Hunted by Alpha Devil

CHAPTER 2

Evan and I pressed our faces against the cool glass, eyes wide with curiosity as we watched the busy scene outside. The street buzzed with activity, and a sense of tension filled the air.

Suddenly, Mom came in and gently pushed us back. "You two need to step away," she said, concern in her voice. I glanced outside, heart racing. "It looks serious."

Mom gave us a firm look. "It's none of our business," she said, pulling us away from the window.

Dad stood outside for a long time before coming back in, unusually quiet and avoiding any talk about his conversation with the Beta. This frustrated me; I wanted to be involved in family matters that felt significant. Dad's frequent glances back at the house hinted that their secret talk was important to us.

While I could ignore small problems at school, my protective instincts kicked in when it came to my family.

“Come on, you two. It’s time for school,” my mom called, breaking the morning silence. We exchanged a knowing glance, grabbed our bags, and stepped into the chilly morning air, an unspoken tension lingering between us.

As we reached the end of our street, a shiny Mercedes convertible pulled up beside us. I glanced at Ryan, the Alpha’s son, sitting confidently in the driver’s seat. His strong features, warm eyes, and tousled brown hair glimmered in the sunlight. In that moment, it felt like the world around us vanished, and all I could see was him.

“Need a ride?” he asked kindly.

“Absolutely,” I smiled, opening the door.

I moved the front seat forward for Evan to get in the back and then adjusted it for comfort after he was settled.

Turning to Ryan, I kissed him, enjoying the moment until Evan made loud gagging noises.

“Get over it, loser,” I laughed, rolling my eyes.

As Evan connected with me through our mind link, I leaned back as Ryan drove onto the road.

“Ask him if he knows what’s going on with Dad,” Evan urged through our mind-link, urgency in his voice.

“I can’t involve Ryan,” I snapped, frustration creeping in.

“Why not? He might have useful info,” Evan pressed.

“Don’t ask me again. I’m not bringing him into it,” I growled, irritation clear.

I felt Ryan's awareness of our silent conversation; my tense expression revealed it. He instinctively took my hand, pressing a gentle kiss to the back of it. His warmth eased my frustration, grounding me in the moment.

As we walked to school, our fingers entwined, his presence provided comfort against my chaotic thoughts. Once inside the building, we headed to our lockers while Evan rushed off in search of his girlfriend, excitement shining on his face.

Before long, Ryan and our friends spotted us, their laughter echoing as they approached. Finding a moment of privacy amidst high school chaos is always a challenge, with our friends rarely far behind. I cherish our bond, but sometimes I crave solitude to connect with Evan away from the buzzing crowd.

Ryan has just turned 18, and with this milestone comes the weight of new responsibilities. As the heir to the Alpha title, he’s thrust into rigorous training for the leadership role ahead. Each day, he gathers wisdom about pack dynamics and strategy, preparing himself for the future.

Unfortunately, our time together is fading fast, leaving a hollow ache in my heart. My own commitments have taken precedence, while he navigates his new world. We’re trapped in our roles, longing for the moments when we can reunite despite the frustrations we face. All we can do is adapt and hope for those fleeting connections.

Both of our parents held important roles in the pack, which shaped our lives and how we dealt with challenges daily. That day, I worried about Dad and the Beta's unexpected visit. I tried to focus on school, but my thoughts often returned to our family issues. Despite the chaos, I loved learning and aimed for straight A's to pursue my dream of college. Mom and Dad supported this wish, knowing I wanted to explore the world beyond our pack before facing my future responsibilities.

The pack embraced a live-and-let-live philosophy, allowing members to explore outside, including college, as long as they controlled their wolf. After lunch, while chatting with a friend in the locker rooms, I noticed a sharp, familiar scent that shattered the relaxed atmosphere, bringing back unwanted memories and dread.

I let out a frustrated moan, tapping my forehead against the locker.

"What's wrong?" Tris asked.

"Hello, Amberly," Ashley said, feigning cheerfulness.

Tris quickly understood my frustration.

"Go away, Ashley," I said, trying to stay calm.

"Why? I really want to talk," she replied, flanked by her friends.

I smirked. "Nice group you've got, but they can't fight for you."

"They're my friends, not bodyguards," she shot back.

"Sure, friends who only speak when you prompt them," I teased.

"What does Ryan see in you?" she snapped.

"My charm," I said, flipping my hair.

She scoffed and tossed her hair as she walked to the lockers, her footsteps echoing faintly. Tris glanced at me, stifling a laugh at how ridiculous it all felt.

As we stepped outside, we saw a large field with our trainer, David, standing at the edge, arms crossed and focused. Today was hand-to-hand combat training, and I opted to pair with Evan instead of my close friends to avoid revealing my full skills.

Evan and I shared a strong connection, often turning our sessions into intense competitions. I also found myself eager to face Ashley someday; her fierce attitude intrigued me.

We were probably the best partners for each other.

Plus, it was fun knocking Evan on his ass in front of all the girls that seemed to have the hots for him. And there were a lot.

I don't know why he is dating that little tramp. He can do so much better than her.

The decision is his alone. I only share my thoughts when he asks for advice. After our school training, I quickly packed up and, still in my comfortable clothes, walked down the familiar path to a field on the far side of the pack’s territory, the grass crunching softly under my feet.

A small group of excited kids, ages 12 to 14, awaited my arrival, faces filled with anticipation. Most had just received their wolves, and a few were about to transform for the first time. The Alpha emphasized the importance of starting their self-defense training immediately.

Even without their wolves fully awakened, these young ones had unexpected strength that they did not know how to use properly. This is why we focused on building their physical endurance and strength. We aimed to create a strong foundation for the powerful bond they would soon form with their wolves. This training was not just about boosting their natural abilities; it was also about increasing their confidence and self-control.

I was focusing on cardio and calisthenics to build my skills before starting combat training. I reminded myself that they wouldn't face any rogues soon, which gave them time to prepare.

When I looked back, I saw Tris by the old brick building with some friends, laughing together in the cool evening air.

"I can't leave now," I said through our mind-link, feeling a gentle buzz in my thoughts.

"I know," Tris replied, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "We just wanted to see if you're still sneaking out tonight."

Excitement rushed through me as I grinned. "Definitely. No one is going to keep me stuck at home tonight. I want to enjoy the night."

"Great! We'll wait for you when your parents go to bed," she said, her voice full of excitement.

"I’ll mind-link you as soon as I’m climbing out the window," I promised, and she nodded, clearly thrilled.

I looked to my left and saw Jose, my dad's second-in-command. He stood with his arms crossed and stared at me with a strong, steady gaze. It made me uneasy; his presence always put me on edge. I moved through the group, helping those who struggled with their stances.