Taken For The Alpha ✔️ - 32 - Wattpad

Taken For The Alpha ✔️

by Midika

YOU ARE READING

Taken For The Alpha ✔️

Werewolf

*18+ read at your discretion!* My hands tremble by my sides. "Don't sleep with her..." He steps toward me, his eyes dark. "Why not?" "Whatever you were planning to do to her tonight, do it to me instead," I whisper. *** Ayah has always been unremarkable in every way other than in the power she wields. Since she was little she has been able to heal even the most fatal of wounds. Because of this, her father has locked her away, keeping her powers safe from the outside world. That is, until a man appears below her balcony, giving her a glimpse into the freedom she could finally have. However, the moment she starts to trust him, he takes her captive, revealing his identity to be a powerful Alpha who needs her to heal his younger sister. But when the girl's illness becomes impossible for Ayah to heal, she is dragged on a journey beside the Alpha to find an amplifier. On the way she learns their connection goes deeper than their heated attraction, to a soul bond neither can deny.

Excerpt from the story:

"Ah!" I stumble back with a shriek, falling into the snow. It immediately extinguishes any flames that briefly clung to my clothing with a waning sizzle.

If the fire were capable of making a sound it might have roared angrily, finally cowering back now that I'm a few feet away. It returns to eating away hungrily at the effigy, as if it didn't try to devour me alive.

"Are you okay?" The girl I just met is at my side, helping me sit up.

The snow is melting beneath me already, sinking into the fabric of my clothing.

"I think so." I wipe my hands over my hair, checking for singed bits. "Why did it do that?"

An uneasy feeling sinks in my stomach. That felt like magic reacting to magic. Something in my blood called to the goddess above, and it almost killed me.

"I have no idea. I've never seen that—"

"Ayah!"

My attention is pulled to where my name is being called. Zaon pushes through the crowd who has gathered around curiously, checking to see how much of me burnt off from the explosion.

He's at my side so fast I barely have a chance to comprehend his presence. "Are you okay? Are you burnt?"

Was he watching me? He got here so fast.

He's touching me, checking my clothing, my face, and my hair. People watch with wide eyes as their Alpha inspects me with a familiarity that he wouldn't have with a stranger.

"Get off me, I'm fine." I shove him off, scrambling up to my feet. "Don't act like you care."

That strange fiery reaction gave me a fright, and now everyone is staring like they can see what is abnormal about me. Zaon's attentiveness isn't helping, and despite the cold snow leeching into my clothing, my skin is burning up.

"Are you sure you're not injured?" He asks breathlessly, eyes wild and alarmed.

"My eyebrows may have been singed off, but other than that I'm alive," I grumble.

Zaon blows out a stressed breath. "Thank the goddess."

I hold my palms up for him to view. "My hands are still in working order. That's all you really need, right?"

I'm not sure why I'm being short with him. The fire freaked me out, and my adrenaline is still bumping wildly through my veins. At least the cut on my palm is already healing from my magic.

"I...I mean—"

"Save it," I mutter, shaking my head. I'm not in any mood to hear him attempt to justify my relationship to him as if it isn't entirely transactional.

For some reason, knowing I mean absolutely nothing to him hurts more than I would like to admit.

"You shouldn't be here. I told you to leave." He inspects the area, eyes surveying the growing shadows around the festival area, created in the absence of the bonfires light.

"I want to stay. I want to see what happens tonight." I watch as people continue to offer their blood to the fire, which has entirely consumed the effigy at this point.

"After the spiritual practices are completed, you'll want nothing to do with what happens." He grabs my arm. "You'll have never seen anything like it."

I nearly stumble as he leads me away from the heat of the fire. It's a relief, as the phantom feeling of fire and magic rolling over me is starting to become disturbing.

"Just because I haven't had sex doesn't mean I'm a prude," I grumble.

I know what the problem is. It's not what I may witness that bothers him so much. He's worried about whose arms I may stumble into and whether they have good intentions.

I'm feeling more than ready to kick someone square between their legs if it comes down to it.

He leans close so only I can hear his words. "The guests cannot see disinterest. They will approach you and have no problem—"

I shrug off his grip. "I'm sure I can manage. You have guards everywhere."

"It's too much for you too soon."

"Don't I need to marry soon? Perhaps I can find a potential suitor here." I gesture at a random male who walks by, although he's at least a decade older than me and gives me a strange look when he notices us staring.

Hm, bad example.

Zaon levels a look. "Those attending tonight are not interested in marriage. Trust me."

"Stop protecting me." My fingers bundle into fists. "I won't die. That's all that matters right? All you need is my life, my hands, and my blood to heal your sister."

His jaw tightens in frustration, his breath exhaling through his nose in rapid, irritated succession.

I drive him mad. Good. Likewise.

"You know what, fine. I trust that you can look out for yourself." He sighs. "I recommend not accepting drinks or any other substance. Keep close to the guards and if you feel, for even a moment, that you're uncomfortable, then feel free to leave."

