Claimed by a Stranger

Chapter Ten

“I can’t believe her,” Samuel growled. Maybe I’ll eavesdrop first. “I am her mate, whether she likes it or not. Why is she so frustrating? I thought mates were supposed to be good. She is amazing. No. She isn’t. She’s frustrating.” Was he fighting with himself? It was quite entertaining.

“She is such a complicated puzzle,” he said quieter. What was he thinking? “How can I win her over? I’m crazy. Winning over my own mate?” he scoffed. And he thinks he’s crazy because of that. Does he not realize he’s talking to himself?

“Why did I claim her? Stupid, stupid, stupid. I should have at least tried to get to know her. But why would she ever fall for me, a fallen Alpha, now a good for nothing rogue. Why does she have this power over me?”

Aww I felt so bad now; not that I should. He attacked those people. Now I feel like him, I’m talking to myself. Maybe he could have another chance.

“Samuel,” I called to him. He whipped around to face me. He didn’t look angry anymore.

“Savannah, what are you doing here?” he asked, eyes widening.

“What’s it look like?” Be nice. I reminded myself.

He furrowed his brow and crossed his arms.

“Okay, sorry. Did you mean what you said?”

“How much did you hear?” he asked, his cheeks reddened.

“Doesn’t matter.”

“Okay,” he said slowly.

“Did you mean what you said?”

“Which part?”

“Do you really think that you are a good for nothing fallen Alpha rogue?”

“Yes. That’s all I am. Why would you ever want me?”

“You could be great. Stop attacking innocent people.”

“There not innocent,” he growled.

“Knock it off. Just stop attacking people. Their innocence is irrelevant.”

“I’m not sure I can agree to that.”

He’s so annoying.

“You need to move on. Let go of your grudges and start over.”

“It’s not that simple.”

“Okay then, enlighten me why it so hard?” I asked.

“Did you not forget your father wanted to kill me the other day,” he said.

“No,” I growled. He’s getting on my last nerve, “Ask him if you can repay him for all that you have done.” I wish the Senate would allow him to repay what he’s done with some good hard work. But I doubt that was how they run; I had never met them, but I’ve heard of them. They supposedly keep the peace between humans and wolves. Not that many humans know about us in the first place and it’s the Senates job to keep it that way.

“I know your father, he is not that forgiving.”

He had a point. I sighed. I give up I am too tired to deal with him right now. I turned around and started walking away.

“Savannah,” he said and was by my side in seconds.

“What?” I grumbled.

“I’m sorry about today. I was being a jerk.”

“Yeah, as if that’s new”

“I am trying to apologize,” he growled.

“So what?” When will he snap at me again?

“You’re so frustrating.”

I shrugged, “I know.”

“Can I have one more chance?”

“I’m done with chances. If you want to get on my good side prove that you’re willing to work for it.” I crossed my arms

“Fair enough,” he said.

“Where are we going?” Samuel asked after we walked in silence for a while.

“I’m going home. I don’t know about you.”

“Are we friends?” he asked.

“We’ll see,” I said. When I arrived home, he hung back in the woods watching me. “Talk to my dad,” I said before walking in the back door.

“Savannah,” My dad’s voice boomed throughout the house.

“What dad?” I asked my voice hard. After what he has done the past few days, he was not on my good side.

“Don’t use that tone with me,” he said.

“Whatever,” I muttered.

He growled at me.

“What do you need?” I asked as I stepped into his office. He was sitting at his desk and mum was sitting in a chair across from him.

“What have you decided? Are you going to accept him?” he asked taking a deep breath. He was never skilled at hiding his anger.

“I am giving him a second chance,” I said.

“Okay.” I could tell he wasn’t happy with my decision.

“I suggest you do the same.”

“The likes of him? Never,” he snarled.

“Enough dad. I don’t care what you think of him. He is my mate and if I choose to accept him you need to live with that fact.”

“If,” he said.

“Yes “if” I accept him. If I do, he will be my mate. You need to get over it.” I wish he would be reasonable.

“Get over it? It’s not that simple.”

How hard could it be. “Mum,” I said. “Tell him he needs to get over it”

“Honey, I hate to agree with him on this, but Samuel does not have a good past,” my mum said. “We, I hate to say it, but we will have to tell the Senate that he is here.”

“What? Hate to agree?” Dad’s voice softened. He was so sweet to my mum. Your mother is right. The Senate should be informed.”

“You are being a bit of a jerk about this and Lily; she’s a great girl. Try to get along with her” My mum’s tone hardened. She looked over at me. “The Senate deals with his, criminal problems,” she said.

“Mary, sweetie, Lily is human.” What is his problem? There is nothing wrong with a human mate.

“She is our sons mate and he loves her. That is enough for me.”

“Can you wait on the Senate?” I asked.

“I will discuss it with your mother,” dad said.

I nodded before leaving his office.

“Mary, I am not being unreasonable.” That was the last thing I heard my dad say.

I sighed. Why was everything so hard? I started up the stairs. The Senate, they can’t. The Senate of Wolves will have a penalty for him to pay. I just wish it were as easy as just working his crimes off with some hard work, but that’s not how the Senate works. The Senate binds packs, laws, and such together and if they don’t enforce the laws then a rebellion could rise.

“Savannah,” Jason yelled as he ran up the stairs to meet me at the top. I was glad for a distraction from the Senate. I hated how little I know about them.

“What?” I asked.

“Jack likes your siste.r”

“No way. She likes him too,” I said. My foul mood evaporating.

“Weird, they never used to hang out until,” I paused looking at Jason.

