Alpha's Mate (Completed)

Chapter 37

~Ryker POV~

A few close calls later, we've actually made it to Keenan's house.

''Remind me again why we're here?''

She exhales sharply through her nose as he hops out the car. ''She ran here once, why not do it again?''

I wince at her memory. ''Fine, but make it quick.''

''Oh no.'' She opens my car door and grabs my hand, yanking me out with surprising arm strength. ''You're coming with me.'

''No-'' I try to protest, but she'll have none of it. Continuing to yank me along behind her, she ignores me entirely. Approaching at a rapid pace, she pounds on the door.

''Brinley?'' Keenan's surprised tone makes his voice go higher as he takes sight of her on his porch. I resist the urge to chuckle. ''Oh. You're here too.''

''Thanks for the warm welcome.'' I roll my eyes. I really have got to stop this habit of Kimbriella.

''Well considering-''

''Shut your faces.'' Brinley interrupts. ''Save your macho man brawl over your egos for another time. We're here on business.''

A girl pops her head through the door, her straight blond hair swinging from it's ponytail.

''Keenan, why didn't you mention you had a guest?'' She smiles brightly, extending a hand. ''Hi, I'm Mia Toscano.''

''Ryker Aldaine.'' I introduce myself, shaking her hand.

''Brinley. Brinley Reed.'' She says.

"'Nice to meet you too!'' She turns her smiling countenance to Brinley, who looks a bit overwhelmed by her overload of peppiness. Nonetheless, they shake hands.

''Babe, I didn't think-'' Mia interrupts Keenan. ''Keenan, not your babe.'' She chides gently. Ouch. Friend zoning going on there. I could relate.

''Anyhow, they aren't the kind of people I want you to meet.''

''Excuse me?'' Brinley arches a brow. Oh boy, here we go.

''Well I've never met you, but-''

''Exactly, so keep your big mouth shut. We've got questions for you.''

Keenan looks very taken aback at her abrasive manner. I could relate to that too. ''Ask away, I guess.'' He says.

''Is Kim staying here? Have you heard anything from her, seen her at all in the past 24 hours?'' At the mention of Kim's name, his face hardens. ''Nope. Haven't heard a word from her since big man on campus here, yanked her away.''

Brinley sighs. ''Okay, well if you hear or see anything. Call this number.'' She whips out a slip of paper and a pen, scribbling down a number, a number I recognize.

''Hey!'' That's the pack house number!''

''Pack house?'' Keenan wrinkles his nose.

''There's a lot of people that live in that house, and it's really packed so we call it a pack house.'' Brinley lies smoothly.

''We?'' Keenan glances between Brinley and I. ''Are you guys a thing? Have you dumped Kim already? Player.''

''Him and I are definitely NOT a thing. Ew!'' Brinley scoffs.

''We're leaving. C'mon, Brinley. '' This time it's me who grabs her hand and drags her to the car. ''Keys.'' I demand. She stabs them into my hand, cutting my palm. ''I can take care of myself.'' She hisses, slipping into the car and slamming the door harshly. I get in the car, relieved to be the one driving. I start the engine and turn on the radio, attempting to break the heavy silence. Crossing her arms, face stony, she stares straight forward. Now my curiosity is burning. What is going on with this girl?

~~~~~~

~Kimbriella POV~

''Ahem, Uhm, hi everyone.'' Real smooth. Great start. I try again, hands clammy as I clasp them together. ''Nice to meet you all.''

I get a few smiles, a few nods, as the tempo of my heartbeats increases. ''I'm glad to be here instead of the Aldaine pack and I'm so thankful to you all for taking me in.''

Except that it wasn't exactly your choice, or mine My wolf says.

''I'm glad to again be a pack leader, and I hope I can lead a fraction of how well my parents did.'' I look around a bit. ''I'm not quite experienced as them, but with help of Ryan. I'll do my best.''

Now the crowd smiles, what now? ''Thank you.''

They all applaud politely, and slowly my heartbeats returns to normal.

''How quickly your confident fades.'' Decker smirks. I glare at him.

''I think my first act as Alpha will be to appoint a new Beta.'' I muse.

''You can't.'' He smirks. ''It's inherited.''

''Oh? I'll gladly take your parents back.'' Something shadows his face.

''You can't.'' He says, and it sounds final.

''I can do what I want, and you can't command me.''

He chuckles harshly, coldly. ''Seriously, even you can't.

''And why not?''I question.

''Because they're dead.'' He growls bitterly, stabbing his fork into the wooden table so hard it sticks. ''Be right back.'' He excuses himself, and stomps out of the dining room. Oh.. well.. that was awkward.

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