Taken For The Alpha ✔️ - 54 - Wattpad

Taken For The Alpha ✔️

by Midika

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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.

Word Count: 2148

~Ayah

This night isn't off to a very good start.

It is not the fault of Zaon. Well, not entirely...

He has turned his ballroom into a sight to behold for this event. Everywhere I look I am stunned by the intricacy of the decorations, by the extent of the crowd that has gathered to meet me. He has spared no expense in helping me find my mate.

Actually, I'm convinced that most of the party planning fell to Raven, who is ecstatic at the prospect of me finding my mate.

She has been strangely quiet about Zaon and I recently, and has made no further attempts on my life. In fact, she has receded into the shadows of my life, allowing me to concentrate on my new missions.

Which I'm currently failing at.

The male standing in front of me is handsome enough, but he's pinned me down for three dances and I can't seem to get away. I've been employing Blake and Riley's mother's advice by actively searching for the threads of a connection, but I'm coming away with nothing from him.

"I'm not from this pack," he tells me after I ask where he lives.

"You're not?"

"Oh no, I'm from Alpha Kai's pack." His grip tightens on my hands, which are almost turning blue from the lack of blood getting to my fingertips. "I came here just for this."

I startle. He has travelled that far just to meet me?

"You're...eager," I say, casting a look over his shoulder. I would very much like to move on from this conversation with him.

"I believe the Goddess was speaking to me, encouraging me to come tonight." His smile makes my stomach turn. "There is a chance we are mates, Ayah. Can't you feel it?"

Try as I might, there is no connection to be felt between us. Just vast empty space.

"Ah, well I'm not sure yet," I exclaim nervously.

His smile dims, sensing my disinterest. "I'm sure about you. You're so beautiful and-"

He's suddenly cut off as someone approaches from the side, holding his hand out. He is dressed extravagantly and wear a mischievous glint in his eye.

"May I have a dance with you, Ayah?" He asks.

"Yes, absolutely." I glide from my dancing partners arms, flashing him a polite smile. "Have a good rest of your evening."

My hand slides into the next male's hand, letting him guide me to a different part of the dancefloor.

As he pulls me close, I'm surprised by how attracted to him I am. He has strong features and a remarkably symmetrical face, with eyes so green I'm visibly taken aback.

"He had you for three dances, so I thought I better interrupt," he explains softly, twisting around in time with the rising beat.

"Thank you. You have no idea."

It's not that the previous male wasn't nice enough, but I quickly tired of his company. Especially after three long dances and multiple attempts to find a connection between us.

"You look incredible. If I'm honest, I came for the free alcohol, but seeing you now, my intentions for the night have changed," he says appreciatively, gaze dropping down my front, at the dark blue front of my dress.

I raise a curious brow. "Is that right?"

"I see it this way," he hums. "The mate bond is more likely to become physically apparent during sex. That is just a fact. Now because I feel so attracted to you, I'm more than willing to give it a go—"

"Ugh, are you serious?" I immediately wrestle from his grip, giving him a shove. "Get off me."

Repulsion twists in my middle. What is his problem? Does he truly believe I'll bed him tonight in the unlikely chance he's my mate?

"I didn't mean to offend you! I thought I may as well try," he calls out after me as I press through the warm huddle of dancing bodies, trying to put as much distance between him and I as possible.

I don't get far before someone is pulling me into their arms, sweeping me into another dance.

"You're so popular tonight I've struggled to get close to you," the new male admits, a grin splitting through his face.

Almost immediately I can tell he's not my type, but as Zaon said to me before, the Goddess knows the best, and will pair me with someone I'm truly meant to be with.

"The more people I speak to, the better my chances," I say, meeting his gaze, searching for even the barest hint of a connection.

His hand settles on my waist, then slides around to my lower back. "To be candid, I hope I'm you're mate. I would hold back on saying that, but I fear I don't have much time to waste."

"Why? You hardly know me?" It feels odd having a complete stranger tell me they hope I am their mate so suddenly.

He looks across the room, toward Zaon.

I've been trying to avoid looking at the Alpha all night, but I feel him watching me and every male I dance with. It's distracting, making it near impossible to concentrate on anyone else.

"I've been looking for a chance to get to know the Alpha. You're clearly in his favour, so by being your mate, I would be too," my dance partner exclaims excitedly.

I sigh. "I'm done."

He tries to stop me as I walk away, but I continue onward, frustration clawing up my throat.

This is an impossible, hopeless task. How is possible my mate is within this sea of unfamiliar faces, who all peer upon me, wondering the same thing — are we meant to be together?

My shoulder suddenly bumps into somebody, forcing me to adjust. They reach out to steady me, their touch familiar.

It's Riley. I almost collapse with relief.

He holds out his hand, his smile warm. "I hope you have time for one more dance."

"With you, absolutely," I breathe. "You're a life saver. I don't think I can speak to a single other person here."

We come together, falling into a simple dance. It feels good to be in his presence, safe. Other males circle around, looking for their opportunity to cut in, but one sharp look from me sends them skulking back into the crowd.

