The Mark of an Alpha
Chapter 27

The turmoil whips through my entire body. The battle between my mind and heart. My heart wants Marcus with everything he has done, it still chooses him. My mind is repulsed with him.

Marcus’ hand presses me closer to him his lips mold into mine as realization finally connects with my mind.

His hard chest presses against my palms as I shove him away from me.

There is no hiding the surprise on his face at my actions and my hand flies whipping him across the face. My stinging hand recoils to my chest as I rub away the sting.

“What the hell, Melany?” He stutters as he takes a step back.

“I told you that I was done with you!” The huffing behind me tells me that Hunter is there pacing from the sound of his breathing. I feel braver with him so close.

“Melany, we were made for one another!” He whispers as his hand caresses his cheek.

“I can’t deny that. You were my other half but now I have to learn how to be my own person so the next person who tries to take a claim on my heart knows what I am worth. Fate played a cruel joke dooming me with a mate that can up and walk away but I will show fate, you, and anyone else for that matter that I can stand on my own.”

“Mel,” he takes a step towards me but I put my hand up stopping him.

“Tell your pack that I will allow them to hunt on my land and that’s it. I don’t want to see you, do you understand?” I seethe at him. He nods, “the next time you try to touch me be ready to start pulling leather out of your äss.”

Marcus looks down at my feet and sees my leather boots. Hunter makes a weird noise resembling chuckling. Marcus looks pass me and glares at him.

I turn around and start walking away from him and this time he does not try to stop me. Hunter walks by my side. He walks in a leisurely pace as we take a calming stroll through the forest.

“Hunter,” I whisper. He turns to look at me, “Thanks,” he slightly nods and walks with me in comfortable silence.

My hand wanders to his fur and I scratch him behind his ear and he leans his head into my hand making me scratch his ear faster.

Melany?

We’re fine Andrew don’t worry.

I’m not worried about you, Hunter’s beta is here waiting for him.

“Your beta is at the packhouse!” I repeat the news to Hunter.

Hunter straightens himself up and I look in the direction of the packhouse there is still a ways to go.

“Go on, I’ll only slow you down.” Hunter shakes his head and lowers himself down so I can climb him once again. I want to fight him and say that I can take care of myself but I stop myself. Hunter runs through the forest like a bullet making it back home in record time.

Climbing off of him I see a tall, dark-haired, muscular male standing in front of the packhouse.

“Who are you?” He asks confusion all over his face as he looks at Hunter.

I roll my eyes in annoyance, “Alpha Blake,” Hunter says as he is already in his human form.

“Oh my apologies alpha I came to speak with my alpha,” he looks over at me.

Andrew is walking out the door when he stops. He looks at me as if waiting to see what my next move is.

“I’ll give you two some privacy,” I walk up the steps and Andrew follows me inside.

“What is that all about?” We walk into the living room and sit down. I invade the love seat as Andrew sits on the long couch. I wrap my arms around my body suddenly feeling very cold.

“I don’t know, probably rogues?” I shrug.

“Possibly, I can always eavesdrop you know,” Andrew smiles at me and I laugh. He always wants to know what is going on.

Always the nosy one.

“Stop it and let them talk,” I sigh trying to control my laughter.

“Fine,” he groans, “so do you want to talk about what happens with Marcus,” he scrunches up his face as he says his name.

“I thought you were hearing everything.” I curve my eyebrow at him Mr. Nosy was not paying attention in the woods.

“You blocked me out once Hunter took off. I missed all the fun didn’t I?” I roll my eyes at him and look at him seriously.

“He’s going to think twice if he wants to cross paths with me ever again.” Andrew gave me a huge smile that reminded me of the Grinch. “So what happened with the girl you went into town with? Is she your mate?” He stiffens as my face softens. I know how badly he wants to find his mate.

“Sadly no, but we’re just getting to know each other,” his smile falters and he looks away from me.

“Shut the front door! You like her,” I jump out of my seat and sit next to him. “Look at you, are you blushing?” I coo at him and his cheeks turn into a faint pink color. He hates it when I act like this and I know that feeling because that was how he acted when I first met Marcus.

