My Fated Mate

12. ALPHA POWERS

POV (ALEC)

The hot water was a welcomed friend to what had to of been the most trying day of my life.  Or maybe I should say the start of my damned life.  Both Richard and myself were pretty filthy.  Dirt, grass, and blood stuck to our bodies and as I watched it all gather around the drain I began to wonder if it was best to never speak to Aesir again.  He was not sane.  Ever since we rejected Jasmine he had become unhinged and if I did my best to not reach out to him, maybe he would sleep a little longer.  At least, I hoped he would.  I needed him to, or trying to control him was going to kill me. 

“Hey, do you have any more shampoo?”  Thomas said, as he poked his head into my shower stall.  I growled at his rudeness and threw the bottle at his face.  He whimpered out a thank you, as I herd Bryan chuckle.  He had been the first one to finish and he was toweling off nearby.  Richard was being oddly quiet.

"Thomas, what did I say less than ten minutes ago?"  I snarled. 

"Sorry, I just figured this might be our last shower for a while...so I wanted to do a really good job."  He smiled, which only made me more annoyed. 

"This is not a joke."  I snapped. "I need you to grow up."  The moment the words left my mouth I regretted them.  I heard Thomas whimper, which only made me more irritable.  I stormed out of the shower and grabbed a towel.  I watched as Bryan went to comfort Thomas. "Don't touch him.  Do you expect the rogues to share shampoo with you or want to hear you whimper?"  I said, as I grabbed someones left over gym uniform and began to get dressed. 

Thomas, Bryan and myself had torn our clothes to pieces when we changed. Only Richard had, had the smart idea to always keep a spare set of clothes in his locker.  I wished I had thought to be that prepared.  The scent of sweat and grass stains from the t-shirt and shorts I was now wearing, was bothering me, and making my patience none existent. 

"You are right Alpha."  Thomas said, as he stood in front of me in just a towel.  "I now understand my mistake."  I sighed, as I set my sights on Bryan. 

"And you?  Do you know what you did wrong Gamma Bryan."  Hearing his title, caused Bryan to quickly stand at attention. 

"Yes Alpha.  We must never show weakness or kindness when we are around the rogues.  They must never know we care about the safety of each other."  He said, as I felt my heart break.  This was why I did not want them to come.  I was going to take everything that was good and decent about them, and make it twisted and repulsive.  How would they ever forgive me. 

"Take those disgusting clothes off, right now."  Richard said, as he handed me a black t-shirt and a pair of black shorts wrapped in plastic.  I looked at him confused as I undid the seal. 

"Richy Rich."  I growled at Thomas, who quickly shook his head. "Richard what are these?" 

"Spare clothes.  You can't believe I only kept one set."  He snapped, as he threw a pair to Bryan and Thomas, while he continued to towel dry his hair. 

“Where do you think Richard will have us sleep tonight?” Bryan said with a yawn, as he put on the clothes.

“Most likely some fancy hotel. You know he can’t stand getting dirty.”  Thomas chuckled, which quickly made me glare at him.  The boy was never going to learn.  If it was the last thing I did I would beat that child out of it, or the rogues would kill him before I would have the chance to do so. 

“We will be sleeping outside until midnight and then change into our wolves and begin looking for the assassins.” Richard said, annoyed as he leaned against the sink, while he eyed Thomas with irritation.  It was in that moment I noticed he was not wearing his glasses.  His wet dark brown hair was pushed back and he looked stern, almost ready for battle. Something about this new look unsettled me, and made me feel he looked like an Alpha and there was no way I would allow that.

“Where are your glasses Richard?”  I said, as I pulled the black shirt over my head and watched as Richard gave me an uneasy look.  It was clear he was hiding something from me, which only added to my dislike of his new appearance.  "Well, where are they?" I barked.

“I am not sure.  What I mean is." 

"Damnit Richard, just spit it out already."  I snarled, causing Bryan and Thomas to look at me concerned.  They would never know how stressed I was.  Every minute I feared Aesir was going to wake up and even the smallest of things was setting me off.  Richard playing this game of, should I tell you or should I not, was not helping with my already simmering temper.  

