Chapter 17

We were both silent on the way back to the house. Travis didn’t know what to say to comfort me and even if he had opened his mouth I would not have listened. I was just focused on meeting this Alpha.

What would this mean for me and Dawn? In my mind it shouldn’t change us all, but according to my wolf it would ruin us.

Not ruin . . . save! He growled again.

I ignored him as we pulled up to the house.

“Are you ready?” Travis asked.

“No, but does that matter?” I turned to him as he shut off the car and got out. I followed and we walked up to the house.

“Dude, you are an Alpha,” Travis whispered encouragingly. “Act like one.”

I stood taller and I walked up the stairs nervously.

I can do this. She is just some girl. I can do this.

'Stop fooling yourself.' My wolf growled annoyed.

Shut up. Leave me alone. You betrayed our mate.

'And you will kill her for your foolishness.'

No I will not. I refuse to believe that.

I walked into the house with Travis close on my tail.

“Anthony, finally. I thought you ignored the call,” my mother sighed as she rushed into the front room.

“He wouldn't dare disrespect an Alpha like that. Would you?” My father walked into the room closely behind my mother.

“Of course not.” I met his eyes trying to hide my fool fears.

“Stop acting like a beaten kitten, Anthony. This is an honor. Act like it!” He snapped.

“Yes, of course, father,” I stood tall.

“Come on. Both of you.” Mom waved us towards the living room. My father walked first and then Travis followed, then me and my mother.

“Just act normal, sweetie.” My mother patted my shoulder.

“Mom, I'm fine,” I growled. I didn't know why exactly, but deep down I still blamed her for the situation I was in currently.

“I'm sorry.” She breathed.

“I'm sure,” I sighed and then we were in the living room and I quieted down and listened to my father.

“Alpha Lupa, please allow me to introduce, my nephew and future Beta, Travis,” Travis stepped forward and bowed to the Alpha.

“It is a pleasure to meet you, Alpha,” Travis stated.

I was still blocked from the Alpha by my father.

“And, of course, my sob and future Alpha, Anthony,” He announced.

“It is a pleasure to meet you, Alpha,” I said as I stepped forward and stopped half way through my bow because I was paralyzed as I looked into the eyes of the most beautiful woman I had ever seen.

She was a perfect height to fit against me. She was thin but strongly hinting at muscle in her legs and arms. Her skin was deep tan with a hint of red. Her hair was pitch black and long and straight all the way down to her lower back. It was currently in a braid and resting over her shoulder. Her eyes were the deepest ice-blue had ever seen. Her skin was clear, her chest healthily large, her body perfectly curvy. Why was it fare for such an amazingly beautiful creature to exist?

“Please call me Lupa.” She smiled, flashing a row of perfect teeth. “Stand she breathed and turned fully to us.

Two tall, big men stood close to her sides very protective over her.

She was dressed oddly. She was in a long white, flowy gown that went to the floor. It was low cut and the thick, tank-top sleeves hung loosely off her shoulders, on her arms. Covering her midsection tightly was a light brown leather corset. On her feet she wore thin small moccasins that matched the color for her corset.

Travis and I stood as my wolf enjoyed the view.

“So you are the young Alpha I have heard so much about,” She stepped up to me.

“That depends on what you have heard,” I smiled at her.

“All good things, I promise,” She smirked back.

“We will give you two a moment alone in order to get acquainted,” My father suggested and pushed my mom and Travis out of the room.

“Roark, Falcon, leave me,” She ordered without even looking at the men.

Each hesitated, looked at each other and then glared at me.

“Leave now,” She ordered in an entirely calm tone yet the men instantly responded and my wolf was whimpering to follow her every command.

He was making me weaker and weaker.

“So,” She turned away from me and stepped towards the window. Without hesitation I mimicked her steps to stay close to her. “I am sure you know all about my story . . . yet I know  near to nothing of you,” She breathed turning back to face me.

“I have found my mate,” I stated without thinking.

My wolf growled annoyed.

She giggled and it was like a sound sent straight from heaven. “Oh, have you?” She raised an eyebrow. “She is one lucky wolf,” She pushed off the window sill and stepped up to me laying her hand on my chest. “To be able to have pups with a wolf as strong as yours,” She leaned in and pressed her nose to the crook of my neck taking in my scent, “would be quiet a pleasure,” She stepped even closer pressing her full body against mine.

“Alpha, please,” I stepped back from her.

“Wait,” She said sharply. “You have neither completed nor started the mating. And she is no wolf.”

“You are correct,” I stood tall.

