Alpha's Ultimatum

by Charlee Garden

  I brushed a stray strand of hair out of my eyes, “Sam came up to the hospital and found me mid panic attack before I even got to see my dad.”

  In true Tessa fashion, she disregarded my panic attack and went straight for the heart of the issue.

  “Sam, huh?” She said, her face darkening. For reasons unknown to me, Sam and Tess had hated each other immediately. They never admitted it out loud or told me where the dislike stemmed from but I knew it all the same.

  “Is that going to be a thing again, then?” She asked, her voice strangely level considering she never hesitated to force her opinions on me.

  “No. I only seen him that one day. He never came back after that,” I answered, fidgeting in my seat as she turned onto my parents block.

  “But you wanted him to come back? Shit, Lil. You dealt with his bullshit enough in high school. Don’t do it again,” she said in a grave tone.

  “I know but... it’s hard. He was my first... everything. You’re right though. Sam is in my past and I have to keep him there.”

  “Damn right you do. That boy was forever lying to you. You deserve way better than that.”

  Her words echoed in my head. As a boy, he had lied to me a lot but he wasn’t a boy anymore. He was definitely a man now—a super hot one at that.

  7

  Sam

  It turns out that preparing for war was far more tedious than one would think. As beta, I had to stay on the pack lands whenever my father was out--which was a lot. The only time I was allowed to leave was for my human job and I was ordered to return immediately after to help train the wolves.

  The past week and a half had been an endless cycle of training, work, and other random preparations. From increasing our grocery supply to cataloguing each individual wolf’s strengths and weaknesses, I was constantly busy.

  I wasn’t too distracted to think about Liliana though. In fact, it felt like that was all I did whenever I had a moment to spare. I wondered how she was handling the transition back to Nashville. I had been in contact with Luca to see how their dad was recovering but I had resisted the temptation of asking for Lily’s number. My wolf raged within me. He’d recognized the green-eyed beauty as his mate long before I had even realized it.

  I was at war with myself and it fucking sucked. My wolf wanted me to claim her and never let her go. My human side wanted the same thing but he was more rational. Lily was human. Being mated to a werewolf would be hard enough for her to deal with. Worse, now that the pack was preparing for an inevitable war. I couldn’t try to win her over. It would be too dangerous. All of the human mates in our pack were in constant danger but it’d be much more perilous to be mated to the beta. I wouldn’t do that to her.

  Then there was the little fact that we’d broken up because I was constantly lying and keeping secrets. I had good reason, of course, but it wasn’t like I could enlighten her without the woman trying to have me committed.

  No matter why I had lied, the end result was still the same. She didn’t trust me. Hell, it went well beyond trust issues. She had left the state and remained away for three years with no contact and I’d felt every painful second of it, but none of that compared to seeing her in person again. It was a slap in the face to be reminded just how much my lies had cost me. Just because my wolf claimed her, that didn’t mean she’d accept me. I had a long way to go to win her over--not that I was going to try.

  I was on reason 872 as to why trying to get Lil back was a bad idea when I was interrupted by a buzzing in my pocket. I pulled my phone out and walked across the clearing, away from the wolves I had paired to spar.

  My boss, Jesse, was human. I didn’t want to explain why there was snapping and snarling in the background as I answered the call, “Hey what’s up?”

  “Not much. I know you’re off this upcoming Monday but I was wondering if you’d come in and take Thursday off instead. I hired a new office manager and I want her to be trained in the receiving department before I have her train in the office.”

  I stifled my groan before agreeing. I would rather have kept Monday off to try to go see Lily but I’d rather train the newbie on the docks myself. Office managers who didn’t understand the inner workings of shipment tended to mess up billing which in turn messed with my quarterly bonus. I needed all the money I could get now that we were stockpiling medicine and first aid equipment. War wasn’t cheap. We all chipped in as a pack but still--the more money the better.

  “Thanks, Sam. I’ll bring her to your office at eleven. That way you can sleep in a bit. I appreciate it, man.”

