Chapter 5

ALIA

I´ve been sitting in the car for the last 13 hours and my ass was already complaining. We only had pit stops and to buy some food along the way. I could feel my body ready to give up anytime. I might be a wolf but I never had the endurance my brother and his warriors have. 

All I wanted right now, was my bed.

Why did I agree to this? This would be the last time I would travel this far.

I snickered at my own thoughts, I said that as well on the way to the Claiming and it was only 8 hours from our territory. And yet here I was, traveling further.

To get me out of my misery, I tried to enjoy the scenery before my eyes.

This place wasn´t bad. The city looked beautiful. Caspian told me this was neutral territory and after this area would be the Black Shadow Pack territory but this city was still looked after by their Alpha. Most of the businesses around the city were owned by their pack.

After another 30 minutes, we finally reached the reserved area. The border.

And the moment we stepped in at the border of the Black Shadow Pack´s territory, I knew something was already off. My wolf, Sky was agitated. She was usually calm but her behavior right now was something I was not used to. She could sense something but she wasn´t telling me.

My intuition was proven right the moment we passed by a crowd of warriors on our way to the pack house. One of them was the man who carried my mate to the infirmary on the day of the Claiming.

My heart thudded loudly as my hands coiled at the edge of the leather seat, gripping it tightly. There was only one explanation for this.

Oh, Goddess! Out of the hundred packs around this country, why did I end up on his territory?

I took calming breaths and closed my eyes, letting possible scenarios play in my head. I needed to prepare myself in case he showed up in front of me. There´s no way I would let him know how much he affected me.

I would be lying if I say that the thought of seeing him does not excite me. It does. But it must be the mate bond pull. Nothing else.

"Are you okay?" I snapped my eyes open and tilted my head to look at my brother, he was driving the car.

"I´m okay. I´m just tired from the driving." I smiled at him weakly. He knew I hated traveling so I was not worried he would think something was wrong.

"We´ll be there in a few minutes. And then you can rest before the ceremony." He smiled back at me.

I nodded. "Thank Goddess," I replied in a low voice.

"Alia," He called my attention just as I was about to close my eyes again. "Try to be more sociable. I know you don´t let anyone easily on your circle but the Luna of this pack has the same age as yours. I bet you will get along."

"I´ll try. You know I´m not good at making new friends." I smiled at him, I could feel my cheeks start to turn red. 

"I think we´ve just arrived," Caspian announced, and at the exact moment, I turned my gaze back to the front of the car and my world suddenly stopped.

We approached the Black Shadow´s packhouse, and standing in front of it was my mate.

Oh, Goddess! I despised him but instead of being repulsed by his presence, the sight of him brought tingles down to my core. 

Focus Alia! 

But how could I? My wolf Sky whimpered in my head. She was in a lovestruck haze at the sight of our mate.

He was in dress-down clothes compared to the first time I saw him. He was sporting regular jeans and a shirt with a black bomber jacket, and yet, he looked amazingly perfect that I couldn´t keep myself from staring at him.

I didn´t know I let out a deep sigh until my brother chuckled beside me. "Relief huh? You can rest soon. Come on, Alpha Jacob is waiting."

Only then did I realize that my mate was standing beside another man.

He must be Alpha Jacob. I could feel his aura even if I was still inside the car. The Alpha was good looking and any woman would be lucky to be mated with him but I think my mate was better looking. Way, way better looking! And way, yummier!

Stop Alia! You want nothing to do with this man, right?

My wolf Sky snarked at my thoughts. She wanted me to acknowledge the bond with our mate, knowing he was not able to claim the Alpha Female at the arena. But I don´t want to hear any of it.

I rolled my eyes at her. We would never be a rebound, Sky. So stop it!

And before I could have more conversation with my wolf, I decided to step out of the car, masking my real emotions as I walked towards them.

My eyes focused on the Alpha in front of me, blurring out everyone and making sure I don´t fall on my feet knowing how clumsy I could be.

"My name is Alia, Alpha Jacob," I smiled, something that doesn´t reach my eyes as I laid out my hand in front of the Alpha, expecting him to kiss the back of my palm as I usually experienced from the other Alphas. My eyes did not move away from his face.

I saw the Alpha´s jaw tighten before he reached for my hand. But instead of what I expected, he covered my hand with both of his and bobbed his head at me.

"Pleasure to meet you, Lady Alia." He smiled warmly and let go of my hand before tilting his head towards my mate. "My Beta, Beta Gavin."

He was introducing him to me.

Gavin.

I clamped my legs together discretely and squinted my eyes as I eyed my mate for a few seconds before turning my attention back to the Alpha. 

His name made my core throb and if I keep looking at him, I swear my arousal would be potent and that was the last thing I wanted right now. I needed to get away from him.

"I know the ceremony won´t start until later, do you mind if I ask for a place where I can rest?" I asked the Alpha with a cold tone, face void of emotions.

I wanted to pat myself for doing such a good job at hiding how I feel. I could even sense my brother flinched on his spot. It looked like he doesn´t approve of my behavior.

"Of course, my Beta would show..." The Alpha started in a friendly tone but I cut his words.

"I would rather be assisted by someone else, not your Beta." 

No way I would go anywhere with him, even if my body was dying to touch him.

Yes, I wanted to run my fingers on his jaw. He shaved his face and I could see his perfect features clearly.

Yes, I saw it even if I just looked at him for a few seconds. And Goddess, help me! Stop my arousal now.

The Alpha nodded and turned to the man behind him. He was the man who smiled at me at the infirmary. Would he remember me? I hoped not.

"Show Lady Alia her room on the 2nd floor, guest wing." The Alpha instructed him.

The man simply nodded in response and before anyone could add more, I excused myself and followed after him.

Not once did I look back. But I could feel eyes boring into my back.

Why did I even agree to come here?

My heart and my mind were in turmoil.

I don´t know for how long I could keep the walls I built for him because just the sight of him was making my knees weak.

I needed to get out of here.

"I saw you at the Claiming if I´m not mistaken." The man who was guiding me towards my room started to talk. He was now walking beside me.

"Yes. I was there." I answered in a soft low voice.

"I didn´t know Alpha Caspian had a chosen." He said respectfully.

I chuckled and raised my brow at him, giving him a real smile. "Alpha Caspian is my brother. It would be horrible to be mated with him."

His eyes widen while he scratched his head. "Sorry, I didn´t know he has a sister. We were there a few months back and I never saw you around."

It might come as a surprise for him but it was nothing unusual for me. I never really put my hand in my brother´s or the pack´s business. I tend to stay away from it.

"I was just there. Probably hiding in my room. And Caspian never forced me to meet people he has business with." I said nonchalantly to which he just nodded his head.

When we finally reached the room assigned for me, he stopped in front of a door and turned to face me. "We are here now. The key is on the bedside table. Only the Alpha and the Luna have the extra key, you don´t need to worry about intruders."

"I see. Good to know. Thank you." I smiled at him and turned the doorknob, opening the room.

"See you around, Lady Alia. By the way, my name is Matteo. I´m usually around if the Alpha Jacob and Beta Gavin are not here. Just let me know if you need anything."

I nodded and went inside the room, closing it slowly before leaning my back against it.

Beta Gavin. His name suited him. Gavin.