My heartless Alpha

Chapter 3: The Unexpected Race

Jarem's POV

Every third week of the month, I disappear. No pack business, no responsibilities—just me, my desires, and the freedom to indulge in what I need. Being an Alpha comes with its burdens, and I've learned to carve out time for myself. It's not just a break—it's a necessity. Friday through Sunday, I'm free, and my second-in-command, Raymond, handles everything while I'm gone.

I don't make a habit of forming attachments. I can't afford to. Each weekend, it's a new face, a new body, and no strings. I've never slept with anyone from my own pack; they're my responsibility, and with responsibility comes respect. I demand their respect, and I give it in return, but beyond that, I don't get involved. It's better this way—no complications, no expectations.

This weekend is no different. I found myself a girl—a beautiful, wild thing with curves that fit my hands perfectly. She knows what I want, doesn't ask questions, and I make sure she gets her fun out of it, too. We've been at it since Friday night, the raw intensity of it leaving no room for anything else. By Sunday night, I'm ready to call it a weekend, but she surprises me by asking if I want to head to a racetrack. Apparently, her friend owns it, and there's a big race happening. A girl is set to race against some cocky driver, and she promises I'll love it.

I'm reluctant at first. Crowds of humans aren't my thing, and racing doesn't do much for me. But there's something in her eyes—something playful, challenging—that makes me agree. I figure it'll kill some time before I head back to the pack.

But from the moment I step onto the racetrack, something shifts. I feel it—a stirring in my chest, a tension I can't shake. My wolf, Kris, is pacing inside me, restless in a way I haven't felt in years. I scan the crowd, suddenly aware of how many people are here, their scents mingling in the night air. None of them matter. My skin prickles, my instincts kicking in as I move through the crowd.

What the hell is going on?

Kris is practically clawing at me, trying to break free. It's rare for him to get this worked up around humans. He's usually calm, in control, but now? Now, he's on edge, desperate.

"Calm the fuck down, Kris," I growl internally. "We're surrounded by humans. What's your problem?"

But then it hits me, like a punch to the gut. Kris's voice, deep and urgent, roars inside my head.
"Mate. Mate, she's here. I can feel her. Look for her—find her!"

Mate.

My entire body locks up as the word sinks in. No. This can't be happening. Of all places, here? In the middle of a human racetrack?

I glance down at the girl standing beside me, the one I've been screwing all weekend. Her voice is a distant hum as she babbles on about the race, but I can't focus. My mind is already elsewhere, my wolf driving me forward, demanding I search the crowd.

And then, I see her.

She's standing by the race track, inspecting a motorcycle. Everything around me fades into the background as my eyes lock on her—five foot two, long red hair with white streaks falling down her back like flames. She's wearing tight leathers, and even from here, I can see her eyes—one blue, one brown. Those eyes are fierce, determined, and they make my heart slam against my ribs.

Kris, is this real? I think, half in disbelief. But my wolf is howling inside me, a primal need to claim her rising like wildfire. My mate. She's here, right in front of me.

She's not just inspecting the bike—no, she's the one about to ride it. I watch as she throws a leg over the motorcycle with fluid grace, her body fitting it perfectly, like she's done this a thousand times before.

The fuck?

My brain struggles to comprehend what I'm seeing. She's so small, so delicate-looking, but she's about to race against a guy twice her size on a bike that looks way too powerful for her. But then I see it—the confidence in her movements, the sharp focus in her eyes as she adjusts her helmet. She's no stranger to this. She knows exactly what she's doing.

And damn, she's making me hard just standing there. My wolf is practically feral, and I'm having a hard time controlling myself. The primal urge to claim her is overwhelming, my body responding in ways I can't control. The sight of her straddling that bike is almost too much.

For a split second, I don't know whether to feel proud or terrified. She's my mate, and the last thing I want is for her to get hurt. But I can't deny the raw power she's exuding right now. She's fearless.

Kris is purring with pride.
"That's our mate," he says smugly, "and she's a fucking warrior."

She still doesn't know I'm here. The distance is too far for her to sense me, but I can smell her from where I stand—cloves, vanilla, and a hint of mango. Her scent is intoxicating, wrapping around me like a vice. I'm drawn to it, to her, like I've never been drawn to anything before. It takes every ounce of willpower I have not to charge across the track and drag her into my arms.

I have to see how this plays out.

The crowd is going wild as the race is about to start. People are placing bets, but I don't care about that. I place my own internal bet on her. Win or lose, she's already mine. But damn it, I hope she wins. I want her to win. She has to.

The engines roar to life, and I watch as she tightens her grip on the handlebars, her body tense and ready for the burst of speed. The guy next to her—her opponent—looks cocky, like he's already won. He has no idea who he's up against.

The flag drops, and the race begins.

I watch in stunned silence as she takes off, the bike tearing down the track with unbelievable speed. She handles it like a pro, weaving through the turns with precision, her body moving in perfect sync with the machine beneath her. My heart is in my throat, every muscle in my body coiled as I follow her every move.

She's fast. Faster than I expected. And god, she's beautiful.

The race ends in a blur, and just like that, she wins. The crowd erupts into cheers, but all I can focus on is her—my mate, standing there victorious, a small smile on her lips as she takes off her helmet and shakes out her fiery red hair.

She still doesn't know I'm here, but she will soon enough. I'm going to make damn sure of it.

And when she does... she'll learn what it means to belong to me.