The Alpha and His Vet

f i v e

Dinner is even more awkward than I thought possible. There was a clear ice that needed to be broken by Ronan and Zack which I could practically feel in my bones. It was unnerving to say the least. 

“What’s your major?” Kat spoke first, smiling politely at Ronan who sat beside me. He was picking from my plate as he had forgotten his ID card to buy his own food.

There was a long pause from him as he shared a look with Kyle before answering. “Journalism.” 

I nearly choked on my pasta. “Journalism?”

Ronan casually leaned against his seat and crossed his arms. “Yes, I’m all about... the news.” 

“I’m sure you are.” Somehow, I wasn’t convinced he’s all about the news but I shouldn’t question someone’s dream. If he’s in Journalism then he is. 

“How old are you? You look old.” Zack commented looking unabashed by his question. 

“Twenty one.” Ronan replied without missing a beat. 

Strangely, Ronan looked too mature to be just twenty one. Ronan’s captivating eyes spoke of wisdom and- suffering beyond his years. My mind goes back to his words with Kyle. Either I was confused or they definitely knew each other. They used terms I didn’t understand- didn’t want to understand. 

“How long have you been twenty one?” Kat joked but the look Kyle shot Ronan made me think otherwise.

I must be going crazy. I must be.

Appetite lost, I push away my food and stand up from my seat, startling the group. 

“Everything okay?” Ronan asked, standing with me.

“I...” I thought of an excuse, eyes darting to my bag and my books. “I just remembered I have a ton of school work to do. I’ll see everyone later?”

Ronan picks my stuff up. “I’m heading out as well. I’ll walk with you. It’s dangerous to walk alone at night.”

“Clearly.” Zack shot back.

Kat and Kyle looked between the two guys. Kyle in particular had a helpless expression on his face. He seemed to want to do something but didn’t want to get told off by Ronan. 

I decide to intervene before things get out of hand. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Zack. I’m excited to hike with you.”

I really wasn’t and by the stifle of Kat’s laugh, she knew it too. I’m not an active or sporty person in the slightest. I’ve never exercised in my life. The closest thing to exercise that I’ve ever done is running back and forth from the storage of an animal shelter back to the animals to give them food. 

Hiking is not my forte. 

Or more accurately, moving excessively and doing physical activities are not my thing. 

I had no plans on lying about it until I saw Zack’s enthusiasm for tomorrow. The people pleaser in me just couldn’t disappoint him. 

Zack tore his glare from Ronan to smile at me. “I’ll pick you up at your dorm. Room two one one right?”

I waved. “Yeah. Two one one. See you!”

He waved back. “Bright and early. Four in the morning.” 

As I turned away, my eyes widened. “Did he just say four in the morning?”

Ronan leaned down to whisper a quiet, “He did.” 

Covering my face with my hand, I muffled out a cry. 

His eyes flashed, glowing slightly in amusement. “Not a morning person?” 

I shake my head. “I’m not even a hiking person. I just agreed because I felt bad.”

Ronan looked to have something to say but swallowed it back. 

We exit the cafeteria and go out into the cold night. The campus is charming at this time with the lamp posts lit.

“So what do you like?” Ronan asked as we exited the cafeteria and went out into the cold night. 

Memories of my childhood resurface. The days where my parents would be too busy at the hospital to come home. I didn’t have an awful childhood. I was given everything I ever wanted but it was a little lonely. “I like to be in my pajamas and watch silly morning cartoons.” 

He nods as if knowing without really knowing. “With cereal?” 

I couldn’t help but grin like an excited Cheshire Cat. “Oh, yes. That’s a must.” 

“My kind of perfect morning.” Ronan looked up to the moon before closing his eyes. There was a serene expression that I couldn’t comprehend on his face. The wind blew harder as he took a deep breath, his already messy brown hair became even more tousled. 

I watched him silently. Ronan’s lips moved in a silent thank you, face still up at the moon. “Are you okay?” 

As if falling back down to earth, he chuckles lightly. “I’m just grateful.” 

I scrunch my nose up. “For?”

“The opportunity to be here.” Ronan stares into my eyes. It was so intense that I felt my insides warm and flutter.

Oddly, I felt like he meant something other than school but as I’ve always done, I don’t question it. 

All the way to the dormitory, Ronan kept sneaking glances at me. He looked at me like he didn't know if I was real or not. 

Ronan didn’t scare me though. Something about his presence made me feel calm and safe. Usually, it takes me a while to get comfortable with a person but it only took Ronan a day. 

