some feeble attempt at knowing what to do in this situation. His lips move against mine and all I can do is sit here and allow him to take what he wants. Even if I didn't feel as weak as I do, I wouldn't tell him to stop. He pulls away much too soon. The two of us look away trying to catch our breath. It's only then that I notice the thick steam coming from the hot water.
"I should go," he says catching my attention.
"No," I grab his wrist without realizing. His gaze immediately falls on our hands and I let him go. "I mean, why?"
"If I stay, you're going to be fully marked and mated by the time you have to get to work. You should get cleaned up.. Try to get some rest. I'd advise you to take the day off and stay in bed, but something tells me that's not going to happen."
"Are we okay?" I ask sliding off the counter.
I only have a moment to steady myself when he's on me again. This time my body does react violently. I try to pull him down closer to me, but he stops it. I let him go and pressed my lips together to keep myself from laughing. I can't remember the last time I felt like this. Excited, angry, and horny all in one.
"I'd say so," he smirks pulling away.
"I don't see why it would be a problem," I say when he opens the door. Steam falls out of the bathroom and cold air floods in. He stands still for a moment and then glances back at me.
"Don't tempt me. Violetta. Restraint isn't my area of expertise. You're not ready for me."
"What makes you think that?" I scoff.
"I'm gonna need you to beg, Moonlight. I want you to only want me. I want you to only need me. Do your thing. Just know that I'm watching."