"Fine, ever since you marked me as Beta, my eyesight has improved.”  Richard said, as he pulled his glasses from his shorts pocket. “I don’t think I need them anymore?” He said, as he placed them on the sink counter.

"What?"  I hissed.  “That can’t be possible.” I stated, but was quickly interrupted. 

“You too?” Thomas said, as he shook his wet hair. “I was not sure if I should say anything, but my sense of smell has increased.  I even feel like I can see the footsteps of those who have been here.”  He was looking at the floor as if something was clearly visible to him. 

“I don't know if this means anything, but my sense of hearing has improved.”  Bryan said nervously.  “I feel like I can hear your guys thoughts, without mind linking." 

I felt my heart jump into my throat.  Hear my thoughts?  I grabbed Bryan by the throat and pushed him up against the wall.  "Do you hear mine?"  I snarled, causing Bryan to look at me shocked, as I tightened my grip.  "Can you hear mine?"  I order, using my Alpha voice making the pressure of my words weigh heavy on him. 

"Kind of."  He coughed out.  The moment I heard that, I lost it.  I threw him to the ground and got on top of him. 

"Repeat that again!" 

"Alec, what are you doing?"  Thomas shouted, but Richard grabbed him and shook his head.  "But, he is chocking him?"  Thomas cried. 

"REPEAT THAT AGAIN!" I roared at him.  

"I can kind of hear them.  But its odd."  Bryan said, as he squirmed under me. 

"How so?" 

"They sound like they are underwater, so I can only make our pieces.  I swear."  I could feel my claws were about to come out.  I had to stop him, take the power back.  There was no way I would let him know.  None of them could know what I was thinking. 

"What do you hear?"  I said, through gritted teeth.  Slowly, Bryan raised his head and whispered in my ear. 

"Trick me?  Fool me?  Kil..."  Before he could finish I tighten my squeeze his throat, causing his eyes to pop open in fear and confusion. 

"Don't you ever listen to my thought again!"  I commanded, as I kicked him away from me.  Before Thomas could rush to his side I glared at him, rooting him to the spot.  Richard gave me a questing stare but seeing how steamed I was, I hoped he would not push his luck.  I watched as Bryan gave me a hurt look, as he rubbed his neck.  Yet, having his eyes on me made me want to go after him again.  I felt my fist connect with the bathroom mirror, causing it to shatter and blood to pool on my knuckles. 

"Alec, what the hell?"  Thomas shouted, as he reached for me, but I just put my hand up. 

"Just give me a minute."  I groaned, as I put my bloody right hand over my eyes and took deep breaths.  Bryan had heard Aesir, not my thoughts, my wolf's.  This was not good.  The last thing I needed was anyone to know what evil lurked inside me.  Should I chance it?  Should I wake the sleeping beast?  As my hand ran down to my mouth I closed my eyes and concentrated. 

"Aesir, did you know this would happen?"  Silence, ear deafening, mind crushing silence.  He was not going to talk to me. 

"Richard, what is wrong with him?"  Bryan said, as he picked himself up off the floor.  "He has never been this..."

"Angry."  Richard said, as his eyes raked over me. 

"I don't understand.  Why is he angry with us?"  Thomas said, in a soft whisper. 

"I don't think he is?"  Richard said, as he looked at Bryan.  I could feel my eyes slowly opening as I watched Richard and knew what he was doing.  I growled at him causing him to stop.  There was no way I was going to let him mind link with Bryan.  As the four of us stood there in a state of tension, eyeing each other, I wished I had never agreed to this ridiculous plan.  Yet, I had and it was up to me to get us pack on the right track.

"I don't want to talk about it."  I said, as I ran my hand through my hair.  "And I expect you to obey my wishes."  I gave a low growl as I turned my sights on Richard, who gave me a guilty look. 

