MATED TO SERIES COLLECTION

22. ARIANA: HE'S LIKE ME

"Get the fuck away from her!"

Lucas gripped the back of the man's shirt and ripped him away before he could touch me. The man flew backwards and crashed into something but my view of him was blocked when Lucas stepped in front of me.

"Look at me."

My eyes snapped up to his. He cupped my cheeks and leaned closer.

"Breathe."

I sucked in a deep breath, quickly followed by another and another until I could breathe easier. But once some of the panic faded, the tears came.

"Did he touch you?"

I shook my head. "Y-you pulled h-him away before he—" I broke off.

My lips started to quiver as his image became blurry. He had been close to touching me though. If Lucas had been a few seconds too late.

Lucas swallowed. "You're okay."

I wrapped my arms around his waist and pressed my face to his chest. A few tears escaped but the rest dried up as I breathed in his scent. He pressed a kiss to my hair. Nothing was going to happen to me, he wouldn't allow it.

Just as I started to relax, the noises penetrated my mind. Lucas tensed and hugged me tighter. I raised my head and followed his gaze to the man who was struggling to get to his feet.

Once he managed, he swayed slightly and then stilled. His eyes narrowed when they locked on Lucas and with a sneer, he took a step closer.

My eyes widened when Ethan stepped in front of us and growled at the man. It was a shock to my system. I thought that he was human, but he was like me.

"Get out and don't come back until you're sober," Ethan ordered. "Leave!"

My knees weakened as his voice boomed around us. The power radiating from him would've been enough to make me drop to my knees if Lucas hadn't been holding me up.

Once the shock faded, the fear set in.

We were on an Alpha's territory without his permission. I clutched Lucas's shirt tightly.

Ethan stood his ground until the man had stumbled out of the garage and down the street. Then he turned around and instantly looked at me.

"I'm not pack," he said. "This is neutral land."

I blew out a breath and slowly loosened my hold. Neutral ground was good.

"What does that mean?" Lucas asked against my ear.

Ethan's eyes asked the question he couldn't voice out loud. I gave him a small nod.

"It means that no pack has claimed this land and that it's free to all," Ethan explained.

"You're an Alpha," I pointed out.

"Was an Alpha. There's a difference."

"What happened to your pack," Lucas asked before I could.

Ethan pursed his lips and walked back to the messy counter where he started searching through the mess again. Lucas stared at him silently for a few seconds before he looked away. Stepping back, he leaned into the car to get the bag. After throwing it over one shoulder, he grabbed my hand and led me over to the counter.

We stood silently as Ethan made a few calls.

I was curious about the lone Alpha who owned a garage in a small town. There had to be a reason for him to be living on neutral ground.

My eyes darted over his face.

The thick beard covered most of his face but I could see his eyes. Golden brown eyes that held a lot of shadows and seemed somewhat familiar.