Chapter 1- The Rogue
...Dalia...
His canines punctured my skin. Fuck, I need to get out of here.
My mind races, panic-filled and frightened as my legs kicked into his side, causing his chompers to take a massive chunk out of my arm.
What the fuck is this crazy thinking? RUN DALIA, RUN.
The wolf throws his head back and roars an earth-shattering, ear-splitting and monstrous roar to the sky. Without attempting to watch the view any further, I high tailed it out of there as fast as my legs could go.
“You are MINE.” The deep husky tone of my attacker sent knee-weakening shudders throughout my body, causing me to stumble on the twigs and leaves underfoot.
“You are crazy and need help!” I screamed back through deep breaths that burned my lungs.
Faster, I need to get away. Run faster for Christ sake. I turned to see where he was but to my surprise, there was no one there. Laughing inwardly to myself, I relished in this tiny victory, when suddenly... BANG!
My body slammed into something solid and unmovable; sending me flying backwards, and I collided with a tree.
“Ow,” I moaned, desperately seeking strength and hope to fight against being left vulnerable.
“Why would you run from me? I was made for you?” His voice caused my body to quiver, only this time, it reached down deep, in-between my legs, clenching my core.
“Get, away, from, me!” I coughed up some blood and spit it on the ground at his feet.
“No, you’re now injured. Why would you do that?” Dread appeared to seep from this now transformed stranger, for some unknown reason.
“Why do you care? You’re trying to kill me.” I held my head for stability, trying to curb the nausea.
The wolf laughed so loud, it vibrated through both eardrums, again rendering me both weak and aroused. “Kill you, why would I kill my mate?”
___________
My alarm bleared through the silence of my apartment, I Get Around by The Beach Boys instantly caused me to smile.
For as long as I could remember, ‘The Beach Boys’ had been my dad’s favourite band, I knew every lyric, every change and could twist, mash potato and jive like the best of them.
Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, all I could think about was bacon and eggs and how hungry I am. Deciding there was no time like the present to get ready for another week at Hammericks Hardware, I launched myself out of bed, swaying my hips to the tune.
I liked working at Hammericks, but with so many qualifications behind me, I did wonder why I hadn’t bothered to move jobs this time, instead, opting for minimal wages and horrid customers. Guess something within me wasn’t quite ready to let go just yet.
Walking in the front doors, I headed directly to my locker. “Ah, good morning, Dalia,” my boss called out as he passed by.
“Morning, Jack,” I replied, watching him enter his office. He was an excellent boss, probably one of the friendliest I’d had in a long time.
This job, I was given the incredible position of paint counter attendee. I threw on my apron and began to serve the collection patient awaiting people as Sam knocked my hip with his, “morning Lia.”
“Morning, Sam. I can’t wait to hear about your sexy adventures this weekend,” I snickered at him with a wink. He was one of the few in my life I’d genuinely connected with, I would miss him and his wild renditions when I moved on.
Sam stood quite short, at about 5ft 2; however, his height restriction never deterred the ladies that flocked in their droves, just to have a speck of his attention.
Sam’s eyes were a lovely morning blue that was framed perfectly by tanned skin, chocolate brown hair and straight white teeth. One smile from him, I swear, made the high school girls cum instantly.
“You won’t believe the beauties I had screaming my name toward the sky this weekend, Lia.” Sam chuckles proudly, internally high fiving himself - you could see the spark of giddiness written in bold print across his face.
“I bet you did.” I smiled at him devilishly while he recounted every thrust, every moan and every single dirty and delicious erotic detail. He sure was one to engross you into his fable, true or not, it certainly was entertaining.
___________
After eight hours and many, many customers later, my shift was drawing closer to the end. Sam had left an hour before, only to be replaced by Taya, a quiet girl, very young and extremely beautiful. She was tall, legs for days with shiny blonde, short hair that sported light pink streaks and stood out against her pale skin, all perfectly designed to accentuate Taya’s alluring light brown eyes.
A group of extremely well-built men walked in, the kind that had human women falling over themselves to get at. I smelt them before I noticed the intruders, raising my head towards the roof, I inhaled deeply... wolves.
Taya was alone at the counter as they approached, but she seemed to not be bothered by their appearance. I wondered if she knew what they really were?
“Lia, can you give me a hand please?” I placed the swatches down and stepped behind the counter.
“What’s up Taya?” I smiled at her. I had crossed wolves before, though, I was never a threat, and so most of them left me alone. They somehow could always scent that I didn’t belong - that I was a rogue.
“This is my brother Arkai, he’s here for some paint, but I need help with the right pigments. Arkai, this is my friend Lia,” her sweet voice introduced us so casually. Brother? Fuck, she’s a wolf.
“Rogue.” This Arkai appeared to be unimpressed by me being so close to his sister.
“Look, are we gonna have a problem? I could just leave the paint here, and you can wait two hours until Jerry clocks on to tint your tins?” Asshole.
There’s nothing I loathe more than a cocky, entitled wanker whose ego was bigger than his dick.
“Does Alpha, know you work with a rogue, Taya?” By now, the three other men were staring bullets in my direction. Sadly, this was not an uncommon situation for a wolf without a pack, but I had never been apart of a pack or even been invited to join one - I was born alone and probably will die alone.
“Arkai, she’s lovely, stop being such an arse.” Taya smiles back at me, trying to offer support and comfort. Thank god, she was sensible enough not to judge me.
“It’s okay Taya, comes with being me,” I retorted, grabbing the tins of house paint and putting them under the tint machine.