"Very well."  Richard said, making everyone in the room realize the case was closed.  Yet, I could tell Bryan was uneasy and it would take a stern talking to, to get him to understand the gravity of how much he better not disappoint me.  However, that would be for another day.

"Should we start heading out?"  Thomas said, as he looked to each one of us.  God, did we look hopeless.  Bryan was shuffling his feet.  Richard was stealing glances at me and I was so angry my hands were shaking.  It did not help that there was now this constant tapping of a foot occurring by the door, which was making me want to punch the person responsible in the face. Wait, tapping?  Suddenly the four of us looked towards the door, and such enough standing there with her arms crossed was Anneball. 

"What the hell is going on?"  She screamed, causing Richard, Bryan and Thomas to jolt, only I remained unaffected.  "I have search everywhere for you guys and I find you here showering?  Do you have any idea the trouble you have caused, or how worried I have been?"  She shouted.  She was furious and I could tell parts of her mascara had been running, meaning she had been crying.  How had I forgotten about her?  I looked to the guys and they instantly understood.  No mind linking was needed for them to know they were not welcomed.  As they exited Annabell tried to mind link with each one, but that was of course not going to work.  Their bonds had been cut and there was no way she could reach them. 

"Alec, on my gosh you're hurt."  Annabell said, in a pained voice, as she rushed over to me.  Quickly she grabbed my arm and led me over to the sink.  The cool water stung the open wounds on my knuckles, but this pain was nothing compared to what I had faced today. 

"What in the world happened?  How did you hurt..."  But Annebell stopped, when she looked at the mirror and saw the web of shattered glass and the blood red spider sitting in the middle of it.  "You did this?"  She said, looking at me with worry and hurt.  "Why?" 

I pulled my arm back from her and wrapped my hand in a towel.  That was an answer she was not going to be getting.  I looked down at her and noticed she was eyeing me with pleading eyes.  I sighed, she was trying to mind link me. 

"Don't try, it wont work."  I said, but she would not give up. "Annabell, stop!"  I shouted, causing her to jump. 

"Why are you ignoring me?" 

"I'm not." 

"Yes you are.  I have been talking to you ever since I came in, and you have not even responded once.  Even your stupid boys are not..."  Before she could finish I grabbed her shoulders and looked deep into her eyes. 

"I am not ignoring you.  I just can't hear you." 

"What?"  She said, as she took a step back.  "That is impossible, that would mean you...oh Alec.  Please, tell me you didn't."  I watched, as she covered her mouth and her eyes started to get all misty. 

“I'm leaving Bell.  We're all leaving.” 

“What?  You can't.” 

"It has already been decided."  I watched, as she stumbled back and braced herself against the wall. 

“Are you ever coming back?"  She whimpered, barely above a whisper.

“No.” 

"Are you crazy!"  She screamed, making my temper start to flare.  "Because of a her?  You're leaving because that witch did not want you.  What about me?  I want you Alec, I have always..." 

I growled at her causing her to stop.  There was no way I would let her ever finish that sentence.  Suddenly, I felt her little body come crashing into mine as tears streamed down her face.  Her small fists pounded on my chest as she started shouting and crying all at the same time. 

“No!  You cant!  I wont let you!"  She screamed, as she gripped on to my shirt, as I tried to pull here way but she was holding on for dear life. 

"Stop this.  You're acting like a child!"  I barked, causing her to look up at me with her tear streaked face. 

"I am a child Alec!" I felt my heart squeeze on hearing that.  

"I don't have time for this Annabell.  I have go."  I said, has coldly as I could.  I needed her to hate me.  To resent me.  The only way she would survive is if she never trusted me again.  She needed to lean on Arthur and Andrew, not me. 

"Then take me with you!"  

"No."  I said, as I pushed her away. 

"Why not!  I am small, I would not take up that much room."  She said, as she tried to vigorously wipe her eyes. "I won't make a noise or get in the way.  I promise."  This was starting to become annoying similar to Richard, and I was not interested in dealing with a case of dejavu.

