Chasing the Alpha (Full Moon Series Book 2)

by Mia Rose

  “I will let you go now, but if I ever see you again, I will not hesitate to kill you. Do you understand?” Declan released Noelle and put her back on her feet.

  She pressed her hands to neck and begin to massage out the area, already feeling the bruises developing under the skin. She turned and started to walk back to her car.

  “Oh, and Noelle,” Declan said, “We will be coming after all of you.” Noelle did not turn around to face him, but his words sent chills down her spine.

  The Declan she had known for the short amount of time was gone, completely replaced by a person consumed with rage and a thirst for vengeance. She knew he wasn’t bluffing and she would have to come up with a plan to protect her family, even if that meant facing Declan again; even if that meant dying.

  Declan quickly crossed back over the river to where Gabriel was standing, holding a ripped-up shirt.

  “Where were you?” Gabriel asked.

  “I thought I saw something,” Declan responded, “but it turned out to be nothing. What is that?”

  Gabriel looked down at the torn piece of clothing in his hand. “When I first turned and began training with you all, I was so consumed with despair that I had lost my old life. I sat in the basement one day and just started going crazy, ripping through my clothes and trying to tear off my skin. I didn’t really even know what the hell I was trying to do. Cassidy walked in and saw me. She came right up to me and gave me a tight hug —honestly, she may have been trying to restrain me more than hug me. Anyways, she finally backed away from me and said ‘Gabriel, you have been given a second chance in this life to start over. To be a part of something bigger than yourself, and to have a real family that will always be there for you. Do not waste that on regrets for something that can never change.’”

  Gabriel looked at Declan with tears brimming in his eyes and in that moment Declan knew that what Gabriel felt was more than just the loss of a leader. He knew it was the loss of love. Declan put his hand on Gabriel’s shoulder and gave him a quick squeeze. Gabriel released the shirt onto the last remaining burning embers of the fire. They watched together as the fabric slowly disappeared into nothingness.

  They walked together back to the car in silence. Declan now knew Gabriel’s secret and he wasn’t sure if he wanted to ever touch on it again. But he did know that no matter what, they would get revenge on the people who tore away the most respected leader of their pack. It was with a bittersweet heart that Declan finally realized, after everything, he had never been the true alpha until this moment. And just like Cassidy said to Gabriel, he had been given this second chance and he was going to make damn sure not to screw it up again.

  “Saying goodbye is never easy.”

  Chapter 4

  The Way

  “Emotions aren’t always fair game.”

  Noelle went back home after her not-so-wonderful rendezvous with Declan. It made her cringe when she thought about the first time Declan had her pinned against a tree, and it involved a great deal of pleasure instead of pain. She took a towel and rubbed out some of the steam from the mirror and she noticed the purplish bruise already forming around her neck.

  “Fuck,” she said out loud to her reflection.

  She had never felt this emotionally perturbed before and to say that her mind was in a million places at once was the understatement of the year. She felt as though she was on a seesaw —she went up in her mind and decided that she was going to seek revenge on the werewolf that harmed her family, then she went down and decided she would try to win him back again.

  She got dressed in a loose-fitting, royal-blue, tank top over her black, leather leggings. She pulled on her boots and threw on a scarf over her neck to avoid the unwanted questions that would undoubtedly be asked of her… if anyone saw the bruises. As she emerged from her room, her aunt suddenly appeared next to her.

  “I can see how you might be good at sneaking up on a wolf,” said Noelle as she laughed quietly.

  “It’s an acquired skill,” said her aunt who winked at her as they walked into the living room where the rest of the family sat awaiting the news.

  “My father is okay,” Noelle announced.

  “We know,” her aunt said, “your mother called a while ago. She was actually looking for you to see if you could bring your father’s bathrobe when you went back.” Her aunt caught the look in Noelle’s eyes and added, “I told her you were resting and I sent Robert instead.”

  Noelle’s shoulders visibly shrank back into their rightful position. She hadn’t even thought about how long she had been gone, but thinking back on it, the memorial for Cassidy must have lasted a few hours at least. Oh, and then there was what happened with Declan…

  Her aunt snapped Noelle out of her thoughts before they went too far. “So, did you go back there? Did you find anything that might help us track them down?” It took a moment before Noelle understood what she was asking.

  “Um, yes, I did go back there.”

  “And? What did you find?”

  Noelle looked around the room at all of the expectant eyes turned toward her, waiting for her response. She knew what they wanted to hear, she just wasn’t sure what she wanted to say. She hadn’t decided yet how to handle the situation herself, and she really didn’t need other people involved in the decision-making process. Besides, from the looks on their faces, she already knew what they would say.

  “I didn’t find much,” Noelle said finally.

  “She’s probably lying,” shouted one of her younger cousins who had just recently found out their family’s careers. “She wants to keep all the fun for herself.”

  “Megan!” shouted the girl’s mother, “we are still guests here no matter what has happened. Mind your manners.” The girl shrank back into the couch, crossing her arms stubbornly over her chest.

  Noelle studied her and realized that had been her just a few years ago. Had this revelation saved her or destroyed any chance she may have had at happiness?

