Thank you, Alpha Lyell

Lyell's Point Of View

"What do you mean?"

"You heard what I said. This woman," I motioned my head towards Aleena. "Is my mate." I added, my face holding finality. The dumbass began to chuckle, his chuckle soon evolved into a burst of crazy laughter. The people behind him joined, leaving me to wonder what was funny in what I said. Or have they gone crazy?

"Ha ha ha. You've always been such a joker, brother. You crack silly jokes. I give it to you. Your jokes can be really funny."

I arched my brow. "Does this face look like one that's joking?"

His smile disappeared and was replaced with a menacing frown. "Your joke is getting expensive, Lyell!"

Yes. This is the Valko I know. Hot-tempered and dangerous when angered.

"Are you dumb or just acting dumb? I'm not fucking joking! Aleena is my mate!" I yelled. Gasps of shock erupted from the crowd. Valko's frown deepened. I held Aleena's hand as he approached, maintaining eye contact with me. When he got to me, he glanced at Aleena, who was hiding behind me. I got angrier as I felt Aleena's grip on my hand tighten. He's making her uncomfortable and I hate it.

"My face is up here, sir."

He diverted his gaze to me. "Taking a sacred bone as your mate? Aren't you ashamed of yourself?"

"If you ask, no. I didn't choose her, she was chosen for me. If you have any problem, argue with the Moon goddess."

He smirked deviously and faced the crowd. "He claims he's mated to a scared bone! If you ask me, I say that's nonsense!"

"Yes, he's right!"

"It has never happened, why would it happen now?"

"It's against the rules!"

He turned back to me, a smug smile playing at the corner of his lips. I turned to look at Aleena, who was visibly nervous behind me.

"It'll be okay." I say to her, rubbing the back of her palm with my thumb.

"You folks have no right to question. Last time I checked, this is not my pack and I'm not your alpha. You don't have a say in this and neither do you." I said with finality, glaring at Valko. "I'm taking her with me."

"That is impossible! She's a maid in my household and it's against our code of conduct for alpha from a pack to claim a maid that belongs to another pack."

Shit! I forgot about that stupid rule! Who the hell made these absurd rules anyway?

"But last time I checked, I can take her under your conditions so name them. What do you want in exchange?"

He closed the gap between us. He glanced at Aleena, then my face. "You're never taking her. She...is...mine!"

My wolf growled in anger as Valko said that. I could feel him fighting to tear him apart limb by limb. What? She's yours? This rodent! Who the hell gave her to you?

"Who she belongs to is her decision to make!" I said calmly but my rage was visible through my eyes. I'm trying my possible best not to poke my fingers into his glaring eyes.

"Take her away from here, I dare you." He challenged.

I turned to Aleena and whispered. "Hold on tight."

"What...

Before she could say anything else, I carried her on top of me and shifted into my wolf. I took off at full speed, not caring if I hit someone in the way. I ran into the forest, careful enough not to let any twigs or branches injure Aleena. She held tightly to my fur, I could feel her heart racing against my back. I could feel the happiness of my wolf. He howled in joy and we continued into the forest. I got to a stop in front of a cottage. To make it easy for Aleena to alight, I lay down on my belly.

"Are you okay?" She asks, caressing my head. I could not speak but I assured her by nuzzling against her neck. She smiles and gave me a head pat.

"Where are you going?" She demanded as I walked towards the waterfall near us. I'd appreciate it if she looked away but I guess she'll just have to bear with it. Her scream echoed throughout the forest as I shifted back to my human form.

"You should have said you'd be butt naked!"

"Well, I wanted to say something but I couldn't."

"Just...just find something to wear."

She's covering her eyes right now. Gosh! She's so darn cute.

"Why? You've never seen a naked man before?" I asked as I went to stand in front of her.

"Are you in front of me right now?" She stretched her left hand forward, trying to reach me while her right hand stayed covering her eyes. I took her hand and directed it towards my torso. She flinched when she touched my body.