After thirty minutes of me attempting to focus on the correct colours and not listen in on the four men and Taya arguing amongst themselves, I was pleased to have finished the highly uncomfortable and tedious task, moving the paint with a little more enthusiasm than intended.
“Here you go.” I placed the tins on the countertop, “see ya tomorrow Taya,” I waved before leaving.
____________
Back inside my apartment, I flicked on the T.V and settle in for a chick flick, some popcorn and hot chocolate, when my phone vibrated against the table.
~Lia, I’m sorry about my brother. Taya <3~
~Hey, how did you get my number? Lia~
~Sam gave it to me. I wanted to apologise. Taya~
~That’s okay, I’m used to it by now. Though, I’m surprised I never picked up your scent. Lia~
~Our pack females are taught to mask their scents. Taya~
~Neat, I didn’t know that was possible. Well, thanks for the apology but it wasn’t needed. See you tomorrow, Taya. Lia~
>The Discovery<
...Dalia...
The truth was, I didn’t know that was possible. I was not a ‘true’ wolf. I had never shifted, and my mother left me with my father when I was born - apparently, she was the werewolf, and he could teach me only what he knew of her.
I had picked up some stuff along the way, but since everyone else belonged to packs - and I did not - the information was very limited. My father trained me to fight, protecting myself was a must because of my ‘rogue’ status, but I often lay there at night, wondering what it was like to be apart of a pack? To have a connection, a family? But it seemed that despite my yearning to fit in, I would always be the outsider, the nuisance, nothing but the rogue.
Days passed, and the familiar, uneasy feeling of being watched had grown. I knew that Arkai did not particularly like me being near his sister Taya, but I needed a few more paychecks, then I could move on to the next town and start all over again - being the continued outsider I am. Human men found me irresistible, so, when I felt lonely, I would use them to fill a basic requirement, never more than a night, and I always disappeared before dawn. My branded wolf status brought danger, and no human could fight against the supernatural - no matter how strong they appeared to be.
I cursed the day my father had died and left me alone in this world. I missed him so much that my heart still ached six years on. Though, he did leave behind a substantial gift. His insurance money paid for my university education, and I had excelled in my subjects. However, I had thrown myself into my study due to my broken heart, and while he was never far from my thoughts, education was a welcomed and considerate reprieve from the torment within.
“Okay Sam and Taya, I’m out of here. I’ll see you in a couple of days.”
Two glorious days of couch surfing was in store for my ever-expanding buttocks, and I was looking forward to it so much. Every morning, five days a week, I would train before work, even harder now that I had felt a tail on my every move, and I was glimpsing at a much-needed rest and some decent hibernation.
“Umm... Lia?” A soft sweet voice called for my attention.
“What’s up Taya?” Her fingers began to fidget in front of her, Taya appeared to be nervous.
“Today is my birthday, and tonight, the pack is throwing me a party. I’ve asked the Alpha if it was alright that you come. So, will you come?” Taya’s eyes locked on mine as her feet shifted apprehensively.
“Happy birthday Taya. Umm, you sure your Alpha said it was okay?” I inquired timidly.
“Promised no one would hurt or annoy you, just allow you to enjoy your night as my guest.”
“Does your brother know?”
“Yes, Arkai swore to me he would not bother you. Please come?” She offered a charming smile, but it did not reach her eyes. I would be on the road soon and never see this kind-hearted angel again. I guess I could suck it up for one night.
“Okay Taya, thank you for inviting me,” I smiled.
“Argh!” she screamed, “thank you. I’ll text you all the information; we’re going to have so much fun. See you tonight, Lia.”
________
Looking in the mirror, I mentally wondered if I appeared older and older these days, despite my young age. Dreading what was awaiting me and my uncomfortable arrival to the packhouse, I had decided on casual clothes, opting for comfy converse sneakers, white skinny leg jeans, and a white button-up shirt with my blue hoodie. Converses were easier to run in if I had too, and for someone like me, ‘running for my life’, showed up more often than I wanted.
I straightened my naturally white hair, despite many attempts to change my colouring, it never took. My father said it changed when I fell into a coma when I was younger; he always joked that I’d seen a ghost and my hair turned white in fright, so, natural was the only choice I now had. My many hours spent indoors, and yet my skin colour still remained tanned, I often pondered the thought that the trait of my exotic skin tone was passed down from my mother, as my father was very fair, but I guess I’ll never know the truth.
As I finished my wing-tipped eyeliner and black mascara, my silver swirling orbs reflected the sadness I carried with me every day. On my travels, I had never met anyone with eyes like mine - not even other wolves - just another reason for me NOT to fit in.
___________
The taxi pulled up to the long driveway and immediately my gut began to churn with anxiety and a natural flight response.
“There are rumours about these folks, are you sure you want me to leave you here?” The taxi driver asked with slight concern.
“Rumors? I’m sure it’s fine,” I lied. I was nervous - balls deep in nervousness to be precise.
Paying the driver, I sucked in massive breathes in a pathetic attempt at steadying my pumping heart.
“Name?” Two guards stood at the end of the long driveway watching my every move suspiciously.
“Dalia, Dalia Oak. Taya might have put me down as Lia?” Timorously, my index finger traced my bottom lip while my other handheld onto the small gift box I had brought for Taya.
“Call up,” the older, shorter man said while the other flipped the phone and dialled. I stood there, ready at any moment to sprint.
“She’s clear, let her in.”
I shifted my gaze between both men, waiting for either to strike as I walked by, but neither did, and I breathed a sigh of relief the further away I stepped.
Heading up the long driveway, I begin to fidget, feeling the immediate need to pee. It was always my bodies lame response when I was anxious.