  “It’s alright, Marjorie. I did go back there and while I didn’t find anything today, I am going to go back again tonight to do further scouting,” Noelle said. “I’ll go by myself tonight to avoid any attention and I will let you all know if I find anything.”

  “Do you think that’s safe, Noelle? I don’t imagine your parents will be all that keen on this idea. I mean, you saw what they were capable of last night.”

  “And you saw what I was capable of last night as well,” Noelle answered sternly. She softened her voice and added, “I’ll be fine, I promise. I’m going to go to the hospital now, do you all want to come with me? I’m sure Dad will be excited to see you.”

  They all began shuffling around the house getting ready to head out to the hospital. Noelle rubbed at her neck as she absently thought of the threat that Declan had made. It played over and over in her mind.

  If I ever see you again, I will not hesitate to kill you.

  As her family piled into their own cars and they began driving to the hospital, Noelle reached for her phone and found the name she was searching for. She made her decision.

  Declan had called another pack meeting early that evening and he watched as the members slowly gathered into their seats. He noticed how much the wolves appreciated familiarity and routine, as each member found the seat that they always sat in at every meeting. He also noticed the empty seat to his right that was usually glowing with positivity and an undeniable energy. He knew he would never be able to replace her, but he also knew that he had a lot of work to do to keep them all strong.

  “Thank you all for coming,” Declan began, “I know that today was a trying day for all of us, and I deeply appreciate you all coming out to share your support. I know Cassidy would feel the same.”

  He paused a moment as he felt the room grow even more still at the mention of her name.

  Declan continued, “We are a pack and I know that we have all been busy trying to fit in with the world around us and we have been trying our best not to ca
use any waves or call any attention to ourselves, but… apparently we have gained the attention from a dangerous group of people. Traditionally, I would not be holding an emergency pack meeting to warn you all against a group of human hunters, but this group is different —they are a dangerous threat to us because they hold the one weapon that can deeply harm us.”

  The other pack members began speaking quietly to one another and Declan could feel the nerves in the room growing exponentially. This would normally be the point that Cassidy would stand up and tell them all that they had nothing to worry about, and that it would all be okay. She was the perfect piece to balance him out, but she wasn’t here anymore to pacify the others.

  “Here is what we are going to do,” Declan shouted over the voices and they all stopped to listen. “Here is what we are going to do. We are going to pick back up with training every day. We will have four classes every day either led by myself or Gabriel.” Gabriel picked up his gaze from the floor and nodded at Declan before he continued. “We will still need to continue with our appearances in the outside world, the last thing we need are reports of missing people all over the place. But if you’re working, try to cut down on your hours. If you’re in school, no extracurricular activities anymore. If you’re not out there then you are in here. And if you’re not training, then you’re researching silver and any possible antidotes.”

  “What about food?” someone shouted from the crowd.

  “Yeah, when are we supposed to hunt?” Declan heard as the crowd began working themselves into a frenzy.

  “I will be going hunting for us,” he shouted out, “I will go out every night in different areas and I know it won’t exactly be the freshest kill, but it will still be something in addition to the human food. I am aware that this is not the greatest situation for us, but in times like these, sacrifices have to be made in order to survive.” Declan found solace in the words he said next, “We are at war, people. It’s time to gear up.”

  He called an end to the meeting and watched all of the wolves leaving the room with a new energy; he just hoped that they would be able to maintain this throughout the next few days or however long it took to come up with a plan of attack. Gabriel walked over to where Declan was standing.

  “Hey, man,” Declan said to him, “how are you holding up?”

  “Alright.” Gabriel’s gaze was intense and Declan couldn’t quite figure out what might be behind it.

  “Is everything okay?” Declan asked.

  “Yeah.” Gabriel sighed, “I think next time you decide to volunteer me for something, maybe you should talk to me about it first.”

  “You’re my beta, Gabe. You do what I say when I say it.” Declan saw the hair stand up along Gabriel’s arms when he said that and he turned to face him head on, “Is there a problem with that?”

  Gabriel sucked in a huge breath of air and looked over at the few remaining pack members that were now staring at them.

  He unclenched his fist and quietly responded, “No.”

  Declan smiled down at him, “Great! Meet me in my office tomorrow so we can finalize the training schedules.”

  “Where are you going now?”

  “I’m going to get us food.”

  “Do you need help?”

  Declan laughed, but not out of any sense of humor, “I’m the alpha. I got this.”

  “Emotions aren’t always fair game.”

  Chapter 5

  The Reconciliation

  “They could both feel the truth of her words hanging above them.”

  Noelle stood by the mound of ashes and wood that had been burning earlier that day. The past two days whirled around her in a cloud of confusion, coming in and out of focus. Had it really only been two days? How could so much happen over the span of forty-eight hours? She had left a voicemail on Declan’s phone, but she was not sure if he would get it. Or if he did get it, she wasn’t sure he would show up. Or if he did show, she wasn’t sure he wouldn’t try to kill her right then and there.

