The Forbidden Alpha

Chapter 6

Layla

I tossed and turned all night, unable to actually fall asleep. I have just been lying here in my bed awake staring at the ceiling for several hours now. I knew that I wasn’t going to be as lively today as I normally was and work was going to drag by. My alarm began screeching on the bedside table at six a.m. I sighed as I reached over and silenced the sound and resumed my earlier staring at the ceiling.

Over the past couple of hours, I had been contemplating on what I would say to Alpha Riggins to hopefully straighten everything out. And I hoped that my proposal would suffice and he would go easier on my brother.

Despite it being the weekend, the pack's daycare center remained open. Today, there would be fewer toddlers than usual, primarily those whose parents were on guard duty for the pack or worked at the pack hospital. Our staff took turns working on weekends, ensuring that each member received at least one weekend off per month.

It was my turn today and I needed to get my ass up and out of this bed or I was going to be late. Reluctantly, I got up and started my daily routine. I showered, washing off the remaining remnants of last night's makeup since I had just gone straight to bed without washing it off first. Last night was one of the few times that I have ever done a full face of makeup and I was hoping that I didn't break out like I used to. Chasing after pups was a workout at times and you work up a decent sweat sometimes, so wearing loads of makeup every day never appealed to me.

Applying a small amount of foundation just to even out my skin tone and cover up some of the redder spots on my face. A bit of soft eyeliner and mascara and a simple lip gloss was it and I was done. I looked at my reflection in the mirror above the sink and smoothed out the loose strands of my hair that had already managed to escape the braid I had placed it in.

I sighed as I walked out of my bathroom and heard the little ding coming from my cell phone with a new text message. Chandler's name was lit up on the display screen as I picked it up from my bedside table.

Chandler: Layla, we need to talk.

Yeah, that isn’t going to happen anytime soon. I didn’t want to see or talk to him.

I clicked the side button and threw it into my purse without replying. It was still early in the morning and I hadn’t expected Dustin to be up yet, but there he was propped up against the counter with a coffee mug in his hands as I rounded the doorway. He looked just as tired as I felt. The dark circles under his eyes mirrored mine and told me that he too had not slept much last night.

He didn’t say anything as I entered the kitchen, he simply looked up and grabbed a second cup out of the cabinet that was next to him and filled it with coffee. He placed the cup in front of me on the kitchen island before returning to his former position.

“I didn’t expect you to be awake yet. Figured you and Caroline would sleep in today.” I said as I wrapped my cold hands around the warm mug and brought it to my lips.

He gave a small grunt and nodded. “I would have liked that too but Alpha Riggins has already summoned me for guard duty on the inner perimeter of the pack,” he said.

“You’re kidding, right? That isn’t right,” I argued as I placed my cup back on the countertop.

“It is when I said his son wouldn’t be my Alpha,” He said calmly, and taking a sip from his cup. “It sucks, Layla, I’ll admit that, but I won’t apologize for it. Chandler may be my best friend, but you are my sister and he isn’t going to treat you like that and expect you to just roll over.” He said sternly.

I wanted to say more but Dustin just shook his head and added, “It’s done, Layla. Caroline and I have already talked about moving to one of the other packs in the valley. She has relatives in Crescent Hill. Maybe the move will be good for us. Fresh start.”

I just stared at him with my mouth wide open as he walked over to the sink and placed his cup down before walking away without saying anything else. I can’t believe they were even thinking about moving. What about our parents and Caroline’s? What about his position? Dustin had grown up always knowing exactly what he would be, and if they transferred packs he wouldn't have the same prospects available to him. I had planned to see the Alpha during my lunch break today, but it seemed that was not going to work. I have to speak to him now.

I quickly left the house without saying goodbye to anyone and marched my way over to the pack house. It was still a little cool outside as the sun was just barely peaking above the horizon. The dark night sky slowly changed from black to colors of red, pink and orange as the sun rose higher.

I made my way up the same sidewalk that I had last night all the way to the front door. I stopped with my hand on the knob and realized that I was trembling slightly. I had to pull myself together before I stepped into that office, so I took a much-needed breath and released it along with all my worries and regained control.

I turned the knob and pushed the door open and entered the house. Since the sun was only starting to rise, most of the wolves that lived in the pack house would still be asleep except for the guards that were getting ready for shift change. Dustin would be here soon, so I had to do this fast. I quickly walked down the hall to the right of the staircase until I reached the last door on the left. The Alphas Office.

I took one more nerve, settling breath, before I rapped my knuckles on the solid wooden door. I waited and waited, unable to hear anyone on the other side. When no one answered, I knocked again, this time a bit harder than before. Still, nothing, no sound came from the inside of the office, so I thought maybe I had already missed the Alpha. I was just about to walk away when the heavy door suddenly swung open, revealing Alpha Riggins. His shirt was unbuttoned, showing off his chest and he wore nothing else but his boxer shorts.

A she-wolf that I didn’t recognize was bent over scooping up clothing off the floor and trying to cover herself as best she could.

My mouth fell open as I averted my gaze. “I’ll come back later,” I said after fumbling with my words for several seconds.

“No sense now the mood has past.” He growled out as he turned away from me. The she-wolf gulped and rushed out the now open door past me without looking back. “What is it Ms. Wilder?” Alpha Riggins growled, clearly annoyed as he picked up a pair of jeans off the floor and then slipped them on.

I was still standing in the doorway when he looked up and growled again. “GET in here now and close that door and your mouth.”

I jumped at the harshness in his tone but ultimately did as he had ordered and stepped in and closed the door behind me. When I turned around, he was finishing buttoning up his shirt. He looked up at me with a brow raised, “Well, what do you want that had you beating on my office door so early in the morning?”

