Alpha Will

14. Brad

The plan was simple: stick the magic bracelet on Kiara as proof that I was serious about trying to steal her away then retreat when Cage strikes out and hopefully makes off with her into the night (werewolves and their possessive issues). Preferably back to his own place (the house, not the cave). His infinite love for her will persuade him to calmly and -most importantly- civilly wait for his witch pack mate to come up with a solution for his missing foot. The bracelet would be taken off and everyone goes their separate ways. Happy ever after.

Unfortunately, that's not what happened.

Instead, the damned alpha only spared me a murderous look before promptly melting into the darkness of the woods. I then spent the next hour running after, catching and dragging Kiara back to the house, all the while explaining the numerous reasons why following Cage through the forest at night was a bad idea and simultaneously avoiding viscous swipe of nails at my eyes.

That wasn't even the worst of it.

We were currently sitting in the kitchen again, with Audrey and Travis (a skinny guy with glasses that took up half his face that was apparently Cage's second) in attendance. The three of them- Audrey, Travis and Kiara- were going over ways to save the alpha but I could barely hear a word of what they were saying. They're not supposed to be here, I shouldn't be involving myself with them any further after the initial plan failed, but I just couldn't find a proper reason to kick them out. In fact, I could barely form a feasible thought.

Because her lips looked so delicious.

"Why are you staring at me like that?" Hazel eyes wide (and surprisingly more hypnotic than mine), Kiara turned to Audrey. "Why is he staring at me like that?"

"The bracelet. It's enchanted to make him think you're his mate," Audrey replied, holding up a hand when Kiara started to open her mouth again. "A mate is a werewolf's chosen life partner. In human terms it means husband and wife but werewolf mates have a more stronger and deeply rooted bond. They'll protect each other even if it means getting killed doing so, even if it means turning on their alpha- that's why I wanted to get out of there before Will and Travis started in on each other."

From the corner of my eye (I couldn't seem to rip my attention off Kiara), I saw Travis slam his cup on the counter angrily. "I still can't believe he threw you out of the cave. I'm going down there tomorrow to tell him I'm quitting."

A snort from Audrey. "You're always saying you'll quit but you always come back."

"This time I'm serious," Travis argued.

Kiara waved a hand toward me. I felt the sudden urge to grab on to the hand, as disparately as a man drowning, to feel its softness in mine again. But I had a feeling those nails that had missed my face earlier would probably be digging into the flesh of my hand if I did that, so I fisted my hands on the table instead.

"How long is he going to be like that?" Kiara asked, looking more scared than she did when the alpha lost his shit.

I didn't like the look.

"He'll be like this for the next twenty-four hours but it'll get more bearable after since he's not really your mate. Although I suggest not being alone with him for any length of time since the yearning probably won't stop."

"I'll keep an eye on him," Travis said.

"Keep an eye on yourself," I shot back.

"I thought you were quitting being Will's second?" Audrey asked.

"Leave me alone, I'm sensitive."

"I don't want him yearning for me when he was looking at me like a bug a couple of hours ago," Kiara cringed, raising her wrist. "Take the thing off."

I don't know how it happened, but by the time I blinked I was on my feet, Kiara's skinny wrist locked in my hand.

They were all staring at me and I guess I should be embarrassed yet the need to hold on to her hand, to keep that bracelet on outweighed any other rational thought. I couldn't help myself. Couldn't help the glare of challenge I sent at those three set of eyes: try to take it off.

Audrey met my glare with a cold smile. "The enchantment couldn't have worked if he wasn't attracted to you in one way or another to begin with. And don't worry, tracker, I won't take your bracelet off now."

I felt myself relaxing, the same moment Kiara tensed.

"You need to take it off," she protested.

Audrey shook her head. "Will might've went back to hiding but want to guess what he's doing right now?"

Kiara frowned at me, then, reluctantly towards Audrey, "What?"

"Wondering if you two are making out." She grinned.

I grinned.

Kiara jerked her hand from mine, not grinning.

"What does that have to do with anything? He won't come back anyway," Travis asked.

She rolled her eyes. "While he's worrying he won't be thinking about self-destructing. I get more time to search for a better spell."

"Oh."

"Oh?" Kiara shook her head. "Why would he care if I was really making out with-" she paused, frowning. "Oh."

Audrey lifted a single red brow. "Took you that long to figure it out?"

"You're not really his fiancée?"

"Nope. I was trying to make you jealous so you'd admit your feelings."

Honestly, I couldn't care less about what they were talking about. I raised my hand.

Audrey lifted her chin in my direction. "Speak."

"In the interest of making this plan more successful, I think Kiara and I should make out."

"Notion rejected. Keep your hands off of our alpha's mate," Audrey replied briskly, pulling out her ringing cellphone. "Hello?"

Rolling my eyes, I turned back to what was more interesting, the way Kiara's hair was sticking up in all sorts off places. Combined with the glare she was giving me, she resembled an untamed tiger cub. Likely to try and scratch your stomach open, but very cuddly looking.

This attraction wasn't what I signed up for but I've never wanted someone this much before- the feeling was scary but it was also exhilarating in a way. I wanted to pull her into my arms and make her feel as crazy as she was driving me.

Holy crow, if this is how Will Cage felt everyday then why the hell was he going around with other girls?

Obviously because he was a douchebag. He should just stay in that cave of his for the rest of eternity. Or at least until I brought Kiara to her senses about her feelings.

"Travis," Audrey said, voice quiet. "You heard that, right?"

Kiara turned, alarmed. "Heard what?"

"The alpha has called a meeting at his house," Travis said grimly. "To introduce his mate to the pack."

What?