The Rogue Alpha’s Claim

“How can you do that?” The alpha demanded, and Ariel was sure she could see stars coming out of his eyes.

Yup, she had gotten his attention, and she had to maintain it now.

A surge of confidence coursed through her veins, and her shoulders straightened up. “I used to live in his pack, but I ran away when I found out he killed my parents and…”

“No surprise there. Kane’s reputation always precedes him.” The alpha interrupted her, and Ariel’s eyes narrowed slightly, trying not to show her annoyance at his action.

“I know you hate him, and honestly, I hate him more than you can think, but there is not much I can do seeing who I am. However, I have enough information that would be very useful to help you achieve your goal.”

“Hmmm.” The alpha stroked his beard, going over the thought, but from the way his eyes had lit up at the idea, she knew he was already sold.

It was times like this that she had to thank the goddess for having a mate that was wanted by most of the packs. Who knew it would be helpful at such a time?

“What do you say? And before you reject my offer, remember that you will never get such an opportunity in a long time, and maybe never.” Ariel knew she was pushing her luck, but her life was on the line here.

She had to be bold if she wanted to live.

“Hmm, I will discuss this with my beta and gamma, and you will be informed of the decision. For now, you can rest up here till we make the decision.”

“Thank you.” Ariel spoke with a hint of a smile. “I have another request, though.”

“What is it?”

***

Ariel laid back on the bed, and a gentle smile graced her lips as she was no longer plagued by her turmoil.

Finally, things were looking up for her.

She swung her legs over the side of the bed, planting her feet firmly on the ground, and she stood up, taking a step forward as she tested the strength of her legs.

She made it up to three steps before the door opened, and the nurse from earlier barged inside.

“Hello, I came to show you your room. The alpha had given a space in the pack house.”

“Thank you.” That was surprisingly generous of him.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

“Please follow me.” She said and she turned her back to her, walking out of the room, not even caring if Ariel was following.

Ariel quickened her pace, falling into line beside her.

“The name is Ariel; what is your name?” Ariel asked. She figured she would have to make a friend here if she was going to survive this place.

It was a foreign place, and she needed as many allies as she could get.

Instead, her words were met with stony silence, and the nurse quickened her pace, and it was a struggle for Ariel to keep up with her.

It was obvious the nurse wasn’t going to answer that question, and she decided to ask another question.

“What is the name of your pack? I am not exactly versed in pack history, and seeing that I will be here for a long time, it is only right that I know.”

She was met with silence again, and only the echo of their footsteps on the stairs could be heard.

“The least you could do is just answer my question.” Ariel grumbled under her breath, forgetting how sensitive the werewolf’s ears could be.

If the nurse had heard her, she didn’t pay her any heed, instead they continued to walk in silence until they stopped in front of a brown door, and the lady turned to look at her.

“Let me get this straight. I don’t know anything about you; you could even be a spy, and I don’t want to reveal any information about my pack to you. I will suggest you refrain from asking me such questions. This will be your room till the alpha doesn’t need you anymore.”

“Yeah, thank you.” Ariel murmured her gratitude, even though her last sentence sounded more like a threat.

“Everything you need is inside, and if you need anything, don’t call. Goodbye.”

Ariel hazed at her departing figure, wondering if she had a permanent stick up her ass. But she couldn’t care; she was just glad she wasn’t on the run again.

She held the doorknob, gently pushed the door open, and entered inside. The brown walls reminded her of a warehouse, and if it weren’t for the size and lack of adequate furniture, she would have assumed it was one.

However, she was rather grateful.

She was only going to stay here as long as it was necessary, and when it was time, she was going to go home-wherever home was.

Her eyes landed on the bed, and a basket sat filled with toiletries, and beside it was a change of clothes. She took the basket and headed for the only door that was attached to the room.

Lucky for her, it turned out to be a bathroom, and she was grateful not to share a common bathroom with the rest of the pack.

It was bound to be awkward.

Ariel peeled the dress from her body, and she stood under the shower, letting the cold waters seep into her pores, and she sighed in bliss.

She took her previous time, washing herself clean, but she was flinching as she rubbed too hard on some bruises.

There was once a time when things like this would have bothered her. Her body had always been spotless and soft, but now it bears little battle scars and bruises that would take time to heal.

She allowed herself a moment of weakness and thought about her friends in the pack. She had missed them a lot, even Claudia.

She was starting over in a new place, and honestly, she didn’t know what to do, but she knew she had to survive.

She stepped out of the shower only when she was satisfied that she had cleaned every inch of her body, and she changed into the clothes that had been set aside for her.

No sooner had she changed into her clothes and settled in did she hear a knock on the door, and it stunned her momentarily, but she was quick to recover, and she walked towards the door to open it.

The alpha entered inside along with two men in a row, and they filled whatever little space she had, which was almost suffocating.

“To what do I owe this pleasure?” Ariel asked, hoping the distaste wasn’t obvious in her voice.

“This is my beta, Sam.” The alpha gestured to the man on the right of him, who looked like he wanted to be anywhere but here. “And this is my gamma, Dylan.” They tapped the man’s shoulder on the left, and he managed to smile at her.

“Hello, I am Ariel.”

“I have told them about you, and they wanted to see for themselves.” The alpha explained, and Ariel nodded, although she felt more like a spectacle for them to watch.

But she would endure anything as long as they were willing to take her in.

“Please have your seat.” Ariel gestured to the only piece of furniture in the room, and they glanced at it in distaste, as if the mere thought of sitting down on the bed were beyond them, and she gave up totally.

“There is a rumor going on that Kane found his mate, and you look oddly similar to her.” The gamma began, and with a speed that she could comprehend, he pounced on her, his hands closing around her neck. “Tell me, are you a spy?”

Ariel slapped his finger, but he didn’t let go, his grip a death vice, as he continued choking her. It wasn’t until she was already turning red all over that the alpha decided to intervene.

“It is alright, Dylan; ease up. I have run checks on her, and she is safe. For now.” The alpha was added as an afterthought.

Dylan eased up his grip on her, and Ariel coughed, nursing her neck, which she was sure would be sporting bruises.

“We would help you, but you just follow the rules strictly; otherwise, there would be consequences.” The alpha voice drowned out her pain, and she nodded her head.

“Fine, hit me.”

Ariel could only listen as the alpha listed a bunch of ridiculous rules she had to follow for the sake of her life.

Great.

She was to live as an outcast, but she had no choice.

“I will follow the rules.”

“Good, welcome to The Den.”