I'm The Alpha's Challenge

46

Suddenly I was being shaken. I was pulled from the past as fast as I had entered it. Soon, I saw Josh's wide eyes staring down at me, swarming with worry. "What happened?" I asked, looking back at him.

His shoulders relaxed and he sighed. "I'd like ta know the same thing."

"I-I-I hav-hav..." I began, but my voice was lost.

He shook his head. "I won't let ya go back ta him, Danny."

My mouth moved, but no sound came out.

"Did I do somethin'? Did I say somethin' wrong?" He asked. "We were perfectly fine a minute ago."

I shook my head. "I...I can't be alpha female," I breathed.

He laughed breathlessly. "Why do ya think that?"

"I'm not strong enough," I said, shaking my head. "I'm not pretty enough-I'm not smart enough. I'm not even a wolf!"

He laughed again, shaking his head in disbelief. His hands cupped my face, his thumbs stroking my skin. "Who ever said that?"

I looked down, closing my eyes. "Everyone I've ever known."

"Not me," he argued. "I think you're perfect fer the position. You might not see it, but I do. You are strong, even if ya don't realize it. You are beautiful, although that's not really needed ta be alpha female-helpful, but not needed. You are smart, Danny. I can't believe ya don't see that." He drew his eyebrows together, tilting his head to the side.

He was lying. I knew he was lying. But I so badly wanted to believe him.

"I can't," I argued. "I can't."

"But-"

I shook my head, grabbing the doorknob. "I have to go now." I pulled it open only to be stopped my Josh once again.

"At least let me drive ya," he said. "Please."

I shook my head. "I don't want... that... to happen again."

He stepped away from me, his fists clenched tightly. He growled loudly, grinding his teeth together. I jumped slightly at the sound. He had never growled so loudly around me before. "Danny, I can't let ya go back!" he said, turning quickly and engulfing me in a hug.

I gasped sharply. Well, now I guess I knew why he cared so much. It was odd, thinking that someone actually cared about me. "I have to," I said.

"Danny," he said breathlessly. "I physically cannot let ya go. I can't deliberately put you in harm's way."

"The sooner I go, the better." I answered, a blush rising into my cheeks as well as a smile.

His arms only tightened. "You don't understand."

"Understand what?"

He pulled away, taking my face in his hands again. "What I feel for ya. How much it hurts just with the thought of you bein' harmed, at the thought of another man touchin' ya."

Once again I felt my face go pale. I wiggled out of his grip. "I have to go. I'm sorry." I left him there, standing in the doorway in shock once again.

I didn't even get a goodbye kiss. J's (well Josh's now, I guess,) voice echoed in my head. They sounded so... different. But it had to be Josh.

I jumped, looking over my shoulder to see the front door closed. I could still see his pouting face. I could only gasp. Josh.

His laugh sounded. You'll tell me if anythin' happens, right?