The Alpha's Burden

Chapter 5 - Unexpected

Kristine POV

I did not care what anybody said. I was meant for Dan, and he was meant for me. As soon as I got this rejection over with, I would find Dan and let him make me his. It was all I had thought about for months but wanting it to be special I had kept putting him off. And now I had nothing but regret for not accepting him sooner. Maybe I would have been pregnant by now and my parents would have been able to do nothing about it.

I feel my hand tugged as I am dragged back to reality. My fated mate is leading the way to the meeting room. I did not want to be in a small space with him alone. I could see my friends watching me follow behind Alpha Zack. Some were smiling encouragingly, some were smirking. I could tell the jealous bitches were smirking that I was not getting what I wanted.

I could feel the sparks between Zack and me. Would I ever feel those sparks with Dan as my chosen mate? I hoped so. They were enticing and I had to admit I loved the feeling. Giving my head a shake, I realized it was the illusion of the fated mate bond I was feeling and not the true love I felt for Dan. I could live without the sparks, if it meant I got Dan for the rest of my life.

Moving closer to the door, I tugged on Zack’s hand. He turns to look at me, “What?” he demands as I hear my father open the festivities behind us. “I need to use the ladies’ room,” I reply coyly. This would be my chance to escape the clutches of my mate. “You can wait,” he replies rudely as he tugs me to the entrance of the room.

Bringing me inside, “You are joking right? I think I know when I need to use the washroom,” I reply angrily. “And I think you are joking. Do you honestly believe I trust you to leave my sight?” he replies equally pissed off at me. I stand there in shock. Was it possible that I would not be able to pull the wool over his eyes? Everyone believed me when I spoke. Even when I was hiding my relationship with Dan from everyone. When I said I was studying with my best friend, they believed me. When I said I was helping out at the Pack hospital, they believed me. And now the one time I need someone to believe me he sees through my lies.

Pulling me inside the room, Zack closes the door behind us. He pushes me against the wall, leaning into my neck and scenting me. I admit his close proximity is wreaking havoc with my senses. I want to wrap my arms around his neck and hold him tightly to me. I want to feel his hands moving up and down my body teasing me as he does.

Wait a minute. This cannot be happening. I felt like I was betraying Dan by wanting to be close to Zack. Pushing him away with all my strength, he slowly moves back. I know it is not my strength that was pushing him. He is a strong Alpha. He allowed me to push him back as he simply stared at me.

“You are so beautiful,” he murmurs as he watches my lips starting to lean down intending to capture them. I give him a solid shove back. I did not want his sparking kisses to touch my lips. I did not want any more distractions. I wanted Dan. I had to remain focused on that. This damn mate bond was making me a mess.

“You see little mate, I have been searching for you for many years, and there is no way in hell that I am going to give you up,” Zack says surprising me with the intensity of his words. I simply look at him while he continues, “I am Alpha of the Red Moon Pack. The strongest Pack in our alliance and yet you dare to imply you do not want me. Who do you think you are?” he demands.

Now I was angry. “Who do you think you are thinking you can simply demand I accept you? I was born an Alpha as well. I am not without my own strengths,” I say when I am cut off. “Acting like a spoiled brat hardly counts as strengths,” he replies as he steps away from me turning and basically dismissing my behaviour.

“I am talking to you,” I reply as I step around him, so he is looking at me. “I do not want you. I am destined to be with Dan,” I start to say when Zack cuts me off. “You are destined to be with me, and you will be. You will be my loving mate, and you will love your Pack,” he inserts.

“Your Pack watched your display out there on the floor. How do you think they felt hearing their Goddess given Luna did not want them?” he demands angrily. “They have also waited for a Luna, and I will be damned if I allow you to deprive them of that right,” he adds. “Well doesn’t this sound like a match made in hell?” I mutter as I hear a sharp knock on the door.

My parents enter without waiting for us to invite them in. “Kristine, I do not know what has gotten into you, but I refuse to accept this,” my father says. “Well accept it daddy. I am choosing Dan as my mate. I cannot be with someone who does not respect me,” I reply as Zack growls softly at my reply.

“Right now, I do not respect you, Kristine. You are not behaving like yourself,” my mother says as she shakes her head sadly at me. I hated disappointing my parents, but I had to follow my heart. “Are you saying this because he is a warrior and not an Alpha?” I demand of them. My father’s face goes red, “You know bloody well we have no issue with any ranks, young lady,” my father cautions.

I shake my head, “Well then why will you not support my wishes? Why are you siding with him,” I sneer. “Because he is your fated mate. The Moon Goddess does not make mistakes. Your mother and I want you to experience the bond we share. It is an experience worth fighting for,” my father says as my mother wipes her tears stepping into my father’s arms.

“I want that too. I want that with Dan,” I reply coldly. “Dan is not your mate. He is a troubled young man who has confused you about what you want,” my father replies. “How can you say that?” I demand as I look at my father. “There is a lot you do not know about Dan. And there is no time nor a need to tell you now,” my father replies.

“I appreciate your support sir; I would like to know more about the issues with Dan. Perhaps we can jump on a call next week, so you can share what you know with me?” Zack suggests. “Of course, Alpha Zack,” my father starts to reply when Zack cuts him off. “Just call me Zack, we are family now,” Zack says.

I roll my eyes at the ridiculousness of what I was witnessing. First chance I get I am getting the hell out of here and running away with Dan. Turning to look at me, “It is time, mate,” Zack says. “Time for what?” I ask as a cold shiver runs down my spine.

“Time to head to your new Pack,” he replies with a smirk.