The Alpha's Guardian

Wade POV

Having Liam here is supposed to be a relief. Instead, I feel like I'm in high school fighting for the attention of the popular girl who only looks my way because she has to. Ali is her own person. I have no claim on her. Other than this bond that I'm realizing is making my life harder than it needs to be. My head feels like a war zone of emotions that aren't mine vs emotions I shouldn't even be having for someone I can't have.

That's what makes it even worse. Wanting to lay claim to her, to hold her close and make her mine, but knowing she can't ever be. Unless, by some twisted fate, she turns out to be my actual mate. But until then I get to watch the man she loves relentlessly throw himself at her. To top it all off, he is the Alpha of the most prominent warrior pack. I'm just some weak lowly Alpha who needs protecting.

"Alpha" Ali calls to me softly.

I shift in the chair to look at her. She is propped up in my office so I can work and she can be near me if I need her for anything. Not sure what makes her think she can protect me in this state, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't want her company. When she isn't near me, I feel on edge and I miss her presence.

"Yeah?"

"Relax. Liam will train your warriors well."

"Yeah. I'm sure he will," I say, looking back down at the papers on my desk.

"He trained me," she says reassuringly.

I can't help how much I hate those words. They feel like daggers in my heart, knowing he knew her first. Jealousy rages through me like an unchecked beast and I try to control it.

"I'm aware," I say through my clenched teeth. "Seems like he trained you in a lot of things."

"He trained me in combat, Alpha Wade. There is no reason to be jealous."

"It's not me. It's this stupid fvcking bond you forced on me. This isn't me. I'm not a jealous person by nature. But the way he was with you, how confident he seemed touching you. That implies that he knows you. Intimately." My words sound accusing even to my ears and I mutter, annoyed with myself.

"It's not what you think..." she starts, and I can tell she is lying.

"Ali. We share our emotions, and yes, you are great at keeping yours locked away, but I can hear your heartbeat. I don't know if you are lying to me or yourself, perhaps both. But let's stop with the pretenses."

This isn't exactly how I expected this day to go down. But if we want this bond to work for us and not against us, maybe we need to air things out. She sighs and throws her head back, exhausted. "Ok," she says, pushing herself up higher in her seat. "Yes. Liam and I shared something special."

I scoff, trying not to let her words hit me.

"Don't be so dramatic. I don't mean s3x. I fell in love with him. He was brazen and rash and he taught me a lot. I loved him and he wanted me. I denied him because I want that with my mate." "So you never, erm.." I clear my throat.

"Not that it's any of your business who I sleep with on my own time, but no, what we had were stolen moments. Never anything more. I have told you repeatedly that I respect the mate bond above everything else." "Do you still..."

"Love him? I don't know. We have both changed so much. I'm not sure you can love someone the same way after so many years apart."

"What does it feel like?"Content bel0ngs to Nôvel(D)r/a/ma.Org.

"What does what feel like?" she asks, trying to sit up further.

"To be in love," I say.

It'd be a lie for me to say that I've never had feelings for someone else, but I never had a connection strong enough for me to even think that love was a possibility. Maybe it was because I was smart enough to not get attached knowing that eventually, they would find their true mate. Trudy was necessary only because I was worried that my wolf would take over.

"Well, it's hard to explain." She says, sounding more like someone who is uncomfortable than someone who doesn't have the answer.

"You could try." I prompt her. She sighs heavily and nods.

"It's kind of like you can't wait to see them. Just thinking about them brings a smile to your face,"

In the middle of her explanation, Kane mind links me.

-Alpha! Trouble at the training center-

-Rogues?-

-No, Alpha Liam-

I stand up abruptly, surprising Ali, who is still explaining love.

"I will be back," I snap.

"Oh, hell no. Something is up. I'm coming." She moves to stand up and winces in pain.

"No offense Ali, but I can't afford to have you slow me down with your broken leg." I make my way around the desk and she reaches out, grabbing hold of my arm. I push down the tingles that are there and look her in the eyes. "Alpha-" she says, her eyes pleading with me.

