The Rogue Alpha’s Claim

Ariel stared outside the window, the world now at peace as the snow had ceased falling, but she failed to notice the vibrant hues of the sky or the gentle quietness of the morning. Her mind was still consumed with the thoughts of her mate.

The pain in his voice was something she couldn’t stand, and she only had herself to blame. What they had shared last night had been mutual, and she had enjoyed every moment of it, but she had allowed her fears to push him away.

Ariel cringed as she recalled the word he had called himself. How could she even face him now?

And the things he said about her father? It had to be a lie; her father would never do that. At least from the glimpse she had seen of him, he seemed like a good man.

She ran her head through her finger several times in frustration.

Yet she couldn’t shake the feeling of guilt that settled at the pit of her stomach. He had done everything she had accused him of, and he was also a murderer. If there was anyone that was going to be angry, it was supposed to be her and not him.

Yet it felt like she was the one that had made the mistake.

It was a struggle as she remained on the bed, unable to do anything but toss around until she was tired, and she got up from the bed and went downstairs for breakfast.

All the time, she had hoped to see Kane, but his seat was rather empty, and when she scanned around for her brown-haired friend, the search only came back empty, and Ariel’s heart only sank lower.

She had taken her seat in the usual place, and breakfast was served, but she had never eaten something so tasteless. Everyone seemed to think otherwise from the way they devoured the meal.

But Ariel couldn’t get the eggs down.

She managed to take a few bites of the food before she decided she was okay and she dropped the cutlery.

Any more bites, and she was going to throw up; instead, she had gone back to the kitchen and packed some breakfast for Liza.

She was going to have to make up with her now.

Ariel dragged her feet until she got in front of her door, but she was suddenly hit with an unfamiliar masculine scent, and she halted in her steps.

Since when did Liza start inviting people into her room?

The lady was super private about her life, and Ariel had learned to respect it, but the door suddenly opened, and she was face-to-face with a rather burly, menacing man, his mouth set in a thin line immediately he saw her, and her heart skipped a bit.

“What are you doing in her room?” Ariel asked him, puffing her chest to appear intimidating, but the man neither shook nor appeared to be intimidated.

He only lowered his head in greeting, and he went out of the room without bothering to say anything, and it bothered her to no extent, so she rushed inside.

“Do you know the strange man that just left your room? Are you in trouble anyway, or do I have to tell Kane?”

Liza slowly rose her eyes to meet her, her mouth stuffed with food as she decided if the news was worth sharing, but she saw the look on Ariel’s face, and she sighed.

“That was my mate, Richard.”

“Ohhh.” Ariel’s mouth opened in sudden realization. “Congratulations; he seems perfect for you.” She was trying to act like it was before, but it lacked the warmth of their friendship, and even Liza seemed to think so.

“You don’t even know him; why do you think he is going to be perfect for me?”

“Wait, is he not? If he is treating you badly, you just have to say the words, and I will give him an orientation on how to be a better mate.”

At her words, Liza burst into laughter, unable to keep up with the mean facade, and Ariel couldn’t help but join in. “You think so?” Liza cocked her eyebrows and Ariel shrugged.

“If I can’t deal with him, I am sure Kane can come up with a way to deal with the situation.”

“It is fine; you don’t have to do that. Richard is just perfect, and I couldn’t be happier.” She said with a fierce blush on her lips, and Ariel could only smile.

This was the least she deserved, and she was happy to see it this way. “So, how did you meet him, or did he suddenly land on your hand?” There was an awkward pause, and Ariel realized. “I am sorry; you don’t have to answer it. I thought…”

“It is fine. I forgive you. Richard made me see the reason why I couldn’t hold a grudge against you, and it was selfish for me to get angry when I didn’t even know what you were up against.”

“Oh Liza.” Ariel rushed to her friend and enveloped her in her arms. After spending a month without genuine friends, it feels so good as she breathed the familiar scent, only this time it was heightened and with just a tinge of familial bond. “Thank you so much.”Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

Ariel tried to put it at the back of her mind to thank the mate, who knew he could be this helpful.

“So how did you meet him?” She asked as she sat in the space next to her. “I doubt you left the pack to meet him.”

Liza shook her head, a warm smile on her lips. “You are right. He came for me actually.”

“Awww, a love story. Spill.”

“Apparently, he had been searching for his mate for a while now, and he encountered the Alpha during one of their hunts, and he had perceived my scent and wanted to be sure. He had followed the alpha back even though your mate wasn’t a fan, but he had gotten to the pack and met me, and that was all. He refused to go back, and we have been together ever since.”

“Awww.” Ariel cooed as she watched red stain her friend’s face. “I am so happy for you.”

“I know, I am happy I met him too. Sometimes I think he is too good for me.” Liza explained, and Ariel made a small noise at the back of her throat.

“I understand.” Even if some of Kane’s methods were crude, he had been nothing but kind to her. Taking care of her even when she was away, making sure she lacked nothing and she hadn’t even done anything for him.

“I can tell you have gotten your wolf back. Congratulations.”

“Thank you.” Ariel beamed, glad for the distraction, and she had dived into an abridged version of how she got her back, making sure to remove any part that mentioned Kane.

For most of the morning, she had stayed with Liza, and they had caught up with everything she had missed when she was gone, but her mate came calling, and Ariel knew it was time to leave.

This time she made a conscious effort to flash a bright, wide smile in his direction, and she went out the door.

With nothing to do, she got pretty bored soon, and all that occupied her mind was Kane. It had crossed her mind many times to apologize to him, but she squashed the thought as soon as it came up.

She wasn’t the one in the wrong; he was supposed to be apologizing to her.

Yet why was her heart pounding so much? Why did she perk up as she perceived his scent coming towards the room?

Ariel had dashed to the bathroom, splashing her face with water and running a brush down her hair. She had picked up the lipgloss and ran the applicator on her lips several times until it shone under the lights, and she went back to the bed in wait.

But the scent only passed the door, and it continued drifting off until it was faint, and she collapsed on the bed.

Kane had kept to his words, and he didn’t bother her anymore, not even when it was time to sleep, and the bed had never felt so large and so uncomfortable.

Ariel had continued turning and tossing, her conscience gnawing on her, but she was an adamant thing, and she did nothing about it.

Maybe it was better this way,

If this continued for long, she would eventually forget him, and she could finally move past what he did.

But why did it feel so wrong?