Looking up, I was captured by a large wooden hall. Carved around the entranceway were totems of the sun and moon goddesses - I recognised them from a book I had borrowed in the library.
Light and music streamed out from inside, casting shadows of different colours upon the ground surrounding it.
Hesitantly, I entered.
My shoes had become the most fascinating inanimate object, but as I looked up, I was greeted by multi-coloured lights rhythmically moving with the beat, and beautifully dressed men and woman laughing, drinking, and dancing.
And just like someone had dropped a bomb in the room, they freeze, with all eyes glaring in my direction, leaving my heart to pump in my throat.
I had never stood in a room where I was the main attraction; this uneasy feeling left no saliva in my mouth, what so ever.
“Argh Lia, you came?” A squealing, very tall blonde, surrounded in a bright pink puffy dress, came hurtling straight at me, grabbed me around my waist, and lifted me clear off the ground. The sudden lack of oxygen and stability, causing my blood to flow again, and to exhale the breath I was holding in.
Smiling widely, I tried to ignore the curious yet judgemental eyes still avidly leering. “Put me down Taya, please?”
“Okay, okay,” she gives in and places me back down.
“So, happy birthday.” I handed Taya the gift box to which she squealed like an excitable six-year-old.
Taya opened it carefully - as if it was precious and made of glass. This sweet soul was beyond gentle and knew just how fleeting and precious moments were - a rareness these days among the youths.
“Oh Lia, it’s beautiful,” she gasps before hugging me again. I had selected a golden heart-shaped bracelet with the words, ‘thank you for your heart’ inscribed on the locket. “I will never take it off.”
My smile at her words was cut short by a voice that ground against my eardrums. “Rogue, I may have promised my sister not to attack you, but if you harm my pack? I will not hesitate to shred you to pieces.”
“Shut it Arkai, I told you, she is harmless.” Taya jumped quickly to my defence, something no one had done since my father.
“Dually noted. But considering there’s one of me and what, like a hundred plus of you guys, do you honestly think I would be that stupid?” I smirked at Arkai, mocking him and his pathetic, misogynistic behaviour. Hmm, maybe it’s Rogue-gynistic? I internally laughed.
“C’mon Lia, take off that hoodie,” Taya snickers, grasping my jacket and pulling it off my arms before flinging it over the back of a chair. “Let’s dance?” She stated with widespread eyes of excitement.
“Oh, no Taya. I said I’d come; you didn’t say one word about dancing?”
“But it’s my birthday?” Taya pouted and faked being hurt.
“How about I sit here, with my hoodie, and watch you enjoy yourself?”
“Fine Lia, but you will dance with me later - when everyone is not staring at us!” Taya raised her voice to be heard clearly by every onlooker in the hall.
I sat down just as Sam approached with an extra drink in his hand.
“Sam? You’re apart of this pack too?” My smile widened by the joyous discovery of another familiar face.
“I am, no one high up though, just the best looking.” Sam laughed to himself.
“Please tell me that drink is for me?” I ask, hopefully.
“Canadian club, just what the wolf ordered,” He jests with a wink.
“Thank you. How did you remember?”
“C’mon on Dalia, our conversations are not easy to forget. Especially when you offer such limited information about yourself,” he winks again, then looks out towards the dancing crowd. “Well, time to shake my hips and find me a fuck for the night.” Sam wiggles his eyebrows, I can’t help but laugh at him.
“You’re gonna catch a disease one day.”
“Lucky we are wolves then, we can’t catch diseases.” He waves as he strides into the dancing crowd.
Huh. Another thing I didn’t know, but that would explain why I never got sick, ever. I wonder what else we can do?
Glancing around, I noticed groups had gathered, all whispering in my direction, leaving me to feel sufficiently awkward, and wishing the floor would open - swallow me whole. Clearly, I was more of a sideshow attraction than I realised. I stood slowly, grabbing my jacket from the chair, and retreated hastily, headed straight for the door.
I wasn’t used to being on display in such a huge social environment, school growing up was awkward enough, and they were humans. Being with others that could sense my ‘inner wolf’ that I didn’t really believe was there, or if it was, it was broken - was uncomfortable, to say the least.
As I neared the exit, my senses were hit with the sweetest smell of rain and dewdrops. Mmmmmm, delicious. I thought to myself, breathing in the hypnotic scent.
Stopping me in my tracks as I flung my jacket over my shoulders and sliding my arms through, stood an extremely tall and strong-looking man, who investigated me with grand curiosity. My silver’s found his deep pitch black orbs as he statured there, peering down at me with piercing confusion - rendering him unable to move.
“Oh, excuse me.” I watched carefully as his eyes fluttered closed and the stranger inhaled deeply - three times. “Uh, excuse me?” I requested again, but this handsome man refused to budge. Finally flipping his lids and opening his eyes, revealing a vibrant, glowing gold ring around the outside of his deep, mysterious, pitch-black orbs. What the bloody hell is he staring at?
“Well, okay then...” I raked my teeth across my bottom lip and slipped around the strangers larger form just standing there. He was watching me with his mouth open as I strode out into the garden, pretending to be as casual and carefree as possible.
Maybe every male in this pack is crazy?
>Mate<
...Dalia...
I had walked for all of about a minute before I heard Arkai’s irritating voice. Though, the fear his words induced ripped through my being at an unfathomable rate - I was exposed. “That’s her, that’s the rogue.”
“Shit,” I panicked. I should not have left the safety of Taya, RUN LEGS.
Putting one converse sneaker in front of the other, my legs gained speed at the sound of claws on the pavement. They had shifted, and I was no match for their paws - I had to outsmart, but I did not know this area.
