The Alphas Sister (Complete)

Chapter Two: Claws of Trust and Tangled Lust

I stepped outside the games room door when Cade shoved me against the wall, the rough wood scraping my back through my shirt. "What the hell was that?" he growled, eyes boring into mine, glinting with a fury that made his alpha presence flare. His breath was hot, tinged with the faint scent of coffee from the meeting.

"It's not what it looks like. She was just..." I started, but he cut me off, his grip tightening on my shoulders.

His growl deepened, low and threatening, vibrating through the narrow hallway. It didn't rattle me much, being beta had its perks, like a thicker skin for alpha tantrums, but his voice rose, sharp enough to echo. "Not what it looks like? She was sprawled on top of you. Explain that."

I shoved him back, patience fraying, my own wolf bristling under my skin. I could only take so much pinning before I snapped. "We were messing around. She grabbed for the controller and fell on me. That's it!" My voice spiked louder than I meant it to, bouncing off the walls.

His face twisted, fists clenching tighter, veins bulging along his forearms. "You expect me to buy that crap?" he shouted, his tone raw with disbelief. A crowd was forming, packmates from the house drawn by the noise, their curious eyes peeking from doorways and around corners, whispers already buzzing like flies.

Electra stepped out of the lounge, arms crossed, scowling, her hair still mussed from our tussle. "Cade, stop. He's telling the truth," she said flatly, her voice cutting through the tension like a blade, her green eyes flashing with irritation.

Cade's growl softened, but his glare didn't waver, flicking between us. "You're training with me tomorrow," he snapped at me, his words a promise of punishment, then stormed off around the corner, his boots thudding against the hardwood. I watched him go, my pulse still hammering, then turned to the gawkers.

"What the fuck are you all staring at?" I snarled, baring my teeth just enough to flash fang. They scattered, whispering as they went, their footsteps retreating like a receding tide.

Electra lingered, the only one still there, her expression softening into something hesitant. "Kyan, I..." I didn't let her finish. I strode to the front door, the cool brass knob a lifeline in my grip, and slammed it behind me, the bang ringing in my ears. I needed to blow off steam, and shifting was the fix. A run would help and I'd need it with Cade's brutal training looming tomorrow. He'd go hard, no mercy, probably make me spar until I could barely stand. Fine. I'd take it. Anything to burn out this mess.

In the forest, out of sight behind a thick cluster of pines, I stripped down, tossing my shirt and jeans onto a low branch. Not that I cared who saw, modesty was a human thing, and the pack had seen worse, but I wanted my head clear, no distractions. 

I relaxed, picturing my wolf, sleek almost black fur, amber eyes, coiled muscle and I felt the shift take hold. Bones stretched and popped, a familiar ache that bordered on pleasure; senses sharpened, the world bursting into vivid scents of pine, damp earth, and distant prey. When my eyes opened, they were his, glowing faintly in the dusk.

I tore through the trees, free, claws digging into the soil, the wind whipping past my ears. For what felt like hours, I ran, dodging roots and leaping streams, the rhythm of my strides pounding out the day's chaos. Only a mate by my side could've made it better, her scent mingling with mine, our wolves in sync, but I shoved that thought away and ran harder, letting the tension bleed out with every mile. As the sun dipped low, painting the sky in streaks of orange and purple, I knew I had to head back, Shauna was due soon, and I wasn't about to leave her waiting.

I grabbed my clothes where I'd left them, the fabric cool against my heated skin, and dressed quickly, slipping into the pack house through a side door to avoid the main hall. A faint hum of voices drifted from the kitchen, dinner prep, probably, but I aimed straight for my room, boots silent on the stairs. Halfway down the hall, Cade blocked me, arms crossed, his broad frame filling the space. "Been looking for you," he said, voice flat, still simmering from earlier, his jaw tight. "Sentinels caught rogue scent on the border."