I relax. Finally, he's backing off, giving me space. I have the freedom to do what I want, within moderation, which is mostly just to watch the festivities unfold.

"And what will you be doing tonight?" I tug my coat further around myself.

Zaon's gaze follows a couple who walk arm in arm toward the fire, drinking from foggy glass bottles. They seem so excited, so immersed in the magic of the festivities.

"Celebrating," he says quietly.

I raise a single brow. "With who?"

He smirks a little, seeing through my question that I hoped would come off as mere curiosity. I'm happy not having any claim to him, and as long as I continue telling myself that for the rest of the night, I'll be fine.

"With my pack members, of course. This is a good time to be amongst them while ensuring nothing goes...too far."

"Well, I'll be having my own fun, elsewhere." I shove my hands deep into my pockets, looking around. Maybe I'll check out the bonfire before retreating back to watch what is going to unfold.

Zaon's brow creases before he seems to remember something.

"Wait." His hand slides into his pocket. "I have something for you."

"What?"

Slowly, he produces my necklace from his pocket, holding it up for me to see. My jaw goes slack as I immediately attempt to take it into my hand. He pulls back though, giving me a strong look.

"One of my guards retrieved it," he explains.

My eyes narrow. "Did you hurt anyone to get it back?"

"It was found in the snow. You must not have fastened the clasp properly this morning." He doesn't falter like it is a lie, but I get the feeling his apprehension of my necklace wasn't achieved so innocently.

"Hmm, maybe. Thanks."

He gestures for me to turn. "Allow me."

I oblige him. He steps close, brushing my hair out of the way. I hold my breath as he settles the necklace around my neck, his fingers grazing my skin as he does the clasp.

It reminds me so suddenly of the night he first gave it to me. I was so excited and so flattered that he had seen a necklace and thought of me. But that was a ruse, of course. I know that now.

"I should really throw this away. The person who gave it to me is long gone," I murmur, turning once it is securely fastened.

"That is not entirely wrong." He looks down at the necklace, and I swear I see his brow quiver.

"Well, let's try not to cross paths again tonight." I want to go have fun, to stop worrying about this strange, inconvenient connection between us. I want to prove to myself that I can be with someone other than him.

He sighs grimly. "Stay safe. I mean it."

He turns on his heel, striding off into the crowd. People make room for him, before a few break off to follow him, including a few beautiful females.

I swallow the bitter taste rising in the back of my throat. What he gets up to tonight is none of my business.

For a while, I just wander around, watching people drink from fountains of wine, becoming looser and less restrained. Many begin dancing, music floating through the air from live instruments being played on a precariously set up stage.

Everything is so beautiful here. The atmosphere isn't like what I've felt before, fizzing against my skin, warning me of a strange night to come.

A hand suddenly brushes against my arm, making me turn.

I've made it from one end of the festival to the other. I'm standing fairly close to a line of stalls that are selling different wares to what was open during the day.

"Hello." It's a strange male who is greeting me, his smile wonky. "This dress is incredible on you."

I look down at the dress that is mostly covered with a coat, my legs covered in black stockings. The compliment doesn't feel very genuine, since I've chosen warmth over style this evening.

"Thanks," I mutter, wondering if I should just walk away.

"I think I would like to see it off," he says bluntly. He's not even meeting my gaze.

I scowl. "It's freezing out here, and I don't want anyone seeing me naked."

He rubs his jaw thoughtfully, puzzling me out. I know being straightforward with one's intentions is favored tonight, but I'm not sure I feel comfortable being looked at so intensely by this complete stranger.

"Ah, I enjoy your type immensely." He slides his hands into his pockets.

"My type?"

"The ones who start off modest and uncertain always turn into the loosest and most willing by the end of the night." He looks amused at his own words, and entirely serious at the same time.

I flinch, immediately repulsed. I don't care about how pretty he thinks he is, his words are enough to turn me off him completely.

"I'll be going now." I turn, beginning to walk back the day I came.

"No drink?" He calls out after me.

"Go bother someone else," I throw back over my shoulder.

I continue walking, retracing my steps. Luckily the male doesn't follow me, sensing my disinterest and moving on promptly. Everyone else weaves around me, some smiling others acting as though I don't exist.

I suppose this is what it feels like to be normal.

I'm looking at a stall selling beaded necklaces as I walk, my neck craning to get a better look when my shoulder smacks straight into a male walking in the opposite direction. The impact sends his drink toppling into the snow, staining it bright red.

I grimace, correcting my stance as I face the male who looks at the snow, dejected.

"Oh I'm sorry," I say quickly, watching him check his cup for any more liquid, only to find none. "I should have been paying more attention to where I was walking."

"No need to apologize," he assures me smoothly.

He's quite a handsome male, actually. His ginger hair is soft looking, and a little too long around his face. His eyes are warm and friendly, and despite me ruining his drink, they aren't hostile at all.

"Can I replace your drink?" It's the least I can do considering my clumsiness.

His face brightens. "Only if you allow me to accompany you to the fountain."

"Alright, I would like that."

Maybe I won't be alone tonight, after all.