Turning quickly, I launched into the forest, careful to stay close to the road that led out of here and back to safety.
An enormous black and gold wolf comes up fast behind me, his strength and agility unmatched by all others. With my head snapping side to side, and my unsteady feet slipping on the undergrowth as I zigzagged my way through the dense, dark forestry, my body was hit with unimaginable force, knocking me to the ground.
I panted heavily, attempting to steady myself and get up. “Leave... me alone... please... I mean... no harm.”
Grabbing the nearest branch, I began to climb, it was all I could think of, suddenly rushed with urgency to get off the floor. Swinging as fast as I could from tree to tree as the curious wolf watched my movements from below.
Throwing my weight behind the next leap, I soared through the air, clutching onto the branch in front of me, but I slipped. My grip failed me in my alarmed state and I fell to the ground, hitting it with a heavy thud and bruising my behind. Idiot, I cursed as I tried once again to get up.
His canines punctured my skin. Fuck, I need to get out of here.
My mind races, panic-filled and frightened as my legs kicked into his side, causing his chompers to take a massive chunk out of my arm.
What the fuck is this crazy thinking? RUN DALIA, RUN.
The wolf throws his head back and roars an earth-shattering, ear-splitting and monstrous roar to the sky. Without attempting to watch the view any further, I high tailed it out of there as fast as my legs could go.
“You are MINE.” The deep husky tone of my attacker sent knee-weakening shudders throughout my body, causing me to stumble on the twigs and leaves underfoot.
“You are crazy and need help!” I screamed back through deep breaths that burned my lungs.
Faster, I need to get away. Run faster for Christ sake. I turned to see where he was but to my surprise, there was no one there. Laughing inwardly to myself, I relished in this tiny victory, when suddenly... BANG!
My body slammed into something solid and unmovable; sending me flying backwards, and I collided with a tree.
“Ow,” I moaned, desperately seeking strength and hope to fight against being left vulnerable.
“Why would you run from me? I was made for you?” His voice caused my body to quiver, only this time, it reached down deep, in-between my legs, clenching my core.
“Get, away, from, me!” I coughed up some blood and spit it on the ground at his feet.
“No, you’re now injured. Why would you do that?” Dread appeared to seep from this now transformed stranger, for some unknown reason.
“Why do you care? You’re trying to kill me.” I held my head for stability, trying to curb nausea.
The wolf laughed so loud, it vibrated through both eardrums, again rendering me both weak and aroused. “Kill you, why would I kill my mate?”
“Listen crazy, I don’t know who you are but Taya is my friend and asked me to come to her birthday. I’m just trying to get home.” I mumbled my plea so fast, hoping he had caught every word and I would be allowed to leave.
“You are home.” The strikingly handsome man with pitch-black eyes with the gold ring looked at me in solid confusion. It was only now I began to notice, just how beautiful he truly was. His muscles rippled as he moved, every inch taut and bold, every defined line stood out, without an inch of fat. He had been carved in Hercules honour, from the tip of his thick black hair, perfectly tanned colouring upon his bulging physique, all the way to his gigantic, long - oh my god, he’s naked. I quickly spun around as my eyes closed.
“Where the hell are your clothes?” Secretly, I wasn’t mad, but I attempted to sound it. One glance of his magnificent penis had my core instantly on fire, blazing with the need to be stroked - completely moist, willing and ready.
“From the tantalising scent between your legs, I’d say you didn’t mind the view.” Damn, I had forgotten about the sensitive wolf smell, and my body had just betrayed me.
“Just leave me alone,” I ordered, squeezing my thighs together.
“No!” The nude man bit rather angrily.
“Yes,” I snapped with my back still to him.
“No. You are my mate.”
“There’s that word again, what do you mean I’m your... your mate? We are not friends.”
“You don’t know what a mate is?” I could hear the surprise in his voice, the tone picked up ever so slightly.
“No, I’m not a proper wolf,” I spat back, infuriated by this utterly useless conversation.
By now, a dark green four-wheel-drive had shown up. I felt his arms wrap around me and move me effortlessly. This foreign touch sent sparks of electricity fizzing through my system.
“You feel that, don’t you?” He asked, but I concluded he already knew the answer. I was being manhandled, dragged kicking and screaming, as I fought to escape his clutches.
“No. I feel nothing. Get. Off. Me!” By now, I was getting pissed. This asshole had put his hands on me without my permission, and he would pay for it.
He tossed my entire form into the back seat of the dark green truck and climbed in after me.
“Drive,” he ordered.
“Yes, Alpha,” the guy behind the wheel replied.
I locked on this unknown man with shock. “A-A Alpha?” The air pushes through my lips with my sudden realisation.
“Luna,” he nods.
“You gave Taya permission for me to be here. Please, I will go home, pack, and leave your territory - you will never see me again.” I begged, pleaded - put my best puppy dog eyes on.
“This is your home now, you are my mate and you’re not going anywhere.” He assessed and regarded me as if I had spontaneously grown another head.
“Look crazy...” I began.
“Locke. Locke Graysnow. Not crazy,” he interrupted with a cheeky smile on his beautiful face.
“Right, Locke... um... Dalia... Oak,” I smiled back. Why did I smile? I’m mad as hell. I shook my head to clear up my muddled thoughts.
“Look, Locke. I am not a full wolf or whatever, okay? So really, I’m no threat.”
“Why didn’t you shift?” His eyes landed on me with questions.
“Huh?”
“Shift... into your wolf.”
“Alpha, we’re here.” The guy driving interrupted and I realised I had completely forgotten he was even in the car.
“Come.” The Alpha grabbed my wrist and pulled me out of the truck.
