The Rogue Alpha's Return

Chapter 7 - Aliases

Conner

I couldn't help but smirk as I stood there looking at Eden trying to rein in her very obvious arousal.

"So it take it I scrub up well then?" I really couldn't help it.

I loved the reaction I could elicit from her with a single look, comment or gesture. The subtle pink on her cheeks, the tight line her full, soft lips took as she struggled to gain control, the intake of breath as she steadied herself. I was starting to realise that she wasn't used to being flustered, she was used to having control over herself. Having someone around her that challenged this control was foreign and I couldn't help but feel a sense of proud satisfaction that I was the sole person able to do this to her.

She took the bait well "you just look different is all...you know, with the beard gone" she bit out, turning her glance away, the soft pink on full cheeks receding.

"Do you want anything to drink?" she asked after a few moments.

I hadn't drank anything since early morning and I hadn't eaten anything for just under two days; even though I'd gone hunting in my wolf form we hadn't come across any game. My stomach was starting to feel like it was eating itself. I was pretty good at hunting so it was unusual that we had been unsuccessful lately...unusual, but sadly it had happened enough times before.

Moving over to the breakfast bar where Eden was seated, I nodded.

"Just water would be great."

Getting up and moving gracefully across the kitchen to grab a glass before filling it from the dispenser in the fridge, I couldn't help but ogle her figure. Her previous attire had eclipsed it but now it was on full display, entirely for me and my wolf to drink in. I struggled to take my eyes off of her legs, her extreme height was wholly made up by their length and they seemed to go on forever. Shapely, long and extending upwards to full, round hips with an ass that I wanted to sink my teeth into.

It's shape reminded me of one thing; she really was my little peach and I had never wanted to devour anything more.

The thin, dark green sweater she was wearing couldn't hide the small waist and her ample chest. Goddess, what deeds did I ever do to be blessed with this perfection in front of me.

Her pale, blonde hair was pulled to the side in a long, loose braid that fell almost to waist length, exposing the right side of her neck. I gulped, glad she couldn't see me as she was filling the glass. I could practically smell that soft patch of skin. Her marking spot, just at the base of her neck where it met her shoulder. I felt a rise of desire flare through me that I had never experienced. Colt was instantly clawing wanting to sink our fangs in that delicious looking spot and I was right there with him.

But we quickly got ourselves under control.

No matter what, we would never do something as heinous as forcing our mark on a she-wolf, our mate, without her consent. Colt's calm demeanor returned with that thought, along with mine. But I was immensely glad of the waist high counter currently in front of me, as it was hiding things that would be very apparent in these sweatpants.

"Here" she offered, handing me the glass from across the counter.

"Thanks" I said in return, taking it and downing it quickly in a few gulps.

Guess I was thirstier than I thought.

I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand and placed the glass back down. Silently Eden grabbed it, filling back up with water and placing it in front of me again. I gave her a smile as a silent thanks at her caring and nonjudgmental gesture.

"So...not that I really need telling, but I take it the reason you're back in the area is because you were heading to Black Forest to confront Alexander?"

I nodded giving her a half smile "yeah, that was until a rather attractive Alpha decided to kidnap me and hold me prisoner in her home" she rolled her eyes at me, but I noticed a suppressed smile and the hint of pink on her cheeks.

"Can I ask, exactly what was your plan? Were you really just gonna rock up at the borders and say you're here for the Alpha?" she asked quite incredulously.

Now it was my turn to be sheepish for once, because that was kind of exactly what I was going to do.

"I mean, I wouldn't put it exactly like that..." I said feeling a slight hint of embarrassment at how ridiculously stupid my plan was when said aloud.

Shaking her head at me slightly while maintaining eye contact "you're kind of an idiot."

I wanted to quip back but my mouth just bobbed a little before I closed it, knowing I had zero retort.

'Ha! She's got your card human' my wolf snidely laughed at my expense.

'When the f**k did you get such sass up your ass, wolf?!'

All Colt did was continue to chuckle at me while going back to his silent adoration of our mate in front of him, I was fairly certain he was linking Eden's wolf in private too.

Our wolf spirits could link with others and share their feelings and current emotions in place of words with their human counterpart. Like mind-linking in our human half, it was stronger between pack members and mates.

"Ok fine" I surrendered "not my best idea, but I know I need to challenge him...he's gotten away with his crimes long enough" I said bringing home the seriousness of the current situation.

"Yeah...but if you just show up at the borders, goddess knows how that'll end. You know the truth and he's not gonna let you anywhere near a pack member in case you shoot your mouth off. If you're going to do this, you need to challenge him publicly, where he can't back out or pull some shady s**t to end you beforehand" and she was right.

"...you know what challenging him means?" she said quietly.

I nodded solemnly, I knew.

An official challenge between wolves, whether it be for a title, pride, or anything else, was till the other party submitted. And that was either by surrender, scurrying off to lick your wounds and pride; or by death...

I knew Alex. He would never submit. I would have to kill him.

"You'd think after all the s**t he's done, it'd be easy" I tried to joke to hide the conflict swirling around my mind.

Eden caught me off guard, coming around the counter standing near me resting her hand on mine that was placed on the work surface. This was the first time I had touched her skin and the sensation was electrifying. A warm, tingling feeling spread up from hand to my chest and I reveled in it. I saw her still for a split second, knowing she was feeling the same and the hint of the smile on her face suggested she was enjoying it too.

