The Rogue Alpha’s Claim

Ariel’s eyes fluttered open, and they landed on the white, intricate details of the ceiling above her. She tried to shake off the haze of confusion that had settled on her, trying to pierce the little patches of information floating in her head.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

She couldn’t remember how many times she had blacked out and woken up in an unfamiliar environment.

It was becoming the norm, and if she had a dollar anytime she blacked out, it would be more than five dollars. It wasn’t a lot, but it was impressive that it was up to that amount.

Ariel shifted on the bed, her body sinking deeper into the soft cushion, helping and bringing relief to her back pain. For a moment, her thoughts drifted away, leaving only peace.

The memories would come back, and she was sure it wouldn’t be pleasant; she just had to enjoy the little ignorant bliss she was having.

But the bubble was quick to pop as the door opened, the sharp creak startling her, but she was able to compose herself, shutting her eyes close before the newcomer came nearer.

“I see you are awake.” The nasal voice of a woman spoke, and almost immediately, as if they had been waiting for an outlet, the memories flooded in, like the clash of waves in the sea.

And she could remember everything clearly.

She let her gaze wander about the room, taking in every detail. She either had to be in werewolf paradise if they had succeeded, but she doubted this was how their paradise looked.

Which leaves only one option.

They had taken her in, but she wasn’t sure if it was good or bad, and she wasn’t eager to know. Instead, she shut her eyes tight, deliberately slowing her breath to appear asleep.

There was no way she could take chances in an unknown place.

The lady hovered over Ariel, her breath fanning her face as she checked her vitals-no doubt she was a nurse.

Ariel remained still as she listened to the soft scratch of a pen on paper, the nurse scribbling away, but she kept her eyes shut, listening for her movement.

It was only when she heard the fading footsteps that she was tempted to open her eyes, but the nurse beat her to it.

“You can open your eyes now; I know you are awake.”

Shit!

She couldn’t hide anymore, and there she was, thinking she was safe.

Ariel’s eyes snapped open; the nurse’s face filled her field of vision, certainly too close for comfort, and it sent her heart into a frantic spiral.

“Arrgghhh.” A scream tore from her throat, and she pushed the nurse off her face, springing out of bed, but a sharp pain surged through her body, lashing across her back, and she groaned in pain as she collapsed on the floor.

“I wouldn’t advise you to make too much movement; you still suffer from a concussion, and it would be best if you rest your head; the alpha would be here to see you.” The nurse said, barely acknowledging her hurt.

“Alpha?”

If she had heard right, the nurse had mentioned alpha, which means she had succeeded. She had gotten to a pack.

“Yes.” The nurse nodded her head, and she stretched out her hands to Ariel, helping her to her feet.

“The scout rescued you, and as per our rules, the alpha would determine if you would be punished or set free.”

“Rescued?” Ariel’s eyes narrowed, her eyes knitting together in a deep frown. She was sure she remembered it differently because she had been on the run and they were hot on her heels.

And she was very sure one of them had attempted to pounce on her, and that was why she had blacked out.

“Yes, kindly lay back. He will be here shortly.”

“Hmm.” Ariel murmured, but she listened to her and laid back, resting her head on the fluffy pillow. As she lay on the bed, she began to conjure what she was going to say. If she was going to live, the bargain had to be very strong.

She had no time to gather her thoughts when the door burst open and a towering man entered. Ariel needed no soothsayer to tell her if he was the alpha; his very presence filled the room, overpowering everything in it. Every cell in her body trembled, and it took everything in her not to bow her head.

The man leaked power from the way he stumped the earth beneath him, and she was sure every creature scampered just at his name.

She sneaked a quick look, but their eyes met for a brief moment, and she immediately looked away.

“Human.” The man spat out, his voice dripping with bitter venom, and Ariel had to hold in the smile that threatened to show.

It was great to see that the hatred for her kind was general.

Wait, she wasn’t even their kind anymore, or was she? The whole concept was still confusing to her, but she was sure she would get clarity here.

“The name is Ariel.” She spat back with equal venom, straightening up in a sitting position, and she raised her head, staring at him head-on.

She had learned that the best way to unnerve such an individual is to be bold.

“A cheeky thing, I see.” The alpha mused, his facial muscles twitching in annoyance.

“I believe the term is brave.” Ariel retorted, not backing out anytime soon. She was the daughter of an alpha and was mated to one; surely he wasn’t too much for her.

The alpha titled his head to the side, like he was giving it some thought, and he shook his head. “I would say foolish, but that is not why I am here. I would give you 20 seconds to explain why your head shouldn’t be cut off your body and rolling on the floor.”

Ariel’s surprised gasp filled the room, caught off guard by his bluntness.

This alpha was different, and if she wanted to survive, she had to be careful.

“My name is Ariel, as I already mentioned. I am the daughter of late…” Her voice wavered at the confession, but she continued on. “The daughter of the late Alpha John of Moonlight Pack and I have come to ask for your help.”

The Alpha forehead creased, the wrinkles like cultivated ridges, and his eyes blazed as he stared at her with such hate that she shivered, goosebumps breaking from her skin.

“Wrong answer. I wasn’t asking what I should do for you, and if I don’t get a suitable answer…” His words trailed off as his canine jutted out of his gum, and Ariel watched with shaky pupils, but she continued.

“I am a werewolf-well, not exactly one, but I have been living with humans, and I don’t know my heritage. I need your help in becoming what I truly am. I can help out in the pack with whatever is needed, and…”

“Why should I let you in my pack?” Her barked, his voice a deadly growl, much like that of a predator when he was going after his prey, and Ariel knew she only had one chance before he decided she was useless.

She thought hard about her answer; hell, her life depended on it, and the smile on the alpha’s face wasn’t exactly helping her.

It all happened in a twinkling of an eye because one moment she was contemplating her answer, the next his hands wrapped around her neck in a tight grip, robbing her of any thoughts and, most importantly, air.

Ariel struggled on the bed, her hands trying to pry away his fingers, but she had greatly underestimated the strength of an Alpha.

His hold tightened, and as she continued to struggle to breathe, her mouth opened in a silent scream. She slapped at his fingers, desperate for release, but it was to no avail, and in that moment, it came to her.

“I can help you out with Kane!”

“Kane?” The alpha relaxed his grip on her, and Ariel gasped, her mouth wide open, as she took large gulps of air. “How can you do that?”