The Alpha’s Mate Who Cried Wolf

Chasing after me, I hear Ryker’s footsteps crunching on the gravel. I run faster but he matches my pace effortlessly. Eventually, when I am out of breath, and my broken ribs cannot take any more, I am left with no choice but to stop and face him.

‘Why are you following me?’ I demand to know.

‘You’re my mate whether we like it or not. I have to follow you. It’s my business to know who did that to your face,’ he says, firmly but calmly.

‘You didn't care about me when you slammed your fist into the wall above my head,’ I yell.

‘Astrid, please, I'm sorry. I never would have done that had I known what you’ve been through. If I knew you were telling the truth about not knowing you’re not human, I would have been more civil.’ He looks at the ground guiltily.

‘You have really lost it now! Not being human? What is that supposed to mean?’

‘How old are you?’ His tone has changed again.

‘I’ll be eighteen in two weeks.’ I try to avoid his eyes.

‘You won't meet your wolf till then. I’ve had mine for four years. I'd like to show you exactly what I mean if you allow me to,’ he says, politely.

My breathing is heavy; I’m trying to stay calm and avoid feeling more upset than I already am.

‘Are you okay?’ He sounds genuinely concerned for my welfare.

‘I don't want a wolf for my birthday and I definitely don’t want to meet your pet wolf, or any wolf!’ I try to walk off but the pain is too great.

‘You’ve met a werewolf before?’ He is surprised.

‘A werewolf? What is wrong with you? There is no such thing as werewolves. I'm talking about wild wolves. When I was little, my mum and I saw a wolf in the woods. Something bad happened and I've been afraid of wolves ever since. I can’t go near pet dogs let alone wolves. If you’ve got a pet wolf, we’re absolutely incompatible.’ I try to walk past him again to no avail.

happened with the

at minding your own business, are you?’

when it involves my mate.’

a mate. So why do you keep

and it’s impossible not to make eye contact

those bruises. All I want to do is lift you up in my arms and carry you home.’ He is heartfelt and genuine. ‘I want you to join my pack. You won't be a rogue anymore. We can be together.’ His tone has dropped an octave again; if I hear any more sincerity from him,

away from

‘No,’ I say.

‘No?’ He is surprised.

that, you were an absolute jerk to me earlier. You only want to be with me because you feel sorry for me. And you want me

everything to you. Everything you need to know about us, how it all works and what to expect,’

ask him. He

telling me, I’m cursed? I’m stuck with you as a mate, and we’re

Astrid. It's a blessing from the Moon Goddess,’ he

I'm tired, I'm sore, and I don't like you,’ I spit; he stiffens at my words. I run as

He yells, giving

a tree, trying to catch my breath,

know you're here. I can smell

me, and apply it all over my face and clothes. He isn’t far away from me. I can imagine him inhaling the air around himself trying to catch my scent. The darkness I’m sitting in makes it

drunk or asleep. I open the

by the hair and throws me to the ground. He pummels kicks into my

mud, and you’ve dragged it through my house!’ He screams. I try to shield myself with my arms from the blows to no avail. I cry out in pain with every strike, every kick and every punch. I curl up into a ball until I am finally freed from

the worst degree of abuse it has ever sustained. I hug my knees and cry for a while over the confrontation with Ryker last night, and the beating I

back there; not after what happened the other night. I decide to go into town, a forty-five-minute walk from home, to apply for a new job. Not far from the diner, I notice the black Mercedes behind me. I’m not in the mood for this. I decide to confront the

window descends. A man of around forty-five with dark hair, and dark eyes, smiles in a kind way I’m not expecting. He has