Run From The Alpha

Chapter 1

The  wind fought hard against me as I rushed towards the subway,  moderately trying to  control how fast I was moving. I dodged everybody in the thick crowd in my attempts to race against the clock - all thanks to werewolf agility. Not one other pedestrian passed me even a curious look. Thank god for that New York hospitality. The cold nipping of the  breeze was already whispering to me to slow down but I was dangerously late.

A soft buzzing hit my too-warm, glove covered hand. I jerked my phone out of my coat pocket.

"Dear, I'm a minute away," I chirped sweetly, rolling my eyes at a stumbling tourist who kept staring up at the buildings. He blurted a quick apology and then continued to stare.

"I don't believe you," the speaker in my phone declared.

"Well, that's because I'm lying."

"They won't hold the train for you, Eve."

"I know," I sighed. "But I'm gonna make it. I'll sprint if I have to."

"Don't even think about it."

I dodged down a staircase, still trying to leap passed people who weren't running late. "I'm almost there," I swore, hanging up the phone before hearing a snarky retort.

It  was much warmer in the crowded terminal. I was already almost sweating  in my coat and gloves even out in the chilly air, but now it was simply a  hell hole. Still, I didn't slow as I plunged into the train and winked  at the guy sitting directly in front of me.

"I'm  not giving you my spot," he groaned. The doors shut behind me and I saw some grab onto sturdy bars for support as we began to shoot forwards.

I didn't bother pretending to be jolted.

"Have you ever considered moving west?" Peter mumbled to me. My eyebrows lifted.

"And be forced into pack life?" I snorted. Nobody paid me any attention even when Peter darted his eyes around nervously. "Stop acting like anyone cares enough to listen."

"You need to be more casual." He meant be more discrete.

"You need to relax."

—

"I'm thinking of getting a tattoo."

Peter  sighed and tossed some kettle corn into the air, missing it once again  as he aimlessly opened his mouth to catch the falling piece. I matched his actions, but successfully.

"Don't tell me of a wolf," he snapped. I scoffed at his suggestion.

"Don't  be predictable. I was thinking something more irritating for if I ever ran into another wolf. Maybe of vampire fangs, or fairy wings. Or a skyscraper."

Peter gazed at me hopefully.

"No, Peter," I sighed, "vampires aren't real. It was a joke."

Peter grumbled and picked up the bottle of tequila, taking a shot of it and making a face. "A man can dream, okay?"

"Why  do you dream of vampires? Cold and dead and blood sucking? You get laid  by a hot werewolf, what more could you ask for?" I teased.

"I  could ask for you to wear some fake fangs every now and then." Peter winked then winced when I kicked his ankle after his comment. "Eve, have you not ever considered  just finding a pack to be in? Or even another wolf to bond with?"

"Why?"  I scratched my elbow. "You don't understand that not all wolves are  like me. They aren't carefree. They are old fashioned and possessive and  they don't exactly smile upon my type of lifestyle. It wouldn't be pretty if I tried to join them."

"You don't get lonely?"

"Stop being insecure and downplaying what we have. I have you and our apartment and an almost fully stamped card from that one coffee shop. I'm so close to a free latte." While Peter tried to become serious, I tried to lighten the mood. He knew I hated his insinuations that I wasn't fully happy to live in the city with a human boyfriend. I stood up off  of the floor, leaving the bottle of tequila behind. "Now I'm gonna go into the bedroom. You can either stay  here and eat the kettle corn alone..." I trailed off as I began to squat  down over Peter's outstretched legs. He gazed up at me as his pupils dilated. "Or you can follow me and test that stamina you've been working  so hard on."

Peter ran his hands up my legs and smirked. "You better never find your mate, or I'll be a dead man," he replied.

—

The  clicking of my heels snapped on the staircase as I ascended to the  apartment. My tired eyes and legs ached against every step. Being a personal assistant was tolerable, except on the days where she was in a pissy mood. I swear if it wasn't for our quickly I could get her coffee to her I would have been fired a year ago.

"This  is why you should move to the mountains," I joked with myself. "A pack wolf wouldn't make me work. He'd be too chivalrous and he'd allow me to stay home and look pretty all day." As if.

My shower was a barely tolerable temperature, as that was what a crappy apartment gifted you. However, my spirit lifted as I flipped through my mail and saw a letter addressed to me from my dad. Excitedly, I ripped it open.

Everly,

Your mother and I miss you dearly as the days go by. We are proud of how hard you work. I know it must be difficult but I know you adapt well. Your mother says I should add something about you permanently moving back home to this letter. I think that sentence is fulfills that so I will say nothing more about it.

My reason for writing is to invite Peter and you to visit us. I would have just called but this gives you time to think about it before declining. The Alpha will  be gone on a business trip for a few days, so there is a good chance of having no troubles and I would like to meet Peter in person. Your mother says she does as well, but I don't believe her.

Please take these plane tickets and use them, as I've bought them already and am hoping it will guilt trip you.

Much love,

Dad

My eyes rolled but a smile grew on my face. Every instance of begging my parents to visit me has  obviously fallen on deaf ears, and resulted in two round trip tickets to  North Dakota falling onto the floor when I turned over the envelope.  The idea was enticing. I missed my parents and this was a rare chance to get to show Peter why I would never go into pack life without worry of  alpha Stevens tearing a hole in my neck - or Peter's.

The door clicked open and closed. Peter's quiet footsteps slowly moved through the apartment. Too slowly.

"You aren't going to sneak up on me."

"Screw you, I was so quiet!" Peter groaned. I laughed at his disappointment.

"Do you forget that I can here you walking up to the door? And smell you from the hallway if I wanted to." I spun around and found Peter staring at the plane tickets in my hand. He peered up to my eyes.

"Are you going somewhere? Perhaps the mountains?" He inquired. His stance hadn't shifted, but I could feel the tension rolling off of him. Peter had learned to control even the smallest change in movements that may have given up his emotions. I was able to sense them too easily, something he didn't particularly enjoy. However, he forgets that his body emits other giveaways that my sharp senses could pick up on.

"There are two tickets, Peter." I flicked the letter into his chest, and it fluttered down to the floor. His eyes widened and he grinned as he read through it.

"Will it be safe?"

"I wouldn't consider bringing you if I couldn't protect you," I promised. Peter nodded his head carefully. I could see his consideration. It was slow and calculating and hesitant. "With alpha Stevens gone, we have this one chance for you to see what my life would be like if I didn't run away. I may not have another opportunity to see my parents anytime soon if I don't take it."

"Then we better take this opportunity."

~~