The Alpha and the Exile

"This way," I told Michael as we walked down the hall. Dinner had been...well, I can't say it was pleasant, but Michael hadn't been a pain either. "What now?" Michael said, sounding bored. "I can't believe you are seriously making me play house."

I refused to let his bitter tone get to me as we continued to walk. Stopping at a door, I made a quick knock and walked in. The room was an entertainment room, but tonight it was going to serve as a quiet place for Michael's first session with Doctor Evans, the pack therapist.

"Now you meet with Doctor Evans, he's going to be helping you with your...issues."

The older, lanky man stood up and walked over to us with his hand out to shake Michael's. "It's a pleasure to meet you Michael," he said, his tone warm and inviting.

However Michael looked at his hand and back at the man. "A shrink? You're making me see a shrink?" He said, sounding outraged.

I tried not to cringe as the therapist lowered his hand and looked at me. "He didn't know about this, Luna?"

"Uhm..." I started.

"No! No, I didn't," Michael said, stuffing his hands into his jeans pockets. "Not that it really does it Luna...seeing as you're holding me against my will!"

"I am trying to help you Michael! The pack needs a stable alpha and you are far from it. All you have to do is talk to the doctor. I won't even be if the room if you want, but you need to get help!" I argued with him.

Doctor Evan's lips pressed into a thin line as he let out a breath, giving me not a very nice look before addressing my mate once again. "I'm sorry, I didn't realize this was an ambush. I wouldn't have taken any part of it if I did," he told him. "But with that said, the luna is right. I can help you with your aggressive tendencies and issues with anger management."

"I don't care if you can pull a rabbit out of your butt," Michael snapped back at him then glared at me. "You can keep me here against my will, but if you think I'm going to go along with this you are even crazier than I expected, woman." "Michael..." I started and reached out to stop him.

"Don't touch me," he yelled shoving me away from him, sending me flying back into the wall. "And you too!" He said threatening the doctor with a fist before storming out of the room.

I slid on the floor, my vision a little spotty and my lungs were trying to remember how to take in air. "Alice... Alice," I heard the doctor say. "Are you alright, do I need to call the med team?"

I shook my head, reaching up to feel the back of it with a wince. "No, I'm okay." I told him. "That didn't go as well as I planned."

"What did you expect? He's got a history of violence, his own acts and acts upon him. How did you really expect him to act when trapping him like this?" Doctor Evan's told me, the disapproval in his tone wasn't lost on me. "I don't have a choice..." I started.

"We always have choices, Alice. Always," he replied.

I scowled at him briefly, but I was angrier with himself than with him. "If I didn't force him to stay here, he'd be gone. He's my mate Doc! I... The pack needs him."

The doctor gave me a sympathetic smile as he helped me stand. "I know this is all been so very difficult for you and you've been doing well, but this? You can't force him to seek help if he doesn't want it. As much as I wish, unless Michael comes to me there is nothing I can do for him and while I'm on the subject, maybe you and I should talk," he explained.

No thank you, I thought and gave him a smile. "Sorry Doc, but my schedule is full as it is. Thanks for being here," I said then left, still rubbing my slightly sore head. I shivered remembering the wild look in Michael's eyes as he shoved me. Next time, I'll have to use a different approach. Maybe something that didn't make him feel so trapped.

I was almost to my room when Elder Ovalle came up to me. Out of the five elders of the pack, I disliked David Ovalle the most. He was proud, narrow minded, and hated change. I forced a smile on my face as I greeted him. "Hello Elder, Ovalle, lovely day today isn't it?"

He sniffed with a sour look. "I didn't come to discuss the weather with you child," he replied, his cloudy brown eyes narrowing at me as he said it. "Why did we have to learn about the latest attack from others and not you?" "I've been busy and I dealt with it," I told him, knowing this wasn't going to go well.

"Dealt with it? You call that dealing with it? You let one of them just walk out of here as if he hadn't done anything wrong," the elder complained. "Do you realize how that made us look?"

"It made us look like we're a fair and reasonable pack. That rogue I let go cooperated with me. He told me what he knew, and after I made him promise to never return, I let him go to show that we're not unreasonable," I explained. "The others as you have noticed I have doing manual labor as compensation."

"Reasonable, manual labor? Do you hear yourself you stupid girl," he demanded pointing a finger at me menacingly. "In my day rogues knew not to mess with the pack, they feared us and we killed every damn one who dared make a move against us!"

