Born For The Alpha

Her voice was soft and placating as she continued trying to calm him down. "It's me, moon child, your mate. Please don't hurt me." She knew she would say anything to get out of the dangerous situation she was currently in.

Arda could no longer feel the movement of his teeth on the side of her neck and saw that he had gone still. Slowly, he pulled himself off her, letting her go. Then he took a step back from her, the crimson color of his iris turning back to silver.

Tears of relief filled her eyes and rolled down her face. Her heart was still thundering with fright as she kept staring at him. His features didn't soften but at least he was not attempting to hurt her.

"You said I will be safe here." she whined.

"This is the safest place for you."

"Yet you almost...killed me."

"Something inside you, calmed my desire."

"And what if next time it doesn't?"

"I don't have the answer to that question. That is why we have the Elder."

"The Elder?"

"He is our Diviner. Tomorrow, you will meet the pack and settle down here in your home."

Before she could completely comprehend what he had just said, she saw him standing very close to her, her chest almost slamming against his. He could move so fast and unexpectedly and she wasn't sure if she would ever get used to his supernatural speed.

Arda tried to control the slight tremors shaking her body as he put his finger forward and gently wiped the tears off her delicate cheeks. She shut her eyes for a moment, letting him finish. Still, she kept her eyes shut. It was his voice that forced her eyes open. She was so afraid of him.

"Open your eyes, Arda."

For the first time his voice sounded gentle and the surprise of it hastened her response, her eyes, falling open. Was this truly him or someone else? She wondered, though in sarcasm. Who was she kidding? It was him, alright.

"Do not be afraid of me."

You're not making that easy, she wanted to blurt out but decided not to let any tension come before them. If he was being gentle now, she might as well seize the moment and have a conversation. "What...what is your name?" she asked. "I mean, who are you exactly?"

"Gillow Rain, Alpha of the South of Homeland."

"Are there other Alphas?"

"Alpha of the North, East and West."

"So which of them wants me dead?"

"All three."

For a moment, Arda thought her heart stopped beating and her hand flew against her chest like one who was having a heart attack.

He started laughing and she looked at him in confusion. She didn't think he could laugh. He was always so fierce.

"What is funny?"

"You should see your face." He answered lightly and she couldn't believe that he had been pulling her legs.

Arda breathed a sigh of relief. "It's not funny." She said indignantly and he smiled at her. Experiencing this playful side of him was still too shocking for her. And he was handsome but even more so when he was in a light mood. Arda liked this part of him and wondered how long it usually lasted. She knew it couldn't be long.

As if to confirm her thoughts, the smile left his face. He couldn't even disappoint her, she thought.

"Who said I was joking?" he asked, the humor gone from his voice. His face was expressionless. He didn't look serious. He didn't look playful either and she knew that whatever he was about to tell her was jus plain fact. Good, the earlier she knew about her predicament, the better for her.

"I made that joke to calm you down. But what I said is true."

Arda silently admitted that his humor had actually helped her assimilate the information about the enormous threat on her life. Still, she refused to admit it openly.

"You're welcome." He said and she knew that once again, that he had noticed her attitude.

Gillow didn't blame her. Anyone in her shoes would not be happy. He wasn't the patient kind, but he would give her time to adjust to her new life and learn about her role in this current situation.

"The only place you can be safe is here. For that purpose, I have made up a set of rules you must abide by. It is for your own good. Be that as it may, I will be very disappointed if you break any of them. Do you understand?"

Tyrant. Arda cursed inwardly and chose to ignore his commanding question. Instead, she decided to ask him the question on her mind.

"Where is Karina?"

Gillow understood what she was trying to do. She was deliberately trying to defy him and he didn't take kindly to such attitude.

"Do you understand me?" he repeated, his voice hardened.

Arda swallowed hard, unnerved. She could feel her eyes watering. This guy will never mate her, she vowed inwardly. She had decided that a long time ago. He would have to rape her to do that or at the worst case scenario, kill her.

"I understand." She whispered, due to her fear. Her voice had lost its volume.

He watched streaks of tears run down her face as her beautiful brown eyes stared up at him. He knew she feared him. He could feel her fear but he could not access her thoughts. He had tried reading t from the first time he saw her but it was blank. He could read other people's minds but hers was blank. And that angered him. But it also intrigued him.

Gillow never made it a habit of reading people's minds but he felt like he would give anything to read hers. She was of great interest and importance to him.

Arda watched him slowly lift his hand and place a finger on her chest. He could feel her heartbeat pumping against her chest and he listened closely but could hear nothing.

"What... What are you doing?" she stuttered, panicking. Why was his finger in her cleavage, touching her chest? Would he move his hand to her breast and afterwards, start touching her intimately? Dear God, please, not now, she prayed silently and was relieved as he took his finger off her chest.

"What's on your mind?"

"What?" Arda was confused by his question.

"I mean, what are you thinking?"

Arda found his question odd. "You mean, what's on my mind?

"That's exactly what I asked earlier. So what's on your mind?"

Arda didn't bother over-analyzing his question. She had already told him she would not be his mate. There was no need repeating it and probably igniting his anger. She feared the vicious part of him and didn't want to see it.

"Nothing." She answered.

"There is something on everybody's mind."

"Well, I am not everybody."

His eyes took their sweet time sweeping over her body from her head to her toe. She felt like he had just undressed her with them just like he had looked at her in the forest. This time, she felt self-conscious instead of embarrassed. She also felt antagonistic.

"I can see that." He said flirtatiously. "Isn't that pretty obvious?"

Arda hated his guts.

"Well, my thoughts are my own."

A small grin split his lips. She really did have some spirit and a mouth on her. He wouldn't let her get too mouthy though.

In a flash, he was holding her against him and pulling her close to his chest. Rapidly, her breasts rose and fell with the rapid beating of her heart. Her fearful eyes stared up wildly into his dominating silver eyes.

"I only have two rules for you tonight, Arda." he said darkly. "Henceforth, you will address me by my title. That's the first. Secondly, I do not tolerate back talk or any other form of disrespect. Do you understand me?"

Out of fear, she gave him a quick nod. "Yes." Her voice had gone hoarse with fright.

"Yes, what?"

"Yes, Alpha." Her eyes had gone damp again and her quiet decision to avoid his mating was reaffirmed. She couldn't be with a tyrant like him.

"Good girl." He praised and stepped away from her, his gaze still holding hers. Arda could not wait for her escape. She feared him so much. He was nothing but a tyrant. Anyway, she needed Karina and maybe Karina would be willing to help her escape the castle.

"Where is Karina?"

"Paying for her sloppy work."

"What did she do?"

"Long story short, she had a duty to watch over you and report to me. But she failed to report your recent venture at monetizing your mark, a foolish move that could have exposed your identity. She also exposed you to a member of the enemy pack."

"Who?"

"Jacob Cain, son of Noah Cain who is the Alpha of the North."

Arda couldn't be more shocked. "Jacob? My roommate? He's a werewolf?"

A grin passed across his lips. "Like I said, you have much to learn, Arda. Be patient. You are safe with us...with me."

At his last two words, Arda sucked in a sharp breath. She hated him even though she was still attracted to him.

The warring feelings felt like a curse

to her. It was just as well, she

thought, because she felt cursed.

Anyone fated to marry this tyrant before her would feel the same, she

reckoned. But she would not succumb to him because of some

threat, mark or prophecy. At the slightest opportunity, she would find her way out.