The Mark of an Alpha
Chapter 8

Marcus has been working with Dr. Graham for a month now. A month where she suffered from his presence but cannot ignore how good he is with the patients. He doesn't mind that she is not a fan of his but he is there to work. She is not the one that he wants to impress.

Dr. Graham has no complains as far as I am aware of. She cannot deny that he is a hard worker.

The way he does not squirm at the sight of blood being drawn, his calming demeanor when children are present and the fact that he has never failed to show up to her side when she needs him is evidence that he is trying.

“He might be annoying but he is good at his job.” I heard Dr. Graham tell my father at the dining table.

My father smiles at her as they continue their conversation. I try to burn that image in my mind, my father hardly ever smiles.

Andrew and I decide that it is our turn to go into town and restock our fridge. It is the cook’s job to do this but I decided that she needed a break and Andrew decided to join me.

Pushing the shopping cart down the dairy aisle I can hear Andrew sigh heavily. Gritting my teeth I dart my eyes to him and he rolls his eyes away from me as he slows his pace.

“What's the matter?” Pulling the cart to a stop I grab four gallons of milk.

“Nothing,” Andrew sighs heavily. He leans against the glass staring at me as I place the milk in the cart.

“Then stop sighing like a toy deprived child and help me by getting another cart,” I order and Andrew straightens up.

“Fine boss,” he walks away as I push the almost-full cart down the aisle.

The reason why I wanted to come to the supermarket was to get my mind off of everything. My father is pushing my training to another level. Marcus says that I put everyone before him. Sam asked if I could help him train, apparently he needs a challenge.

Everyone wants a piece of me and all I want is a break. A moment to myself. A moment to breathe.

Marcus found out that Andrew was coming and he made a snarky remark about me choosing Andrew over him. That did it for me - I snapped.

I do not know what is going on with me. I nearly chewed his head off before Andrew grabbed me and we left the packhouse.

Andrew is a breath of fresh air. He does not force me to open up. Even when I almost attacked my mate Andrew did not push for answers.

Andrew made his way towards me with his cart already halfway full.

“I know we needed water, Midol, and chocolate.” He smiles at me and I roll my eyes.

“Seriously,” I hiss.

“Yeah,” he nods, “the chocolate is for me.”

He is such a child at times.

The cashier is not surprised by the amount of food we were buying. Seven dozen eggs, ten packs of bacon, a variety of meats, loaves bread, and many beverages.

On the car ride back home Andrew opens up his Snickers and takes a bite from it as caramel drizzles down his chin.

“Mmm,” he moans, “this really hits the spot. Want some?”

“Are you seriously asking?” My eyes are on the road but I can see his smile.

He lifts the chocolate to my lips and I take a bite from it. This guy knows how to make my foul mood brighten up a bit.

Andrew pushes on the volume button blasting the radio all it would go.

Andrew uses his fist as an imaginary microphone.

“I need an easy friend

I do, with an ear to lend

I don’t think you fit this shoe

I do, won’t you have a clue.

I’ll take advantage while

You hang me out to dry

But I can’t see you every night

Free!”

Andrew tries to mimic Kurt Cobain’s raspy voice but he is no match.

I laugh for the rest of the ride home because even though Andrew states to be a die-hard Nirvana fan it turns out he does not know all the words.

Parking my Jeep in front of the house Marcus walks out the front door. His eyes lock on mine through the windshield.

Even though we do not have our minds linked I can read his face. He wants to talk.

“Can you-” I rest my head on the steering wheel mentally preparing myself for what's to come.

“Already on it,” Andrew cuts me off and opens up his door. Cane, a fifteen-year-old, comes out of the packhouse and heads over to Andrew.

Andrew starts unloading the groceries and I make my way over to Marcus.

“Hey,” he smiles down at me.

“Hmm,” I reply.

“Sorry for being a jerk earlier,” he says sincerely.

“I would say you were more of an asshole,” there is a rumble in his throat, “but jerk works as well.”

