The Alpha Who Saved Me

Chapter 15

“Harder, Alpha!” Cam, my head warrior calls out to me as I pummel another warrior during training. Apparently, I’m not hitting hard enough for his liking though.

Jumping back, I catch my breath and think about my next move. Tala senses someone behind me, and I automatically do a roundhouse kick, tripping up my Beta in the process. Laughter erupts from the few others that are training as Spencer jumps up with a scowl on his face.

“Nice move, Alpha!” Cam calls out to me, giving me a thumbs up.

I’ve been Alpha for a few weeks now and we all have been training really hard to make up for the lack of numbers we have in pack members. Declan kept his word and sent over a hundred warriors, so we would be protected a little more. Little by little, though, other wolves trickle in looking for a new pack to join. These are wolves that had lost their own packs due to attacks like the one on ours.

So far, I’ve welcomed in thirty-five new members, thirteen of them being under the age of eighteen. Everyone belonging to the Dark Moon pack trains six out of seven days a week unless they are under the age of fifteen. Those that are between fifteen and seventeen have special training, since they won’t be engaging in the fight itself. They train more for protecting themselves and in different scenarios, like having to go to a saferoom like I did, or how to call for help.

“I see you are much better sensing when someone is near.” Spencer chuckles.

“I had a little talk with Tala about watching our back when in battle if I’m in human form.” I grin, “The poor girl was out of shape, and a little lax in her trainings.”

“You do realize that I can hear you right?’ My wolf asks snidely.

“Always, Tala, always.’I chuckle at her and she stomps back to her place in the back of my head.

“Did you happen to sense that you had a visitor?” My Beta scoffs and then nods towards the edge of the training field.

“What’s he doing here?” I ask.

“What do you think, Quinn? i’m assuming he’s trying to ‘Woo’ you.” He snickers.

“You don’t like Gavin very much, do you?” I ask my Beta.

He shrugs. “I don’t really know him, but I can tell you that he wouldn’t be my first choice for you.”

I’m taken by surprise at his words, but he walks away before I can question him about them. I turn back to the warrior that I’m training with, “That’s it for today, unless you want to continue with someone else.”

“Yes, Alpha.” The male who I can never remember his name, heads over to another section of the training field as I head over to see what Gavin is doing here.

I can’t ever get over how much Gavin resembles his cousin, and it makes my heart hurt every time I see him because I haven’t laid eyes on Declan since he had sworn me in. He had left without even saying goodbye and I haven’t heard from him, since.

“Quinn.” Gavin grins as I get closer to him, “you’re looking good out there. Can you spare a little time for an old friend?

chuckle, “of course, Gavin. What brings you by, and don’t say that you were just passing by because Dark Moon is well out of your way.”

“I don’t need to make up a reason to come see the most beautiful she-wolf on this side of the country, do 1?” He asks.

“Well, I would hope you wouldn’t, but you just never know these days. Thank you for the compliment, Gavin.” I blush as always.

His grin fades just a little bit, “Have you heard from my cousin?”

My heart skips a beat at his mention of Declan, and something in his voice tells me that I’m not going to like what he has to say. I wonder if whatever it is Gavin is about to tell me has something to do with why I haven’t heard from him. Even Cici hasn’t seen him much when she goes back to visit her parents and brother.

“Aunt Amelia told my mother that they had the paternity test done through an amnio something or other, and Declan is the father.” He watches me carefully, but I remain reserved, even though Tala is crying out inside of my head.

“Well, that’s unfortunate for him.” I state as I turn and start heading inside, only turning once to indicate that he can follow me.

“I agree. That woman is a vile creature, whatever made him even think that she was a suitable bed warmer is beyond me.” He continues with the little jabs, not realizing that they are killing me little by little inside.

