The Alpha’s Regret

Book 2 Chapter Five

Lexi’s POV

I sit and flick through my textbook as the lecture hall begins to fill up around me. This is my favourite class of the whole course and I often turn up early to review my study notes.

“Here early again Lex?” Ben asks shuffling into the seat next to me.

“Yep you know me so well!” I answer handing him a pen, knowing he will probably have forgotten to pack his.

“Ahh, thanks Lex. Seems like you know me well too.” he grins taking the pen from me. “I take it Becca is giving class a miss today?”

“Yeah, her and Willow were out partying last night as usual so I doubt that they will turn up this morning.” I laugh thinking about how they both rolled in the door last night drunk out of their damn minds.

Sharing an apartment with Becca these past two months has been a lot of fun and has definitely brought us closer together. She is the wild one who spends most of her time skiving off or partying but I love her all the same. I on the other hand, prefer to stay focused on my studies. I still enjoy spending time with all the new friends I have made but it’s fair to say I’m still cautious not to let myself go too much.

“Did you happen to do the reading for this class?” Ben asks sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck.

I roll my eyes and rummage around in my bag for my notes that I took last night, smacking them gently off of Ben’s head.

“Here...you big asshole.” I giggle, finally handing them to him.

“Lexi you are my angel, I swear.” he grins holding his hands over his heart mockingly.

“Yeah, yeah.” I chuckle, turning my attention to the professor who has just entered the room.

“So what’s your plans for the holidays?” Ben whispers as the room begins to quieten down.

“I have a shift at the book shop tonight but then I’m going to head home for a few days. I’ll be back after New Year.” I reply before hushing him.

“Okay okay but don’t stay away too long, what will we all do without you here taking care of us all Lex?”

“Maybe you’ll all learn to look after yourselves for a change!!” I tease.

***

After class I say bye to Ben and head out into the crisp winters day. Gentle snow is beginning to fall, covering the ground in a soft, fluffy white blanket.

“Please can we go a run Lexi!” Astra pleads in my head. “I’m dying to run in the snow!”

“Okay but just a quick one, I have to be at the book shop in a couple of hours.” I negotiate with her.

I make a start on the path towards the forest and look around at the frost covered trees. The scent of fresh water and snow hits my lungs and I must admit I am excited to let Astra free. The fact is that she doesn’t get to run very much at all. I constantly have to be on my guard. When I first got here I would never shift at all but it wasn’t good for either Astra or myself. Eventually I started coming here once a week to let her run freely for a while. If only my father knew. Goddess above!

When I reach the forest I sense eyes watching me.

“Astra do you feel that?” I ask looking around anxiously amongst the trees.

“I do Lexi. Something doesn’t seem right. Maybe there is someone else here.”

“I’m sorry Astra, the run will have to wait. I can’t take any chances.” I say apologetically before retracing my steps back the way I came.

***

“Hi Anima, how has it been today?” I ask the grey haired old woman as I dump my bag pack and jacket behind the counter.

“Fine dear. A couple of our regulars in for some tea and cake. Nothing an oldie like me can’t handle.” she chuckles as she hands me a hot chocolate.

“Oh Anima! You spoil me!” I exclaim taking a sip and letting the beverage warm my cold fingers.

“Of course dear. I have to look after my number one employee.”

“I’m you’re only employee Anima.” I laugh rolling my eyes at my adorable boss who has become more like a grandma to me.

Anima is a sweet human lady and she is the kindest soul I have ever met. She treats everyone who walks into this shop like part of her family and she seems to have the ability to read people like a book. I happened to come into the shop a couple of months back when I first moved here. I was on the hunt for a book about one of my favourite artists when I stumbled upon it. I remember walking through the doors and feeling a peaceful feeling wash over my whole body. The smell of the old books, the gentle crackle of the fireplace in the corner and the faint smell of coffee beans had me instantly relaxed. Anima walked over to me with her twinkly blue eyes and her grey hair pulled neatly into a bun at the nape of her neck. She spent the next hour with me talking about her favourite pieces of art and pulled out books for me to borrow with the promise that I come back and tell her my thoughts. It didn’t take too long before I started spending a lot of time here. Eventually Anima asked me to work here in between my college classes. In all honesty, I don’t particularly need the money. My father insists on sending me money every month and my rent is paid in full too. I am incredibly lucky and I know this. I offered to work for free but Anima wouldn’t hear of it. Instead we settled on putting the money in a jar and saving it for a worthy cause of our choosing at a later date. Anima doesn’t know I am a werewolf of course. I do sometimes wonder how she would react if she were to ever find out. If there’s any human out there who could handle it, it would be her.

