Divorced from the Alpha (Beasts of Arizona Series #1)

Chapter 1

I ran as fast as I could. The rogues are running after me because they claimed I trespassed their territory when the truth is, I am only passing by. I need to get out of the forest and look the civilization. Or maybe I need a way out of Arizona if possible.

I looked behind me and saw three huge brown wolves running after me. They really won’t stop until they caught me. And god knows what they’ll do when they finally caught up with me. I’d be dead meat. I should have just stayed with my pack then. I’d be dead either way anyway.

I heard one wolf growl at me but I ignored it and ran even faster. I’m tired and I can feel my knees wobble with every movement but to stop now would mean I’d be left dead in the middle of the forest or I’d be their meal for the day.

And I don’t want to be both.

I tried to hide behind a thick bush and waited until the rogues run past me. Holding my breath, I prayed hard that none of them would realize that I am here. They’re wolves. They can smell me from miles. But I’m still hoping they wouldn’t. I don’t want to be someone’s meal. I want to live normally. So, I need to survive this.

The bigger wolf stopped meters from where I am hiding. I shut my eyes and pursed my lips to stop myself from making a sound. One wrong move and I’ll be gone in the face of the earth.

One wolf growled and the thumping of my heart was louder than ever. I only wish they couldn’t hear it. I tried to hide better until the bigger wolf roared signaling for them to run away.

I counted to twenty inside my head. After twenty seconds, I will leave and try to find a way out in this forest. I swallowed hard and prevented myself from making a sound.

You can do this, Caitlynn. I was trying to do a simple pep talk in my head. I only have myself now and there’s no one else to cheer me up but me.

I ran to the north, opposite of where the rogues went. I need to find houses. That’s the only time I can mark myself safe from this encounter.

This forest must have not been owned by a pack because there are still rogues lurking around. I wonder if our Alpha has plans on marking this territory.

I continued running in this dangerous forest when I suddenly saw a man—not just a man but a handsome man—running topless with some earphones on. Even from the distance between us, I can see his toned body. He was muscular, alright. But not the exaggerated type.

I immediately waved my hand in the air. “Help!” I yelled and he stopped. He should have seen me. He has to be blind to not notice me.  

He removed his earphones and pressed something on his watch. His brows furrowed as I walked towards him. My heart is beating so fast. I don’t usually ask help from guys but I have no other choice right now. I’m a weak girl in the middle of a forest.

The thought that this man is dangerous didn’t even cross my mind. I am desperate for help.

“What is a girl doing here?” he asked in a cold baritone.

He eyed me from head to foot and suddenly, I am embarrassed by what I possibly look right now. I don’t know how many miles that was I ran just to escape the rogues. I probably look dirty and lost.

I swallowed hard. “Long story,” I uttered, still catching my breath. “Can you tell me the path to civilization?” I asked him instead.

His gray eyes squinted while he tilted his head to the side. “Civilization?” he asked, sounding confused. “It’s at least twenty miles from here.”

My eyes widened. Twenty miles? Damn it!

His eyes went to my knees. “Are you alright?” He probably saw the scratches I got when I tripped several times while running from those wolves.

Just as he asked the question, I suddenly felt my knees weaken. He held onto my elbow when I was about to stumble down the ground. Exhaustion filled my system. I sprinted for god-knows-how-long.

“Who were you running away from?” he asked me.

I shook my head, not wanting to open my mouth. He’s a human. He probably would laugh at me when he knew who was chasing after me. “Water,” I managed to muster before I lost my consciousness.

***

“She can’t shift,” Leinara, one of the girls who seem to hate my presence, told the Alpha. “At age twenty-one, she is supposed to be training with us but she doesn’t. Because she can’t shift.”

Murmurs were heard inside the whole room. Today is supposed to be a happy day because our pack defeated our rival. My father, a mere omega, managed to kill the alpha of the Fire Blood Pack. We are supposed to be celebrating.

But everything is ruined because Leinara can’t last a day without announcing to everyone that I haven’t shifted yet. She does that to me ever since she shifted two years ago. There’s not a day that goes by without her insulting me for not being as strong as her…or her group of friends.

The members of the pack looked at me with eyes filled with disappointment. Suddenly, I have become the center of attention. I don’t really understand why Leinara can say whatever the hell she wants even in front of the alpha. Most of us are even afraid to move when the alpha is here. But for her, it seems so easy.

Is it because she’s going to be the next Luna?

“Is that true?” Alpha Alexander asked me. His voice was low and authoritative like he doesn’t like waiting for too long to hear an answer from me.

I swallowed hard before nodding. “Leinara is right, Alpha. I haven’t shifted yet,” I replied with my head down. I have never dared to look at him while I’m speaking. I know what he thinks of me and my family. We’re omegas. We’re in the lowest rank. Nobody ever treated us like the other members. We were poor and, most of the time, neglected.

My parents are standing in front of me. I know that they want to defend me but couldn’t. They don’t have the power to do so—even though my father was the reason why we’re celebrating today.

Alpha Alexander looked at the Beta, Lionel, Leinara’s father. The Beta nodded at him, seemingly understanding what the Alpha is trying to say.

“We have our tradition in this pack. If someone failed to shift by the age of twenty-one, he will be persecuted because he represents bad luck in our pack,” the Beta announced, causing more murmurs to be heard. He looked at me. “Miss Pinnock has turned twenty-one last month and she hasn’t shifted yet. Our tradition states that she ought to get killed or she will bring bad luck to our pack.”

