The Forbidden Alpha

By the end of the session, I was sore all over. Sometime in between practice Ethan had come in and sat on the sidelines watching everyone train. Before it ended he spoke to Darci and left without a word to us.

Some of the members remained standing and some sat on the floor. My tired out of shape self was sitting on the floor with my legs splayed out in front of me. She had run us through the wringer workout after workout. I prayed she didn’t make us split up into groups to fight because I don’t think I could even defend myself at this point. It was sad.

I noticed Leo periodically through practice and noted he wasn’t tired or out of breath. He broke a sweat but his stamina was through the roof. I was impressed but still hated him for it. Because fuck him and his goddessdamn asshole agenda against me. The more he tried for my attention the more I was determined not to give it to him.

As my heart rate slowed and air finally filled my lungs Darci stepped forward. “Before we leave today, I would like to see a show of hands of how many of you have heard about the Luna Ceremony this weekend?” Darci asked.

I looked around the field and a majority of members raised their hands.

“Does anyone have any questions?” She asked.

One of the men from Tier 1 raised his hand.

“Yes,” she said as she nodded at him.

“Why are they holding a ceremony?” He asked.

“In this pack and most packs, this is how they crown their Luna. There is a ceremony and the pack attends to watch her get crowned. It was only our pack that didn’t do this,” she said.

The members were silent. I wanted to ask why their pack didn’t but I knew I was undercover and couldn’t ask that.

“Our Alpha is not in attendance and I would like to take this opportunity to ask what needs to be addressed,” Darci started, “Is there anyone here who is still loyal to Alpha Dante?”

I hold my breath.

She went there. Darci was waiting and so was I. The members went silent and I wondered if they were going to admit to it. I found myself looking around at the faces of those around me.

“Should I take that as a no?” She asked.

“No.” A murmur of no’s filled the silence and I felt myself take a breath. Thank Goddess.

“This is our home now. Ethan is our Alpha and we will train together to protect our new family,” Darci said. “It is a miracle to even consider an outsider for the position of Gamma. I see that as an offering of trust and I would like for us to offer Alpha Ethan the same.”

***

I dragged all the strength I could and shoved myself to my feet. I said goodbye to Zoe attempting to walk. My muscles were strained and begged me to sit back down. I checked my phone and realized I had a good hour left before the cake sampling with Tres Le Cheria and Kristina. I can enjoy a hot shower and have time to freshen up.

With a satisfied smile, I took to mentally patting myself on the back for not giving Leo a reason to get on my case. Taunting him about the separation of tiers may have been dumb but I couldn’t help but poke the beast that had the audacity to shove me.

Everyone was making their way off the field when a cold prickle ran down my spine and I looked up when I felt eyes on me. I turned left and right and didn’t see anyone specifically looking my way.

I know I told Ethan I would reveal my identity to the new recruits but after Darci’s speech, I didn’t think it was the right time. They would all be in attendance and would find out this weekend. If anything, I could address them during or after the ceremony.

Something pushed me from behind and I fell on my knees. I looked up to see Leo standing above me and I immediately fell still as he stared down his nose at me.

Goddess! I couldn’t get away from this asshole. He continued to tower over me without even bothering to apologize or offer me a hand. So I tried my hardest to ignore his presence and tried to stand up.

He didn’t say a word as he leaned down to push me back into the dirt. My muscles screamed in protest but I schooled my features not wanting him to see any of it. I forced myself to remain impassive.

“What do you want Leo?” I asked, my voice void of any anger or hostility.

Leo growled at me. The sweat from practice dripped down his body and his eyes filled with anger. “I want you to quit Tiny.”

Tiny? Seriously?

“I want you to disappear and I want you to hand me your place,” he snarled.

“Or what?” I snapped up at him. I was tired and my mask was slipping.

“Or I’ll be forced to break you in,” he whispered.

I looked up at him and pushed myself to my feet suddenly, not giving him the chance to push me back down. He was forced to take a step back as he continued to scowl down at me.

I reached up on the tips of my toes and pushed his hair back. His eyes darkened and flickered down to my lips as I leaned in.

“I’d like to see you try,” I whisper and smirk at him. I swear I’ve seen something similar done in grade school. Boys bully girls they have a crush on and I couldn’t help but find this whole situation silly. I slip back down on both feet solidly and pull away when he catches my arm.

“Careful, Tiny,” Leo warned, as he pulled me in closer. “You might upset your mate if you keep touching me.”

I snorted dismissively. “Why don’t you let yourself believe that.. My mate and I hide nothing from each other and,” I said, my eyes drifting down his body, “He has nothing to worry about when it comes to you or anyone else for that matter.”