The Next Door Alpha

The Next Door Alpha: Chapter 1

Kendrick Hunter pulls me roughly by the arm hauling me away from Scott. I stumble forward and a moment later am caged inside his arms and rock hard chest.

'What are you doing!?' I say angrily as I try to push him away. He doesn't budge an inch.

'Hey! Let her go...' Scott starts to say.

'Mine', Kendrick sneers with an animalistic growl. His eyes flash red. Scott takes a measured step back. I don't blame him. Kendrick's voice is making it clear that he'll rip Scott's head off if he comes any closer.

'Let's talk this out, man', Scott tries again.

Kendrick doesn't answer. He lifts me off the ground and starts running towards the woods in an inhuman speed. The houses and cars blurr at both sides. I'm so shocked that I don't register what's happening for a few seconds. Then wit catches up with me.

'Let me go, you jerk! Let me go!' I scream beating at his chest. I bite his shoulder in a desperate attempt to get free.

There's nothing sexual about it. I actually try to take a chunk off. But it only gets me another one of his growls.

After ten or fifteen minutes of desperate yet unsuccessful struggling at my part and zero responses at his, we finally come to a stop in the middle of a clearing. I have no idea where we are. But we must be deep in the woods judging from the dense trees and high canopies.

He puts me down gently, the reddish glint gone from his eyes. Immediately I scramble away. I get up hastily and make a run for it but he's infront of me in a flash, blocking my way. I fall back with a scream.

'Don't be afraid', he says in that deep voice of his. 'Please.'

But I'm already shaking with fear. He's definitely not normal. No normal person could run like that. What is he? What does he want with me? Is he planning on hurting me? Killing me? 'Please don't hurt me', I beg.

His eyes widen at my pleading tone. 'I would never, Zanet', he says as he reaches for me. I flinch and his face pales.

'How can you not be afraid?' he says with a mirthless laugh. 'Without any explanation, not after what you've seen. But I promise, I really won't hurt you. Please believe me.'

Something in his tone tells me that he's telling the truth. My shaking quiets down a little. 'What is wrong with you?' I finally ask gathering a little courage.

'There's nothing wrong with me. The question should be what I am', he says looking me directly in the eyes. There're a strange colour, not red like before, rather an enchanting silvery colour.

'Then what are you?'

'I think you know.'

'What are you talking about? I don't.'

'But you do. I know you notice me leave the house at the end of each month, I can feel it when you watch me. And a couple of weeks ago you were curious about my temperature. You're smart, Zanet. I know you can piece the pieces together.'

No, no, no... My mind wanders to the past few months. His strange behaviours, obsession towards smells, him leaving his house before full moons, his unusually high temperature, all add up to one thing.

'You can't be', I say staring at him with shock and renewed fear.

'I am', he says simply.

'You're a werewolf', I choke out.

'Yes,' he says as he takes small measured steps towards me like he's trying not to scare a trapped animal. When he's finally standing a few feet away he crouches down so that we're face to face. His silver eyes glow in the darkness. 'Don't be afraid.' He touches my hand tentatively and let's out a sigh of relief when I don't pull away.

A rational part of my brain still can't except what's going on. But another part, the one that has been watching him for months, already accepts the situation.

'You can ask me anything about my kind. I'll try to answer. Maybe that'll ebb your fear a little', he says seeing my dilemma.

Maybe he's right. Knowing more wouldn't hurt. 'Are all the miths about your kind true? There are more of you, right?' I ask trying to make sense of all this.

'No and yes. While some miths are true others aren't. And yes, there are many other packs out there.'

'Packs, like in the books? With all the rankings?'

He gives a small laugh. 'I don't know which books you're talking about, but yes, we have rankings.'

'What rank are you?' I can't help but ask.

'I'm an alpha.'

My eyes widen at his answer. Kendrick isn't just any werewolf, he's the strongest of them. My head stars to hurt at the information. It's getting harder and harder to wrap my mind around all of this.

'So you're a pack leader?' I ask when I've composed myself a little.

'Yes. Sort of', he says simply.

'But I still don't get it. Where do I fit in all this? Why'd you take me away from Scott tonight?'

His look intensifies but he doesn't answer. After a long silence he finally says, 'Because you're mine.'

'I don't understand what you're trying to say. I don't belong to you or anyone for that matter.'

'But you do', he says leaning towards me. 'You're my mate', he whispers and his lips meet mine.