  “No problem, Jess. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  We hung up and I let out a dejected sigh. I didn’t want Lil to think I didn’t care about her being back or her dad being in the hospital. I had been there the first night, sure, but that wasn’t going to fix everything that had gone wrong with us.

  872 reasons or not, I wanted Lily back.

  8

  Liliana

  “I love it!” I squealed as I jumped up and down, arms swinging around in some odd form of excitement.

  Tessa threw her head back and laughed at me before joining in with her own weird little dance. We collapsed on the plush beige carpet of my new apartment, our heads touching as our body’s formed a diagonal line. My dad had been out of the hospital for almost a week now and, while I was more than welcome to stay--I was so happy to get the hell out of my parents’ house. Tess had just gotten back into town with all of my personal effects the day before and now that I had the keys, it was time to set out on my own.

  We both stared up at the white stucco ceiling as Tessa let out a sigh, “I can’t believe we aren’t going to be living together anymore.”

  “I know,” I said. “How am I going to survive? I’m going to have to learn how to cook.”

  “Babe, you’re tragic in the kitchen. You need to order out or visit your mom,” She laughed as she rolled over onto her stomach. Hovering over me, she continued with a grin, “There are elderly people in this building. They might not be able to make it out when the place inevitably goes up in flames. Best you don’t even attempt it.”

  I let out a groan as I slapped at her forehead playfully, shoving her away from me as I sat up, “That was one time!”

  “You literally set the kitchen on fire with the microwave!”

  “You said to put the biscuit in for thirty minutes!”

  “I said seconds, bitch. Why would you microwave a biscuit for thirty minutes?” She laughed as we continued the conversation we’d had at least a dozen times over the three years we lived together.

  “It was doughy still! How would thirty seconds do anything? Doesn’t make sense.”

  “It was barely undercooked.”

  I climbed to my feet, reaching down to help her up, “Whatever. If you had cooked them all the way, there would have never been a fire. This is your fault really.”

  “We aren’t talking about me--you microwaved a biscuit for half an hour. There is no coming back from that.”

  “Whatever. Let’s go,” I laughed.

  So much had happened since I’d returned home almost two weeks ago. My dad was released from the hospital, I’d found a gorgeous little apartment, and I had gotten a job. I’d even applied for the fall semester to finish my BA in business. Things were looking up. The only downfall was leaving my bestie and the life I had built in Chicago.

  Tess flipped her thick curls over her shoulder haughtily, “So not only are you abandoning me, but you’re going to rush me into helping with it? Does that make it self-abandonment? Assisted neglect?”

  I replied as I pulled the front door open, “Shut up. If we hurry this up, maybe we can go out tonight.”

  “Sold,” she shouted as she pushed me out of the way in her dash into the hall. With a smile, I shut the door and locked it behind me. By the time I made it down the stairs and into the parking lot, she was already inside the moving truck and buckled up.

  I climbed into the driver’s seat and
turned the engine over.

  “What’s the first stop?” She asked as she opened up a bag of chips. Tess was a chronic car snacker. I’d never seen her drive more than a mile without busting open something to munch on.

  “The furniture store. I bought everything online already so we just have to pick it up. Then my parents for all the stuff I left there when I left for the Windy City.”

  “How are we supposed to unload all of this stuff by ourselves? I’m too cute for manual labor.”

  I focused on the road as I placated my Primadonna of a best friend, “You’ll survive. Luca is coming to help and he’s bringing a friend.”

  The rest of the drive was relatively silent, aside from noisy eating. We loaded the truck up at both stops within a couple hours. It was two in the afternoon by the time we returned to my new apartment to unload. Luca and his friend were sitting on the steps of the complex, standing in unison as I parked the truck.

  “Hey Lil. Tessa,” Luca said as he hugged us both in greeting, “This is Nate.”