2.00%

10:11

When we get to the front porch, I ask him to wait a few minutes while I jump in and take a quick shower, and of course, he’s always a gentleman. As soon as I get up to my suite of rooms, though, I cover my mouth and break down in tears. They’re not just for me, though. They are for the Alpha who

made a mistake and now has to suffer with a she-wolf and never be able to find his true mate. He will never know what real love is. My heart cries for the friend who saved me and gave me a good life and a new family. He doesn’t deserve this, and she definitely doesn’t deserve him.

I pull myself together and jump into the shower really quick, so Gavin isn’t waiting too long. As grateful as I am that Gavin informed me of the paternity test, I’m a little upset that Declan didn’t call and tell me himself. I thought we were close, and how can I be there for him as a friend if he doesn’t allow me to be?

Turning the shower off, I towel off and grab the first outfit I see, throwing it on before grabbing a hair tie and putting my hair into a messy bun. Normally. I try to look a bit more conservative, but I don’t want to make Gavin wait longer than he has to. By the time I get back downstairs, he’s already made himself at home on the couch and is scrolling through his phone.

*Can I get you a drink, Gavin?” I ask as I pass by to grab me a nice cold beer. I’d grab a water, but I need something a little stronger at the moment

“Sure. I’ll have whatever you’re having, thanks.” I nod and go in to collect two bottles of the cold brew. Popping the tops, I bring his out and pass it to him as I lift mine to my mouth.

He takes the beer from my hand and **a brow at me, “I didn’t take you as a beer drinker.” He chuckles.

“I’d rather have whiskey, but I haven’t stocked up on any quite yet.” I grin. Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

“I’ll have to remember that the next time I visit,” He smiles back before lifting his own beer.

Gavin stayed throughout dinner, and I was happy for his company. He never pushed any kind of romantic notions on me while he visited, and he truly acted as though he was just a friend. Of course, there may have been a bit of flirting here or there, but nothing over the top. I had invited Gavin to come back and visit again right before he left, and I meant it.

Now that he was gone, though, Gavin’s news about Declan hits me once more. I pick up my phone and dial the Alpha’s number. I stand here in my office, biting my nail, waiting for him to pick up, but he never does. I next dial, his Beta, Carter and wait. He picks up on the third ring.

“Alpha Quinn, to what do I owe the pleasure?” His cheerful voice throws me off, but then I think that he probably doesn’t think that I know.

“If you call me Alpha one more time, Carter, I will tie your balls in a knot and stretch them all the way up so I can shove them down your throat. Do you understand?”

“Ouch, that’s a bit excessive, don’t you think?” He sounds as though he may be holding his **area already.

“It doesn’t have to be, so don’t make it that way.” 1 chuckle, but then lose the joking attitude, “Tell me, Carter, how is he?”

“Why do you ask?”

“Carter!” I growl a warning.

I hear him sigh, “Not good, Quinn. He took off right after hearing the results and he hasn’t been back yet.”

“Do you need me to come over?” I ask worried.

“No, just sit tight for now, and I will let you know.” He replies.

“Okay, but you better call me if it gets bad, Carter!” I give him another warning.

“I will, I promise. It’s getting dark, and I’m sure he will be home soon. I will talk to you later.” He says before hanging up, not even waiting for me to say bye.”

I let out a much-needed sigh, it’s been such a long day, so I drag myself up to my bedroom to get ready for bed. I’m calling it an early night, but I will keep my phone nearby in case Carter or even Declan calls me back. Going straight into my ensuite, I take my hair down and wash my face. After brushing my teeth, I go back out to my room and head for my dresser to grab something to sleep in, but I don’t get that far, because I sense him.

I stop in the middle of my room and close my eyes. I haven’t felt it since the day he had sworn me in as Alpha. Our hearts beat as one. I take a few deep breaths to prepare myself, and then I turn around to meet his deep brown eyes, staring back at me with so much emotion swimming in them.

“Declan…”

“Quinn…”

He’s only dressed in a pair of basketball shorts, probably something he found stored around our tree line, but none of that matters. I open my arms and in two large strides, he’s wrapping his thick-muscled ones around me and burying his face into my neck.