"No one to your fancy?" Riley asks, looking around at everyone.

He was supposed to be working tonight, but I encouraged him to attend as a guest. I need as many people on my side here as possible, or I'm collapse into frustration before the night has concluded.

Finding my mate feels like an impossible task. There is only one male in here that I have any kind of connection with, and he is entirely forbidden...

I can't allow myself to consider that option. The consequences would be dire.

"They are all insufferable. I mean, I have my doubts about the mate bond, but I would like to hope I wouldn't be paired with any of these spineless fools," I exclaim, shuddering at the memory of my last few interactions.

"Your mate might not be here tonight, but you'll find him," Riley assures me gently, pulling me a little closer. His light brown hair hangs down to his eyes, which regard me kindly.

"Maybe," I mumble, uncertain.

Riley lifts my hand, examining the ring on my finger. I meant to take it off tonight, to signal my availability. But every attendee knows a marriage is nothing to a mate bond, and if I were to find this elusive male, I would leave my husband for him immediately.

"I can't quite believe you're my wife," he murmurs, brushing his thumb along the rings shiny surface.

"I feel bad that I basically forced your hand into this."

"No, don't say that," he says hastily, shaking his head adamantly. "I would never have thought I would be married to a female so beautiful, so kind and so incredibly blessed to have the magic she does. You've changed my life."

My heart warms. Riley always knows how to be kind, to be present. He is constantly reassuring me that my presence with him, at his home, isn't a burden. I'm not sure what I would do without his friendship.

I rest my hands on his shoulders, smiling up at him. "You're the kind one. I don't know anyone else who would be willing to do this for me."

No one, unless Zaon forced their hand.

Riley looks away, his jaw tense. I take the opportunity to glance back over my shoulder at Zaon.

He's engaging in conversation with someone who looks important, but every few moments his eyes drift back to me, in Riley's arms. I can't read his expression, but from what I can tell, he doesn't look pleased.

"Can I be honest with you?" Riley asks.

I look back to him, banishing Zaon from my mind. "Of course."

His expression is suddenly open, vulnerable. I almost stumble a step, taken aback by how ardently he searches my face for answers he may not find.

"I'm attracted to you. I was since the moment I saw you," he says quickly, as if he cannot bear to have the words linger. "But it's starting to be more than that now."

My blood chills, a hollow opening up in my stomach.

"How so?" I ask nervously.

He leans his head a little closer. "I'm falling for you, Ayah. I don't want this union to be just about protecting you."

I still, ceasing our dance.

"You like me?" I can barely get the words out.

He nods earnestly. "I might even love you."

My stomach turns, pain gripping me. One of my only friends has admitted he loves me, and I don't feel the same way. It makes me want to be sick on his polished boots, guilt overcoming me.

"No, Riley, you can't love me. You don't even really know me," I insist desperately. He needs to take this back. We can't have something like this existing between us.

"I've learnt so much since you've come to live with me already, and I love you even more the more I come to know." He smiles, but it wavers. "If it's not love, then what are these feelings?"

"Maybe you just admire my magic, but it can't be love."

"I don't expect you to feel the same way, yet." He smooths his hands down my arms. "But maybe one day—"

I break out of his grasp, my vision spinning a bit. This night was supposed to be about me finding my mate, and now I'm scrambling to protect my friends feelings.

"Riley, I'm supposed to be finding my mate," I remind him bluntly, hands resting on my stomach as I resist the urge to be sick.

"Even you said it won't be romantic. It's to save Iris and that's it." He takes a step toward me, but I match it backward, nearly bumping into a dancing couple.

"I can't do this right now..."

He advances on me again, eyes wide and cautious. "You're scared, I know. I shouldn't have said this now, but seeing you with all these males has been driving me insane."

I shake my head, each breath getting caught in my throat.

This is too much. No matter how deeply I breathe, it doesn't seem to be enough. The brilliant colours of the room spin in my vision, swimming and melding into indecipherable blobs.

"I can't breathe," I force out, clutching my ribs on my right side, where my lungs seem to burn beneath.

"We'll take this day by day. Just know that these feelings I have for you are real. I mean, I'm willing to compromise my future to keep you safe," Riley says, reaching for my hand, which I tug away.

"I need water." I clear my throat, trying to force in another breath.

He falters. "I'll get—"

A warm, secure hand is suddenly on my waist. A body appears behind me. "I've got her. You go."

It's Zaon. I immediately lean back into him, his scent relaxing me, helping my vision refocus. He's here, and when he's here, I'm safe, and everything is okay.

Hurt flashes across Riley's face, but he swiftly masks it. He nods securely, backing away. "Yes sir."

Zaon's mouth brushes against my ear. "Let's get you some air."

I don't protest, despite the curious stares, as I let him lead me from the ballroom, and outside.

2

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Thank you everyone for continuing to read this story, your support means everything to me (:

If you want to read ahead, this story is 15 chapters ahead on INKITT (@midika) and is 5 chapters ahead on RADISH.