Alpha (14 page)

I swung my gaze to glare back at him.

“
We’ll see,” I challenged.

Unable to stand being around the two idiots any longer, I stalked out of the gym. There was no way I would allow this to continue if I had to join Cade’s pack. I was not going to sit back and be a helpless female that needed males to protect her.

I remembered from some stories that members of a pack couldn’t go against what the alpha said. I needed to get some more information from Blake. It made me more hesitant to give up my freedom and join Cade’s pack.

I didn’t want to talk to Blake, but I had to if I was going to get answers to my questions.

It didn’t take long for Blake, Cade and Gary to exit the gym. Gary gave me a look that said he was on my side, but unfortunately he wasn’t in charge—dumb and dumber were.

I completely ignored Cade and walked beside Blake back to the main house. Cade trailed behind us with Gary. The heat of Cade’s glare on the two of us as we walked couldn’t be ignored and a glance at Blake told me he felt it too.

As much as I was dying to ask Blake some questions, I didn’t dare do it within earshot of Cade. I didn’t want him becoming suspicious of why I wanted to know about mates and stuff like that. I’d have to try and talk to Blake another time when Cade wasn’t around.

My stomach was growling by the time I entered the kitchen.

Lunch was strained. The four of us sat at the dining room table. There were various sandwiches and salads spread out.

“
Who made all the food?” I asked Cade. He’d been a little preoccupied and he was acting jealous.

“
One of the ladies from our pack likes to cook so I let her have free reign in the kitchen,” he replied tightly. He was still angry, but he was trying to be polite.

By the end of lunch, I decided to retreat back to my room for a while. I needed space and time to try and figure out how I was going to deal with Cade finding out I was his mate. I had just over one day left before I had to come clean.

That night I slept well despite all the things weighing down on me and I was relieved I was going back to school.

Cade was nowhere to be seen when I went down to the kitchen after getting ready for school.

“
Hi, how are you feeling?” Gary asked. He was always up early.

“
I’m good,” I replied as I went to get some coffee.

Cade walked in and I felt the flutter in my stomach at the sight of him.

“
Morning,” he greeted as he grabbed a cup of coffee.

“
Morning,” I greeted, trying to keep myself from perving over him. He was gorgeous.

“
You ready to leave for school?” he asked as he took a sip of coffee.

“
Yes,” I answered. The truth was I hadn’t eaten yet but I wasn’t going to make him wait while I had breakfast.

“
Come on, let’s go.”

The car ride was quiet. I kept my gaze fixed on the scenery passing us by, trying to keep the flutter of excitement that came alive whenever he was close to me under control. I felt Cade’s eyes on me a couple of times but I refused to look at him.

By the time he pulled into the school parking lot, I was frazzled and nervous. Quickly, I got out of the car and walked inside the school, leaving Cade behind.

I felt safe within the school. There were enough werewolves to keep me safe. Cade and Blake had gone through my classes and scheduled specific werewolves to keep an eye on me in each class. It was like a rotation of bodyguards.

I was at my locker getting a book when I turned to see Keri beside me.

“
You’re back,” she said.

“
Yeah, I was sick yesterday.” The lie rolled off my tongue.

“
I spotted you getting dropped off by Cade Presley,” she informed me with a knowing smile.

“
It’s a long story and I don’t really want to get into it right now,” I said. I hadn’t expected the question so I didn’t have a suitable lie.

“
Are you guys dating?” she asked, wide-eyed with excitement.

“
No way,” I answered, slamming my locker closed. I spotted Blake walking past us.

“
I need to ask Blake something,” I told her. “I’ll see you at lunchtime.”

“
Sure, see you then,” she said and walked away.

I caught up with Blake. He smiled at me when I grabbed his arm to stop him.

“
Hey,” I greeted, a little out of breath.

“
Hi,” he said. “You okay?”

“
Yeah, I’m fine, I just wanted to ask you some questions,” I told him.

“
Okay,” he replied and started to walk to the parking lot so we had some privacy, away from busy hallways.

“
Does the pack have to do what the alpha says?” I asked Blake as he walked beside me.

“
Yes, all except the alpha’s mate,” he answered.

Yes!

I wouldn’t have to do what Cade said and it was the best news I’d heard since I’d found out I was a werewolf.

We’d just exited the school and were walking to the parking lot when I saw something that I hadn’t seen coming.

The moment I saw Cade sitting on a bench with some blond girl straddling him, it felt like someone had hit me in the chest. It fucking hurt! I was dazed for a moment, trying to get a handle on my emotions, but nothing could stop the tidal wave of anger that rushed through me.

I’d thought he’d been attracted to me, but I must have been wrong.

“
You okay?” Blake asked softly from beside me. He was the only one who understood why I was angry and upset.

I couldn’t pull my gaze away from them. Cade smiled at the slut and I felt like someone punched me again.

“
Yes,” I said with determination, but I couldn’t stop the anger and hurt from overwhelming me.

“
Hold this,” I instructed him, giving him my school bag.

“
Don’t do anything stupid,” he warned as he took the bag.

I ignored his warning. I was way beyond thinking before I acted and there was no way I was going to stand by and do nothing. It wasn’t logical thinking that propelled me forward—it was the raw emotions flowing through me that made me throw caution to the wind and stalk over to the couple.

