Trapped Between Alpha Mates

Chapter 6: A New Mate

-Helena-

I had no car now, so I had to hail an Uber. I made sure they stopped further away from my destination, not allowing them to drive all the way to the house. I was in the middle of the forest, though, not comprehending where my phone directed me.

But before I knew it, I stood in front of an enormous iron gate with wolves’ heads adorning them. I looked around, bewildered. Where the f*ck was I?

I sniffed the air, catching the potent scent of a pack. I really shouldn’t be here. Packs didn’t appreciate trespassers. You had to be invited, but I had been in some way, right? The gate was large, and so I could slip in between the iron bars.

Should we really do this? Amaya asked.

“Let’s just get it over with. I have the explanation in my hands,” I reminded her.

Yes, but if they attack, I can’t save you.

“Just… stay calm.”

I hadn’t even walked that far up the gravel road when I felt it—eyes on me and a lot of them. I was being trailed. Pack members discerned swiftly when someone was trespassing, and they had come to investigate. I knew it wouldn’t be long before one of them would make a move on me.

I couldn’t resist looking over my shoulder, but I saw no one. When I looked back, though, three massive fighters stood in front of me. I let out a little startled gasp and halted. They all scrutinized me, and I took a step back.

“What is a lone wolf doing on our territory?” one of them interrogated.

I swallowed hard, then held up a letter, waving it around.

“I’m just here to see someone,” I conveyed.

I was trying to be courageous, but I was truly frightened.

“Who?” the fighter inquired darkly.

Sh*t, what did they feed the people here? I wondered. I didn’t recall that pack members used to be so massive.

“Um…” I glanced at the note with the address.

“A… A… Oh, it says Alpha,” I mentioned, now actually reading the note more attentively. “Alpha Clark.”

They all looked at me, puzzled, and I just shrugged, not comprehending what was going on.

“He is deceased,” the fighter in the front replied.

“Sh*t...” I murmured.

Well, we tried.

“Oh, well…” I began.

“Why did you come looking?” one of the others queried.

“My mother… um… knew him, or… I presumed she did. She wrote me this letter, mentioning he was a friend who might help me,” I explained.

“Where is your mother?”

“Deceased…”

They exchanged glances, and I could discern a slight softening in their demeanor. Not that I particularly sought their sympathy, but at least they might refrain from tearing me apart for trespassing.

“Alpha Clark has passed, but his nephew assumed leadership a few years ago,” the fighter in the front stated. “If your mother was an acquaintance, there may be a chance he’s inclined to aid you.”

“Honestly… I only came because… well, it was a dying request. If Alpha Clark is no longer here, then there is no reason for me to stay.”

“Are you certain?” the fighter questioned.

I was taken aback by their unexpected openness. Not that they were extending an invitation for tea or anything, but at least they weren’t calling me a worthless wolf with no right to even seek an audience with an alpha.

“Absolutely. Don’t worry, I will leave.”

I turned around just as the gates further down suddenly swung open and a black Mercedes approached. I promptly stepped to the side, avoiding getting run over. It surprised me when the fighters mirrored my actions.

The car passed by me, but I couldn’t discern who was inside. The windows were tinted. However, it came to a halt shortly after passing me, and one of the fighters approached the car. The window rolled down, and they engaged in hushed conversation. I knew it was none of my concern, so I averted my gaze.

“Stop.” I froze at the command of the fighter. I couldn’t help it. His rank significantly exceeded mine.

“The letter,” he instructed.

I glanced down at the letter in my hand. I felt an odd sense of protectiveness toward it, but I told myself I was acting foolish for feeling this way. The fighter and I closed the distance between us, and we met at the rear of the car before I handed it to him.

He accepted it and returned to the open window on the driver’s side. The letter disappeared into the car. It took longer than I anticipated, and I felt uneasy standing there, waiting. I was on the verge of walking away, forsaking the letter, but then I heard the car door open, and a new voice spoke, a much deeper one that sent shivers down my spine.

“Fleeing?”

I couldn’t quite explain it, but something about that tone… It felt both soothing and electrifying simultaneously. What was happening?

Do NOT turn around.

“Why?” I murmured.

It feels… It feels…

Amaya couldn’t complete the sentence, and gradually I turned. My eyes widened as they met forest green ones, slightly narrowed. Despite the scent of pack and forest, his aroma nearly overwhelmed me as the wind swept by. It was like a potent, dark scent intertwined with his cologne. I felt my knees nearly buckle, and my body felt oddly… tingling.

Mate!

Amaya couldn’t suppress the growl that escaped her lips, despite her efforts. Back when she discovered our mate in Carter, she had sounded thrilled, but this time, her tone dripped with anger, which was bewildering considering every instinct in me insisted that he was the one for us.

He stood tall, with dark brown hair and an almost sinister smirk playing on his lips, as if he relished the idea of trapping me with him, or perhaps he was simply pleased to have the opportunity to shatter my heart as well?

He was an alpha, after all. Not just the next in line, but the alpha, and I couldn’t fathom what he could possibly want from a lone wolf like me. I let out a deep sigh and glanced at the ground before throwing my arms out to the side.

“Let’s just get it over with,” I said.

The alpha regarded me with a puzzled expression. “What?”

“You understand what needs to be done,” I clarified, and inexplicably, his smirk widened.

“Oh, I do,” he uttered darkly. “I simply thought you might prefer some privacy for that.”

“Privacy?”

I was perplexed. Privacy for what? Of course, I didn’t want to endure the same humiliation I had faced in front of Carter’s… companions, but why delay? Why should we move to a secluded space for him to shatter my heart anew?

Or perhaps not shatter my heart. It was inaccurate to compare my feelings for this alpha to those I held for Carter. However, it was inevitable. What was it about these alphas pursuing me? Was I destined to always be reminded of my insignificance?

“Truly, I’ve done it before. Please, continue,” I urged him.

His expression hardened suddenly, and he stepped in front of me, causing me to instinctively retreat a small step.

“You’ve tried it before?” he growled angrily.

“Yes, so go ahead. Just do it,” I replied.

He gripped my arm forcefully, pulling me closer, and then tore the side of my jacket before ripping open my shirt, causing a few buttons to scatter.

“What in the world?” I shouted.

I attempted to cover myself as his forceful actions nearly exposed my bra, yet he appeared bewildered as he gazed at my shoulder. What was he up to? His grip slackened, and our eyes met.

“What was that for?” I questioned.

He still clutched my shirt with one hand, preventing me from fixing it.

“Let go!” I demanded.

“You claimed you had experienced it before. I was checking,” he explained.

“For what?” I asked.

“For the mark.”

“What mark?” I inquired.

He leaned closer, slightly leaning forward, and I swallowed nervously, my heart racing as his scent engulfed me.

“The mark of a mate,” he clarified.

“I don’t have a mate…”