They looked so much alike that it was scary. Father and son. They had the same build, same hair color and eye color. Alpha Allen Riggins was just the older version of what Chandler would eventually look like in a couple of years. And apparently, the similarities went even further than just their appearances, I thought.

“Um, I wanted to talk to you about what happened last night.” I said, meeting his gaze and trying to appear calm and not bothered by what I had just witnessed. It was one of the things that Dustin had taught me growing up. Never show weakness. Always act tough. Especially in front of a powerful wolf.

Allen Riggins was a wolf that you didn’t show weakness to because he would exploit it relentlessly. He was a smart and calculating man and his wolf was just the same. Looking for any leverage, he could get over on someone to ative his goals. Friend or foe, it didn't matter to him.

“It’s already handled.” He said dismissively as he sat down in his chair behind the desk and leveled his gaze upon me.

“Dustin shouldn’t be punished for what happened last night.” I said calmly.

“You sure about that? I remember hearing your brother saying that he wouldn’t see my son as his Alpha before spitting on him. Most Alphas would have killed him on the spot.” Alpha Riggings said as he leaned back in his chair and folded his hands together, tapping his pointer fingers together as he eyed me.

“He was just reacting to what I had explained happened between Chandler and me. He acted like any brother would, trying to protect his little sister,” I said a bit louder than I had intended.

Alpha Riggins raised his brow at me when he noticed the change in my voice. “Yes, but this wasn’t just against some dirt bag who had manhandled you, Ms. Wilder. It was his future alpha and best friend. The only reason he isn’t rotting in a ditch somewhere right this second is because Chandler managed to convince me not to kill him.” He said as his lips pulled up into a sneer. “It seems my son is even more fond of you than I originally thought" the Alpha leaned forward,"And be that as it may, there are still consequences for your brother's actions last night.”

“I will pay for his consequences.” I suddenly found myself saying. I could feel my heart rate increase as soon as the words slipped out of my mouth.

Alpha Riggins' expression changed to one of surprise. “And how might that work, Ms. Wilder?”

I had no clue, I had not intended on saying that either, but the words just seemed to fall out on their own. But I refused to see my brother and best friend having to leave the pack. “I will complete his guard assignments.” I said, raising my chin slightly.

The Alphas' laughter filled the room and i felt my shoulder sag. “You have no wolf to help you with that task my dear. Intruders would have an easy path right into the center of the pack.” He said now, shaking his head. “No, that isn’t possible. You are just a human.”

“Then punish me another way. Something that I can handle being human. Please.” I pleaded. I was starting to lose my composure now, seeing that the Alpha had no plans on allowing me to complete my brother’s punishment, he wouldn't even think about it.

The office became quiet as Alpha Riggins eyed me carefully before standing up from his chair and walking around his desk towards me. He stalked me with a glint in his eye like he knew he had just thought of something that would give him the ultimate win over me. I didn't like that look and I swallowed, taking a step back when he came to a stop in front of me.

“How willing are you to save your brothers' position in this pack?” He asked as he eyed me hungrily.

I had a sinking feeling about where this was going to go. My stomach rolled as the possibilities flowed through my head. But if any of them could save Dustin’s place as Beta, then I can find a way to deal with my conscience later. I would make it work either way to save my brother.

But what he offered as a way to save my brother was completely different from anything that I had been imagining. “I need you to get close to someone for me. Find out all about them and report back to me on what you find.” He said.

“That’s it?” I said, the anxiety slowly leaving my body, not believing that it would be something so simple.

Alpha Riggins nodded, "That’s it. Get close to him and find out just who he really is and why he is here.” He said with a smug smile.

“Wait he? Who exactly are you talking about?” I asked, becoming a bit skeptical about just how easily this had been going.

“The new Alpha, Asher Shade. I believe you met him last night. At least that is what Chandler said when he found the two of you standing so close to one another in the sitting room. All alone.” Alpha Riggins said in a disapproving tone.

I c****d a brow at him. “Your seriously going to give me the third degree over being alone with someone.” I scoffed. “Real rich.” I said, crossing my arms over my chest.

His chest rumbled. “Either way, it’s a bad look for the little human girl. Just bouncing around from one Alpha to the next that shows her a bit of attention right after she looses one.” He tsked me and I rolled my eyes. “Just find out what he is really doing here in Moon Valley.”

“And how do you suggest I do that? It isn’t like an outside Alpha is going to just tell me what I want to know just because I ask him.” I said. "I am just a human after all."

“Mother Moon Goddess, do I really have to spell it out for you? Spread those pretty little thighs of yours and let him rut around and I’m sure he will tell you all you want to know.” He said as he raked his gaze down my body, licking his lips the entire time like he wasn't opposed to doing the same exact thing himself.

“He has a mate.” I argued and he just laughed, his eyes darkening dangerously.

“That doesn’t mean anything sometimes or have you already forgotten?” He said with a smug smile. “If you would rather I make you my plaything instead to save your dear brother, I can. I’m sure Chandler won’t mind,” He added as he stepped close to me and touched my hair.

My stomach was in knots at the way he was looking at me right then, and I knew I needed to get the hell out of here now before he actually did as he threatened. “ I’ll do it.” I said quickly.

Alpha Riggins looked at me, a slow smile pulling at the corner of his lips. “Him or me?” he asked his pupils, almost completely black now.

“Him. I'll get you the information,” I said.

He smiled in smug satisfaction before saying, “Good Girl."

Sh*t, what have I gotten myself into?