“How was class today hon?” she questions as I flick through a book she has left out for me to take a look at.

“Great! I’ve already started the assignment so I’ll work on it some more tonight.” I shrug.

“You really should try to get out more you know. A young and beautiful girl like you.”

“You sound like my friend Becca, Anima.” I laugh, placing the book into my bag.

“What about any young gentlemen?” she enquires, raising her thin eyebrow in my direction.

“Nope, I’m happy just being me right now.” I smile in return.

I’m not lying to Anima when I say this. These past two months have been amazing. I finally feel normal. There’s no one mollycoddling me, controlling my actions or watching my every move. I get to be me.

“Okay well I’m going to head home now dear if you don’t mind locking up tonight.”

“No problem. Are you okay with me heading home for a few days? If the shop will be too much for you on your own I can always cancel.” I offer sincerely.

“Not at all! It’s not like the shop is inundated with customers. This old broad can still handle it.” she chuckles, sending me a little wink.

“Okay bye Anima. Have a nice Christmas and I’ll see you in the New Year.” I say, pulling her in for a big hug.

***

The next day I wake up bright and early to make the journey back to Crescent Moon.

“Becca come on! Get up the car will be here any minute!” I shout rattling on her door.

“Arrrggg okayyy!” she huffs from inside her room.

I swear more often that not I feel like her damn mother.

I am startled by a loud knock on the door and walk over to peek through the peep hole. I see Ben’s large muscular frame standing there and I unlock the door to let him in.

“Hey what brings you here?” I question as he walks in flashing me his white teeth.

“Well first off I brought coffee... “ he hands me the cup. “You know as a thank you for always having my back in class.”

“Ooh thanks.” I reply gratefully taking a sip.

“I also brought presents. It is Christmas tomorrow after all.” he chuckles.

“Did I hear something about presents?” Becca calls springing from her room eagerly causing Ben and I to laugh.

“Here. One for each of you.” Ben grins handing the small bags to each of us.

Becca unwraps her present gleefully and parades around in front of the mirror with the new scarf.

I unwrap mine to find a small poster of the Paris skyline.

“I picked this up in France. I thought you might like it. Maybe it’s silly.” he shrugs.

“No not at all! Thanks Ben!” I smile widely at him.

Suddenly the door flies open and Beta James appears in the small living room. The room instantly feels smaller with two large male werewolves inside.

“What’s going on kiddo? Andrew and I have been outside waiting for 15 minutes.” he huffs before coming over and engulfing me in a bear hug.

I shrug him off, slightly embarrassed by him using his pet name for me in front of my friends.

“Sorry Uncle James, we were just coming. This is Ben. He’s a friend of ours from college.” I say gesturing towards a slightly tense looking Ben. “Ben this is Beta James from Crescent Moon.”

“Ahh it’s nice to meet you Ben.” James says offering his hand to shake.

“Nice to meet you too Beta.” Ben says shifting around from one foot to another. “I’ll see you later Lex.” Ben smiles before heading out of the door.

James watches the empty door frame for a while after Ben leaves.

“Is everything okay?” I ask him.

“How much do you know about him?” James asks looking slightly concerned.

“I know he moved here to go to college apart from that not much but he’s a good guy James there’s no need to be overprotective.” I chuckle packing the picture of Paris into my bag.

“Hmm he seems strong, perhaps a ranked wolf or a warrior?” James questions, more to himself than me before shaking his head and refocusing.

“Right! Are we ready to go ladies? Your mum and dad are dying to see you.” he grins.

“Goddess I can only imagine...” I chuckle grabbing my things and following him out of the door.