Charming The Alpha

by Liliana Rhodes

  Charming The Alpha

  by

  Liliana Rhodes

  Chapter One

  "I'm leaving in a few minutes, Mom," Hannah called out.

  Dressed in her favorite outfit for luck, dark skinny jeans, worn brown leather boots, and a light blue chenille sweater with navy and white stars, she peered out the small oval window that faced the street of the old cottage she was born in.

  The full moon hung large and low in the sky, lighting the road. She was almost ready to leave and her palms began feeling a little moist as she thought about it, but she was running out of time if she wanted to see Pea.

  As she finished braiding her long auburn hair, Hannah Crane wrapped an elastic around the end hoping that if her hair was neat, her grandmother wouldn't give her such a hard time about cutting it. Normally she wore it loose and wild to lengthen her round face. She loved feeling her hair sway against the middle of her back, but Pea had a hatred for long hair and Hannah desperately needed her focused on this short visit.

  "Here, wear this," Eliza Crane, Hannah's mother said as she handed her a navy and red hooded cloak. "I just finished it and it's going to get chilly tonight."

  "Its just going to slow me down," Hannah said as she slipped her arms into the hidden sleeves.

  "I don't want you to catch cold. Plus maybe you can hide your hair in it. I know she's been on you to cut it. She did the same thing to me when I was your age."

  "Did you do it? Did you give in to her? I'm only twenty-two. Short hair is better when you're older," she said as she admired her mother's jet black shoulder length hair. "Besides, I can't pull off short hair."

  Hannah was pretty sure her mother had been one of those girls she grew up envying. She thought of the women who could do anything to their hair and still look gorgeous, and knew her mother fit in with them perfectly. Eliza's beauty was a regular topic in the town of Leeds Point, NJ and Hannah grew up hearing about it often.

  The only time her mother's appearance bothered her was when people speculated about her father. They loved pointing out she looked nothing like her mom. With Eliza's warm smile and delicate features, Hannah understood everyone's infatuation with her mother. Even dressed in an old t-shirt and sweatpants like she wore now, her mother still looked stunning.

  "I did give in," Eliza said quietly. "It didn't make her happy though."

  "Why not?"

  "She said it was too late, the damage had been done."

  "What did she mean by that?"

  "Oh you know Pea, she's always dramatic. I was pregnant with you when I cut my hair. She thinks no one will look at us if we have short hair," Eliza said laughing nervously as she looked at her watch.

  "Hmm that sounds about right," Hannah said, letting the subject drop. She didn't have the time to ask and she knew from experience that Eliza wouldn't say anything more.

  "Are you going to tell her about school?" Eliza asked.

  Hannah groaned and rolled her eyes. "College is the last thing I want to talk about, but you know how it is, Mom. I'm...I guess I'm feeling lost. And Pea has always been the one to point me in the right direction."

  "Then maybe you should've spoken to her before you started cutting classes."

  "Please don't start, Mom," Hannah said as she looked out the window. "Just be glad I graduated. I don't have the time to talk about this right now. Unless you want to come with me. You know Pea would be thrilled to see you."

  "No, it's alright, honey. You go ahead. I'm not in the right frame of mind to see Pea anyway. Send her my love though."

  Hannah nodded at her mother but didn't say anything. She couldn't remember the last time Eliza joined her on a visit to Pea. Now wasn't the time to bring that up though. She could see just the mention of when she was pregnant made her mother shut down.

  Hannah had a lot of questions about her father, but she never drummed up the courage to ask. Hearing her mom say she cut her hair was the closest she'd come to talking about him in years.

  "Don't wait up," Hannah said.

  After kissing her mother on the cheek, Hannah stepped outside and leaned against the heavy, white-washed wooden door of their cottage. The tiny home had been in their family since the days of the pilgrims. It barely had enough space for the two women, but Hannah loved it.

