Winning Over the Alpha

Chapter 26

~Tessa~

Tessa stood frozen in place as she watched Dainin's wolf retreat into the woods. "What have I done," she asked her wolf but was met with silence. Tessa couldn't blame her for being angry. She had been begging Tessa to talk things out with Dainin all day, but she stubbornly refused. Now her decision may have cost her everything.

Dainin's rejection of her touch fueled her need to feel him, to be reassured they were still connected. Tessa desperately opened their bond but was met with a rush of hurt and betrayal. Her hand grabbed at her chest as the pain overwhelmed her, causing her knees to buckle and tears to instantly fall from her eyes. She did this to Dainin. She made him experience these terrible feelings by not trusting him.

Everything was moving in slow motion and Tessa didn't realize she was holding her breath until a hand grasped her shoulder. She gasped for air and when her spotted vision cleared she met Zander's apologetic eyes.

He opened his mouth to speak but seemed to have nothing to say. Beside her, Elijah had sat down, resting his head in his hands as if he were overcome with guilt. Then, when her gaze fell on Alan, she saw a look filled with disappointment and anger. His carefree demeanor was gone and his wolf had surfaced, staring her down. Her Alpha nature made her refuse to break their eye contact, but she knew she deserved his loathsome glare.

After a few moments, the intense pounding in her chest began to fade into a burn, meaning Dainin was getting further away from her as the seconds ticked by. "Alan, I didn't mean," she began to explain but stopped when he shook his head slowly.

"You've been everything to him from the moment he saw you," Alan muttered, trying to control his anger. "You're all he's ever wanted in a mate, yet this is how you treat him," he asked, appalled as his eyes remained cold. "Maybe you were better off alone," he spat, before shifting into his wolf to chase after his brother.

Tessa was stunned. "Maybe he's right," she thought as fresh tears fell from her eyes. It had only been a short time since she wondered if Dainin deserved her, but now she was questioning if she deserved him. He's proved himself time and time again, but she threw that all away.

"Tessa," Zander softly called her name, rubbing her back to comfort her.

"I'm such a fool," she whispered, keeping her back turned away from any prying eyes. "I should have just trusted him, Zander," she cried, turning into his chest when he pulled her close and the burning sensation spread throughout her body. She was grateful for the dark sky and heavy rainfall for concealing her tears.

After what seemed like forever, Tessa composed herself enough to cancel the rest of the exam. They've seen all they needed for the Alphas to make their decisions and nobody felt like sitting in the rain any longer.

"You deserve to stay out here," her wolf growled in anger., but Tessa ignored her as she tried to contact Dainin through their link again with no luck.

"Can you blame him after what you accused him of? After you said you loved him," her wolf growled, she had been relentless. She took every opportunity to throw that fact in her face. Tessa loved Dainin with all her being, but she was afraid to let love blind her from the truth. She was afraid to trust him and be taken for a fool again.

***

On her walk back to the house, Tessa's pack members knowingly avoided her as the scent of regret rolled off her body. Somehow, she made it to her bedroom without breaking down in the hall, but once inside, Dainin's scent overwhelmed her. Tessa looked around the room, hoping he had been waiting for her all along, but she was alone. With her hope shattered, she collapsed against the door and slid down to the ground.

"Dainin," she quietly cried his name, wishing he would be there to gently wipe her tears away. "I'm so sorry," she sobbed, pulling her knees to her chest as she cried into her arms.

As her tears began to dry, a soft knock on her door caught her attention. She could barely raise her head but managed to clear her throat and fake confidence. "Yes? Who is it," she called, surprised that her voice sounded normal.

"It's me, dear. Can you let me in," her grandmother answered, sending warmth through Tessa's body.

Tessa stood, wiping a stray tear from her cheek while opening the door, and tried to seem confident and put together. Lori stepped inside and immediately pulled Tessa into a comforting hug.

"Oh, Tessa," she spoke gently, pulling her away from the embrace. "Always my strong girl," her grandmother smiled, resting her palm on Tessa's cheek.

"Gran, I'm not strong. I'm weak and let John's betrayal ruin everything," Tessa admitted as her head hung in shame.

Lori placed her hand under Tessa's chin, raising her head. "Don't let that bastard win," she growled, looking into Tessa's eyes. "Zander told me everything and after all you've been through, I'm certain Dainin will come around. You two will make it work so I can see my great grand pups," Lori smirked, trying to get at least a chuckle in response, but failed.

"If it was that bad, I'd plan on a lot of groveling if I were you. Maybe a little extra one-on-one time," Lori teased, raising her brows and finally succeeding in making Tessa laugh.

"That's a bit awkward coming from you, Gran," Tessa admitted as a light blush filled her cheeks. "Honestly, even after the way I treated him I don't think Dainin would let me bring myself to grovel," she admitted, knowing a true apology and promise would be enough for him, but groveling was not beneath her if that was what it took to earn his forgiveness.

Lori sat on the chaise lounge and patted the empty spot beside her. "Listen to me, dear. I know we teach that the Moon Goddess pairs us with our perfect match, but the truth is, the mate bond isn't always perfect. It can be hard work and takes compromise like any other relationship," Lori lectured, taking Tessa's hand.

"When your parents met, your father was the type of Alpha you've dreaded since you came of age. He had a huge ego and looked down on pretty much everyone," Lori sighed as regret clouded her eyes with a far-off look.

"I suppose it was my fault, being his mother, but regardless of that, your mother was a spitfire much like yourself. She had a passion to do what's right, respected others no matter what their status was, and wanted to be seen as an equal," she said proudly.

Tessa smirked hearing about her parents. She could only recall how doting and kind her father was. It was strange to hear about his other side.

"Eventually, your father smartened up and changed his ways. He learned to trust without question and they both learned to listen to the other. It did take her almost rejecting him to realize he needed to make changes, but they made it work in the end," she finished, and Tessa's body tensed at the mention of rejection.

Lori gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. "Don't worry. I see the way Dainin looks at you. He may be hurt now but you're both fighters. You'll get through this," she encouraged and with her last words of wisdom, Lori stood pulling Tessa to her feet.

"Now, I think I've wasted enough of your time. Go find your mate," she said, and Tessa smiled, feeling rejuvenated with hope.

"Thank you, Gran," she said, pulling her into a strong hug. Tessa ran out of the house and shifted to find Dainin and make things right.