Battle of the Alphas

XI

When I woke up in the morning, the house was silent. Normally I'm not an early riser so to be awake at this time was unusual and I blamed it on my weird sleep. I couldn't help but actively be aware that Benjamin was sleeping in the room opposite me. My wolf had been pining for him and it took a lot of effort to refrain from slipping into his bed.

I pattered down the stairs and managed the get the fright of my life when I came across James eating cereal on my couch, staring out the window.

"James! You scared me!" I clutched my chest, trying to stop my heart from beating so quickly.

"Oh, sorry," He put down his breakfast and rubbed my arms in what he presumably thought was a soothing manner. "I woke up early and got hungry."

"Ah," I nodded, moving away from his touch. "Would you like some proper breakfast?"

"That would be great actually. I take it that Benjamin's still asleep so it would just be us," James smiled but it only made me feel more uncomfortable.

"I'll wake him up. I don't think it would be fair for him to miss out." I started heading back towards the stairs.

"Oh, I think it would be better to let him sleep. He seemed tired last night." He grabbed my hand as if to pull me towards the kitchen.

"I just don't want him to overstay his welcome," I lied, knowing that would encourage James to let me go. And I was right, he dropped my hand with a grin and sat back down on the couch.

I hurried up the stairs and quickly knocked on Benjamin's door. No answer. I tried a couple more times but it seemed that he was not going to be answering any time soon. Not wanting to be alone with James downstairs, I softly opened the door and poked my head in.

The sight before me was gorgeous. A shirtless Benjamin lay strewn across the bed, the duvet entangled between his legs and his face gently pressing against the pillow. The mark I had given him enticed me and before I knew what I was doing, I was walking over to him with my hand stretched out towards it. There was only a second's hesitation before I skimmed my fingertips over it, warmth encompassing me entirely from the bond.

That was before my whole body was thrown onto the bed and my forearms were being pinned by my head with an angry Benjamin looking down at me. As soon as he noticed who I was and that I wasn't attacking him, he let me go so I could jump off the bed and take refuge against the wall.

"Holy shit, Isobel, I am so sorry, I didn't realise it was you!" He apologised frantically, standing up and watching me hesitantly.

"No, um, it was my fault. I was trying to wake you," I awkwardly stumbled over my words in embarrassment.

"I'm definitely awake now," Benjamin chuckled slightly. "Is, uh, is James still here?"

"He's downstairs... I don't really want to be alone with him..." I whispered, feeling weak that I was so uncomfortable being around someone.

"Oh." Benjamin seemed surprised at my statement. "Do you want me to get him to leave?"

It was my turn to be surprised. The offer was sweet and I let myself nod slowly.

"I'll just get dressed. If you want, you can stay in here whilst I change in the bathroom?"

"Thanks," I managed a small smile of gratitude, taking a tentative seat on the edge of the bed whilst I waited.

Once Benjamin was fully clothed, he opened his door to let me through first but, upon my hesitation, stared at me with a cocked head. I could tell that he knew I didn't want to go in front and after a second, he began to lead the way.

I honestly couldn't believe how weak I was feeling. I'm an alpha, for godsake! But being near James made me feel so uncomfortable and I was already starting to regret the alliance, despite knowing it was good for my pack.

Benjamin and I finished our breakfasts quickly but James seemed to make his last forever. When he was finally done, Benjamin stood up cheerfully and spoke,

"Well, thank you for a lovely stay, Isobel. James and I will be getting out of your hair now," He clamped his hands down on James' shoulders and pulled him up out of the chair.

"I was actually wondering if I could stay and have a look around your pack? It all seems very interesting," James moved away from Benjamin and towards me.

"Oh, that would be fun!" Benjamin exclaimed over-enthusiastically, earning a glare from James.

"I actually have an awful lot of work to do..." I tried to lie.

"No problem. James, I'll walk you out." The alpha tone appeared in his voice and, although James was also an alpha, he knew that he would be leaving.

It appeared that James was going to lean in for another kiss on the cheek but he was quickly ushered out the door by Benjamin, for which I was grateful.

When both of them had left, I sat down and sighed. I had been neglecting my pack slightly since Benjamin had appeared in my life and it really annoyed me. I could show everyone that I didn't need a mate to be a good leader. With that thought in mind, I threw myself into work. I hadn't really attended very many training sessions lately and I could feel my fitness slipping. 

For the next week, I pushed any thoughts of Benjamin out of my head and focused solely on my pack. I began training five days a week, organised new housing plans and witnessed the birth of a new member.

Despite my efforts to forget Benjamin, the second Jordan mind linked me to inform me that there was a call from the Arctic pack, my heart leapt. I dropped the weights I had been lifting and hurried inside, only to be disappointed that it was not my mate's voice on the other end of the phone.

"Alpha Isobel, hi. I'm Fraser, the beta of the Arctic pack."

"Hello... Is everything okay?" I couldn't stop the worry from seeping in. Why would Benjamin's beta be calling and not him?

"Yes, yes, everything's fine. I just wanted to talk to you about a surprise for Benjamin." Fraser explained.

"A surprise?" My eyebrows furrowed.

"Well, as you know, it's his birthday next week and there will be a surprise dinner," His birthday? How could I not know when my own mate's birthday was?

"Right," I faked knowledge of that information.

"Seeing as you're his," Fraser lowered his voice, "mate, I was wondering if you would be able to join us. I know Benjamin would really appreciate it."

"You know about us?"

"He's my best friend, I could tell when he had met you," Fraser replied gently.

"Oh. Well, I don't know if it would be wise for me to attend." Even I could hear the hesitation.

"No one would have to know you're mates. The alliance could have let you become friends." Fraser's suggestion made me pause for a second. The alliance had brought us closer.

"Okay," I whispered, before I changed my mind.

"Really? That's great, he'll be so happy!" Fraser seemed very excited at the prospect. "It's a week from tomorrow, at noon and you can stay the night. I'll meet you at the edge of the territory to sneak you in."

"I'll see you then, I guess."