Waiting to greet us, were several men and a screaming Taya being held back by Arkai.
“Let her go, you assholes.” Arkai, clearly unimpressed by his sister’s display, roughly hands her to his friends - who I recognised instantly from the hardware store visit.
“Taya, calm down,” Locke interrupts the commotion while putting on pants beside me. Okay, one last peek. My not so subtle glance, caused Locke’s head to snap in my direction with a smirk, and I scowled back.
“Alpha, please. Lia wouldn’t hurt a soul.” Locke raises his hand to silence her while his other was still firmly attached to my wrist.
“Relax Taya, she’s my mate.”
Taya’s face dropped and her eyes bulge out of her head. Clearly, this mate thing is something? All though, what, I didn’t know? But it definitely had me concerned.
“Are you sure?” Some random dude interjects.
“Completely,” he replied before dragging me inside a building I had not previously noticed.
Usually, I would be fighting with everything in me to get away, but for some strange, unexplainable reason, I couldn’t fight. In fact, I was beyond interested to discover what the hell is going on? What is a mate? And how does everyone have these abilities? Did I have them too, even though I was not a real wolf?
Leading me through the house, we stopped outside a very obvious room. Locke cleared his throat, “this is the kitchen, whatever you want, help yourself.” I just nodded. “This is the Packhouse, only higher wolves are allowed in here, my beta, warriors, that sort of thing. The others have their own dens and communal living areas. I’ll allow Taya here since she’s your friend...”
“Sam, Sam is my friend too,” I interrupted, finally finding my voice.
“Sam Lakewood?” Again, I nodded, “no!” Locke growled. “Taya will be allowed here only, no one else.”
Wanker. Locke’s intimidating when he wants to be, no wonder he’s the Alpha.
His voice alone caused me to crème between the thighs and my body to shrink in fear - once again, both aroused and terrified.
“You will stay with me...” my heels dug into the hallway floorboards causing him to stop.
“I’m sorry, did you just say... staying with you?” I looked up at him, confused, and needed clarification.
“Yes, you are my mate, you stay with me,” his deep husky tone vibrated through me, deliciously licking at my eardrums. Not wanting to set off my body’s natural reaction to his stimulating voice
again, I decided to wait before asking any further questions.
I’ll wait until he’s asleep, then I will escape.
>Me?<
...Dalia...
Sitting on the end of Locke’s bed, I finally heard the shower turn off, and he exits his bathroom in just a towel. That powerful scent of rain and dewdrops from earlier, filled my senses, causing me to weaken internally. Why is my body reacting in this way?
The fact that I was sitting in a wolf’s room - not just any wolf - An Alpha, had not eluded me. My entire life I had wondered about Packs and what it would be like, but this, this was not what I was expecting at all, and my future now lay in the hands of someone I didn’t know. Would he kill me as others had tried? Would I become his prisoner? Forced into manual labour? The physical work I could handle; it was the lack of freedom I would not survive.
“Thought you would have run?” Locke chuckled to himself.
“I did, but there’s a bunch of dickheads just outside your door that brought me back - several times.” Hearing his loud, carefree laughter as the soundwaves reverberated through my body, was like magic. It seemed as if my insides were awakening for the first time, and my core dripped with unbridled desire as my sharp eyesight honed in on the water droplets that fell from his wet black hair - onto his broad and sculptured shoulders, running down his smooth pecs and his perfect six-pack. God, he looked eatable, I had NEVER craved another the way I obsessively yearned for this man - this Alpha. Would it backfire and blow up in my face? I had to control my urges, hormones, but most importantly, I had to stop ogling Locke, it only made me weaker.
I, very difficultly but with full determination, ripped my sight from the Herculean delectableness that towel dried before me, sucking back large breaths as I squeezed my lids closed, gaining every ounce of control back, chastising myself for not demonstrating better resistance.
“I have questions,” Locke states, drawing my attention before dropping his towel to the floor revealing a taut, muscular and very tattooed bum. I wanted to touch it, sink my teeth into the meaty flesh, run my tongue over every curve, dip and crevasse his body had. Spinning my head around in shame, I raised my hand to my mouth and removed the drool, crossing my legs in an attempt to gain composure.
I cursed at my bodies lustful reaction to this stranger, the pull of desire and want was strong, the Alpha weakened every fibre within me - this was a very dangerous thing.
“You have to stop that!” Locke strides over to me, kneeling in front and hold my insecure gaze with his fierce black eyes. They were so hypnotic, but watching the gold ring appear around the irises was something else. There was something almost familiar about his eyes - primal - capturing - instinctual.
“S-stop? Stop what?” I studied him curiously as he inhaled deeply.
“You’re turned on, I can smell it, and so can every other wolf in the area.” Mortified at being betrayed by my damn body again, I flopped back onto Locke’s bed with my hands covering my horrified face, striving to calm my racing heart as crimson flooded my cheeks.
What was I meant to say? I have never experienced lust upon this level before? No, he would think I’m an idiot. He wanted to be friends, he had said it in front of everyone, mates - mates. Just mates.
“Why have you not been taught to mask your arousal?” Locke nestled himself comfortably between my feet.
“I told you already, I’m not a wolf, or at least a real one,” I confessed, breathing deeply before sitting back up. I dropped my chin to my chest in embarrassment, I felt sad at my admission - he was a real wolf, and despite my fear, appeared to be a nice one. “Please let me go, Locke, I won’t be any trouble, I swear.”
“What does that mean, you’re not a ‘real’ wolf?”
“I’m not like you; I don’t know anything about wolves really, I grew up with my human dad.”