  The full moon made the grassy path curving between the tall pine trees easier to see, but Hannah didn't need it. She followed it like she did every full moon, exactly like her mother taught her years ago. She enjoyed these visits with Pea, even if they were short.

  Hannah breathed the cool air in deeply, happy for fall to finally arrive in South Jersey. It had been a very humid summer and running through the woods made her easy prey for blood thirsty mosquitos. She didn't have to worry about them tonight though, and she never gave any thought to the other creatures in the forest.

  Granted, the last thing she wanted was to run into a "damned wolf", as her mother and Pea always referred to them, but that was only because they were rude, dirty, uneducated creatures. At least that's what they always told her.

  When her mother and grandmother decided it was better for her to stay home, than go away to college, Hannah simply obeyed. It never occurred to her to ask why they were so protective because they always had been. Staying home cost her a social life but kept them happy. That's all she really cared about anyway. But now she was stuck trying to figure out what to do with her life.

  As she approached the clearing, she slowed down to gather stones. Thankful for the unusually bright moon, she found more stones than she usually did. She was grateful for that. There were times when she only had a enough stones for a small circle and she had to stand the entire time. She preferred sitting, especially since it sometimes took Pea a long time to arrive.

  Placing the stones in the center of the clearing, directly in the moon's path, Hannah waited for it to reach the right height. Spotting a frog, she remembered how much Pea hated them and quickly carried it to the base of a tree.

  With the moon clearly above, she completed the circle with her seated cross-legged inside. Hannah closed her eyes. Next she breathed in deeply and slowly let it out, letting everything on her mind go as she focused on a memory of her grandmother.

  She laughed to herself remembering the winking game they played from the time she was a child, until Pea's deathbed six years ago. Even with the monthly visits Hannah missed her grandmother more than she'd ever admit. The small house she and her mother shared wasn't the same without her.

  "I see you still haven't cut your hair."

  Hannah smiled hearing Pea's voice before opening her eyes. Pea wore the same yellow housecoat she always wore since her death. It was one of her favorites during her life so it didn't surprise Hannah at all. Pea's hair was still died black and cut short with curls like Elizabeth Taylor's in the fifties. Hannah knew her grandmother would be pleased if she cut her hair that short as well.

  Might as well get this over with, she thought. It was 3am, the witching hour as superstitious folk liked to call it, but it was always a favorite time of night for Hannah and her family. Unfortunately it meant she didn't have a lot of time before the sun began to rise and Pea had to go back.

  "Come on, Pea," Hannah groaned. "You know how much I hate short hair. Maybe I'll cut it when I'm older like Mom."

  "You're stubborn just like her."

  "And she's stubborn just like you."

  Pea laughed, her full figure jiggling just like Hannah remembered and she suddenly longed to be held by her and feel Pea's warmth and softness.

  "Don't you dare do that, young lady! Don't you dare cry. We're lucky. Most people don't get time like this after their loved one has gone to the other side."

  "I know, Pea," Hannah said swallowi
ng hard. "I just...miss you."

  "I miss you too, doll. You still need to cut your hair though. Let people see that beautiful face. You have my eyes and I like to think mine glow like emeralds," Pea said as she blinked dramatically, her hands clasped by her cheek.

  Laughing, Hannah's tears still spilled onto her cheeks anyway. Pea had a way of feigning vanity that always cheered Hannah up. Pushing aside her sadness, she figured she should get to what she wanted to talk to Pea about before their time ran out.

  "Pea," Hannah said hesitantly. "I finished college–"

  "That's wonderful! I wish I could go to your graduation."

  "I know, but please just let me talk. I really need you right now."

  "What's wrong? You've worked so hard. I'm sure–"

  "Grandmother, please!" she interrupted. "I didn't work hard. I hardly went to class. I just didn't care. Now I'm supposed to get a job and I have no idea what I want to do."

  "What do you mean? You used to do so well in school," Pea's voice drifted off as if it was time for her to go. She looked up at the moon still brightly lighting the clearing, then back at Hannah with a confused look on her face. "They wouldn't come here, they know better than to leave their territory."

