Never What It Looks Like

Alpha Liam

The moment I felt her move from under my arm, it was as if a silver dagger lodged through my chest. Usually, I’d have issues kicking women out of my bed. This girl though, I long for her to stay right here yet she so desperately wants to leave. Ironic. It took every ounce of self-control that I had not to rip that sleek purple night dress off of her and make her mine. I knew better though, I knew I couldn’t. There was so much I still didn’t know about Lexi and she still didn’t have the smallest of clues that I was her mate.

All of this would soon make sense, I told myself.

Clouded in my own thoughts, I spewed, “who are you Lexi and what do you want from my pack?”

She coughed out, nearly choking on her breakfast and looked up at me through glassy eyes. There was something different about her though, a certain look of defeat casted across her soft features. “I want a home,” she muttered under her breath.

My heart thundered inside of my chest. Regret for asking such stupid questions swirling inside of my mind. I notice the pain spread across her face and I know for once, she’s not holding back. I know she’s been through a lot but I just need her to tell me what it is so I can help her turn the page on the brutalities she’s endured. I don’t care that she’s an omega. I don’t care that she was a rogue. She’s my mate.

“Tell me about yourself,” I say, biting into the pieces of bacon I’m holding.

“There isn’t much to tell. I was an omega in my old pack,” she states, her eyes moving back to the floor. It pains me whenever she does that, whenever she becomes so submissive around me.

“And so you escaped? Help me put the pieces of the puzzle called Lexi together,” I tell her, praying to the Moon Goddess that she won’t pull back off now.

She nods. Not bothering for another bite of her pancakes and unable to look at me. Dread floods my chest. I was so fucking close.

“I already know what you’re Alpha was doing to you,” I explain, placing my plate back onto the rolling cart.

Her head pops up and she turns to look at me, terror spilling from her beautiful green eyes. “Y-you do?” She stutters.

I heave a sigh, running my hand through my tousled hair. “Can you do me one thing? Trust me Lexi. It would mean everything to me,” I say, feeling embarrassed for being so exposed. As Alphas, we’re taught to maintain our emotions. These feelings that I’m fighting can weaken a pack’s leader and therefore, weaken the pack.

Her gaze locks with mine and the her next words cause my stomach to churn. “But, you’re the Blood Alpha.”

“And you mean no harm to my pack,” I quickly retort.

Her brows furrow together, “and you know that how?” she says in a serious voice.

I pin her onto her back, my hands tickling her sides. She shouts through her laughter, asking me to stop. I can’t though, enjoying how beautiful she is when she laughs. She finally throws her arms up in surrender. “I know, it’s kind’ve my job.”

Her bright eyes stare back at me and I can feel her warm breath bouncing against my lips. For once, I’m certain she feels the pull too. There’s something so special about her, something I’ve never felt with anyone else.

My lips hover against hers. Curiosity taking over as I wonder what she’d taste like, her tongue against mine. My fingertips trace her collarbone, slowly pushing her sweater off her shoulder. She bites down on her plush bottom lip and my eyes begin to darken as I feel my wolf coming forward.

A soft knock echoes from the door followed with a clicking sound as the doorknob turns. Lexi’s face goes pale, her eyes zoning in on the figure behind me. I shuffle my body off of her, seeing the surprised look on my Delta Marcus’ face.

“This isn’t what it looks like,” she insists, fixing her sweater.

Delta Marcus shrugs, disapproval evident in his face. “I don’t really care what it looks like and who the Alpha decides he wants to warm his bed.”

My eyes suddenly go to an onyx color, the room beginning to violently spin. I can’t stop the growl from escaping my chest. Marcus’ eyes widen and he drops his gaze to the floor.

“I meant to say, I’m sorry to wake you. I hope you’re enjoying your time here in Crescent Pack. We’re delighted to have you,” Marcus corrects. I don’t know what his problem is. Being a mated wolf, he should know the consequences of insulting another wolf’s mate even if he’s still not convinced.

“How can I help you Delta?” I ask, standing up with my imposing frame and clenching my jaw.

“Greg has called a meeting. He wants to speak to you directly. More of his girls have gone missing and he’s threatening to cut ties with our pack,” Marcus explains, cuffing his hands together behind his back.

I nod, “very well, tell him to call a meeting and we’ll be in town in a couple hours.” My blood boils inside, I have a pretty good guess now who’s been picking off the humans although I wish Lexi would confirm my suspicions. I wouldn’t usually care but now that it affects my business, it is my business.

“You’re dismissed Delta,” I state in my Alpha voice.

Lexi stares at me with large doe-like eyes. I know that look, all women have that look. “Yes Lexi?” I ask in a chuckle.

“Can I come?” She blurts out, a small gasp leaving her chest when she realizes what she’s asked.

“You want to come?” I say blankly, not expecting that. “No, it’s far too dangerous. I have to meet with the humans. You don’t even have your wolf,” I say, regret filling my chest. Titus claws inside, he’s livid that I hurt our mate.

“Humans?” Lexi questions, her forehead wrinkling.

I sigh, I know I need to explain how things work here if I want her to trust me too. “My pack owns a few enterprises in the human town. We’ve proven that our kind is able to co-exist and roam freely amongst them. Lately though, someone’s been threatening our alliance. Human girls have been disappearing from the club.”

Lexi swallows the lump in her throat, “they know about our kind?” she asks.

I laugh as I reach for my custom slim fit black suit, “they’re more afraid of us as we are them. Actually, Mia has been pestering me to take you shopping. Apparently, it’s what all girls like. You’ll get to see the human world later today… just under safer circumstances.”

I hand her my credit card and smirk, “get yourself whatever you’d like kitten. Just do not leave Mia’s side. You’re still new here and it’s important to me to make sure you’re safe.”