“It's not happening.”  I said, as I turned to leave.  Quickly, she jumped in front of me and held her thin arms out.  Did she really believe that would block me from leaving?

“I’m strong.  I may not be a full wolf yet but I will be.  You can train me.  I won’t slow you down.” 

“I’m not taking you Annabell.  I wouldn’t take even if you could change.” I growled, causing her eyes to widened in hurt. 

“You wouldn't take me?  What are you say?”  Her words brought me back to the moment we had first met in that tiny room.  Me ten and her seven.  I ran my hands through my hair in frustration.  What I was about to say would end everything.

“I don’t want you.”  I heard her gasp.  I had known for years her love and devotion to my protection was not that of a little sister.  She had felt something more and it was time to break it, all of it. 

“You don’t mean that. I don’t believe you.” 

“I do. I mean every word.” I said coldly, as I pushed her aside and began to make my exit.

“Don’t do this Alec.  I’m not even your..”  I flashed my blue eyes at her.  She stopped speaking.  It was a story that was never meant to be told.  A part of our history that if spoken would destroy everything.  Our bond, our family and maybe even our lives.  Yet, if it was the one way to get her to stop running after me, then I would be the one to use it first. 

"I hate you Annabell."  I watched as her body froze.  "Do you know why?"  I said, as I took calculated demanding steps to her and then reached out and roughly grabbed her face.  I demanded her to look at me as my glowing blue eyes pierce into her.  "Because I killed them."  Her eyes widened in fear. 

"No, you wouldn't."  She said, as she shook her head, causing a laugh to escape my throat.  

"You believe that?  You actually believe I wouldn't.  Damn, you really are fool."  She winced at my words, but I was not done.  No, not even close.  "Well, let me tell you a little secret."  I felt her body tense as I leaned down and whispered in her ear.  "I did it.   Not Arthur.  Not Andrew.  Not even my Father.  It was me."  I snarled, as I finally released her face and watched as her body swayed.  She was about to fall, but I would not let her.  Quickly, I grabbed her collar and forced her to stand.  "And yet, you cling to me like I am your savior.  You are a stupid child and I don't have time to placate your needs anymore.  I raised you, I fulfilled my obligation.  Now I can be free of the guilt your hideous face brings me every time I see it.  So let go."   I hissed, as I loosened my grip and allowed her to crumple to the floor at my feet. 

Yet, before I could take a step I felt her tiny trembling hands grab hold of my leg. 

"I can't believe those words Alec."  She said, as I looked down at her with all the disgust I could muster.  "If I do, then what am I?"  

"What you are is pathetic."  I hissed, as I kicked her free of me, causing she let out a blood curling scream. 

"I don't believe you!  I will never believe you!  Alec!"  

The moment I was out of the bathroom I felt my knees start to shake, and I had to put a hand on the wall to steady myself.  Rejecting Jasmine had been one thing, rejecting Annabell...Innocent, loving, loyal Annabell, was something entirely different.  It was like all the hope and love that I had in my heart had been shattered and her screams were draining me dry of any a drop of it remaining.  I truly was going to turn into the big bad wolf from her nightmares. 

"Why did you do that?"  Richard said.  He was leaning against the opposite wall and his arms were crossed.  He was eyeing me with irritation which I returned back at him.

"Leave me alone."

"You know she will never believe you.  She will find out what really happened."  I stumbled, causing Richard to reach out and grab me.  "She is going to get herself killed." I sighed as I allowed Richard to support my weight.

“She will be fine.  The only one who would want her life, will watch over her because her blood has always been on his hands.”  I said, as Richard shook his and helped me make our way to the parking lot. 

I could hear Annabell's sobbing as she repeated over and over again. 

"Its not true.  Its not true." 

Sadly, my dear sweet sister, it needed to be.  For if my lies could keep her safe, I would tell them to her over and over again, until they were truth.  I would twist and morph the narrative of that night into something horrific that would make her blood run cold.  I would never allow her to care for me again, and would instead give the brutal monster, who had beaten me black and blue because of what we did that night, the right to protect her till his dying days.