The Mark of an Alpha
Chapter 2

Everyone is enjoying the party, everyone except me.

Sam’s blue eyes smolder mine, “You really can’t take a hint can you?” What more does he want me to do? Punch him.

“I would like to make a wager,” obviously he can’t, “I want to have an arm-wrestling contest,” he smiles at me and I notice that right under his lip he has a dimple. Dimples are a weakness of mine but with him not so much. “If I win you get to dance with me all night long or at least until I get tired.”

He assumes I’m weak since I’m a girl. If I was a male he would have asked for a real fight. One where one of us would come out bloody and beaten. That’s fine I will play his game.

“And if I win you leave me alone,” crossing my arms I wait for his response he sighs and nods. “Not just tonight but every night.”

Sam rolls his eyes but there is a shadow of a smirk on his lips. He thinks that he has this in the bag.

“Deal,” we shake on it. He pushes aside the plates making some room. “Ladies first,” he gestures for me to get into position.

“I’m waiting,” I snap at Sam and he laughs.

“Ouch,” he dramatically clutches his chest. I fight the urge to punch him in the smug look off of his face.

Sam and I position ourselves across from each other on our knees.

“What’s going on here?” An unknown boy peeks over Sam to see. “Dude, go easy on her!” His brown eyes take in what we are doing. He seems concerned for my safety.

“Don’t worry I will,” I beat Sam to the punch. Sam laughs at my comeback and inhales deeply.

“Hey dudes look what we have over here,” the guy yells behind him.

Great, people are going to be making their way over here now.

“Hurry up! I want to get this over with.” Sam’s elbow is on the table and I copy his movements. My small hand press against his as he hooks our thumbs together.

“One,” someone from the crowd around us yells, “two.” Sam squeezes my hand, “three.” I tighten my hold on his, “go!”

We both grip each other’s hands tighter but Sam’s face widens up in shock. He pushes his arm to the side but it won’t budge. With my elbow planted firmly on the table, I smirk at Sam, “Don’t go easy on me now.”

There is a loud howl of laughter as Sam’s upper lip and forehead start to be covered with perspiration. Sam grunts as his teeth grind together and he gives one last hard push.

“Are you done?” He shakes his head, “I think you are,” without much effort I push his arm to the side and his knuckles hit the table - hard.

“Shut up,” Sam glares at me. For a moment it seems as if he forgot who he challenged because his eyes go to me and then he looks around, “How?”

“The girl beat him,” a guy yells and suddenly the crowd seems to double the size in a matter of seconds.

I give him my hand, “That was a good arm wrestling technique you had,” I say trying to be nice.

“You cheated,” Sam starts and I roll my eyes. Sam gets to his feet and I do the same. Sure he might tower over me but I don’t care.

“Be a good sport,” I say giving him my hand once again and this time he doesn’t reject me. His hand wraps around mine and he gives me a hard solid shake. “Thank you!”

Sam’s grip tightens when I try to pull my hand away, “Now you be a good sport.”

What?

He does not give me enough time to react. Sam pulls me closer to him, What is he doing? His head goes lower as his lips connect with mine.

His tongue presses hard against my lips as he tries to pry open my mouth, my wolf pushes herself up to the surface. She opens up my mouth and before Sam can make his move I bite down on his tongue.

The howl of pain escapes him as I push away from him. Sam stumbles back but I see two hands on his shoulders. “She wants nothing to do with you.” An unknown voice growls.

“What do you think you’re doing,” this voice I know - Andrew. Andrew stands between Sam and me. There is someone else in front of Andrew.

“Stay out of this Andrew,” Sam snarls at him, “and you." Sam turns his attention to the guy in front of him, "Who do you think you are?”

“I’m Jessica’s cousin. I don’t appreciate when a guy takes advantage of a girl, especially when I can do something about it.” Andrew pushes me away as the guy has his back to me as he stares at Sam.

“Melany,” Sam starts.

“Go away Sam,” my eyes burn into his. My rage is building, “I won this wager and you went back on your word. Don’t bother me again, Samuel.”

“Melany, let’s talk about this,” Andrew pulls me away from him as Sam tries to come closer. Andrew guides me back toward the front of the house. The people surrounding us make it hard to hurry away. “Melany!” Sam yells but I ignore him.

The heavy footsteps rush towards me and before I can react his arms are wrapped around me, “Get off of me!” I scream. I slam my back into him and gravity seems to take over but Sam releases me.

You idiot. Leave me the hell alone.

Sam is once again pulled away from me by someone else, the loud smack registers in my mind. The groan of pain and someone hitting the floor surprises me as well. The same male from before is looming over Sam as Sam wipes the corner of his lip. A small drizzle of blood oozes out of him.

"Dumbass," Andrew growls as he grabs my hand.