“
Get off him,” I demanded to the girl as I stood in front of them with my hands on my hips. Her skinny jeans were so tight they looked like another layer of skin and the dark red halter-top barely contained her massive boobs.

“
What the hell?!” said the girl as she turned to face me.

Cade’s surprised gaze found mine as the girl shifted off him. She gave me a confused look, but the look I gave her told her not to mess with me and she took a step back in fear.

I’d kick her ass if I needed to and at that moment I really had a need to hit someone.

“
Get lost,” I told her as I shifted my eyes to Cade. She hesitated for a moment before she turned and walked off in a huff.

Students around us began to watch the unfolding drama with interest.

“
What is your problem?” Cade demanded as he stood up.

I knew he was trying to intimidate me with his height but it didn’t work. The fact that he didn’t know he was my mate and that it was something I’d kept from him didn’t let him off the hook.

“
You’re my problem,” I bit back angrily, struggling to contain my temper.

He was my mate, and he was about to play tonsil hockey with some random girl. That was a big problem. Before I could even stop myself, I stepped forward and I slapped him.

The instant my hand touched his face, I felt a bolt of electricity shoot through me. And in that moment I felt a rush of emotion for the boy in front of me and I saw my emotions mirrored in his eyes.

He knew.

This hadn’t been the plan, but it was too late. He knew and I couldn’t take it back.

Ah, crap!
What had I done?

A red handprint began to form on his cheek as he glared at me. He was so angry he was shaking. I remained rooted to the spot in shock at the rush of emotions still coursing through me.

“
Fuck,” Blake said from next to me. A little dazed and confused, I turned to look at him. It was the first time I’d realized he’d followed me. He yanked me back from a stunned and angry Cade, and shoved me behind him so he stood protectively between my mate and me.

Is this what Blake had meant when he’d said not to do something stupid? Was he scared that Cade was so angry he might lash out at me and hurt me in the process?

Maybe slapping him had been a bad idea. I don’t know whether it was because we’d connected or if it was because I’d calmed down slightly, but I regretted it.

“
Get your hand off her,” warned Cade in a deadly tone while fisting his hands at his sides. I could feel the anger radiating off Cade in waves. It was so powerful that I could only stand in awe of him. All the fear I’d felt before vanished even though he looked like he was about to tear into Blake.

Blake released my wrist and held his hands up in front of Cade to show him that he wasn’t touching me. With his eyes still on me, he took a step toward me but Blake refused to move, remaining protectively in front of me. Was he really scared that Cade would hurt me?

“
Calm down and I’ll get out of your way,” Blake tried to reason with the angry alpha and his best friend.

Cade closed his eyes for a moment and took a shaky breath to try and control the anger building up inside.

“
I won’t hurt her,” he whispered hoarsely as he opened his eyes and fixed them on me.

I could see the possessiveness evident in his eyes. I was his whether I wanted to be or not. Before touching him I would have fought against it but it was too strong to deny. I wanted him and he was mine.

“
Get out of my way,” Cade warned Blake, not moving his eyes from me. “You’re keeping me from what is mine.”

I couldn’t stop the flutter of butterflies in my stomach at the possessiveness in his words.

Blake didn’t budge. I understood he was worried about me, but I knew Cade wouldn’t hurt me. Don’t ask me how, I just did. Blake was making things worse by keeping me from him.

“
He won’t hurt me,” I assured Blake as I stepped around him. Blake grabbed my arm. Cade growled at Blake again and he let go of me.

I took one tentative step toward Cade. His intense gaze held mine and I took another step. Blake stood behind me, ready to spring into action if Cade lost it.

One more step put me so close to Cade that we were only inches apart. I stood in front of him unafraid but a little nervous. With one touch, things had changed. I liked to be in control of situations, but I had no control now, something bigger than the two of us connected us together.

His hand lifted to my face and he trailed his knuckles down my cheek. I closed my eyes at the feel of his touch. With one touch I felt the emotions that had stirred inside me resurface. The nervousness and anxiousness I’d been feeling evaporated and I felt content, complete. It was the stuff that soul mates were made of.

He was my soul mate.

I opened my eyes and tilted my face to gaze up to his. My thoughts were mirrored in his. I was his soul mate and he felt complete and at peace like I did when we touched.

His hands threaded through my hair as he pulled me closer. His eyes flickered to my lips and he leaned closer. He was going to kiss me and I wanted him to. I couldn’t fight it even if I wanted to.

The moment his lips touched mine I felt something inside me come alive and overwhelm me. I gripped his arms to hold myself up as my knees weakened and I struggled to keep myself up.

Blake and the crowd of people were forgotten as he tilted my face up to his to get better access while his lips moved against mine. His tongue swept across my bottom lip. I held on tighter to his arms as I opened my mouth and he deepened the kiss.

I wanted more and I held him closer as his tongue tangled with mine. All thoughts vanished and all that mattered was his kiss. I groaned when he pulled away and I tried to get my breath back.

He rested his forehead against mine. Both of us were breathless.

“
We need to get out of here,” he whispered to me. Normally I would fight against anything I didn’t have complete control over, but this time I didn’t fight. Instead, I said, “Yes.”

It was only when Cade turned to Blake did I notice the crowd of people that had been watching our show. I’d just slapped him and then the next moment we were kissing. The werewolves watching would understand but the humans would think we were crazy.

“
We need time,” Cade said to Blake who was smiling as he watched Cade take my hand in his. “I’ll be in touch later.”