“You are mated to a human,” She stated the word with such disgust. “What has gotten into Luna?” She shook her head. “Our sacred goddess has gotten soft. First vampires and now . . . humans,” She shuttered.

“She is a wonderful girl,” I tried to defend Dawn, but it came out simply as a statement.

“I am sure she is, but she will never make a rightful mate to an Alpha. She cannot,” Lupa shook her head.

“Why don't we go for a run?” She smiled at me and pulled on my shirt towards the back door.

“Why? Because you know my wolf cannot defy you?” I glared down at her.

“And you think you can defy me. I disagree with that,” She smirked stepping up against me again.

“Stop!” I growled.

“Why? I thought you were strong enough to defy me in your human form,” She teased rubbing her hand over my chest.

“I don't want you,” I sat on the couch, putting my head in my hands.

“It's okay. Relax,” She breathed straddling my legs. “I'm not here to hurt you. I want to help you. We can help each other.” She put both of her hands on either side of my face and lifted my head to look at her. “Let me help you,” she said seriously.

“How could you possibly help me?” I asked her seriously.

“I think you know how, Anthony. Having a human mate is dangerous and I know you love your mate. Of course you do. Luna knows I would never get in between mates. That is a sacred bond,” she breathed.

“Then why are you doing this. You know my wolf in on edge. I can't take you being like this,” I complained.

“Because, and I know you don’t want to hear this but listen to me, you will hurt her. Wolves have seriously harmed . . . even killed there human mates. I don't want that to happen,” she sighed.

“Why do you care?” I looked into her eyes.

“I don't know. Honestly, you remind me a little of me at the beginning of my life. When I found my mate,” she explained.

“Wait, you had a mate?” I asked shocked.

“Yes,” she laughed slightly “I had a son too. They were both killed by hunters. All my family was killed by hunters.” She sighed.

“Yet you want my human mate to live?” I questioned.

“I've had thousands of years to morn, processb the loss and except it. Then I realized that it is not all humans that I should blame. It is only the hunters. Less than half of humans even remotely believe in werewolves,” she smiled.

“So you only want to help?”

“I can help. You said yourself that your wolf wants me. Why don't tou give over to him and let me help you,” she leaned in pressing her body against mine. Her lips brushed against mine as she spoke.

A low menacing growl left my lips shocking even me.

She simply smirked and then pressed her lips against mine, rubbing her whole body against mine, grinding against my and pulling at my shirt.

I held off for as long as I could. My knuckles were white with how tight I had my fists clenched.

She felt my resistance and growled in frustration. She then bit on my bottom lip teasingly.

I growled once more and my wolf took over. I wrapped my arms around her tangling my fingers in her hair. I began to kiss her back with double the intensity she had been kissing me.

But, Dawn, I whined in my head.

So that is her name? A foreign female voice responded.

Lupa? I replied shocked.

Seems I bit you a little harder than I expected. Your blood connected us. She explained.

I broke my lips from hers. My wolf didn't very much like the invasion of privacy.

“What the hell does that mean?” I growled pulling roughly at her hair.

“Careful. I might just like that,” she smirked leaning in and nibbling on my ear.

“No,” I growled, pushing her off my lap so that she fell to the couch. I stood and turned in her. “What the hell do you mean by a 'connection'. What did you do to me?” I demanded.

I don't know what you mean, Anthony. She smirked.

“Get out of my head, bitch” I snapped.

“Don't you dare talk to me like that!” She growled standing. “I did what I wanted. The connect enhances every touch and every kiss,” she breathed leaning into me again.

“So like a mating bond? Did you mark me?” I demanded.

“No, I wouldn't do that. I was not lying when I said I wanted you to be with Dawn. She is still your mate. Not me.” She sighed.

“Well, now you're really screwed up because now I refuse to be with you. I belong to my mate and my mate alone.” I growled.

“Oh really?” She smirked and then wrapped her arms around me and pressed her lips to mine. My wolf again took over and I lost control.

My hands tangled in her hair and my other hand spread across her lower back holding her small body to mine.

Her hands slipped up underneath my shirt and slid over the muscles of my back causing me to melt under her touch.

I growled and pulled at her dress.

“Hey, Tony! They gave us . . . Oh.”

I pulled away from Lupa and turned to see Dawn standing in the doorway with a shocked, embarrassed, and just plain hurt.

My wolf instantly felt ashamed. So did I for allowing it to get that far.

I opened my mouth to say something, what? I don't know, but Lupita beat me to it.

“You must be Dawn,” Lupita stepped around me and held her hand out to Dawn. “I'm Lupa. A . . . friend of Anthony's,” She smiled.