  Nate was over six feet and muscled which was pretty much Tess’s type. Hair, eyes, ethnicity--things like that didn’t matter to my bestie. Tall and strong. That was all she cared about.

  I looked over to see her appraise the man with a smile before it faded, her eyes narrowing in anger. I frowned, trying to figure out what was up.

  My brother looked between the two in confusion as Nate’s smile faded, his hand still outstretched as he waited for Tess to shake it.

  I opened my mouth to speak but Luca beat me to it, “Do you two know each other?”

  “No,” Nate replied, letting his hand fall awkwardly. I elbowed my friend’s side but she sidestepped the nudge. She turned and walked toward the truck, opening up the back before grabbing a box.

  We all looked after her, stunned. I smiled at Nate apologetically, “Sorry. I don’t know what’s gotten into her. Thank you for coming to help.”

  Nate smiled back, his discomfort evident, “No problem. I guess we should go help.” His statement sounds more like a question as he lifted his hand to scratch the back of his neck uncomfortably. Looking at his biceps on display, I had to say I was extremely shocked at my bestie’s reaction. Normally, she’d be a cat in heat around a guy who looked like Nate.

  I propped the outside door open and quickly showed the guys which apartment was mine before hurrying back outside. I cornered Tess as she tried to walk into the apartment building, “Dude. What the fuck? That was super rude.”

  Tess glared at me, “He’s just like Sam. Stay away from him.”

  I frowned as she pushed passed me, wondering what the hell had just happened to my easy -going friend.

  I stared after her in confusion, wondering what she meant when she said he was just like Sam--especially since she hardly knew Sam and definitely didn’t know Nate. I had never understood her deep and immediate hatred for my ex and I didn’t understand it now with my brother’s friend. I ignored it, vowing to ask her later when we were alone.

  The move went smooth, albeit awkward. We had the truck emptied within an hour and a half which had to have been some sort of record. The only hiccup we had hit was with the couch. It was way heavier than the guys at the furniture store had made it seem. Nate carried one end while Luca and I struggled with the other. Dude was strong.

  After we finished up, I offered to buy pizza for everyone but the guys said they had to go and, to my surprise, so did Tess.

  “I thought we were going out tonight,” I said, tilting my head.

  “We are. I’ll get ready at the hotel and meet you at Ruby’s. Take a cab and we can catch one back together.”

  “Uh... okay... I guess.”

  She was the first out the door, not bothering to say goodbye to anyone. I gave the guys a hug goodbye and apologized to Nate again for my friend’s behavior before thanking them both. Nate waved the apology off good-naturedly.

  After they left, I collapsed on the couch. Just a little nap, I told myself as my eyes fluttered shut. I totally earned it.

  9

  Sam

  “Hey Sam,” Chelsea’s voice broke the monotony of watch. With Jameson’s threat looming over our heads, we had scheduled a rotation for watch. There were always at least six wolves on watch during the day and at night the numbers doubled. I was one of the unlucky twelve stuck roaming the grounds to make sure we were safe. I understood the vigilance but that didn’t mean I had to enjoy it.

  “What’s up?” I asked, acknowledging her.

  “You looked lonely. I just thought I’d come keep you company,” her voice had a forced huskiness to it that grated on my nerves.

  “I’m fine on my own. I need to be vigilant. Go back to your house.”

  The pack’s home base was set up to resemble a private subdivision set in a rural area just barely inside the border of Knoxville. Chelsea’s home was on the west end while I stood watch on the east. She had to have purposely come to my watch post.

  “Why are you constantly pushing me away? We had a good thing, Sammy,” she breathed as she reached out to caress my arm.

  I ignored the fact that she called me Sammy even though I despised the name, “What we had wasn’t a good thing. It wasn’t even a thing. It was just sex and now that’s done. We aren’t even friends, Chelsea. We’re packmates. That’s all we’re ever going to be.” I hated to be an asshole but she hadn’t taken the hint when I tried to let her down gently.