“Stop Melany,” he pushes himself away from me as I try to grab hold of his cheek and he covers his face in a couch pillow.

“I was kidding but you’re blushing now,” I cover my mouth in surprise and he looks at me shooting daggers with his eyes at me.

“For the love of God leave me alone!” He shoves his face into the pillow once again and shouts against the pillow.

“God has nothing to do with this!” I laugh hard that I have to grab my sides. The front door opening makes me stop and gasp for air. Hunter walks in and looks over at us.

“Where is your beta?” I ask seeing that he walks inside alone.

“He is going to head back.” He says nonchalantly.

“Its late Hunter, tell him to take the empty room.” If I were away from my pack as long as he has been I would want someone I'm close with to be with me.

Do you worry about his beta?

I would not want Andrew out at night either unless I could mind-link him the entire time.

“Are you sure? I don’t want to be a bother.” His eyes go to the door and then back to me.

Does Hunter think he bothers me?

“No, it's no bother at all,” I shrug as Andrew looks at me confused.

“What? There are no empty rooms they’re all...oh,” realization hits him and his eyes go wide.

He’s been sleeping in your room! No wonder you smell like him so much.

Shut it mutt!

He narrows his eyes at me and gets up.

“Where are you going?” I ask.

“Going to clean up the room we don’t want rumors to start-up saying that we torture people in our spare rooms,” Hunter starts laughing hard and I see the light laugh lines around his eyes and mouth. He must have laughed a lot in his life.

Andrew leaves and Hunter replaces him on the couch. He must have had some sweats outside waiting for him since he is wearing them now.

“He’s coming back.” I nod and let the silence swallow us. After a few minutes, there is a knock at the door. Hunter opens it and his beta walks inside.

“Thank you, Alpha Blake.” He smiles at me shyly.

“No problem, head up upstairs and my beta should be waiting for you. There are fresh towels and clothes in the closet. Make yourself at home and the kitchen is fully stocked as well if you are hungry.” He smiles at me and then heads upstairs. “Your beta seems nice.”

“He might not look it but he is one of the best fighters in my pack.” Hunter seems proud of that fact.

“What’s his name?” I think out loud.

“Ken,” he looks down at me as if asking me if I were interested in him.

“He looks like a pup,” he smiles at me broadly.

“What? Don’t tell me you like the older men then?” He wiggles his eyebrows suggestively.

Where is he going with this?

“Pups and Pops are not my thing,” I giggle and he shakes his head.

“I wanted to say sorry for growling when you were with Marcus I just didn’t know what was happening I should have stayed away.”

I gasp, “No, it's fine I am happy that you were there. It might sound strange but you gave me the courage to give him a piece of my mind.”

“You sure did. How’s your wolf she’s been through much these past few days how is she handling it?”

His question surprises me and my bottom lip goes into the captivity of my teeth.

“I’m not sure,” my chest heaves as worry fills me, “she hasn’t spoken much to me since I saw Marcus at the river and even when she was with me she was tearing me apart from the inside. She tried to break our mate connection with Marcus but couldn’t. I haven’t said this but I think I’ve lost her or she wants to get away for a while.” My body trembles as my fears are appearing to be a reality.

Hey, are you there?

She does not respond.

“Hey, hey look at me,” Hunter scoots closer to me and wraps his arm around my shoulders. I look into his golden eyes, “she just needs to rest. Give her some time. Both of you need to rest.” I take some deep calming breaths and Hunter stands up and turns to face me holding his hands out for me. I take them and he helps me off the couch.

He leads me upstairs. There is no sign of Andrew or Ken. Hunter leads me into my bedroom. I head into my bathroom and change into my pajamas as I walk back into my room I stop in my tracks. Hunter is sitting at the edge of my bed but that is not what stops me. The heartbreaking howl that whispers through the breeze makes its way to me.

It is a sound that I am too familiar with since I, myself, have cried out that howl many moons ago, one of a rejected mate. The vibration of his howl sends shivers through my body.

Now he understands.

With that I know my wolf is fine just needs time to herself and that is the least that I can do for her.

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