Taken For The Alpha ✔️ - 41 - Wattpad
Taken For The Alpha ✔️
by Midika
YOU ARE READING
Taken For The Alpha ✔️
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.
Chapter Excerpt
Our 'escorts' walk ahead of us, clearing a path through the bush.
The sun is beginning to set, draping swathes of dusky color over the forest. The further we walk, however, the more the glow of the evening sun wanes.
Deep shades of violet and indigo drench a tense looking Zaon's skin and hair. I keep glancing at him out of the corner of my eye, wondering what our fate is. His arm is tightly wound around my waist, letting me brace my weight on him so I can favor my aching ankle.
"Who is Alpha Nevan, and why do we have to visit him?" I ask lowly, looking ahead at the escorts who lead us onto a well-worn path. Admittedly, I feel relieved to be heading back to civilization, even if I'm terrified about what it looks like.
"He rules over this pack," Zaon explains tightly. "You have nothing to be afraid of. He's an old friend of mine, but his pride gets far too easily hurt. It's best we see him for a time before we return home."
That is a relief, I suppose. I'm not sure why Zaon seemed so reluctant to cross paths with him, though.
"Him being your friend doesn't bring me comfort," I grumble, trying not to groan as we start up a sloping incline.
He adjusts his arm around me, letting me bear even more weight against his side. I can feel his tension, his unease. This isn't going to be a straightforward reunion between friends.
"He cannot, under any circumstance, learn of your powers."
"He won't." It's not like I volunteer the information freely to everyone I meet. I know what it means to be different, to have magic. It's how I've ended up here in the first place.
"We need a reason why you're with me. He will hear your accent and know you're not from my pack." He looks down at me, helping me step over a trunk half buried in the path.
I shudder, wondering if he'll send me back to my father.
"Tell him I'm your captive. It's true enough."
"He would only have more questions," he mutters. "Believe it or not, I'm not the kind of person who kidnaps innocent females very often, and for no reason."
I roll my eyes. Sure.
"Well... I don't know then," I say hopelessly. This isn't exactly how I expected this day to go.
He sighs roughly, fingers digging into my waist. "I'll tell him you're my mistress."
I jolt to a stop. I only resume walking when one of the escorts looks over their shoulder, shooting a glare at me. I'm slowing our progress down immensely.
"Your what?" I hiss, reluctantly leaning against him again.
"My mistress." He says it without a single waver in his tone. "It's somewhat believable. He knows I despise my marriage to Raven, and it gives us an excuse for why we're out this way."
I raise a brow. "How so?"
"Avoiding her and her wrath. I can say I brought you out here to enjoy you in the privacy of this great forest." He waves his free hand to encompass its large space.
My heart stutters. He's so unaffected speaking this way, but hearing the words make my stomach tighten.
"Enjoy me?"
He glances at my face. "What purpose do you believe a mistress serves to an Alpha?"
I exhale through my nose with a little shake of my head. I'm not that naïve. I just don't think this Alpha I'm about to meet is going to believe I'm Zaon's mistress.
"Ugh..."
"It will work," he says. I think he's trying to convince himself.
We've made it up the slope, making it onto a solid, dirt-packed path. The trees are growing sparser, grass sprouting up in place of thick bushes, powdery orange light streaking through the gaps in the trees.
"I suppose, since I cannot reveal my true self, it will do," I mutter, although I have my doubts. Unfortunately, the pain in my ankle is pulling too much of my attention to concentrate on formulating a better plan.
"Ayah," he begins gravelly. "No one can learn about your powers, do you understand? Especially Nevan. He is my friend, but if he knew what you are capable of... he would fight to obtain you."
The last thing I want is to become another Alpha's possession. The next one I encounter after Zaon might not be so accommodating in promising me freedom.
"You Alphas are far too intense," I mutter.
"Nevan has had a sick father for a very long time. Not what afflicts Iris, but something torturous and cruel. He would claim you, and he wouldn't let you go." Zaon's expression is stony as he stares straight ahead.
"I can heal him while we are there." No one would have to know. I could be discreet, claim a miracle occurred.
It wouldn't be the first time such a lie worked in my favor.
Zaon goes so rigid beside me I'm convinced he's going to stop to yell at me. Instead, he keeps us walking, or in my case, awkwardly hobbling.
"No Ayah, you cannot. No matter how tempted you are, you must not," he states sternly. "Life is inherently cruel, but it will be far crueler to you if you get caught by Nevan. If his father is healed, he will know something is up."
"Fine, I won't heal a poor, innocent person of this horrible affliction." I roll my eyes.
His entirely unamused as he looks down at me. "For your own benefit, you shouldn't."
By the time we reach Nevan's home, the sun has fully set, dark clouds crawling menacingly across the sky, plunging us into night sooner than usual. For that reason, I don't see much of his home, other than lights glittering through large windows inside.
