The Alpha Next Door

Chapter 3 ⦔ Bougainvillea

Laila was devastated. Ever since she was a child she had been told that one day you would find your mate and get your happily ever after. That your mate would love you unconditionally and that from the moment you meet them they would be there for you. When Laila was young she would watch her parents look lovingly into each other eyes whenever they got a moment to themselves. She believed that she would get that fairytale.

Instead, Laila sat on the side of the road as she watched the boy she thought she would love, punch a tree then run off into the cool morning air. Blood trickled along the sidewalk from her legs that got scratched up from when Laila fell to the concrete. She couldn't bring herself to get up. She couldn't even bring herself to do anything other than mourn with her wolf as she sat bleeding in the hot sun.

Adelia was having a lovely day. She was going to get her hair done after her best friend Tamsyn left to go home. Tamsyn always made Adelia feel better about the world. Her vintage car rolled down the streets as she looked around the new town trying to become accustomed to her new home.

In the distance, Adelia saw a girl in a white dress sat on the sidewalk. Frankly, it was far too hot to sit anywhere outside in this weather and as Adelia got closer she realized the girl was crying.

"Hey, darling are you okay? You are one of the teenagers who dropped that lovely cake off at my house, right?"

"Yeah I'm sorry, I'll be fine."

"Hey, I'm just driving into town to get a haircut but do you need a ride anywhere. You can come with me if you want. Get your hair done, get a change, and hey it might make you feel better." Laila beamed up at Adelia squinting in the sun's rays.

"Is it really okay?"

"Of course, get in." Laila pushed herself off the sidewalk and climbed into the stunning red 1964 Pontiac convertible. Adelia handed her a tissue so Liala could wipe the blood off her leg.

Laila was glad that Adelia didn't push for answers. She didn't know how to explain the pain of having your mate run away from you. If anyone in her pack saw her like this then they would know what would cause it. They would know it was about her mate.

"My appointment isn't for another thirty minutes so would you like to go shopping for a little bit?" Asked Adelia as they got out of the car. Before Laila could say anything she was leading them inside a shop that was far beyond Laila's price range.

"I seriously can't afford this."

"Don't be silly, I am paying." Laughed Adelia as she looked through clothing. "Just find something you like. Go crazy, have fun."

"Wait so you don't care what I get." Asked Laila shocked that she had free reign. Adelia gave her a confused look. Laila was used to shopping with people that told her wait to get and what to wear it with. Never once had any of her friends or family just told her to get what she likes.

Twenty minutes later when they walked out of the store to go to the hair salon Laila had five bags filled with luxurious clothing that most importantly she enjoyed. As they sat in the salon Laila was once again faced with a choice.

"Just cut a bunch of it off. I want it to finish around my shoulders. Also can I please get some silver and light blonde streaks."

"That's my girl." Cheered Adelia as she wholeheartedly supported the drastic change. She adored the smile that spread across Laila's face as she slowly forgot about her mate. When Laila was turned around so she could see herself in the mirror Adelia felt amazing. She watched as Laila's eyes filled with tears as she grabbed at her hair.

"I haven't felt this pretty ever." Beamed Laila as she jumped up to hug the hairdresser and Adelia. "I look so different."

Laila wasn't wrong. She did look completely different. Her long plain hair was cut so she could no longer hide behind it. She was wearing clothes that were tighter and more colorful. She looked like she was making her presence know for once. Not only that but she looked happy and confidant. You could see the way she actually felt comfortable in her own skin compared to before. Adelia was overjoyed to see the change in the young woman.

As Adelia and Laila walked out of the salon Laila saw him. She turned around and walked straight back into the salon leaving Adelia confused as she followed Laila back in.

"Laila are you okay?"

"Yeah I just thought I forgot something, that's all." Laila looked past Adelia as she watched outside waiting for her mate to leave but instead he was staring right at her. Adelia looked around before a smile crept onto her face.

"Sweetheart, I don't know what is going on between you and that boy but you should walk out there with your head held high. Show the boy what he is missing. Don't let him make you feel the need to ever hide or turn away. You look him right in the eyes and stare him down. Now come on, we are going to go out there and get in the car and then drive you home cause school finishes soon and you should put away all your clothes before someone thinks you have a sugar daddy or something."

Adelia and Laila walked out of the salon with pride and as Laila hopped into the car she could feel the gaze of her mate. Her wolf felt drawn to him but she contained the animal inside as Adelia drove off.

When Laila got back to the packhouse she could feel the eyes of the pack on her but she just hauled her bags of new clothes up to her room and began a new era in her life.