The Rogue Alpha’s Claim

The fireworks went off above them, painting the sky with a colorful hue, and shouts of jubilation were heard around them even as the couples observed the new year tradition.

Ariel did not allow herself to think, because then everything would be ruined. She was just content with kissing this person next to her, the mate she had actually fallen in love with.

She was going to deal with the consequences later.

And sparks flew from their connection, their hearts beating as one. This was the first time since she shifted she was allowing him close to her romantically, and the result was explosive.

The electricity cackled between them, flames engulfing their bodies as the fire spread from their connection. Theirs was a match made in werewolf heaven, and Ariel was just realizing what it meant to have a mate.

They were getting greedy, and what was supposed to be a mild kiss had turned into something mind-blowing, earth-shattering, and they wanted more.

But they parted for air, too quickly for her liking, and she slowly untangled her shoulders around his neck, swallowing the ball of saliva that had pooled in her mouth. Any seconds late, she would be compelled to kiss him again.

Kane made an attempt to come closer, but she held her hand out, moving a little distance away from him, and thanked the goddess that he understood her decision.

They stood apart, their mouths slightly opened as they tried to catch their breath, but Kane kept stealing glances at her, that it was almost impossible for her to be still.

“Mmm mm.” Ariel cleared her throat, trying to fight the blush that stained her cheeks, but the darkness of the night provided a covering for her, and she was glad. “Happy new year.” She muttered in response to his greeting, and he nodded his head.

“Thank you.” His smile was easy this time, lighting up his whole face. “It feels good spending this year with the people I love, and seeing how far the pack has grown is making me happy.” Kane mused, and Ariel looked in his direction.

The pack was still on a spree in their celebration, and they were going round, hugging themselves, and Ariel felt a tug in her heart.

These were the people she had known, and she couldn’t help but feel a sense of family coursing through her wins; the complete ease at which she felt with them and the way her wolf had calmed down were second to none.

She raised her head up, looking at the night sky and at the moon shining brightly on them, and an easy smile rested on her lips.

This was the true definition of peace.

But it was quick to shatter when she heard someone call her name. “Ariel?”

She whipped her head so fast to look at the caller, and it was Toby staring at her like he had seen a ghost, and she froze.

His action had sparked a chain reaction, and everyone’s head snapped in her direction, their eyes boring into her. “Luna?”

“It is the Luna!” Another voice was carried above the noise, and Ariel swallowed, although her throat was very much dried.

This was what she had been afraid of, and they have confirmed her worst fear.

The pack began to advance towards her, everyone dying to see her, and she looked at them, her pupils widening every second.

Her heart was beating so fast against her ribcage, and she was in full panic, but Kane had caught it, and he closed the distance between them, his palm covering hers and squeezing it gently.

“It will be fine; they have been missing you, and they just want to see you.”

“Hmmm.” Ariel nodded like a mechanical robot, but she couldn’t hear anything. She wasn’t ready to face them.

A part of her still hates them for lying to her, although she knew that many of them had no idea about her parents, but they get to partake in the blame, and another part was nervous about their reaction.

She had left some of her friends without saying a word, and they would be so pissed.

Her eyes caught sight of Maddie staring at her, but she wasn’t sure she could interpret that look, and everything was getting too much for Ariel, so she did what she was good at doing.

She ran.

Running comes easy when you are not ready to face the situation, and she ran up the stairs, taking advantage of her new speed. She didn’t stop running until she got to the comfort of the room, and she shut the door, making sure to lock it from inside.

With the door fully secured, Ariel could breathe a little better now, and she closed her eyes, taking in air and breathing out slowly.

Ariel dragged herself to the bed, grabbing her AirPods from the table. She needed something to distract her, and music should do. She plugged them in her ears and connected her phone, tapping on any random playlist she could find and letting it blast through her ears.

The noise distracted her from the voices in her head, and she laid down, looking at the ceiling, yet she wasn’t seeing anything.

Not long after, she heard the knock on the door, but she shifted on the bed, folding her legs in a ball and increasing the music, trying to drown herself in the noise.

Somehow, in all of the chaos, she managed to fall asleep.

***

Ariel slowly blinked her eyes open, and she sat up, uncoiling her body after the night’s rest. Despite the whole chaos, she had a good sleep.

She stretched her neck and gazed out the window at the snowflakes falling to the ground, making the air crisp and cold.

As if on cue, a knock went off at the door, and she was standing up before she could think of it and going to open the door.

No surprise to see Kane standing at the door and looking so dashing and irresistible. He didn’t look like someone who hadn’t gotten a night’s rest.

“Good morning, love.” Kane greeted cheerfully, his voice a deep, husky sound that filled her ears. But she couldn’t be swayed. Instead, she let out a long hiss, and she turned, making sure to slam the door shut, but the man got mad reflexes, and he was inside the room before she could do that. “How was your night?” Kane continued like she was about to bash his face.

The man was persistent; Ariel had to admit, but she was not in the mood. Instead, she went to the bathroom, washing her face clean under the running water.

And she came out to meet Kane changing out of his clothes; he was currently in a black briefs, and her eyes widened as she took him, but she tried to calm herself, refusing to give him the satisfaction of seeing her reaction.

“Toby has been asking of you. The whole pack is happy you are back, and they have been wanting to see you.” Kane said, putting on his pants, and Ariel let her eyes lingered a little on the soft bulge that jiggled with every movement, but she kept mute.

Instead she went to the bed, covering herself with the blanket, and she picked up her phone, glad to be reunited with the device.

She had a lot to catch up on.

“Ariel?” Kane called, annoyed he was ignored, but Ariel was already prepared.

Call it childish or not, but she was going to give him the silent treatment until he was fed up.

It was her little way of protesting.

Kane got the hint after he continued trying to talk to her and his words were bouncing right off her body, and he released a sigh in defeat.

He continued dressing up while Ariel pretended she was looking at her phone when all the time she was staring at him.

Kane finished his routine, and he walked to the mirror, staring at his reflection, making a satisfied hum.

And he walked to the door, his hands on the doorknob, ready to open the door.This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

“We will be having breakfast together as a pack to celebrate the new year, and I know everyone would be dying to see you. I would be glad if you could make it.”

And with that, he opened the door and went out.