“But you know you are a wolf, right?”
“I know my mother was. I know, I can do some things that other humans can’t. Weird things, supernatural and unhuman like.”
He sat there tapping my knees furiously with his thumbs before getting up to his feet, and pulling a shirt from his closet before bringing it to me.
“Then you will learn,” Locke nods as if affirming to himself.
“But I’m a rogue - that much I know for certain.” I think he is actually crazy, like genuinely insane.
“You are not. You are my mate and Luna; you’re just... a little lost... yes, lost, but it’s okay, you are home now.” My eyebrows hit my hairline as my mouth flopped open. I stared at him in bewilderment. Is it wrong that I held the slightest hope that maybe, I could actually belong to a Pack? His Pack? Don’t be ridiculous Lia; I cursed myself.
“I think you are crazy,” the words slid out of my mouth before properly thinking. Maybe it was me that was crazy; maybe this was all just some dream conjured up in my frightened state of mind? Maybe I had died? Heart attack whilst running for my life and this was heaven.
Alpha Locke’s face scrunched, morphing into displeasure, “Change. Showers in there, but you will sleep here - on this bed - in this room - with me.” I shifted my gaze towards the bathroom and then back at the bed - several times, my head snapping back and forth in ambivalence.
There were a million things that had popped into my head thanks to the small conversation we had, had, and none of them included sharing a bed with an Alpha, but for some weirdly bizarre reason, my body was not opposed to the idea in the slightest. Note to self, get help you horny weirdo, your deceitful body craves to be near this particular male.
I had to find a way to curb my lustrous and immoral behaviour; he probably had hundreds of women in and out of his bed. He was testing me, that was it, seeing how far he could push me before I succumbed, and that would determine my place with his pack. Well, I was not about to show any semblance of weakness - alright, more than I already had.
I was not a concubine; I had self-respect, I also need a therapist because apparently from the moment I set foot on this land, I had lost my damn mind.
“Okay. But do not - and I mean it, do not touch me.” My voice raised in seriousness, pitch and determination. Though, I’m not sure if I was trying to convince myself or him.
The alluring and gorgeous Alpha smirked wickedly, “it’s only a matter of time, baby, and you’ll be begging for me to touch you.”
Cocky son of a bitch.
>The Start of Something<
...Dalia...
“Dalia baby, wake up.” I could feel the warm sparks trickle across my skin as I stirred.
“No, just five more minutes?” I groaned, leaning into the warmth.
“You’re just a big baby.” My eyes snapped open in recognition of Locke’s deep husky voice. The excitement of his presence caused my nipples to poke through his shirt I was currently wearing. Watching in aroused shock as his eyes fell to my chest, and his eyebrows raised.
That cheeky bastard.
I followed his line of sight to my erect nips, and my arms flew across my chest, to cover them.
“Oh Dalia, there’s no need to cover up that sexiness,” Locke smirks.
“Why did you wake me? You kidnapped me, and now you’re making me get up early?” I was annoyed by his perverted actions - okay, not annoyed at all.
“You can pretend you’re angry with me all you like, but I can smell how turned on you are by me,” Locke laughs. “It’s after ten, time for training.”
“Fuck you, you can’t smell anything and what?” I covered myself with the blanket.
“You said you didn’t know anything, that you weren’t a ‘real wolf’, then it’s time to learn.” The sexy Alpha tosses me some women’s clothing and pulls me up from the bed. Secretly, I know he only ushered me up to get another look at my breasts.
“Whose clothes are these?” I questioned.
“Yours. I had your half of the wardrobe filled this morning with everything you need.” He slides open the other half of his built-in wardrobe, and my eyes almost popped right out of my head.
There before my very eyes, were racks upon racks of beautifully textured and expensive-looking clothes, shoes, bags, but most importantly, trainers, my absolute weakness. “These are for me?” I paled, completely surprised.
“Yes, you are my mate.”
I pushed against the double doors to open them further and sighed in admiration.
Running my fingertips across the lavish materials, I’m struck by an odd notion. “How did you know what size I am? Did you measure me in my sleep?”
“Yes, how else would I know what size you are? Is... that... not... okay?” My face must have displayed horror.
“Yeah no, is the answer, no measuring, at all, while someone’s asleep.”
“What if I need too...”
“No. No, no, no measuring in future.” I shook my head in disapproval, thinking just how cute he was in that moment and I smiled. The first genuine smile in what felt like years - the kind that struck you deep within your heart.
“No measuring,” Locke shrugs, holding up his hands in defeat.
“Locke?” I breathed, overcome with disappointment. “Why do you call me that... mate? What is a mate? Clearly, it means something different from friendship.”
Locke gapes at me with deep sadness marring his face. “How do you not know about this stuff?” He queries.
I slumped to the floor in shame, realising every other wolf, rogue or pack, knew things I didn’t. I really was a loner, an outcast - not even a wolf.
“I’m not a wolf; I’ve never even changed. I’ve seen it done, I’ve tried to do it, but I’m broken, not complete. I can feel things, heightened senses, smells, tastes, hearing, but never whole and utterly useless.” Unrestrained tears began to fall; it was devastating to admit how incomplete I truly am.
Locke sits, his long, lean, muscular frame surrounding me, pulling me closer to his chest, causing goosebumps to form along my entire body as the heat radiated from him. I felt calm and safe, for once in my life, the chaos of my mind settled, and I loved it.
“It’s not your fault,” Locke soothed. “You should have been taught this; it’s the reason why we live in packs. For a start, we are stronger together, but we also pass down history and knowledge through the next generations. How come you have white hair and silver eyes?” His calloused thumbs collected my fallen sadness with gentle strokes.
