How to Love an Alpha

Chapter 20

<*Unedited*>

The drive back to Gabe's house seemed longer than usual. Maybe it was because I was tired. Or even because I was distracted. Yeah, it had to be because I was distracted. I couldn't ignore the constant tugging in the back of my mind. The idea that my possible future little girl would be forced into an arranged marriage was still haunting me. I knew very well that, as the alpha, I could break the deal or try and call it off. There was, however, one problem. If I did that, we'd gain a new enemy, and the pack was in no shape for yet another enemy. I let out a frustrated sigh and stared out the window.

"Alright, what is it?" Gabe asked me kindly, turning the sound off on the radio.

"Nothing." I shrugged.

That was my relaxation day, and there was no way I was going to let Gabe think I wasn't relaxed. He and Garret had gone through a lot to make Julie and me happy. And I was definitely relaxed, but that one single thought refused to leave.

He rolled his eyes. "Come on, Kenzie. I know you better than that."

"It's nothing, really." I reassured him. "Believe me, if it were anything I was concerned about, you'd be the first to know." Okay, so that was a lie, but I didn't know what else to say.

"Mackenzie..." he exhaled softly. "...please. You don't have to lie to me."

I bit my bottom lip. He definitely knew me well enough to see right past lies that others wouldn't question.

"It's just..." I paused. "I still can't let the marriage soak in." I finally gave up and admitted what was bugging me.

"Mackenzie, I'm sure everything will turn out fine. But believe me, if there was anything I could do, I'd do it." He promised.

"Why would they even do that? They can't just, combine the packs. Are you aware of hard it will be on the two of them? They're going to forced mates." I whimpered.
Forced mates are when two shifters are betrothed before they're born. It then makes the two of them mates rather than with who they're were originally with. In my opinion, it is seriously a really cruel thing.

"It isn't official yet, there's still a chance." Gabe replied, slowing down a bit.

"No, there's not. Zeke and the Gemini pack made a deal. The Gemini pack already played their side of the deal, now we have to play ours." I crossed my arms over my chest, hoping he wouldn't continue the conversation.

I could nearly sense him give me a look of slight pity and I bit my bottom lip. I stared out the window at the rushing trees the rest of the way home.

When I had gotten back to my house (after Gabe let me drive my car home from his place) it was less than an hour until midnight. I crept upstairs quietly, so I wouldn't wake anyone. I changed into my pajamas and got into bed. After I pulled the covers over me, I felt Daisy crawl up to me. She snuggled up against the top of my head, resting on my pillow. I fell into sleep.

I awoke in the storage room of the old abandoned mansion. The door was locked and the red light was on. I knew what was coming. I knew exactly what was coming. The door opened, and I expected the rogue alpha to be there, instead, it was Scar.

"What are you-"

"-don't speak. You ought to save your voice." She muttered.