Stripping for the Alpha

Chapter Three (NALA's POV)

I woke up alone for the sixth time this week and I stared at Callens untouched side of the bed. He never came home last night and that was usual but after what happened last night, I wanted to talk to someone. Things didn't make much sense about this Theo Lee guy at all. I felt compelled to be near him and out of nowhere last night, I became worried about his safety. Although when I said what I said, I did not expect him to hear it, let alone reply.

I slowly got out of bed and made my way into the kitchen to make something to eat. As I went through the fridge, I quickly glanced at my phone on the bench to find eight missed calls and fourteen texts from Jade. Breakfast forgotten, I closed the fridge and picked up my phone. I propped my self up and sat on the kitchen island to go through my unread messages.

Three were sent last night.

'Hey r u ok?'

'Forget about what happened, its nothing.'

'Sleep well honey. I love u and will b here if u need me'

And this morning;

'How u feeling?'

'u wanna go out for a girl's day, my closet needs upgrading'

'R u still thinking about last night'

'The only thing you should think about is how cute that guy was.'

'and really protective (;'

And so on...

I smiled at the uncouth messages and began to type a reply.

'Could really do with a girl's day, I am really lacking new clothes as well. Pick me up in 20?'

Within seconds there was a positive reply beeping through my phone's small speaker.

'Yay, definitely! C u then.'

I smiled and entered my room with a bounce. As I went through my closet my phone beeped with another message. I looked at it expecting it to be Jade but was instead confused by a short message from Callen.

'Staying at mums 2nite, she's not feeling 100%'

I felt my heart drop as I began dialling his mothers' number. Sherell was a beautiful woman who was diagnosed with breast cancer eighteen months ago. We both got along really well and it hurt my heart to think that she wasn't feeling well.

Sherell answered the phone with a cheery voice. "Hello?" she asked and I smiled. "Hi Sherell. Its me Nala."

"Oh Nala. How wonderful to hear from you again. Its been a little to long for my taste."

"I know. Hey, now Callen just told me that your feeling really unwell. How are you doing?" I asked, sincerely worried for her heath, but her reply left me speechless.

"Well don't listen to that boy at all. He doesn't know a damn thing. I have been trying to get a hold of him for about three weeks with no luck so just ignore him. Actually, do you mind if I talk to him now love?" she asked and my face fell.

"Sherell... he's not here. He texted me that he was going to stay at your house tonight." I said slowly, my heart breaking with every word.

There was silence on the other end of the phone as this was news to her.

"Well... sweetheart. I'm sure that there is an acceptable reason for that. Perhaps he is going to surprise me?" she said lowly and I could tell she was trying to brighten my day. So, I forced a smile into my voice before speaking again.

"Yeah. That's it. Well I will let you go Sherell, you have a good night and I will keep in touch."

"You do that darling and I will call you tonight to let you know honey because us girls have to stick together." She said and I let out a breath. "Thank you Sherell. See you, and be safe."

"You too love."

I hung up and fell backwards onto my bed with a sigh.

I shook my head quickly before sitting up and staring at my closet. I stood and closed my eyes before reaching into the closet and opening my eyes to a pair of denim shorts and a white blouse. I put these on before adding a pair of converses.

I was about to leave and wait out the front for Jade but something was shouting in the back of my mind. My boyfriend was most likely to be out in the nearest city, screwing the nearest woman so what did I have to lose?

I quickly changed into a pair of denim whitewash skinny jeans and a crop top that had off-the-shoulder sleeves. I accompanied it with a pair of nude strappy heels and few silver bangles. I put my long hair into a very high pony tail and let it hang all the way down my back. When I was finished, I put on some mascara and eyeliner and I was out the door after grabbing my phone and wallet.

** ** ** ** **

Jade and I exited Victoria's Secret giggling like fools as we made our way to the food court. We had been asked to buy our stuff and leave because of our uncontrollable giggling. As we left, I found myself bumping into a large and very buff person. I looked up and recognised it as one of Theo Lee's friends.

This I had to stupidly acknowledge out loud because I was already giggling uncontrollably. "Oh hey. You're the third amigo from last night." I said giggling and Jade high fived me still laughing her head off. "Wait if you're here, then that means..." I turned one hundred and eighty degrees to find the one and only Theo Lee himself.

"You're a bit late. The dude in there really could use a butt kicking. He kicked me out of his d*mn shop!" I said almost seriously but ended up giggling some more. This comment only made Jade laugh louder and out of nowhere she farted and I began laughing like I never stopped. "That was so f**king disgusting." I said pointing at her but she acted as if she couldn't hear me as she was close to hysterics.

"So where were you ladies going exactly?" Theo asked but we ignored him obliviously. "Nala?"

I stopped my laughing all together.

The way my name came from his mouth was effortless. Like my name was carved into his tongue and made for his use only. I couldn't hold back the whimper that forced itself through my lips and I could have sworn that his eyes brighten with lust but they were brown again before I could point it out.

"H...how do you know my name?" I asked slowly, trying to control my voice.

"Jade said it last night when that... that thing..." his hands clenched into fists and his arms began to shake. "I could have killed him for what he said about you." He muttered before making eye contact with me again. For some reason I believed him. The sincerity that laced his tone was everything but devious. This man was somehow, for some reason, very dangerous and very protective. Of me.

Jades laughter died down as our small audience watched us, but as I stared at the truth in his eyes, I didn't notice them. It was like this man in front of me was everything that I would ever need or want. He could keep me safe and protect me, these facts radiated off of him in waves, who was I to deny that?

"Nala... why are...?" he paused as his hand made an upwards movement before he snatched it backwards before turning and walking away. I stared after him and something inside felt like it was breaking.