“When I was about eleven, I had begun to fever, and my entire body felt as though it was breaking apart. For hours I rolled in agony, crying out for death as I shattered on the floor. My father found me, and he took me to the hospital where they sedated me - leaving me in a coma for three weeks. When I came to, my hair was white, and my eyes silver - it’s never gone back since.”
Alpha’s beautiful features morphed into pure horror at my story, but, I couldn’t understand his reaction. We stayed there, both lost in thought, assessing the other carefully.
“What’s the matter?” I finally broke our uncomfortable staring competition, timid and fearful I had said something wrong.
“They stopped you mid-transition,” his brows furrowed in concern.
“What?” Uncertainty still at the forefront of my sceptical mind.
“You never fully shifted into your animal spirit. I need some time to find out what the hell this all means okay? But, according to our legends, and this is unclear because I’m going from my memory as a small pup - you should have died. We have specialised shifting rooms here at the packhouse, specifically for the teens first shift. It’s the most important one. You get to meet your wolf in a safe and secure environment.” His eyes glazed over as if he was thinking about my inadequacy.
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry I’m a disappointment.” I drop my head low in shame, attempting to shrivel into the smallest ball I could.
“Stop that; you are not a disappointment.” He cups my face with his large hands as waves of sensual pleasure trickled across my cheeks. “Those sparks or prickles you feel every time we touch? That is our mate bond; it’s confirming that we are each other’s, soul mate. Mates are destined to be together; it was predetermined - we were chosen for each other before we were born. We are each other’s strongest half. When you are near, all I can smell is trees and roses - your scent is so intoxicating,” he leans in closer, breathing deeply.
“That’s why I smell rain and dewdrops when you’re near?” He laughs loudly.
“Is that how I smell?”
“Yes,” I smiled up at him.
“Thought it would be something manly like bark, wood or dirt.” I rolled my eyes as he continued his laughter. Suddenly, his face froze to seriousness. “You can reject me, Dalia. You know that right - it’s ultimately your choice, as much as it pains me, you need to know the truth. We are not fully bonded, so you can reject me and our love, but rejection comes at a heavy cost.” His eyes stern as a crease formed on Locke’s forehead. “If you reject your mate, you lose your mind and your soul. The one who accepted your rejection can live on - even find love with a human, but the rejecter will live an empty life, consumed by sorrow and despair.”
“Why would someone reject their mate if they are so special?”
“There are many reasons. Your mate is violent, you fell in love with someone else, or you wish not to be mated. Actually, I have no idea, a life without a mate seems pointless to me. However, I had lost hope of ever finding you. Normally wolves discover their mates between the ages of 18 – 20, how old are you?” He silently waits for my answer.
“24. Why, how old are you?”
“32,” he chuckles nervously. “I won’t ever reject you, but that’s a huge age gap, I will understand and not blame you if you can’t be with me.” Locke’s black eyes fell to the carpet; he seemed saddened by the idea of me rejecting him.
“Locke, this is all new to me, but I really wanna stay here - with you.” Averting my gaze in any direction apart from his, I nervously shifted in-between his legs.
“You don’t have to give me an answer straight away babe; I’m starting to comprehend the magnitude of your situation. Let’s just see how we go, okay? No pressure.” I was thankful for his reply; he motions to get up.
“Wait... you mentioned about us not being fully mated?” I urged, silently pleading for him to tell me more of this mating bond.
“Well, after we realise our bond, usually how it goes is - our need to be close to one another increases and becomes stronger. We begin to feel each other’s emotions, our mind link connects, and then we start to hear each other’s thoughts. Then, with your approval, I mark you - claim you as my own for all other males to see, and upon completion - we mate - have sex, sealing our bond of love forever.”
My cheeks flushed red at the thought of making love to Locke. Heck, I already saw what he was packing and was not at all disappointed by his generous phallus.
“But first baby, we gotta teach you to mask your arousal, especially from me, because I will not be able to hold back for much longer and I don’t want to force you into completing our bond because I couldn’t get control.” His lips press gently against my cheek as he helped me to my feet.
“Sorry,” I mumbled, shying away.
“Don’t be; your scent is divine. But, I want you to choose me because you love me, not because I forced you into it. Also, if any other male smells you and touches you - they will die.” He says with a menacing gleam and definite growl. My eyes widened, tickled excitedly downstairs by his possessive jealousy.
“Let’s get this masking thing done then, hey? before you start ripping throats out,” I teased.
_______
Locke guided me over to a group of older ladies and one brightly beaming Taya. She left the circle to hug me and introduced me to the gathered group.
“Be gentle with my love ladies.” Locke kissed my cheek, “I’ll be back to pick you up soon.”
I smiled fondly at him as he walked away, butterflies erupt within the pit of my stomach.
“Lia, come sit,” Taya beckoned. “Everyone, as you know, Alpha has requested Dalia learn to mask first - especially now they have found each other, her scent will only get more intense until they complete their bond and Alpha imprints his unique scent upon her.”
_______
“Wow, Lia you were so quick to learn everything today,” Taya praised. We stood there talking animatedly, with the biggest grin plastered across my face. Learning things about wolves made me feel something I had never experienced before, and the holes left from my past finally started to stitch together.
“There’s so much I need to learn - I want to learn - this is so exciting Taya,” she laughed at my response.
I was completely immersed in my bubble of happiness, that I didn’t hear Locke approach.
“Hey there baby, heard you killed it today.” Locke’s hand snakes around my waist, and my eyes lit up by his presence.
“How did you hear?”