  I expected the slap but did nothing to dodge it as her hand came flying at my face. I took the hit. My head snapped to the side on impact. She wasn’t a huge woman by any means. She was, however, a wolf and we had strength that even the strongest humans couldn’t dream of having.

  She drew her hand back for a second slap and I caught her wrist, “One was deserved. Two isn’t happening. Go home.”

  “Fuck you, Sam,” She yanked her arm from my grasp and stormed away.

  Once she was far enough away that even my wolf’s enhance vision couldn’t spot her, I stripped out of my clothes. After folding them neatly and setting them on the ground, I called my wolf to the surface. The pain was sharp but quick and soon I landed on four paws.

  I began to circle my quadrant of the neighborhood to ensure the enemy hadn’t snuck onto our land. The scent of lavender and vanilla tickled my nose. I let out a howl as I recognized the intoxicating smell. What the fuck was she doing here?

  I followed the floral scent as I tried to find her. As I drew closer to the floral source, I realized the smell came from a man. He sat on the hood of his car, shadows obscuring his face. I couldn’t see who he was and even though my wolf recognized him as pack, I had the urge to rip his throat out. I shifted back to my human form, never pausing in my dash toward the guy. As I drew closer, I saw who he was. Reaching out, I gripped his shirt and yanked him off the car. I slammed his back against the passenger door and leaned into him, ignoring the fact that I was naked, “Why the fuck do you smell like my mate?”

  “Y-your mate, beta?”

  “Yes, my mate.”

  “I-I don’t know who your mate is,” he stuttered, clearly confused.

  I bared my teeth, canines lengthening, as my wolf hovered just below the surface. I struggled to keep the animal contained as I spoke again, “Liliana.”

  “Moretti?” He sagged with relief which was foolish. The fact that he knew her well enough to know her last name made me want to severely maim him. He must have read the malice on my face because he continued quickly, “I just helped her move into an apartment today. I’m friends with Luca. I’ve been carrying her stuff all day. I haven’t showered yet.”

  “Enough,” I snapped, his rambling irritated me further, “What’s your name again?”

  “Nate, Beta.”

  “Nate, if you ever come back here smelling like my woman again--I’ll kill you.”

  He remained silent as he nodded his agreement.

  I let go of the wolf and stepped away, releasing the tenuous hold I had on my inner bea
st. Within seconds, I was an animal once more. I turned and ran.

  What the hell was wrong with me? I was second in command, for fucks sake. I couldn’t just go around threatening my own pack.

  I felt bad for the guy--Nate. He was new to the pack. My dad had found him on a trip to Nashville, a lone wolf. I couldn’t imagine living twenty-two years without being around another wolf. The poor kid shifted for the first time alone with no knowledge of his heritage beforehand. This was the first place he’d had a chance to belong and I had probably scared the shit out of him.

  I made two promises to myself in that moment:

  I’d apologize and make it up to Nate--when he didn’t smell like my Lily.

  I was going to make sure everyone, including the woman herself, knew Liliana Moretti was mine.

  10

  Liliana

  The room was dark, save for a soft glow from a streetlamp streaming in through the window. I rubbed my eyes in an attempt to clear the fog of sleep from them to no avail.

  Swiveling my head around, I tried to remember where I was. The room was unfamiliar, causing panic to rise in my chest as I groped around my body in search of my phone. Breathing heavier as each moment passed, I felt a panic attack brewing. Where was I? Where was my phone?

  My heart thundered in my chest as every shadow the soft luminescence outside cast seemed to take on a sinister edge. Forcing myself to take even breaths, I tried to clear my mind and calm my nerves as my hand continued its search for my phone.

  I hadn’t always had panic attacks. In fact, I’d never had one until my sophomore year of high school. Sam had told me he was going to hang out with some of the guys from the basketball team after school. We said goodbye at my locker at the end of the day as always but I forgot my notebook so I ran back inside just in time to see him leaving with some sophomore named Chelsea. It wasn’t like I launched into a panic attack right away.