The Rogue Alpha’s Claim

Ariel looked at the space he had once occupied, and she let out a loud groan. She should have followed him out, but she was reluctant to do so; hell, he had been the one in the wrong, and she wasn’t going to apologize for something that wasn’t her fault.

She decided spending the time in her room was enough to pass the time, plus Claudia helped that it wasn’t so boring.

Ariel had felt a pang of guilt as she called her best friend. Was she even worthy to bear the title? So much had been going on in her life that she had barely had time to call or even pick up her calls.

But Claudia was literally the sweetest ray of sunshine, and she didn’t make trouble with the fact; instead, she had proceeded to give her a breakdown of how chaotic her life had been and, of course, a new boy.

Was it a Claudia story if there wasn’t boy trouble?

The rest of the day went by, and she was confined to her room as she had nothing to do.

In between waiting for Kane, she had dozed off on the bed and was only waking up when she heard the door creak.Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

“Kane?” Ariel stirred in her sleep, raising her head up to look at the intruder. “Why are you coming back so late?” She sniffed the air and was recoiling at the strong stench of alcohol. “Wait, are you drunk?”

“A little. I needed to clear my head for a moment.” Ariel sat up, watching him undress until he was only left in his shorts. “I am sorry about what happened earlier. I understand you are concerned about the pack, but Maddie cannot be the beta, and I suggest we just completely forget about the idea.”

“Yeah, I guess so.” Ariel had no choice but to comply. It was his pack, and he knew more about this world than she did. If he decided that something was good, there is every chance he was right.

And she didn’t want to drag this fight on any longer. She had missed him so much and was determined to spend every waking hour with him.

“It is fine; just come to bed; I have missed you.” Kane wasted no time before he took his place beside her, wrapping his arms around her and drawing her close.

“Hnnn.” Ariel sighed in bliss as the familiar scent hit her nose.

This was home.

***

The next day, preparations began in earnest for their relocation. Kane had wanted them gone as soon as possible before the enemies realized their location, and the fact that there was still a large opening that used to be the entrance wasn’t to their advantage.

There was nothing for her to do; Kane wouldn’t let her help the pack, not like she could do any better than them.

The men had been transporting some of the items to the new place during the course of the week, so there wasn’t much to pack again.

Ariel was only concerned with packing her one hundred and one clothing items. She was struggling with a suitcase when Kane crept up to her, wrapping his hands around the small of her waist.

“I thought you had decluttered earlier this month.”

“It was all in vain if I still had to struggle with them.” Ariel sighed, looking at the piles of clothes that were still on the bed, not including the clothes in the wardrobe. “When we settle in the new house, I am going to give some clothes out.” Kane loosened his hold on her, not believing any word that came out of her mouth. “I promise, this time I will do it.”

“Alright, if you say so.”

***

Night fell, and they laid down to sleep. Only Ariel could barely catch a twinkle of sleep; she kept on turning and tossing on her bed, willing sleep to come, but it had long taken flight.

It wasn’t until the first crack of dawn that she managed to close her eyes, but that was futile because she was waking up and preparing for the trip.

All of their things had been packed, and it was only to transport the humans that remained. Her suitcases had been loaded into the car, and she walked down with Kane hand in hand as they went downstairs.

The pack had already gathered outside, whispering in groups, but it was easy to spot the look of despair in their faces.

At least she wasn’t the only one who was opposed to the idea of moving. There was nothing they could do about it, though; the alpha words always stand.

They came out of the building, and Kane began to give instructions on how they would be moving. She was with Kane, obviously, and whatever remained would be in the trunk and the back seat.

Ariel entered the car, and she took one last look at the house she had come to love. She had laughed, cried, and been beaten in this place, but above all, she had learned.

She wondered what the future looked like for them in this new place, but one thing was sure.

As long as she had Kane with her, she could brave any storm.

***

The road trip was going smoothly except for the occasional bumps on the road, and Kane had tried to disperse the gloomy air with music.

“You would like the place.” Kane reassured her for the umpteenth time. The once bubbling Ariel had grown cold, and she sank into her chair, content with watching the world pass by.

“I know, but it would only take some time to get used to.” Ariel noted, and they fell into silence-a comfortable one, though.

She had used up all her energy packing, and right now, she was drained. She reached for the lever under her seat and pulled it up, and her chair reclined to a more relaxing position.

Ariel settled into her new position, and she closed her eyes, letting the rich voice of the ballad singer lure her to sleep.

“Ari? We are home.” Kane whispered, tapping her shoulders gently. The moving must have taken a toll on her because she had slept throughout the journey, and as the creep that he was, he had been staring at her all throughout.

Kane had been alternating between staring at his mate and the road. The moon goddess wouldn’t be happy to know he had met her early because he couldn’t focus on the road.

But would you blame him?

Ariel looked so beautiful while she slept, her lips closed in a pout, that he just wanted to kiss her silly.

“Hmm.” Ariel stirred in her sleep, slowly blinking her eyes open. “Are we there yet?”

“We just arrived. I would have carried you inside, but I am sure you would want to enjoy the view.”

“Hmm.” Ariel murmured, her brain still trying to process what was happening. But Kane came out of the car, and he opened her car door, holding her hand to help her out.

“Welcome to your new home, love.”

Ariel looked at the building that would be her new home, and her mouth opened in a silent gasp. “Oh my!”

They had arrived at the house in the evening, and all they could make out was the light coming out of numerous windows.

The compound was big enough to house a tennis court just as you entered through the gate and a sports complex for various sports. A meandering stone path led to the front door, flanked on the sides by colorful flowers in bloom.

Just by the side was colored play equipment suitable for a playground, and Ariel was in awe. Kane hadn’t been lying when he said this pack was going to be child-friendly, and she could just imagine their children growing up in this environment along with their peers.

“What do you think?”

“You really outdid yourself with this one, love. I had never expected this.”

“I have been planning this for years because of you, and I wanted it to be perfect.” Kane bragged, a smug look on his face.

“Wait, you already knew I was your mate even before I left for Australia?” Ariel asked, her hands on her hips.

“I meant my mate was going to come soon, and I wanted it to be perfect for her. Anyway, come look at our room; I made sure it was to your liking.”

“I already know it is going to be perfect. Nothing passes by you. But I will humor you.” Ariel was all smiles as she allowed Kane to lead her inside, quite sure that everything was going to work out well.

If only she knew.