Hunted by Alpha Devil

CHAPTER 3

After finishing the training session with the kids, I saw Evan waiting for me at the edge of the field. We started walking home, hearing the soft crunch of gravel under our feet, reminding us of the day's laughter and fun. Dad always told us to avoid using a car. He thought it was lazy and unnecessary. He preferred that we walk, believing a short walk is healthy and builds character. The pack wasn’t too big, so wandering around was manageable.

When we got home, I tossed my bag into my room and went to the kitchen. Mom was busy stirring a pot, and the smell of dinner filled the air. We sat down at the table, excited for the meal, but there was one problem—Dad was not there.

“Where is he?” Evan asked, looking worried as he sat down.

“I don’t know. He said something about important business at the packhouse,” Mom answered, her voice calm but showing some concern.

“Do you know what happened this morning? The Beta never comes by this early unless it’s urgent,” I added, my mind racing with questions.

“I’ve told you everything I know,” Mom said, her tone getting a bit sharper. “Now, stop asking and eat your dinner.”

Evan and I looked at each other, not fully convinced. We felt Mom was hiding something; we could sense it, even if she wouldn’t admit it. We learned that pushing for answers could get us in trouble. If they wanted us to know, they would tell us. If not, we respected their silence.

“Listen, I know things feel confusing right now. A lot is happening, but your father is the head warrior—the Alpha’s right hand. He’s an important figure in our pack,” Mom explained kindly. “I can’t give you all the details, but I need you two to promise me to stick together.”

“Sure. We can do that,” Evan nodded, and I agreed. Our bond as siblings helped us through the uncertainty.

After dinner, I excused myself and went for a shower, letting the warm water wash away the day and my worries. I changed into my pajamas but felt restless. Dad still hadn’t come back. After finishing my homework, which felt boring, I decided it was time for a change.

I changed out of my comfy clothes and put on a short black mini dress. The thin straps sat lightly on my shoulders. I wore black strappy high heels; their clicks echoed on the hard floor. After brushing my hair, I added blue hair extensions, their brightness contrasting with my dark hair. I put on makeup, making myself look exciting and bold.

Taking a deep breath, I quietly opened my window. The cool night air kissed my skin as I climbed out, mind-linking my friends to let them know I was outside and ready to join them.

As I walked to the end of the street, my heart raced with excitement. I saw Ryan waiting by his car, smiling at me. When he saw me, he told Brandon to get in the back, so I could sit in the front.

“Hey. Bros before hoes,” Brandon joked, grinning.

“Did you just call me a f*****g hoe?” I replied playfully, raising an eyebrow.

He laughed and jumped into the back with the other guys. I got into the car, and Ryan quickly drove off, the thrill of the ride boosting my excitement as we headed out of our territory.

The ride to the nearest human town took about thirty minutes because Ryan ignored the speed limit. We parked outside a lively club, the bass thumping in the air. I noticed two more cars from our pack arrive. But my heart sank when I saw Ashley getting out of her car. How did she know we’d be out tonight? It didn’t feel like a coincidence.

We all got out of our cars, and Ryan took my hand. We walked to the bouncer at the club entrance, who looked serious as he checked the crowd. But he recognized Ryan and nodded, letting us skip the line to enter the vibrant club.

Once inside, the atmosphere hit us—loud music, flashing lights, and the buzzing energy of other werewolves around us. They were from different packs, and I could feel the tension; we’d have to stay alert for any trouble tonight.

We headed straight to the bar, and Ryan confidently ordered his drink. I chose my usual: two tequila shots.

After spending some time at the bar, Ryan took my hand and led me to the dance floor. The air felt exciting, filled with the scent of sweat and perfume. When we reached the lively area of flashing lights and dancing people, he turned to me and pulled me close. There was hardly any space between us as we moved together with the music, feeling the energy wrap around us.

In the moment, I looked around and saw our friends joining us, their laughter blending with the music. I noticed Tris, her eyes shining, dancing close to Brandon. They had a strong connection that I hadn't noticed before, and now I was curious to see how they interacted.

Meanwhile, Ryan and I danced freely, becoming bolder and more playful. We didn't care about the people watching us. The world around us faded away, leaving just our intense connection as we lost ourselves in the dance.

We were completely focused on each other, enjoying the moment as laughter and whispers surrounded us. The world around us blurred; it was just us and the strong chemistry between us. Every touch from Ryan felt exciting, sparking a fire deep within me that I couldn’t calm down. Each brush of his skin against mine sent waves of warmth through my body, leaving me breathless and wanting more. I needed him close, drawn to him like a magnet. The way he looked into my eyes was intense and clear; his desire matched mine, creating a silent promise that we both wanted to keep.

We felt our friends watching us, their smiles encouraging as we danced under the colorful lights. They knew how much energy we brought to the dance floor, boosting our confidence. We showed off our moves without hesitation; we were both natural dancers, allowing the music to guide us as we lost ourselves in the rhythm.

After a moment, I paused to catch my breath and looked around the crowd. The busy bar called to me with the promise of cold drinks, so I made my way through the crowd, eager to grab a few more refreshments to keep the night fun.

It was frustrating because our metabolism worked differently from humans, making us feel the effects of alcohol much more slowly. As I sipped my drink, a warm buzz started to fill my senses. I looked back at the dance floor, where Ryan was still with a few of his friends, laughing and moving to the music. My eyes turned to Ashley, who had smoothly moved closer to them. With a playful smile, she reached out, lightly touching Ryan's arm as she leaned in, inviting him to join her in a dance that seemed impossible to resist.

But he kept pushing her hand off him, so I was happy about that. I was about to storm onto the dance floor and kick her ass when Tris stopped me and forced me to calm down before I headed back over there. We wanted to avoid drawing attention to ourselves.

I took a deep breath to calm my nerves before stepping onto the busy dance floor. With purpose, I moved through the crowd of bright lights and heavy music, placing myself between Ashley and Ryan. My sudden move made Ashley stumble back in her high heels, but I didn’t acknowledge her. I focused on Ryan, grabbed his hand firmly, and pulled him toward the center of the dance floor, where the music was loud and alive.

Ryan wore a smug smile, clearly amused by my bold efforts to keep Ashley away. I saw my actions as direct and fearless. I thought of them as a strong approach, not a subtle one. It was clear and straightforward—this was a bold move, and I enjoyed the defiance of it.

We had been dancing for just a couple of minutes when I suddenly felt a strong grip on my arm. I turned, surprised, and saw Evan's intense gaze on me. His face showed both disbelief and amusement.

"You are so busted," he shouted, his voice loud above the music.

His words hit me like a splash of cold water, bringing me back to reality right away.

The lively atmosphere of the dance floor suddenly changed when a loud fight broke out. We felt a crush of bodies pushing against us as a group of men—who I quickly realized were werewolves—started to brawl. Their growls and roars filled the dimly lit space.

While trying to stand steady, I felt an unfamiliar grip around my waist from behind. I first thought it was Ryan or Evan, as their familiar scent made me feel safe. But when I turned to look, I felt a wave of unease; the warmth of the stranger didn’t have any familiar scents.

When I looked up, I saw dark, intense eyes staring back at me. They were completely foreign. Panic rose in my chest.

“Amberly!” came Ryan’s urgent voice, slicing through the mayhem as he called out to me from somewhere behind the chaos.