"I get it. He's your brother...he might be a piece of shit...but he's still your only family left."

I swallowed with difficulty, this was harder than I thought facing reality now it was here staring me in the face.

She dropped my hand and moved to retake her seat. I almost whimpered at the loss of contact. I wanted nothing more than to just take her in my arms and kiss her deeply, but something told me I needed to take this slow with her.

"I've been thinking...when was the last time you actually trained, like with a pack?" she asked.

"It's been a while, be about 5 years since I was with the Alaskan pack" I thought out loud.

Eden coughed on her tea she was sipping "you trained with an Alaskan pack?!"

It was no secret that the Alaskan packs were savage. They had a reputation that was very much true. Virtually no outsiders ventured there. Only humans were safe to move freely to and from as long as they had no allegiance to any pack.

"Stayed with the White Cloud pack for 2 years" I said, making a move to sit at one of the stools next to her.

Eden sat in silent shock.

"Ok, we're circling back to that later. But I was thinking, till we come up with a plan of attack...you could stay here...and train with my warriors?"

"Stay here with you?" I asked with a slight grin.

"That's what you focused on?" she retorted exasperatedly, the pink in her cheeks returning.

"It was the most important part" I stated seriously.

"Just so you know I'm not rusty in fighting, I can hold my own just fine...but I'd love to learn from you and your pack" I said, offering a genuine smile.

She nodded at my acceptance before continuing, but looking a little uncomfortable. I had a feeling I may not like what she was about to say.

"Also, I was thinking it might not be a good idea to let people here know who you are..."

I narrowed my eyes "you mean my real name...or that I'm your mate" was she ashamed of introducing the 'filthy rogue' as her mate to the pack?

"...Both."

I was about to object but she cut me off.

"Before you say anything, hear me out" she took a deep breath before continuing.

"Alex is still looking for you, right?" she looked to me for confirmation, I nodded.

"Well if he knows you're here before we're ready, you gotta know that it's likely he'll try to invade my pack for you and I'm certainly not about to just hand you over! But I have a pack I need to protect. I'm their Alpha, I can't put them in harm's way...and this right now is already a risk."

I reluctantly nodded, she was right.

"Look, I'm not about to reject you. But I do want to get to know you first, before anything else. And I really would prefer doing it without the pack whispering and gossiping behind my back, I've had enough of that already" she sighed, sounding tired.

I sighed myself, I could understand where she was coming from and I was also currently trying to refrain from doing somersaults at her saying she wanted to give me a chance.

"Fine" I thought for second, trying to lighten the mood slightly "what's my secret alias and backstory then, Alpha?" I grinned.

"Ok, I'm at the end of finalising a treaty with Alpha Jensen of Moon Meadows pack in the north, most of the pack know about this" she took a sip of her tea again before she continued "I was thinking your cover could be you're one of his warriors here as, like, an exchange thing to learn from us as a show of goodwill and you're staying in my home as a sign of respect to your 'Alpha' and it was also kinda arranged last minute. I know it involves lying and I hate it too, but it'll help keep Alex finding out about you for now" she explained.

It sounded simple enough, it wouldn't last long, but hopefully long enough.

"Ok , so what's my fake name then?" I asked intrigued

This cloak and dagger thing was sounding almost fun, you know, if you ignored all bloodshed, murder and past trauma.

She quirked an eyebrow at me "I was thinking 'Conner Green', it worked well for you last time" she smirked.

Oh I f*****g loved her teasing. Two could play this game though.

I stood to move closer to her "ok" was all I said, inching my face closer to hers.

"So, we'll just be pack allies under the same roof. You gonna be able to control yourself?" I challenged, sensing her increasingly ruffled state.

"J...just fine...and you?" she stuttered.

"It'll definitely be hard, but I'll have to manage" our faces were barely a whisper apart, Eden's breathing and heart rate began to increase rapidly.

"No lingering looks, no touching...no kissing, sounds like torture" the mention of 'kissing' had her eyes quickly glance to my mouth before returning to my heated gaze.

"Think you can cope?" again I challenged.

"...yes" she laboured out.

Our lips were almost touching, I could easily press forward and I doubt she would pull away. But this isn't what she wanted, according to her words.

"Shame" was all I breathed out against her lips as I quickly pulled away, putting distance between us again.

She blinked like she was coming out of a stupor at my sudden retreat. Her reaction was just what I wanted. Her cheeks were flushed, her breathing was deep and her mouth was set in a tight line in mortification that I had just won again. I couldn't help the s**t-eating grin on my face, satisfied with my work.

I noticed the time on the clock, it was a little after 6:30pm.

"Well, Alpha, as a humble warrior invited graciously to stay in your home, how about I cook us some dinner?" I asked, giving her a reprieve from her worked up state.

She furrowed her brows at my gesture, but I interjected before she could respond.

"Don't be so shocked I can cook, I am somewhat domesticated."

"Ok, fine" she moved to the fridge again to take out something.

"I was gonna do some steelhead, you look like you can put it away, so you can do all of it if you want?"

It was a full half side, but I could certainly finish that off myself and more.

"Sure, any vegetables to go with it? How about green beans and mashed potatoes?"

She nodded "here" getting the vegetables out I asked for, placing them with the fish.

I couldn't help but smile, I hadn't cooked for a while but I remembered a few things from my mom.

I was looking forward to cooking for my mate.