  Hannah looked around. "They? There's no one here. What are you talking about?"

  "Hannah!" Pea said before fading briefly. "Please, stop being so damned stubborn and cut your hair." She appeared solid for a moment. "It's for your own good!"

  As Pea faded a look of concern then anger crossed her features. She glared at a point in the trees as Hannah leapt to her feet, staying within the circle.

  "Pea! Wait!" Hannah called after her. But it was too late, she was gone.

  Turning towards the area Pea stared at as she disappeared, Hannah realized it was where she placed the frog. Geez, I know she hates frogs but they never bothered her this much before. She broke the circle and began walking over to the tree she set the frog by, when she stopped. Something was in the woods.

  Squinting, she tried to get a better look figuring it was just a deer, a raccoon, or even a skunk. Slowly, she took a step closer hoping to not scare it away. Large yellow eyes suddenly flashed at her from within the trees.

  Stunned, she gasped and stepped back. Accidentally stepping onto one of the stones she collected, she twisted her ankle and fell fast to the ground. Unsure what the eyes belonged to, she struggled to get up, thinking she should run, and ignoring the shooting pain in her leg as a large grey wolf emerged from the forest, baring its teeth.

  Chapter Two

  The moonlight reflected on his fangs and the silver sheen of his coat. It was enough to paralyze her for a moment. She had never seen such an enormous animal before. Unsure if she couldn't move out of fear or amazement, she willed herself to stand despite the pain in her right ankle.

  "No, sit. You're hurt."

  The sound was something between an animal's and a man's growl. Whipping her head around towards the wolf, she saw it was gone. In his place was a part wolf, part man creature in mid-transformation. She watched in amazement as he stood on two legs, his snout shortening into a nose, his ears shifted along his head as they rounded into a human's ears, and lastly his fur faded.

  Left in the wolf's place was a man. A naked man. One so handsome and muscular she couldn't help but stare. He was the hottest man she'd ever seen. As her eyes slowly traveled up his long legs, she shyly glanced over his impressive manhood before continuing over his chiseled torso, broad shoulders, then finally his lightly bearded face.

  His eyes were no longer yellow but a dark blue the color of the night sky. His dirty blond hair was wavy, cropped close around his ears, but longer on the top. Lastly she noticed the reflection of the moon against his perfect teeth as he grimaced at her. This was the first werewolf she had ever seen and she realized she had missed out on a lot.

  "The forest is a dangerous place for a human," he said.

  "I'm pretty sure you're the only danger in these woods," she snapped at him.

  The man stood shamelessly, as if his nudity didn't matter. Hannah tried but couldn't keep herself from looking at him, especially there.

  "You shouldn't be here. Where's your friend? I followed one scent but heard two voices. Stupid humans," he muttered.

  "You heard Pea?" Hannah asked surprised.

  Her entire life she had been ridiculed for the voices and people she saw that others couldn't. It wasn't until she was older that her mother and Pea taught her how to control it and how to protect herself in case others responded when she summoned. That's why she used the circle. But no one other than her family had ever been able to hear the voices she heard before.

  "Pea? Whatever. The older woman. Of course I heard her. I hear lots of things," he grinned and flashed yellow wolf eyes at her.

  "But she's..." Dead.

  Hannah couldn't bring herself to say the word. She hoped this rude asshole of a gorgeous man would magically read her mind and leave her alone. Then she would hobble home once the throbbing in her ankle stopped.

  "I don't have time for this. I should leave you here to learn your fate," he said huskily as his gaze briefly softened. "Many wolves wouldn't be as honorable towards a lost beautiful human such as yourself."

  "I'm not lost!" Hannah replied, trying to stand again. "I know exactly how to get home."

  "But you can't, can you?" He said slowly as he stepped closer. Pulling his eyes from her, he looked at the ground and the stones beside her. "Witch," he whispered. "I should've known. The most arrogant and careless of all humans."