  She promised herself that she would stay strong and that she would explain herself calmly, but the gun sitting beneath her shirt definitely helped with maintaining her confident façade. She pictured him standing over her father with his terrible lips pulled back revealing a bloody smile —her father’s blood. She blinked a few times to wash the image from her mind. She could hear footsteps behind her, approaching slowly.

  She turned around and came face to face with the man who had been haunting her dreams since the day she first laid eyes on him.

  “You came,” she whispered.

  “I can’t say that I wasn’t intrigued, Noelle, considering our meeting earlier. I vividly remember making a promise to you,” Declan took a step closer to her and Noelle reflexively took two steps back. “Ah, I see you do remember it then. So, picture me confused as to why you would call and ask to meet me? Unless of course you have a death wish? In which case, I will gladly fulfill it right here and now.”

  “I came to explain,” Noelle started, she took in a deep breath. “When you came to me with the arrows, I had no idea who had those or who would have used them. I was not lying.” Declan snorted a humorless laugh. “Declan, I am the one who planned that outing to the store with my family so I could keep track of who bought what and then I would be able to inform you. I had every intention of telling you the truth once I knew for myself. You just never gave me the chance to explain.”

  “Your father was the only one carrying a crossbow, Noelle. Do you think I am an idiot?”

  “Right now, yes,” Noelle shook her head in frustration, “we all own crossbows, but none of us use them normally. I have never seen my dad wielding a crossbow on any of his hunts before. I can promise you that. When we went to the store and I saw him buying the arrows, well it tipped me off, but it still wasn’t conclusive evidence. Not until we went out that night and he carried it out with him. That’s when I knew for sure. But you were already there, waiting for us.”

  Declan froze in his spot. He looked at her and focused in on her cool blue eyes. Could she be telling the truth?

  “I know it is hard for you to believe that, but I told you that I did not want to be enemies. What I can’t wrap my head around is why you would come here to this spot when I told you that we were all coming here, unless…”

  “I planned an attack. I knew you would all be here, so we came to meet you and take you down. After I saw you at the store, I thought you lied to me. I thought you were trying to trick me into leading my pack straight to you.”

  “I was trying to protect you.”

  Declan felt a shiver go down his spine. He couldn’t possibly be this stupid. First, he fell for the girl who ended up being a hunter, then he leads his pack to the place where he knew they were waiting… and they all witnessed the demise of the leader, his mate.

  “Noelle, I…” he trailed off. He had no idea what to say, he had so many thoughts running through his mind that he couldn’t make out up from down.

  He stared at the woman standing in the distance and felt his heart strings tugging furiously at him. “But Cassidy.”

  “I told you earlier that I had no idea that was Cassidy,” Noelle started, “I also had my gun loaded with regular bullets, but I guess someone had switched them out with silver bullets before the hunt. I had no intention of killing anyone from your pack despite the intentions that you had for my father.”

  Declan felt sick to his stomach. He had created a huge mess out of this entire situation. He had been the reason Cassidy died. If only he had steered clear of that area like Noelle told him, none of this would have happened. And then he and Noelle could still…

  “Declan,” Noelle interrupted his thoughts, “what are you thinking?”

  “I honestly don’t know right now. I have no idea what to say.”

  “Maybe, it’s better if we don’t say anything.”

  Declan looked up at Noelle and watched her as she slowly, warily made her way to where he stood. She removed
her scarf from around her neck and he cringed as he took in the finger-shaped bruises wrapped around her neck that came into view. She slipped her tank top over her head easily and stopped inches from him. He could feel the heat reverberating from her body. He saw the small space that her lips formed and his eyes trailed down over her chin, down her neck, and stopped at her full breasts cradled in her white, lacy bra. A small bow sat in the center where the two breasts met and Declan laughed in his head at the thought of unwrapping the gift before him.

  He reached forward toward her and placed his arm around her waist. He nudged her chin with his nose, tilting her neck back and exposing her throat. He tenderly kissed the places where just hours before, he wreaked havoc with his own hands. He brought her head back down and took in her beautiful face. Her long black lashes and her flushed cheeks sending him messages he couldn’t control. She wanted him and he felt his own body rising with anticipation. He brought his lips down to hers and tasted the sweetness. He could feel her hands tugging at his shirt, trying to maneuver it off of his body without separating their lips.

  Without warning, Cassidy’s voice broke through Declan’s passionate haze as he recalled her saying, it’s been weeks since you last kissed me. Moments after he had promised that things would return to normal. Then minutes later, the woman standing in front of him took Cassidy’s life.

  “I can’t do this,” Declan breathed. His chest was rising and falling rapidly and he felt frustrated and angry, and a thousand other things. “I can’t do this!” he yelled into the night.

  Noelle stood in front of him, mouth agape. She couldn’t understand what had happened. Seconds before he was kissing her with such urgency and passion. What had she done to ruin that?

  “What’s wrong, Declan? What happened?”

  “This!” he yelled out. “This entire thing is wrong. You and me, we’re wrong. We keep doing this, we keep falling into this and I don’t know why! I don’t know how… you killed her, and somehow, I still want you. You are the biggest threat to everyone in my life I care about and I still want to go against all common sense and, and…” Declan covered his face with his hands and let out a frustrated growl. Noelle stood there watching him, torn.