"Th..this is sexual harassment!"

"Last time I checked, you're the one touching me." I teased, directing her hand further down. She withdrew her hand in shock and took several steps away.

"Don't...don't come any closer."

I smirked mischievously. "And if I do?"

"Please, don't." She pleaded, almost causing me to laugh.   I closed the gap between us.

She stiffened as I leaned towards her ear. "Go inside that cottage. You'll see a wardrobe filled with my clothes. Bring a pair of trousers and a shirt for me please." I whispered, making sure I breathed into her ear as I did. I could watch her get flushed all day. I went back to the waterfall and dipped myself in, my thoughts clouded.

Aleena's Point Of View

That darn alpha! How could he do that to my innocent eyes! Okay, they're not innocent but still! Thank goodness I closed my eyes in time, I would have seen his...I don't even wanna think about it. But I almost got a glimpse of his torso. If only I had opened my eyes longer, I would have...geez! Aleena, get hold of yourself!

He said to bring a pair of trousers and a shirt. I went to the wardrobe and opened it. As he said, I saw clothes in there. I took a good look around the place. Is he the owner of this place? The clothes smell nice and clean and the place is spotless. I guess he comes here often but for what reason? Has he been camping here without anyone knowing? I picked up the clothes and went back outside. I covered my eyes as I approached the waterfall.

"Um...here." I say to him, stretching the clothes to him. 

"Thanks." 

I felt his grip on the clothes so I thought he was taking the clothes but he suddenly pulled me by my hand into the water. A loud splash sounded as I fell into the water.

"What the hell!"  I exclaimed as I pushed my head out of the water, gasping loudly for breath. His laughter angered me the more.

"What are you doing, you darn alpha?!" I turned to glare at him, ready to curse him the more but at the sight of his face, I couldn't say anything. Do all men look more attractive when dabbed in water?

"Are you alright?" He asks, swimming toward me.

"I'm...fine."

He stopped in front of me and brushed my hair out of my face. "Are you angry? I'm sorry."

How can I get angry when you look at me with such cute apologetic eyes?

"It's okay." I look away, avoiding his eyes. He placed his finger on my chin and pulled my face to his view.

"You're still angry."

"I'm not."

"But you're avoiding my eyes."

Because your eyes are darn attractive! To stop him from whining, I looked at him. He smiled in satisfaction when my eyes met his.

"You must be tired trying to balance in the water. Can I hold you?"

"Um...yes."

He wrapped his arms around my waist and carried me up. I wrapped my legs around his waist and balanced well on his torso.

"So...what are we going to do?" I ask him, adjusting my arms around his neck.

"I don't know, what do you want us to do?" He asks, licking his lips seductively. This dirty-minded alpha.

"Get rid of whatever is going on in your head. I mean with the pack and all. You just left with me after declaring..." I took my lips in. I find it hard to say that word. "After declaring me as your mate." I say in a low voice. 

"You trust me, right?"

I arched my brow. "Trust a man who went naked in front of an innocent woman? No, thank you."

His thick guffaw echoed throughout the forest.

"But you're here with me, aren't you?" He says, maintaining eye contact. There is something about his eyes that just pull me in.

I rolled my eyes. "I'm just...I'm scared." I said, genuine fear visible on my face. Seeing this, his playful smirk disappeared and was replaced with worry.

"Aleena." He called softly. "Remember what I told you? I don't know the first step about having a mate but I won't make you regret this. I'll protect you, Aleena. I promise I will. Please, trust me." He says, desperation in his eyes.

"I.. um...

"Please." He whispers, his grip on my waist getting tighter. I brought my hand to his neck and gave it an assuring rub.

"Okay. I will. I will trust you."

His eyes twinkled in gratitude and to my surprise, he hugged me. "Thank you, Aleena."

No, I  should be thanking you, Alpha Lyell. For being the first man that wants to protect me.