Unsurprisingly, his home is large and set deep into the forest. Either he enjoys his solitude or he has secrets he wants to keep away from the rest of his pack.
We're led hastily through an impressive entryway, firelight guiding our path. This place is extravagant, all white stone acting as a backdrop for lush plants in eccentric pots everywhere. It's still and quiet, which is a relief after this nightmare day.
And more importantly, there is a roof over our heads. We're still damp, and now, rain has begun to fall, smattering against the roof above us.
Zaon's mouth is set in a grim line. He doesn't seem as impressed as I am about this beautiful home. He's clearly anticipating who we're going to meet.
All I can think about is sitting down to take the weight off my aching foot.
I hear footsteps, and then a male sweeps into the room, his arms spread wide, his smile open and bright.
Alpha Nevan. A male my father may have mentioned once before, but who I know nothing about. He commands this great pack, and yet so much about him is unknown to me.
"Well if it isn't my dear friend Zaon at my door...soaking wet." He pauses a couple steps away, inspecting us closely.
Thankfully we've stopped dripping, but I'm horrendously uncomfortable.
"It's a long story," Zaon explains tightly.
"Oh I love stories." Nevan clasps his hands together, dragging his rich brown eyes in my direction. "Hello there."
I muster my kindest smile. The storm is only growing more vicious outside, and it's his home we are currently occupying. Plus, he's an important male, and if we want to get out of his pack without issue, we need to play along.
"Hello," I greet. "It's an honor to meet you, Alpha."
He holds his hand out to me. "My name is Nevan. You are?"
"Ayah, sir." I shake it, enjoying the warmth of his grasp.
He's a handsome male, his frame tall and lithe, but I would be a fool to underestimate his strength. His hair is a dark blond, almost brown, swept back off his forehead.
"My mistress," Zaon tells him, shifting closer to me. "I was bringing her to visit your great pack, and the forest you know I love so much."
"I didn't know that, actually, but that is great. You should have told me much earlier, for I would have planned a great time for us all." He slides his hands into his pockets, still examining me closely.
Can he sense the lie between Zaon and I? Can he tell I'm the daughter of an Alpha I'm sure he is very aware of?
At least he is receptive to our presence. He doesn't seem angered that Zaon didn't announce our presence here, although maybe he is a little hurt.
"We won't stay long," Zaon assures him. "I can't be away from Iris for long."
Nevan nods knowingly. I can't help but wonder what the history is between these two. How long have they known each other, and are they actually friends? Zaon seems wary of him.
"Ah, I understand. How about one night, at least?"
"That would be very generous of you," Zaon replies. My shoulders sag in relief. Being able to stay the night here, and not in a forest, is the first positive thing to happen today.
"Oh it's no burden to me. I must know, however, why you're so wet!"
"Sex in a river. I wouldn't recommend," Zaon says breezily, the lie rolling off his tongue.
I swallow my reaction, although my smile weakens. He's chasing this ruse down, making sure Nevan truly believes it.
"How fun. I wouldn't mind trying that myself some time." Nevan flashes me a mischievous grin. "Ayah is a lovely diversion from Raven, my friend. I can see why you chose her as a mistress."
I stiffen, a chill dancing down my spine.
Sensing my discomfort, Zaon slides his arms around me, tugging me close. My hip bumps against his, his proximity immediately calming me.
"Indeed."
"I was waiting for you to take on my advice and obtain one. Life is so much fun with many lovers, although I thought you always disagreed with me." Nevan raises a brow, a challenge in the motion.
"Things change." Zaon shrugs, unbothered. "If you wouldn't mind, we would like to retire to a room. Our impromptu camping trip went astray after the river incident, and Ayah injured her ankle.
Nevan's gaze drops to where I favor my foot a little above the ground. He immediately startles, his humor taking a brief backseat.
"It just needs rest," I assure him. I'm sure after a night with my weight off it, it will feel better.
"Absolutely. I'll have someone escort you to our guest suite." He looks at the maid who let us in, who nods.
My eyelids flutter. For some foolish reason, I figured we would get separate rooms. But I'm Zaon's mistress, and I will be expected to share a bed with him tonight.
"Oh... right." I clear my throat, hoping Nevan doesn't notice the way my cheeks warm.
He wiggles his brows. "There is a bath large enough for four in there."
"How wonderful." Zaon smirks down at me. I resist the urge to whack him in the side.
"Well, enjoy your night and don't let the encroaching thunderstorm dissuade you from having fun in my home." He takes a few steps back. "I expect to hear all about this river incident tomorrow over breakfast."
Zaon slips his hand into mine. "That sounds great, Nevan. And again, thank you."
"My pleasure." He winks, walking away.
For a moment, I wonder if we could dart out of here and put distance between us and the guest suite upstairs. But unfortunately, my ankle aches and I would adore a bath right now.
So I let Zaon help me up the stairs, unable to shake the feeling that this isn't going to be a simple stay in this Alpha's home.