“Our mind link. The ladies were thrilled and desperate to tell me how well you were doing.”
“Mind link? You’ve said that before.”
“Wolves in a pack can speak to each other through their mind; it’s an etheric connection, soul to soul.”
“Can I do it?”
“When you are fully integrated into this family, yes - you will be able to.” Locke’s alluring gaze traced the outline of my face.
“I feel high,” my cheeks flushed insecurely. “There’s so much I’ve never known, and it’s addicting finding out these capabilities everyone possesses.”
“Let’s see how good you are then?” He slides his hand inside my shirt, running his thumb along my ribcage, skimming lightly across the side of my breast. I could feel the moisture beginning to gather between my thighs as my heartbeat raced at his fingertips on my skin. Alpha Locke breathed deeply, “mask it,” he ordered, his tone deep and lustful.
“O-okay.” Closing my eyes, I concentrated hard, envisioning a sheen encasing my form and gluing itself to my body.
His eyes snapped open, shimmering with pride. “Very good my Luna, a natural.”
“Superwomen really,” I kidded, “ya know, saving all those innocent males lives.”
His laughter ripped through the air, causing my knees to buckle from the wave of pleasure washing over me. “Would you stop that?” I chastise.
He wipes away his joyous tears, “what?”
“Buckling my knees at the enticing sound of your laugh,” I state, getting back up off the ground and brushing away the specks of dirt.
“You think my laugh is enticing?” I raised my eyebrow. Mental note, don’t let Locke know your weaknesses.
“Well, as fun as this flirt session is, I have work,” Taya interjects.
Locke collected my hand with his, “c’mon rose petals; let’s get you something to eat, then you have endurance training.”
_________
...Locke...
Her scent was incredible, it made me yearn for her touch, but after what I had learned this morning, I had my doubts Dalia would stay. She was strong - I guess she had no other option but to be. Rogue life came with so much uncertainty and upheaval. I knew my initial response to her was the bond; however, the more I watched her, talked to her, smelt her - I began to feel something else. She was only 24, and I was 32, if she was to reject me now, I think it would near on kill me.
I curiously surveyed her brushing her long white hair in my peripheral vision as the thoughts of uncertainty swirled in my mind. She had chosen a white satin camisole and white satin boxers - her tanned skin revealed her soft delectable goodies that hid beneath. I found it hard to believe she didn’t know they weren’t see-through, and if she did - this woman of mine had spunk.
Dalia slipped under the covers with a deep sigh; I could feel her gaze upon me. “What are you thinking about?” Lia’s sweet, tantalising, silky voice was music to my sensitive wolven ears, everything about Dalia was enticing and lured me in, designed to drive me wild with desire.
“Lots of things.” Fearing she would spot my hard-on, I did not turn around.
“Can I ask a question?”
“Ask me anything?”
“If we didn’t have a mate bond, do you think you would still want me? Even the way I look? Like the way, humans crave each other?” Dalia’s question bewildered me; I looked back at her with furrowed brows.
“Yes, actually, I do. Do you not realise the allure of your being?” She gave me a look of, ‘be serious’.
“Human men yes, for some reason they flocked in droves, but never a wolf. Is that normal? Sam says...”
“Sam? You talked to Sam?” Dalia eyed me suspiciously.
“Yyyyeeeessss.” Drawling out her ‘yes’ slowly as if she was anticipating a reaction. “Sam and I work together, and that’s it, there’s nothing else, okay?” Staring directly into my eyes, Dalia attempted to make me understand their friendship boundaries; I appreciated that. “Anyway... Sam says he has a different she-wolf every night, is it because I’m a rogue that no wolf has come near me, or is it because I’m not as beautiful as other female wolves?” Again, her question shattered my heart. How could she ask me that?
“Are you kidding me, Rose Petals. You are the most beautiful she-wolf and woman, I’ve ever seen. Bond or not - I can barely breathe when you are near. My heart races and my palms get sweaty, I may look in control, but I’m so far from it.” Lia smiles as I decided to finally brave exposure and get into bed with her. “Do you wanna know what I was just thinking about?” Her saddened silvers met mine, and a pleasurable thrill slithers down my spine.
“Desperately.”
“I was just thinking about what I would do if you were to reject me? I don’t think I could survive,” I answered truthfully, while she pondered over my words with a frown. “Now Dalia, let me ask you something personal. Are you a virgin?”
“Are you?” She shoots back so quickly with an incredulous face, Dalia already knew, and I knew, that she was not giving me the answer until I revealed my own truth.
“No,” I replied - feeling somewhat embarrassed at not having the ability to wait for my mate.
She sat there, contemplating for a bit with her eyebrows knitted together. “Is it different... um... ya know... with a wolf?” Her eyes locked on the ceiling as if somehow, the answer got stuck up there.
“I wouldn’t know, I’ve never slept with a human,” I admitted, scrutinising her reaction.
“I’ve never slept with a wolf.” Dalia turned crimson before burrowing her face into her hands.
“So, you’re not a virgin. What’s it like with a human?”
“Oh god, really, you want me to answer that?” Dalia huffed as the smirk on my face grew.
“How about after you sleep with a wolf, then you tell me?”
“Who says I’ll be sleeping with a wolf?” A mischievous twinkle appeared in her eye - she was playing with Fire.
“I know you’re falling for me Rose Petals, it’s only a matter of time,” I teased.
“Slow down crazy; bit confident, aren’t we?” Dalia bites her tongue sexily in-between her teeth.
“Says the one who wore see-through satin pyjamas to bed.” Lia pulled the covers over her head while I laughed heartily.
Alpha 1, Rose Petals 0.