"I won't have you getting another injury. Lay still, I'll be right back." She nods reluctantly.

When I walk into the Training center, I see Liam pacing angrily. No one is training as they mill about looking for someone to direct them. I'm losing faith in this Alpha as a trainer and it's only the first day. His eyes lock on me and he storms over. "What the fvck is this?!" he seethes, pointing to a beat-up Mason who is getting back to his feet.

"It looks like a warrior you took it too far with." I spit back at him, crossing over to check on Mason. His nose has a sick bend to it and is gushing blood. He holds his shirt to it with one hand and clutches his side tightly.

"He is an Omega!" Liam says angrily, pulling on Wade's shoulder forcing him to look at him. "Omegas have no place here! I want him gone."

"You are here to train my pack members, Alpha Liam. He is a pack member." I say calmly.

"Oh please. Barely. We all know the only reason we keep Omegas is because they know our secret and will do whatever we tell them to do." Liam sneers.

"Fvck you," Mason spits blood at Liam's feet.

Liam's eyes grow dark and he growls menacingly, moving to Mason. I grab hold of Liam's hand and he spins his fury at me.

"He insulted a visiting Alpha. He needs to be punished." Liam's eyes are completely black.

"Was the beating you gave him for just being an Omega not enough?" I ask him, trying to keep my anger in check.

"No. If he had a wolf, I'd demand it be stripped, but since he is too weak to have one, I want the next best thing. I want his life."

"No," I say, knowing full well that this could start a war.

Alpha Liam's warriors could wipe out our entire pack in half a day and walk away, barely breathing hard. But I refuse to punish a kid to death for defending his own honor. I square my shoulders and stare at Alpha Liam, waiting for his retaliation. "The fvck did you just say to me?” Liam says, standing straighter and stepping closer to me.

This is my realm. This is what I am used to. My whole life, I have defended those who couldn't defend themselves. I lost myself when I was being poisoned, but my mind is now clear. I'm stubborn as hell and I will give my life for any of my pack members. "Alpha Liam. You are a guest here on our pack lands. On behalf of my pack member-"

"Omega"

"PACK MEMBER. I would like to offer our sincerest apologies." I correct him.

"I want him punished. Fvck that, I want the top omega punished." Liam says, now pacing back and forth.

"You can punish me," I say, knowing full well he won't lay a hand on me. Not if he really cares for Ali. Not now that he knows my wounds are also hers. Liam's eyes flash in a murderous rage.

"Oh, you sound so tough." Liam mocks "You are pathetic. Hiding behind Ali like a cocky child, knowing Daddy will save him."

Liam steps back swinging his arms in annoyance, his warriors stand at attention behind him. On closer inspection, I swear I can see a little embarrassment in his right-hand trainer, Ada's eyes. Then he stops and points at me as if in thought.

"Do you even know why the council is protecting you? I bet you feel so empowered having the best guardian here to protect you. Do you know why they sent Ali to you? Because you need the most help. You have the weakest pack in the region. Weak packs result from weak leaders."

Growls echo loudly throughout the training center, and I turn to see all my warriors behind me, backing me up. Their loyalty gives me the strength to keep calm. Liam looks a little taken aback by their loyalty in the matter.

"Alpha Liam. I need to know that I can trust you with my pack. You do not have to like me, but if you are incapable of training them without bias, I will find a new trainer."

He laughs loudly. Looking back at his warriors, who are standing as still as statues, with no emotions on their faces.

"The only reason I am here is because of Ali. She called in a favor with Samuel. You are such an insignificant blip on the alpha radar that when you called several alphas, they had to be reminded who you were. Do you know how Samuel described you? The weak pansy Alpha. I don't know how you are important, but don't let it get to your head. You are still weak."

"Did you really think she called him without my knowledge?"I say smirking at him. I enjoy it when people underestimate me.