The Alpha’s Raptor

Chapter Ten

Author’s Note:

My apologies for the short chapter, my dog died yesterday morning (06/28/23) and it’s been difficult to attempt to finish this off so I had to think of a way to end the chapter relatively fast. I’m sorry. I’ll try to make up for shortness and the terrible execution in the next chapter.

Thank you for reading.

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He airplaned his ears and I felt guilty, my eyes jumping around rapidly at the many still snarling wolves and getting ready to pounce stances. However, I wasn't afraid.

I trusted that Damon wouldn't let it escalate.

I trusted him.

He watched as I placed my head on the ground and blew out air forcefully through my nose with a small groan. As I laid under twelve wolves, vulnerable, I made sure to go limp to show this wasn't a trick and I wasn't about to suddenly pounce on any of them. As much as Harley wanted to, I refused to acknowledge her.

These wolves are serving their Alpha, and if they feel he is being disrespected or threatened in the slightest, they will attack without question. I don't want to give them anymore reason to come after me. Not after watching me kill one of them already.

I'm not a monster.

I seen him step toward me, lowering his snout to mine and nuzzling into the side of it as if he was testing me.

Harley didn't like being taunted and humiliated with his actions so she snarled, sending it up my throat before I could stop it and he froze, taking me by surprise when he snarled right back. This made her whimper, retreating into the depths of my mind in confused fear.

He eyed me then raised his paw, nudging my face and repeatedly prodding me with both his nose and paw. I groaned and huffed, watching him step away and share looks with his warriors.

That's when they surrounded me, all at once jumping on me and pawing at multiple different areas all over my body. My tail was being thrown around and they walked all over me, making annoying noises as if they were a bunch of cats and I felt Harley slowly begin to surface again.

Damon stood ahead of me watching my movements and I was confused as to what his goal was until he barked, instantly pulling everyone off like he hit a restart button.

'Get up and follow me. I need to have a serious talk with you.'

I gurgled in reluctance, getting up and sticking to his side as we headed toward the front doors. He tossed a look over his shoulder for nobody to follow before opening the door with his paws and leading me inside.

The people inside gasped upon seeing me and I lifted myself higher, straining to keep Harley under control until a growl pulled me back. I looked over and spotted Damon halfway up the stairs, looking down with bared teeth as if he was warning me.

I huffed, reluctantly running up the stairs after him and he led me back into his room, kicking the door closed behind us and narrowing his eyes.

‘Why’d you lie to me?’

‘Can you blame me?’ I answered, raising on my hind legs and tilting my head at his seemingly angry expression, ‘you were livid about my presence, why would I volunteer said information?’

He growled, ‘I hurt you, Sylvia. It’s my job to protect you and I failed. I understand not trusting me at first, but being my mate you should’ve known I’d never hurt you, especially seeing how you’re also a shifter.’

‘We didn’t get mates. We always had a choice.’ I replied. He froze, his eyes analyzing me closely and I slowly lowered myself back down.

‘Then what do you choose, Syl? You can’t toy with me like this. It may not effect you or your reptile, but it hurts us. You’re safe here and I can assure that. This changes nothing for me.’

He stalked closer, flattening his ears and taking a seat directly in front of me. I watched him place his paw over the rough skin on my hands and look up, whining and tilting his head as if pleading.

‘We accept you,’ he added sadly, releasing small whimpers, ‘you don’t deserve to live like prey anymore. You’re superior, beautiful, and I’ll be sure to never treat you as any less.’

I gurgled, retracting from him and taking a few steps back. He eyed me in longing and I wasn’t sure what to do or say. I’ve been running for so long that I’m not certain I’ll be able to stop. Harley and I have grown accustomed to that way of life, of only relying on each other for whatever we needed. Am I ready to let someone else in? Can I trust him to that extent? Better yet, can I trust Harley not to snap?

Is it a risk I’m willing to take?

Hesitantly, I moved back toward him and nudged my snout into his, ‘then show me.’