“Do you have siblings?” I asked out of the blue. 

He stiffened. “A brother.”

“Older or younger?” I continued, waving at a few people that gawked at Ronan. 

“Older.” Ronan answered with a repressed scowl. “Do you have any siblings?”

“No. I’m an only child.” I tell him as we go up the stairs.

He didn’t seem to notice the girls staring at him. “Good for you.” 

Catching the slight animosity of his tone, I look up at him. “You don’t like your brother much?”

“We’ve never got along.” He says truthfully. “He’s a bit... demanding. A dominant and serious fellow.”

To lighten the mood, I bump him with my shoulder. “I think I could take your brother. Point him out. I’ll kick his ass for you.” 

Ronan chortles loudly, looking me up and down. “I’m sure you could.” 

“Well, this is me.” I gesture to my room.

He tips his head in a small bow. “I’ll see you in the morning?”

“After my hike.” I remind him with a laugh.

“Where are you hiking exactly?” Ronan asked, leaning against the side of my door, arms crossed. 

I pull out my keys and start to unlock the door. “I don’t know. Somewhere in the woods.” 

He glances to the window at the far end of the wall that overlooked the thick trees and the bright moon. “You be careful out there.”

“Why? Are there wolves?” I joked half heartedly having heard them yesterday.

“You never know what monsters are there.” Ronan was teasing when he said it but for some reason, I think there was some truth to his words. "The woods can be... unsafe."

To what extent? I didn’t know. 

After a quick hot shower, I crawl into bed in my pajamas and snuggle up in my blanket, eyes focused on the lake and the woods beyond that. I let the moon’s reflection lull me to sleep.

Wolves plague my dreams once more but there was a man too. Handsome. More handsome than anyone else I’ve seen with penetrating blue eyes and short jet black hair. The man’s chiseled jaw made him look as though he’s a Greek god, added to by his muscular biceps which bulged through his dark shirt. The corners of his lips are intimidatingly turned down as if it was natural for him to frown and look stern. 

Vaguely, he reminded me of Ronan. Not as kind looking and a lot broader but Ronan nonetheless. The only difference is their build and hair. 

Still dressed in my pajamas, I walk up to him. He sees me, blue eyes sharp and observant. There was something dangerous about him, something uncontrollable... it pulled me to him closer.

“Mate.” He whispered in a deep voice that had my insides twist. “You’re mine.”

Gravity seemed to pull me closer to him, beaconing and prompting me forward. I obliged almost too happily. My lips part and my breath hitches as I watch him reach for me, fingers an inch away from my face.

So close...

The anticipation for that one touch made my skin burn with want. 

“You’re mine.” He repeated. 

And then nothing.

My eyes open to the incessant ringing of my alarm clock. Groggy and angry at being woken up from such a good dream, I shove my alarm out from the study table and roll out of bed.

I stare out my window for a few minutes, seeing the thick mist and the eerie darkness of the early morning. It’s much too early for anyone to wake at this time. The sun hasn’t even gone up yet. 

I blow out a breath, shimmying out of my comfortable pajamas and wrestling into a sports bra that I bought solely to keep my breasts warm and to stop them from jiggling too much. Never for anything too active. There were days that a normal bra just didn’t work for me. 

After the sports bra, I pull out a pair of sweatpants from deep within my closet that I use for breakfast at the cafeteria. Kat has mentioned many times that a pajama is not for the public. 

Sweatpants felt like pajamas. 

Loophole. 

For today and only for today it would be for traversing the woods with Zack. To finish my outfit, I put on a hoodie with the University’s logo proudly on it. 

I stare at my reflection for a moment, noting my brunette hair and tired eyes. I didn’t look too bad. If I squint really hard, I look just like Kat before she leaves for the gym or a jog. 

My eyes glance back to my clock. I let out a silent gasp when I see it’s already four in the morning. I rush out of the room through our dark dorm and in a split second decision, I grab my bag. It had everything I needed from keys, wallet and other supplies that we might need.

I’ve never been hiking before but it sounds like a hazard. Especially if I’m the one doing it.

I open the front door to find Zack already there. Thankfully he’s dressed similarly in sweatpants and a hoodie.

He smiles at the sight of me. “Good morning, Lacey.”

“Good morning.” I greeted, smiling back. Maybe the hike wouldn’t be so bad.

What’s the worst that can happen? 

Surely, nothing too bad. 

How wrong I was.