I do not feel like fighting but damn this mood is not letting chill for a moment.

“I don’t know what’s wrong with me,” he breathes out, “I feel more possessive than ever.”

“You feel possessive,” I mock him, “that’s new. But,” I sigh, “I understand I have been feeling very angry lately.”

“I noticed,” his lips pull into a heart-melting smile. He steps closer to me and I let myself indulge in his scent.

“Stop,” I smile at him as he steps even closer to me.

“What are you going to do if I don’t?” He challenges.

“Beat you,” I smack his hand away as he tries to grab me. He is faster and his fingers wrap around my wrist.

Marcus pulls me into him as my head ducks down as he tries to kiss me.

“Really Melany,” he growls but the clearing of throats makes him take a step away from me. The cool air replaces him.

My wolf yearns for his warmth but understands that he is treading dangerous water at the moment. He needs to get on my father’s good side and having his entire pack watch him is causing a strain on our relationship.

“Mel,” Andrew says and I turn to look at him, “your car is unloaded.”

“Thanks.”

I turn back to look at Marcus and his eyes are on his watch, “I should be heading back to the infirmary. But I want to spend some alone time with you.”

We are never truly alone. Someone is always watching us.

“You don’t say,” irritation seeps into my voice as I see Cane watch us from the corner of his eye.

“Yes,” he nods, “meet me at the clearing at eleven.”

Before I can answer Marcus is already inside.

I spend the rest of the day in my room. My body aches and I am experiencing a mild fever.

Andrew insists on spending the day with me but I refuse. His humor cannot calm my anger and I do not want to lash out on him.

“Sorry that I worry about you!” It is the last thing he says to me.

Not even his corny jokes can calm the mood swings I am experiencing. One moment I am fine and then in a blink of an eye, I want to claw my walls. Punch someone in the face.

The day drags on with Andrew mentally checking on me. Asking if there is anything that I want or need.

I yell at him to stay out of my head. To leave me alone and not bother me.

Sweat drips down my neck as I push my windows wide open inhaling the cool mountain air.

At ten the cool air descends down the mountain cooling me down dramatically. I contemplate whether to leave Marcus hanging or go and meet. After a long cold shower, I decided that I would meet him.

My mind scans the packhouse. My father is out - probably in a meeting and Andrew is out cold. This is my chance.

The packhouse is full of pack members. The cook is working her magic in the kitchen as the young wolves indulge in the scents that emanate from the kitchen.

Carefully I make my way through the house without causing any attention to come my way. The air hits me like a wall once I am outside.

My feet pound at the ground as I run through the trees. The wind pulls my hair back as I leap over a fallen tree trunk and run through without much trouble.

Sure my mood is sour at the moment but that doesn't mean that I do not want to see my mate.

The air lashes across my hot cheeks as I push myself as a mental image of Marcus waiting for me plays in my head.

Marcus. My mate. The love of my life. The smile that pulls on my lips only heightens my feeling for that man.

The howl that rips through the air sends my wolf plunging deep down in me. My wolf has been awfully quiet today.

The howl turns into howls. The bark embeds into my palm, my nails dig into the tree trunk, as I rush to a stop.

“What the hell?” My wolf rushes back to my core knocking the wind out of me.

Run!

Why?

You’re in danger.

My eyes scan the area. There are bushes, trees, and more trees. But my heart hammers in my ears along with four pairs of footsteps.

There are two wolves. And they are not in their right state of mind.

My head pulses as I rub my temples.

What do you mean?

The pounding is becoming more rapid. The temperature seems to be rising as my nails dig deeper into the bark of the tree.

They are not mated. They want to mate the wolf that’s in heat.

I’m not mated.

My eyes widen as the footsteps come closer.

And you’re in heat.

This can’t be happening.

The heat radiating through me is unbearable.

The crunching sound gets louder.

My wolf is not able to surface.

I am all alone.

Be stalked and cornered.

The howl rips through me sending my body plummeting to the ground.

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