“Hey, I can defend myself,” I yell at the male before me as I pull my hand away from Andrew’s grasp. Sam is getting to his feet when I stomp up to him. His eyebrows weave in confusion as my fist flies to his face, his cheek cushions my blow. “Don’t ever touch someone that doesn’t want to be touched!”

“Stupid,” the male hisses at Sam.

“And you,” I turn to look at my defender and suddenly everything stops. The words get tangled in my breath as I feel my mind swell.

His hazel eyes widen as he looks at me for the first time. The oxygen around me seems to have disappeared as my lungs fight for their next breath. His lower lip trembles as he tries to speak but it seems as he is at a lost for words.

“Melany, we should go,” Andrew is once again by my side grabbing my hand. The male’s eyes take in Andrew’s hand gripping mine.

“Get away from her,” he snarls, his lip curls back baring his teeth at Andrew.

“What the hell is your problem?” Andrew presses me closer to him. There is a moment of silence and Andrew sees that I am not saying anything to him. “Are you okay?” He snaps his fingers in my face.

“She’s my mate.” The guy announces and it feels as weight is lifted off my shoulders.

“He’s my mate,” I whisper to Andrew in unison with his response. My eyes locked on the male in front of me. He is the person my wolf has been looking for.

“Oh,” he releases my hand. Mates can be possessive especially with the opposite sex. Andrew takes a step to the side unsure of what to do or where to go.

There is a sudden pull - a magnetic pull. Inching closer to him my legs appear to have a mind of their own as we close the distance between us.

I stare at the face that my wolf has been on the hunt for. She seems to be elated as we move closer.

“Hey,” my confused mind tries to understand what is happening.

A smile spreads against his lips, “Hey,” his stature makes me look up as he takes the last step towards me, “my name's Marcus Lexington and yours is?”

“Melany,” I gulp, “Melany Blake.” His eyes open up a bit.

“Any relations to Alpha Blake?” Of course, he would ask this.

Sighing I nod, “He’s my father.”

“Good," I arch my eyebrow, "I don’t think that alpha will be too happy that one of his pack members tried taking advantage of his daughter,” Marcus tilts his head to the side to look at Sam. “The next time you try to touch my mate,” Marcus makes his way to Sam, “or anyone else for that matter you won’t have any use for these,” Sam tries to hide his fear but the fraction of an inch he steps back shows it and I see it. Marcus stands in front of him and without warning his knee jabs him right in the groin.

“Harsh,” Andrew hisses out in pain and looks away closing his eyes.

“Get off of my family's property!” Sam is keeled over on the ground his face scrunched up in pain and holding his family jewels.

“Oh well,” Andrew says inhaling deeply and opening his eyes. He looks at Marcus and me, “never liked the guy anyway.”

“What are you doing close to my mate?” Whoa there, Mr. Macho. Marcus’ dark glare sets on Andrew. Andrew's hands seem ready to protect his jewels.

“He’s my best friend calm down,” I stand between Marcus and Andrew. “No one hurts him unless it’s me.”

“Dude chill,” Andrew looks at him. “I felt his pain please don’t make me go through that.”

“I’m sorry,” Marcus whispers, “my wolf is going insane in my head.” I know the feeling.

“I think you’ve left my wolf speechless.”

He’s ours? I spoke too soon.

“Where have you been?” My eyes are trained on him as my mouth dries. Swallowing down I shrug.

“Here.” This is my father's land. Where else would I be?

“You’re late you know that,” he grins and the gleam in his beautiful hazel eyes seems to look straight into my soul. “I’ve been looking for you for four years.”

“Hm,” just four, “I’ve been looking for you for nine.” His shocked features make me elaborate, “I first shifted when I was nine.”

“Melany,” my father steps through the crowd, “what’s going on?” My body tenses up as I allow myself some space between me and my mate.

“Nothing,” I look at Marcus and then at Sam, who has now wiped off any evidence of blood off his face, "You look tired. Go home I’ll be home late since Andrew - ”

Don’t pull me into this! Andrew's connection is strong.

“Are planning on going on patrol.” Okay, we can do that.

“Okay sweetie, I’ll see you later. Sam, let’s go.” I heard he was asked to leave. My father asks and I nod.

Sam follows my father with his head lowered. I honestly have no idea if he even knows why Sam was asked to leave. Sam can ponder on that as he walks back with him.

“I thought this was a party,” Andrew yells and ushers the crowd away from us.

Marcus' blazing gaze is on me once again. He must want to know why I didn’t tell my father about finding my mate. He must want an explanation and as I am about to say anything Marcus cuts me off, “Care to dance?”

Marcus offers me his hand and I take a moment to stare at it.

“I would love that,” placing my hand in his I feel complete. He is sculptured to fit me perfectly.

Sᴇarch the FindNovel.net website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.