12

~Arian Storm~

I just got out of the refreshing shower which made sure to organize my thoughts.

My little mate kept buzzing around in my head. Why did I do that in the forest? I just gave her hope again, only to watch her heart break again when I reject her again.

On the other hand, I had to interrupt that in the forest, because I felt more and more aroused by the minute. It was full moon. Back in the hotel I had it under control because I had just shagged the little black-haired girl I didn't even know the name of. But now, she was as close to me as I had ever been, and I really had to pull myself together not to rush downstairs and take her on the sofa and make her mine. I'll probably never erase her naked appearance from my mind again...

My dirty thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. I hadn't even noticed that someone had approached my room, but it wasn't my mate. I would have smelled that. Luckily she wasn't, otherwise I couldn't have guaranteed anything.

"Come in," I grumbled annoyed and shortly thereafter my father entered my room.

"Arian," he said in an admonishing tone. Sure. He wanted to lecture me again, but not with me. Unlike before, I'm the alpha from now on. I don't have to put up with certain things anymore, even if he still has a very high authority.

"I know what you're going to say, Dad, and no, I don't want to hear it."

"Why didn't you tell me about your mate?" he asked. His tone sounded a little cheerful. It's hard to believe that the old man was really happy about having another daughter-in-law. When Steven first showed up with his mate, my dad wasn't too thrilled.

"Because I don't want her," I choked out a little angry. It's not my point that she's not great or pretty. She sure is pretty. She looks like an angel, but she makes you weak If life were easier, maybe I could keep her here...

"Why?" My father looked me seriously in the eyes. I could see a lack of understanding in his.

"Because it makes me weak. She's a total stranger and yet all I can think about is making her mine. I want her and I don't want to let go...!"

"Then why don't you want her?" My father interrupted me in a loud voice.

"I just said that. SHE MAKES ME WEAK!" I yelled at him. "She's an unnecessary weak point that I don't need."

The former alpha in front of me just shook his head in disbelief. Actually, he should understand me. My mom almost died while she was pregnant with me. If she hadn't survived that, he would not only have lost both of us, but also a part of his soul.

As much as I hate to admit it. It broke me a bit now that I knew something like this could happen to Lou. I can't take the risk. I have to protect her and with it myself.

Actually, I would have expected another lecture from him, instead he just laughed harshly. Then he sat down on the edge of my large double bed, which was in the middle of my room.

He knocked promptly next to him to make it clear to me that I should also sit down. But I don't listen to him anymore. Instead, I crossed my arms over my muscular chest and looked at him expectantly.

"Now listen to me, son...I know a little bit about what you're going through. You think that a mate only gives you a weak point. Just as I was meeting your mother, I thought something might happen to her as an alpha mate. But for the most part, I didn't want to be made weak by them. Because that's the way it is with every werewolf. The mate is the biggest weak point." He took a deep breath, while memories seemed to play in front of his eyes. Tortured, he closed his eyes briefly, only to pierce me with his serious gaze seconds later. "But if I tell you one thing can reveal what I learned from it, then also that she makes you stronger, an alpha in particular gains even more strength from her because he wants to protect his female. The whole pack is strengthened by them. Also, I don't care what the risk of getting hurt is, because every extra day I can spend with your mother is worth it to me."

I looked at him without emotion. His words didn't leave me entirely cold, but I didn't want him to show it.

My father sighed and got up, leaving my previously straightened gray silk sheets crumpled before finally leaving my room.

It wasn't until he closed the door behind him that I put my head in my hands and let out a frustrated sound.

This can not be true. Now I don't know what I want anymore. I want Lou, but I also want to protect her. I want to protect myself and until recently my goal was to become a big alpha. But if I believe my father's words, then I won't be without mate anyway.

So what should I do please?

If I fall in love with her, then I become weak. I must not love, because love means feelings and feelings mean vulnerability. I can't give up on my plan just because I bumped into this little wolf.

For a few more minutes I walked around the room with just a towel around my waist and thought about what I should do now.

What were my options?

let you go again?

No. I don't think I could do that anymore.

leave you here?

I don't know...

At that very moment there was another knock on my door. Only this time I could see from my accelerated heartbeat exactly who was standing in front of the door. And coming to think of it, now is the perfect time to talk to her and think things over.