Not My Alpha

Chapter 3 ‘Early Birds’

Keira’s POV

I didn’t sleep well. Tossing and turning most of the night, and when I did fall asleep, Dawson plagued my dreams turning them to nightmares.

When the birds started their early morning songs, I figured I might as well give up on sleep. I crept out of bed, ensuring to not bother the snoring lump lying next to me.

I’ve realized that the early morning hours before Dawson awakes are some of the only times I can get to myself. I sneak out of the bed room and into the closet, where I quickly get dressed, and at my very expensive vanity I cover up the glaring purple bruise on my neck.

I’m quiet as a mouse, as I tiptoe back through the bed room, and creak open the silent door. I always make sure any squeaky hinges are fixed immediately. I close it behind me with a quiet click, and breathe out a sigh of relief.

I head down to the cafeteria for breakfast, and see a few familiar faces. The same people are always awake at this hour. Older members of our pack who wake up early by choice, the ‘early birds’ I call them, and then the warriors who have to wake up early for training. Different warrior groups wake up early on different days, and none would be up this early by choice.

I grab my coffee, and say a few hellos and good mornings to the early birds, then I pick an empty table off in the corner. I sit down and pull out a book to read while I drink my coffee.

I try to lose my self in the pages, but the main character’s name is ‘Lily’ the same name as my best friend back home. She and I used to drink our coffee together every morning at my old pack, another reason she’s weighing so heavily on my mind right now.

I smile and chuckle, as I let my mind wander and revel in memories of our friendship.

Lily was like a walking contradiction, she had a face as sweet and pretty as sugar, but as soon as she opened her mouth nothing but spice came out. Lily would raise hell if she found out what my life was like here, and come to think of it, Mason would too. Tears well up in my eyes, as I reminisce on my old life. I haven’t spoken to Lily or Mason in months. As a matter of fact I haven’t spoken to anyone from my old pack in months. I hope they don’t think I’ve forgotten about them. I’m going to reach out today. It’s been too long.

As early morning turns to morning, the cafeteria fills with more and more people. I’ve grabbed myself some breakfast, and my empty table now sits a few other loners.

I’m halfway through my toast when I smell pine and firewood.

Dawson.

I immediately turn to look for him, and my eyes catch his from across the room. He makes his way toward me and my appetite fades.

If the pattern remains the same, he’ll feel bad about last night, and he’ll shower me with apologies and affection.

“Morning.” Dawson says as he sits down next to me, so close that our thighs are touching, from the knee all the way to the hip.

“Morning.” I reply with a sweet smile.

“Good Morning Dawson.” The few others at our table greet the Alpha’s son. He greets them politely. I’m thankful they’re here with me. I can feel the tension between Dawson and I, and with an audience, he’s forced to put on a good face.

“Why didn’t you wake me up?”

Dawson mind-links me.

“You looked so peaceful, I didn’t want to ruin it.” I whisper back to him. I take a big bite of my toast. I’m no longer hungry but I need something to do. Plus I have training with Luna Bethany today, and I usually miss lunch, so I need to fill up.

Suddenly I feel Dawson’s hand grab my thigh from under the table, his cold touch makes me jump.

Dawson chuckles.

“Why so jumpy?” He asks.

“Sorry I was thinking about Luna training with your mom today.” I answer lightheartedly. Dawson reaches over and grabs the muffin from my tray and takes a big bite.

“How is the training going?” He asks, in between mouthfuls. He seems genuinely interested in my training, I feel myself relax. This is the nice guy, the good Dawson. The man I fell in love with.

“It’s going really well actually. Your mother is a great teacher.”

I learned that praising his mother always puts him in a good mood. He smiles in agreement.

“Good. It’s only a matter of time before we take our place in this pack.”

Dawson’s warrior training should start soon, maybe then I can sneak off for a bit to make a phone call, though I dare not tell Dawson of my plans.

After breakfast, Dawson kisses me goodbye before heading off to training. Now’s my chance. I head back to our room. Dawson insists that my phone stays in the bedroom at all times. And that my schedule stays filled, so I won’t have idle time to spend calling anyone. When Dawson and I are alone together, using my phone would be the quickest way to piss him off. If I want to use it, I need to plan it out in advance. I grab my phone and then head to the bathroom. I lock the door, then I turn on the faucet just in case.

First I try to call Lily, but she doesn’t answer. Then I try Mason.

“Keira?” He answers. Hearing his voice causes a dam within my to c***k. I didn’t realize how much I missed familiarity.

“Mason.” I say, holding back tears.

“Keira it’s been months, we’ve all been so worried about you. Are you okay?” He asks. He sounds concerned.

“Not really ‘Mays’. I think I’ve gotten myself into a mess.”

“Tell me what’s going on.” He insists.

But I hear movement in the bedroom. Is Dawson done with training already? Who else would be in our room?

“Keira?” I hear Mason through the phone, but I stay quiet, listening, waiting. I jump when I hear a knock at the bathroom door.

“Keira? Is that you in there?” It’s Luna Bethany.

“Yeah, I’ll be out in just a minute.” I shout so Mason can hear too.

“I have to go.” I whisper quickly into the phone.

“Wait, Keira!” I hear Mason say as I hang up the phone. I stash it under the sink then I splash some water on my face and grab a towel before opening the door.

“Sorry, I was just washing my face, am I late for training?” I ask Luna Bethany, though I know that I’m not.

“No that’s not- I just wanted you make sure you were okay.” Luna Bethany says, but then she freezes and gasps, her eyes locked on my neck.

Oh no. The bruises. Luna Bethany tilts my chin upward, inspecting my neck.

“Damn, that won’t do.” She says, before grabbing my hand and dragging me along behind her. We rush to the Alpha’s office and burst in the room.

“Bethany? What’s going on?” The Alpha says standing up from behind his desk. Luna Bethany grabs the towel from my hand and wipes it on my neck, revealing the entirety of her son’s work.

“This is what’s the matter!” She spits. I can’t help the tears as they fall from the corners of my eyes. Tears of embarrassment and shame as the Alpha steps closer and examines the finger shaped purple bruises.

The Alpha sighs.

“Is this the first time child?” He asks. This is the first bruise but not the first time he’s hurt me.

“Yes.” I answer quickly. I’m in shock, I don’t know what to do, who to trust, or what to say.

“We will take care of this.” The Alpha says sternly.

Luna Bethany grabs my shoulders and guides me towards the door.

“Why don’t you take the day off from training. Go lay down. Let us handle this.” She says gently. I nod in agreement and make my way back toward my room. The Luna goes back into the Alpha’s office and closes the door. I immediately hear shouting, but I’m already too drained to care. The tears are falling now in full force, I need to hurry back to bed before anyone sees.

The suddenly Dawson and Harrison come running down the hall. They both stop when they see me, both of their eyes zeroing in on the bruises decorating my throat.

Dawson immediately looks pissed, and Harrison looks horrified.

I don’t have the energy to face either one of them right now. I hurry toward the bedroom door, Dawson rushes to intercept me, I reach for the knob and turn it, scrambling inside, but before I can close the door Dawson’s firm hand grabs my arm, stopping me in my tracks.