  "I'm not careless. I wouldn't have tripped if you didn't sneak up on me."

  "You don't know what exists in these woods. If you know what's good for you, you won't return."

  He helped her onto her feet as if she weighed nothing. His touch sent a shock through her body that ended with a throbbing between her legs. Hannah didn't know what came over her, but she felt a yearning for him, like hunger or worse. As if she didn't have him she would starve.

  He inhaled deeply, still supporting her. His eyes flashed yellow and he let out a low growl. "How? What witchcraft have you done?" He demanded as he breathed her in again.

  "I...I just talked to my grandmother," she said confused, her head swimming.

  "I'll help you home. This is no place for you."

  He stepped back as Hannah struggled to keep her balance. Before her eyes his torso lengthened, fur sprouted, and his angelic face transformed into that of a wolf. Almost the size of a horse, Hannah realized how enormous he really was now that he was standing beside her. Amazed, she didn't know what to do next.

  The wolf grunted, then lowered his head as he pushed between her legs, forcing her to slide onto his back. Understanding he planned to carry her home, she wrapped her hands into the thick fur of his wide neck and held on tight.

  "The small house at the edge of the woods. By the path," she whispered into his pointed, black and white fuzzy ear.

  He sprung forward, leaping into the air, then raced along the grassy path she followed earlier. The cool air rushed past her, her heart beat wildly, and she felt like she couldn't breathe. She wanted to pinch herself to make sure this wasn't a dream, but she was too afraid to let go of him.

  In the back of her mind she thought about him as the man, helping her up, and all her lust came back to her. Pressing her face against his neck, she felt the wolf's muscles working beneath her as he made short work of the long path. Thinking about his muscles flexing and stretching when he walked earlier as a man, she let out a soft sigh. As if in reply, he growled ferociously, bringing her back to the trees racing past.

  Slowing down they reached the edge of the forest. With her hands still clinging to the thick fur around his neck, Hannah sat up, her hair loosened from the ride, and pointed to the aqua clapboard cottage in the middle of the quiet street. The house was dark except for an electric candle in the oval window that faced the street. Hannah knew her mother had gone to bed long ago. She never stayed up
the nights Hannah visited Pea.

  As she slid off the wolf's back in front of her porch, she used the white wooden railing to steady herself, putting her weight on her good leg. The wolf shifted back to its human form and grabbed Hannah by the arm as he lowered his face to her level.

  "Never again, you understand? Stay out of the forest," he growled.

  She wanted to speak, to tell him she'd keep visiting Pea no matter what, but his intense gaze made her speechless. The warmth of his breath on her skin made her want to feel the heat of his naked body against her. She felt wanton and lustful, two words she'd never use to describe herself, at least not until tonight.

  His dark blue eyes flashed yellow. Quickly pulling her closer, his lips were on hers, his head tilted. As his tongue pushed into her mouth, she reached up to slip her fingers into his hair, hoping he wouldn't stop kissing her. As his silky scruff gently scratched her chin, she attempted to press herself against him.

  "No!" He barked before turning away, his eyes still glowing. "Damn human temptress. Stay out of the woods!"

  Before Hannah could say anything, he was gone. She stared at the forest, disappointed in his leaving so quickly. Wondering if he was watching her from the shadows, she silently cursed her ankle for keeping her homebound. She waited in the moonlight for a sign, some proof he was really there but none came.

  Giving up, she entered her home and hobbled over to the kitchen table where she removed her boots. A lock of her hair fell into her face and she pushed it aside and over her ear like she always did. Wait a second, she thought. Moving her hand in front of her face again, she realized she smelled like him, a combination of the woods and fresh air mixed with his natural musk.

  As she thought about him, she smiled. She couldn't explain it, but there was something about this man she found irresistible. Something more than just his incredible looks or amazing kiss. Removing her cloak, she sniffed it happy to find his scent there too. She carried her cloak to the couch, draped it around her, and willed herself to dream about the rugged werewolf.