Gasps were heard in the whole room. Mom looked at me with pity in her eyes while Dad was just standing there, in shock of what he heard.

Ever since I turned eighteen, my parents have always been telling me to do my best to shift. Dad would train me while Mom would tell me the techniques so I could finally transform into my wolf. And I tried my hardest but to no avail. I am still…a human.

Tears blurred my vision as embarrassment filled my whole system. I can hear derogatory words from the crowd. I can hear some sigh of disappointment from most of the members of the pack. People were eyeing us like we’re some sort of syndicates that need to be killed.

Mom held my hand, giving it a little squeeze. I smiled at her, already about to accept my destiny when my father spoke.

“Alpha,” my father called out. “I would like to ask for something else instead of a promotion.”

Everyone went silent. The Alpha looked at my father with a raised brow. “You don’t want to be lifted from being an omega.” It was a statement but I felt like he’s mocking my father.

Dad nodded. “I would like to stay as the omega…” he trailed before taking a deep breath. “But please spare my daughter.”

Protests from the crowd emerged right after my father’s request. All of them are against it.

“She’s bad luck to our pack! She needs to be killed!”

“She has to die!”

“I will kill her!”

“She has to die or her parents will!”

I looked down and shut my eyes. Tears are already falling down my cheeks. My parents shouldn’t be dragged into this. I should own up to my incompetence.

“Quiet!” Luna Kate shouted. “Our Alpha will decide on the fate of Miss Pinnock. Anyone who dares or tries to say anything against it will face the necessary punishment.”

The room fell silent. No one dares to go against the Luna. Aside from her position, she’s also known as one of the best fighters despite her gender.

Alpha Alexander stood up and walked closer to us.

“Please, Alpha! I beg of you! Please spare my daughter’s life!” Dad kneeled down in front of him and Mom followed.

The Alpha looked at me with a smirk playing on his lips. “Spare her life?” he asked. “Would I allow bad luck to lurk freely in my pack?”

I gulped hard. I want to kneel down but the Alpha’s stare is paralyzing my whole body. I couldn’t move. I couldn’t even speak my mind.

He looked at me sternly. “I promised your father a reward for defeating the enemy,” he started. “And I don’t turn back on my word.” His eyes are fixated on me. “His request will be granted.”

My lips parted in surprise and disbelief.

“I will not kill you,” the Alpha told me. “But I will not let you stay in my pack anymore.”

My heart was pounding inside my chest. His words are not registering in my head. I could only hear gasps and gossips from the crowd. Mom was looking at me, broken and crying. Dad looked apologetic and remorseful.

“Starting tomorrow, I don’t want to see you in my pack anymore.” The Alpha’s voice was serious and authoritative. “You will be exiled from our pack and you will not be allowed to take a single step on what our pack owns.”

I couldn’t breathe. I am exiled. I am banished.

“Once you’re seen here tomorrow, you will be killed in front of the whole pack. So, run away now before your father’s wish will be of no use.”

Right then and there…I ran. And never looked back.

“Hey…” I heard a faint voice calling me. “Hey, are you okay?” he asked again. I felt this person nudge me making me open my eyes wide.

I jolted on a couch and saw a man looking at me with narrowed eyes. His gray eyes are staring into mine with utmost curiosity.

And then I remember what happened a while ago. I escaped from the rogues and met a handsome man jogging in the middle of the forest. He’s this man. Only, he’s wearing a white V-neck shirt. But nevertheless, he still looks handsome. I won’t deny it. It’s the truth anyway.

“You fainted…” he trailed. “I don’t know where you live so I took you home.”

I bit my lower lip and tried to calm myself and to process what’s happening. I fainted and he took me in his humble home…which is definitely not really humble because all I see is everything lined with gold—the wall, the table, the chandelier and most of his furniture.

“You were also having a nightmare,” he added. “Are you okay?”

I gulped hard. It’s not really a nightmare. It’s a painful memory. But, of course, I won’t tell him that. “I’m fine,” I replied, sitting erect on his soft couch. “I…tend to have weird dreams when I’m tired.” I tried to laugh but it sounded so awkward and he knew it because he raised his brow.

He crossed his arms against his chest and leaned back. He nodded at the pitcher and the glass on the center table. “Drink,” he ordered. “Water was the last word you uttered before you fainted.”

I bit my lip and smiled weakly. “I’m sorry,” I told him before pouring water on my glass. I am thirsty, alright. I have been walking since last night. I sat, unmoving on the couch while this man stared at me like I’m a puzzle he’s trying to solve.

I cleared my throat. “I’m sorry for being a bother.” I gripped tightly on the glass. “I will get going—”

“You can stay the night.”

My eyes widened as I turned to him. He’s staring at me with serious eyes before shrugging. “It’s late.” He nodded at the window which showed how dark it is outside.

“How long did I sleep?” I’m pretty sure, it was morning when I met him.

“More than ten hours,” he retorted before sighing. “I also prepared dinner. I figured you’d be starving when you wake up.”

“No. It’s okay—” I stopped when my stomach loudly grumbled.

He chuckled and stood up. He glanced at me over his shoulder. “You can follow me if you’ve already processed everything,” he uttered. “I’m Ambrose, by the way.”