No way. Was he thinking what I’m thinking?

“Do you think it’s possible?” he asked.

“Could be.”

“No way.”

“They’re so young,” I said.

“Yeah, they definitely are,” he nodded.

“They can’t be.” Way too young for mates.

“They are. I just know it,” he said.

“Now that we think we’ve have figured it out, where are they?” I asked.

“I saw Hannah walking to my house.”

I nodded and we both ran to the door toward Jason’s house. Jack had shifted a few months before Hannah and ever since then they have kind of been friends, though they never were before.

“Slow down,” Jason’s mother yelled as we ran by her.

“Sorry Mrs. Amy,” I said not slowing down.

I heard her laughing while Jason and I ran to Jack’s room.

“Hannah, Jack,” we yelled together.

“What,” Jack said from behind us.

“Oh.” We stopped in our tracts as we turned to face Jack. “Where’s Hannah?” I asked

“She’s in the bathroom. We’re going to go for a run,” he said before continue, “And you’re not coming.” Bossy little booger.

“Who’s says?” Jason asked smirking at his little brother.

“I do,” he said.

“Excuse me Jack. That is my little sister you are taking into the woods, with possible rogues out and you are hardly enough protection for her. She is the Alpha’s youngest daughter,” I pointed my finger at him.

“I am strong enough.” He said causing Jason and I to both laugh.

“You phased a months before she did. As I said “hardly” enough protection. You are a small, weaker wolf.”

“Stronger than you,” he said. Little brat.

“As if you could ever beat me.”

“Is that a challenge?” He asked. Snotty little thirteen year old.

“Is it?” I looked down at him. He was almost as tall as me.

He took a step closer to me. He better not be sizing me up.

“Back off,” A deep growl rumbled through my chest. I am not fighting him.

He stepped back. I love my commanding voice.

“That’s what I thought,” I said. He needs to be taught a lesson. His attitude will get him nowhere. You always step down when you are in an Alpha’s presence or in my case “future Alpha.” He needs to learn his place.

“Jack, how dare you disrespect a future Alpha or even think about challenging one? You could be kicked out of the pack, regardless of age,” Jason said his voice hard, almost fatherly.

“It’s not my fault. You guys started it,” Jack said. I can’t believe he said that. He should have apologized. He was so rude.

“Jack, I’m serious,” Jason growled.

“No, maybe he needs to learn his place in the pack,” I said furrowing my brow at him.

“Savannah, what are you doing here?” Hannah asked.

“I might be teaching a lesson,” I said, my gaze never leaving Jacks.

“What do you mean?” she asked. She was so nice to me now.

“Jason,” I grunted.

“Don’t get angry or anything Hannah,” Jason said taking a step closer to her, blocking me.

“What going on?” Her voice trembled.

“Jack challenged your sister.”

“What? No,” she yelled “Jack don’t.”

What about me? Am I chopped liver now?

“He was-is being disrespectful to a future Alpha. She may teach him a lesson, prove a point that he can’t get into an Alpha’s face and have face no consequence’s,” Jason said.

“Jack are you being disrespectful?” Hannah asked, her voice hoarse.

“They started it,” he said to her. His voice softened as he looked at her. They were definitely mates.

“Jack, Savannah doesn’t joke around when it comes to her position in the pack,” Hannah said.

She’s right, I will not back down if he thinks he can threaten my place.

“Neither do I,” Jack said.

“Jack,” Hannah growled. Aww she growled. What position does he have? He was a mere pup.

“Jack, if you do not back down I will fight you,” I growled.

“I understand.”

“If you lose, I can forbid you from being with Hannah,” my voice was hard. Maybe he will understand this way.

“I understand.” He stepped back and bowed. “I am sorry. I shouldn’t have threatened your position. It was disrespectful and won’t happen again,” he said.

For a second I thought I was going to have to fight him. Relief flooded through my body. Glad there would be no fighting today.

“Good. If you ever do that again, I will fight you,” I growled. I have to remind him that I am Alpha and I mean business.

“I understand and I will deal with the consequences, but I assure you it will not happen again.” For a dumb thirteen year old he knows some big words.

I nodded before saying, “If you go out in the woods, I expect you to take guards.”

“Yes, ma’am, we will.” What a gentleman now. Shocking how much someone’s tune can change.

“Good-bye, Hannah. Love you. Have fun,” I said as I walked away with Jason’s arm around my shoulder.

“I can’t believe what happened” Jason said, sighing. “I really didn’t want you fighting my little brother.”

“Trust me. I didn’t want to fight him either, but I would have if need be; you need to teach him his place.”

“You sound all official,” Jason chuckled.

“When I need to be serious, I will be, especially in a moment like that.”

“I know. It’s just different than before. You have always been more relaxed about those kinds of situations,”

“I wasn’t future Alpha before. There a different responsibility between being a Alpha’s kid and being next in line,” I said.

He nodded. I always let Aaron take care of those things. I never understood why he took those situations so seriously, but I do now.

“Do you think he’s still alive?” I asked. “You know, Aaron.” I looked down at my feet.

“I bet he is somewhere happy. Maybe he found his mate. I doubt that he is dead.”

If he was alive, why wouldn’t he come back?

“Let’s go find Kade and Lily and do something,” Jason said. He knew how sensitive I was about talking about Aaron. “I am so bored and we can tell them about Hannah and Jack.”

“Yeah, sounds good.” Maybe Aaron was watching us. I wanted to tell Jason what I smelled in the woods. It was definitely Aaron’s scent, but it was fresher than it should have been. Maybe I’ll keep it to myself for now.