Alpha Queen [1]

xix

Ares' POV

Just what the hell were you thinking when you kidnapped that poor girl?

That was what my parents would have asked me if they were still alive. And I couldn't blame them.

It hurt me more than anyone could ever know but I had to let her go. Alex may be my mate but she was human and she needed to have a chance at a normal life. I'd already caused enough damage.

It was for the best.

I miss her, my wolf whined and I growled at him to shut up.

She's gone and she won't come back.

My wolf howled to himself. She would if you forced her to.

She's not coming back. Forget her, I snapped at him sternly and my wolf didn't respond.

Even though Alex was long gone, her presence still lingered. Every time I closed my eyes I saw her beautiful face. The ghost of her haunted me wherever I looked—I couldn't stop thinking about her. The days were long and dull without her glowing presence. The castle was cold and lonely and the mind link was dead silent. It was almost like she was never here to begin with.

I had to forget her. There was no way she would come back after what I'd done. I was a monster.

I thought bringing her home would make everything better but instead I'd just fucked it up.

Alpha, Blake's voice cut through my mind suddenly and I snapped out of it.

What is it? I looked at the snow covered forest and was impatient to phase. It was the only thing that brought me peace.

There's a scent at the boundary line, he told me and I realized he was very far south, at the boundary line of Alpha Troy's pack.

Report it to me in the morning.

I didn't want to worry about that now. I wanted my freedom for one night. Just to let go of my worries.

I closed my eyes and channeled my wolf. I felt the familiar yet painful movement of my bones cracking and within a few minutes, I was running through the forest on four paws.

When I was younger, I hated being a wolf. I hated being different. Other kids were learning how to read while I was learning how to phase. Rage consumed me and there were times when I couldn't control it. People got hurt.

But the harsh reality was that I was an Alpha and I needed to be strong. My wolves looked up to me and would follow me into the trenches if I commanded it. Yes, I was burdened with this heavy responsibility but I was also blessed with immense power. I was the only one who could lead them and protect them.

Alpha Troy would fucking pay for hurting my wolves.

I filled the void by phasing and protecting what was mine. I spent more time with my wolves and learned what they needed from me. I helped Soren in the healer's den and retrieved herbs far in the mountains. I trained the younger wolves and oversaw their matches. We needed to be ready in case there was another attack.