“I . . . Umm . . .” Dawn looked from me to Lupita back to me. “I . . .” She then turned and rushed from the room with a deep blush on her cheeks.

“Dawn,” I was about to go after her but Lupita stepped in my way with crossed arms.

“Well, she isn't much,” She shrugged.

“She is my mate. You said you didn't want to get in between us!” I growled.

“I didn't mean to. I only introduced myself,” she rolled her eyes.

“Yeah well, now you really messed us up. I can't believe you!” I growled.

“Tony, did Dawn tell you?” Felix walked into the living room. “Well, hello there. You must be that new fancy Alpha,” he smirked.

“And you are the waste of space vampire brother,” she growled.

“You got it,” he winked at her.

“You disgraceful piece of . . . Anthony where are you going?” She instantly turned her attention to me as she saw me walk for the door.

“Why don't you get acquainted with my disgraceful vampire brother.” I smirked at her. “I have a mate to tend to.” I sighed.

“Anthony, don't leave me with him,” she snapped at me and I just kept walking.

I went to my room not knowing where else she would go. I walked up to my door and it was slightly open.

“I am sure there is an explanation, Dawn” I heard Julie reassure.

“Can you please leave me alone, Julie,” Dawn replied. She sounded like she had been crying.

“No, no, no,” I breathed. I felt like I was about to start crying too.

“Okay, sweetie,” Julie breathed and walked out closing the door behind her.

“What did you do?” She snapped at me.

“I hate all of you. You all told me that I couldn't be with Dawn and now because of you she hates me!” I whispered angrily.

“What?” She said confused.

“Because of your boyfriend I got it stuck in my head that it would be good if I was with the Alpha . . . You know what? Screw all of you,” I growled and then walked into my room.

At the sound of the door opening Dawn's head popped up and she wiped at her tears.

“Dawn,” I breathed.

“No, you don't have to explain” she sniffed her eyes and nose puffy from crying.

“Yes, I do,” I stepped up to her, sitting on my bed. “She means absolutly nothing to me.”

“Of course,” she laughed without humor.

“Seriously, Dawn, I am not like that anymore. Not since I met you,” I sighed annoyed with myself.

“Maybe if you stopped with the damn clichés I could actually believe you.” She rolled her eyes.

“I'm not meaning to . . . Please . . .”

Then finally she spoke what she was really thinking. “I thought you only kissed me like that,” the started to fall again and her voice broke. She covered her face with her hands embarrassed.

“I do,” I said without hesitation. There was no begging it was a simple stating of facts.

“Clearly not,” She argued.

“Dawn, you have to hear me out,” I begged as I sat next to her on the bed.

“No get away from me!” She complained.

I ignored her and wrapped my arms around her waist.

“Don't touch me!” She hit me but I simply pulled her onto my lap. “No, stop!” She complained, but her blows weakened and she melted into me.

“I'm sorry,” I breathed into her hair.

“You lied to me. You said you loved me. That it was only me. You lied,” she cried into my shirt as she held on to it holding herself close to me.

“You have to believe me when I say I did not lie,” I replied calmly.

“No, it doesn't matter. She pushed away from me when I wasn't expecting it and she got off the bed.

“Yes, it does, Dawn. Don't ignore me,” I pleaded as she went to leave the room.

“I'm not ignoring you. I am being reasonable. I have absolutely no reason to get upset over you kissing some other girl. I am with Ian,” I growled angrily but she kept talking. “I didn't leave him and it is my fault that you finally lost interest.” She sighed.

“I did not lose interest . . . Dawn, just stop . . . “

“Give yourself some credit any other guy would have given up a while a ago,” She turned away from me.

“Don't walk out that door,” I growled at her.

She actually paused for a moment and the turned the knob.

Within a second I had her away from the door and pinned to my bed.

“I said don't walk out the door, “I growled angrily, threateningly. “You will listen to me.” I demanded.

Her eyes were wide, but I could tell that she knew I would never hurt her, but she was scared. Very scared.

“I love you! Nothing I do . . . Nothing you do, will ever do anything to change that. Yes, you are with Ian. Yes, I kissed some random girl. None of that matters. I love you and you can be comfortable in the fact that I have never said that to another woman besides my mother and my aunt, and I am proud of that fact. Now don't make me angry again.” I demanded.

“Will I not like you when you’re angry?” She tried desperately not to smiled but failed.

I couldn't help the smile that grew on my face. “You are going to drive me crazy one day,” I rolled my eyes at her.