Taking Down the Alpha

17 The Only Explanation

It had only been mere minutes since I had met Al, and my mind had already ceased to function properly. It was the only explanation as to why I was plastered to his back on the back of a motorcycle, not even knowing exactly where we were going.

And also the only reason why I was somehow enjoying the experience, even though it was far from practical and didn't seem to be very safe or sturdy. And it was not at all how I had intended to spend my night. I wasn't supposed to be running around having fun with my mate, I was supposed to be finding a champion. A nice, manageable champion who would do what I told him to do. With my wolf so weak to Al, I would have trouble not giving in to his every dictate.

Still, the excuse to wrap myself around my mate was more than welcome to my wolf, and he smelled so good he made my head spin. I couldn't describe it, it was like some combination of wood and man, and whatever it was, it was almost enough to offset my unease at letting this wolf I barely knew take control.

He was my mate, so I was safe with him, but being safe wasn't the only thing that mattered. Dominance practically oozed out of him, and as much as I loved that, I didn't want to be his pretty little luna shoved off into the corner to deal with luna matters.

Of course, luna matters were important for the health of the pack, but I wanted to do so much more than that. Maybe it was selfish, on some level, but I also wanted power so that I could help nurture my pack into achieving its full potential. I'd never wanted to be a luna, but now it looked like that was what the goddess intended for me.

Even if it wasn't what I wanted.

But maybe it was inevitable. There were too many wolves stronger than me for me to be able to hold onto the alpha title long term. Maybe luna was the best I could do.

My mind was all over the place, my wolf instincts pulling me towards this male I barely knew, my human mind trying to maintain my rational plan in spite of how irresistible he seemed to be. My heart raced, but I couldn't even tell if it was excitement at his proximity or nervousness that nothing was going according to plan. Or maybe both, if that was even possible.

Finally I settled on a plan. I'd pay careful attention to my mate and decide if he would make a good alpha for my pack, at least better than Alpha Hudson. If not, I'd have to figure something else out, but I was already pretty sure he was the superior option, although that might have been my wolf talking.

We pulled up at a twenty-four hour diner. He stopped his bike in a parking spot, and we went inside.

The place was almost empty due to the lateness of the hour. It appeared a bit rundown, but the place looked great to me, probably due to the halo effect of being beside Al. It smelled good, too, meat and oil hanging heavily in the air, covering the faint scent of many humans who had come and gone throughout the day.

Al led me over to a small table with two chairs facing each other by a big picture window, and pulled mine out for me. It was unexpected, but I smiled and thanked him. I liked it, but was it a sign that he thought I couldn't take care of myself? That I was just a delicate little arm trophy? I didn't like that thought, but I cautioned myself not to read too much into it.

A tired looking waitress came by and handed us a couple of menus.

I opened mine, and then looked over it at him. "You come here often?"

"Whenever I'm in town. Their burgers are the best I've found."

Deciding to trust him, I found the burger section and picked out a classic one and set down my menu. The waitress returned and took our orders, before disappearing into the back. I respected her efficiency.