"And what did that give us? Elder Ovalle? Death! That's what! All it ever gave us and them was bodies to bury! I've already buried my parents and my brother I do not want to bury more bodies! Fear isn't going to keep this pack safe," I told him, feeling my anger starting to get the better of me.

"Well neither are you," the elder said, his voice calmer than it was before. "Give it up girl! Give up the pack while there's a pack to give up! You were never meant to be a luna and you most certainly are not fit to lead us. Your womanly compassion with the rogues will be our undoing!"

"Actually I think it's a good strategy," someone said.

We both turned to see Michael standing in the doorway of his room.

"Who are you? And why should I care what you think of her follies?" Elder Ovalle demanded with obvious suspicion while I just stared, shell shocked that Michael had actually sort of defended me...maybe?

"I'm Michael Howe," he replied and the elder's eyes widened in recognition. "And I guess you'd care what I think since I'm her mate."

Still wide eyed, the elder turned to me. "Is this true?"

"Why would he lie?" I said sharply.

"Michael Howe our Alpha?" Elder Ovalle repeated as if tasting the words the held out his hand. "I'm Elder David Ovalle, Alpha. I am curious though, why would you agree with her, seeing as your family has held a no tolerance policy against rogues for many years."

I frowned, watching Michael answer him, not liking the sudden change in the elder. He seemed completely enthralled with my mate. This so wasn't fair! Just because he's a guy, suddenly he's worth listening to!

"Well," the elder said, rubbing his bare chin. "Perhaps...perhaps she won't be our ruin after all. It was a pleasure to meet with you Alpha Michael," he told him before turning and scurrying down the hall. When his back was turned I flipped him off and muttered a few colorful insult earning a laugh from Michael.

"That doesn't seem very proper luna behavior," he replied and I scowled at him. He gave me a pained grimace. "Look, uhm, sorry about earlier. I didn't mean to push you that hard," he said, looking guilty.

"Forget about it. You just got that dick wad off my back for a little while so I'll consider us even," I told him, realizing him shoving me was partly my fault. I knew he was abusive yet I tried to corner him. It's right there on the lines of bringing alcoholic to a frat party then being surprised when he's drunk.

Michael shook his head and look where the elder how gone. "Is it always like that?"

I sighed, rubbing the back of my head, it no longer hurt. "Pretty much. The only one who believed in me, and my ability to pull this off, I alienated earlier today."

Michael made a dry laugh. "It's not your fault if lover boy can't handle the truth," he told me.

I turned to him wide eyed. "You saw that? How? You were in your room?" At his sly grin, I stammered in surprise. "You followed me?"

He made another dry laugh and smirked at me. "Not so fun on the other end is it? You kidnapped me then it's only fair that I spy on you."

I opened my mouth and closed it. He had a point. "Alright, fine," I replied.

"And as I said, it's not your fault your boyfriend can't handle the truth. An alpha, no matter how weak, would be able to wipe the floor with him. He'd make your pack more vulnerable than what it is now," he replied.

I wasn't sure if it was just me hearing things, but I swore when he said 'your boyfriend' he sounded a tinsy bit jealous. It was stupid, but I liked hearing it. "He's not my boyfriend," I told him.

Michael crossed his arms, grinning down at me. "Yeah, not any more. No guy wants to hear he's too weak for his girl," he replied, looking all too pleased suddenly.

I narrowed my eyes at him. "Why are you in such a good mood? It wasn't ten minutes ago you were calling me a psycho."

"Because," he said, looking just downright smug. "You weren't kidding. You really do need me. No one seems to like you, like at all."

"People like me," I argued, crossing my arms under my chest.

"Not the majority it seems. I mean come on, that guy was happy to see me. Me? The great and terrible son of Alpha Ryan. No one is ever happy to see me," he replied. I rolled my eyes and huffed. God, he had a point again!

Michael's expression turned serious. "I'm sick of it," he said, but I wasn't sure exactly what he was talking about. "I am tired of being Alpha Ryan's son..." he added. "Then why won't you let me help you? Why won't you talk to Doctor Evans?"

"Why should I trust you? Because you're my mate? This is the real world, peaches. You may be singing a different song, but it's the same tune," he replied, bitterly. Still not sure what he was talking about I leaned against the wall with a sigh. I just couldn't win for losing at this rate.

"What happened to your family?" He asked and when I didn't answer at first he replied. "You want me to trust you, tell me what happened."

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