Arthur, a rogue Alpha is hiding unaware that his mate was naively expert at the game of Hide and seek. To change tactics is his first and best resort, another is to watch his mate die as the ultimate prize.
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Arthur Alvarez is an Alpha...
The neighboring packs were livid when the news spread about Blackwater giving its reign to a rogue. The beta was expecting the backlash and was prepared for it. So as soon as a day passed and the office phone started buzzing, she picked up the receiver and put it aside.
"Lady Patricia, please put the receiver back in its rightful place."
He is proving to be more annoying than I thought, Patricia lamented to herself.
It started in the morning. The wild rogue gained a conscience and turned into a civil, well-mannered royal. "Why did you suddenly start talking like that?" It was meant to be a mumble. Arthur thought of letting it slide but changed his mind and thought to answer for once. The beta and Alpha relationships play a crucial role in the working of a pack.
"I apologize for my behavior earlier. It was my wolf that was in control for the past few days. He only gave me control a few hours ago."
"You are an Alpha and you cannot control your wolf?"
The wolf in question did not appreciate the beta's lack of respect. Worse was the snort that left her mouth. In nanoseconds, Patricia's neck was in his grasp. He was unrelenting with his grip, squeezing the delicate neck tightly.
"You do not get to question my abilities, you are my beta. I don't mind recruiting a new one unless you want to start acting like it. Your tasks are easy - listen to my orders and submit to me. I am a born Alpha, not a pathetic excuse of a wolf-like your previous leader. I take control and act when my pack needs it. My human understands me. I am only telling you these things because you are my beta now and not because I am entitled to." Finishing his monologue, Arthur dropped Patricia who immediately fell into a fit of coughs amidst wheezing. Lots of wheezing.
She bared her neck to him once recovered. "I am sorry, Alpha."
The Alpha's smirk was terrifying when he said "You look good when showing your neck but you can do without the marks, you'll look much better." The she-wolf didn't want anything more than to strangle the animal standing over her except she curbed that urge. Dusting herself she was ready to get up and out. To her surprise, a hand came to her aid. A hoarse yet gentle voice followed it. "Do not test his patience. We are one in body only." Eyeing the marks, he continued - "I hope you will do well to remember that."
"Yes, Alpha."
Silence washed over them as both went to their respective seats to get some work done. An hour into it and a knock disrupted the quiet.
"Come in, Carson."
"Good evening, Alpha. Beta Patricia, can you please come with me?" Arthur can sense the urgency in the delta's voice even though he tried to hide it by speaking slowly.
"What is it?"
"Just a small matter, Alpha. I need a little help with something from the Beta."
"I repeat - What is it?"
Carson looked at Patricia before turning to the Alpha. "A fight broke out between two pack members, one got severely injured."
"Is the injured one taken to the pack doctor?"
"Uh, that's...he is not allowing the doctors to touch him. Refusing to get treated."
Patricia can feel the eyes of his Alpha on her as she let out a sigh. She was tired of these everyday fights. "Let me guess. Wilder?"
"Yes."
Arthur was very confused about the identity of Wilder. The first thing he did after being announced as the Alpha of the Blackwater pack was to meet every pack member in person and learn their names. He doesn't remember all of them obviously but he cannot recollect meeting anyone who said their name was Wilder.
"Who is Wilder?"
"The most notorious troublemaker of the pack."
"Why haven't we met yet?"
"He was on a vacation with his family."
"Let us pay him a visit then."
"Alpha, with all due respect, he is a waste of time. Let me handle him." This time there was no mockery or disrespect as she spoke.
"Getting acquainted with the pack members is my priority, Lady Patricia. Please lead the way to the infirmary."
Knowing there was no way she could make the Alpha listen, she quietly started leading the way to the infirmary. She was regretting not giving him a tour of the pack earlier. Nobody wants to be a guide to persistent Alphas.
Carson pulled her out of her thoughts by speaking, maybe to fill in the uncomfortable silence.
"Maybe we should..." He trailed off but she understood.
"Later."
Before Arthur could ask about their secret conversation, Patricia halted in front of a foggy glass door and pulled it open. He followed her in only to stop in her tracks as he took in the injured occupant of the bed.
"YOU?" He roared.
"Hi asshole, I see you remember me."
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