The Alpha's Match

The Talk

Lauren's POV

It was the best sleep I had ever experienced. I opened my eyes, marvelling at the tingling sensation in my muscles and at how alert I instantly felt. There was no grogginess or sleep trapped in my eyes.

"Morning?" A husky male voice greeted. My eyes travelled up the uncovered torso beside my head taking in the defined lines, until finally meeting his deep blue eyes. His mouth was pulled up into a lopsided grin but his eyes were only half open and had dark shadows underneath.

"Hey," I greeted shyly. Lewis closed his eyes and a contented smile spread on his lips.

"This is how I want to wake up every day."  He murmured. Butterflies erupted in my stomach. I'd been having the same thought.

"How are you feeling?" 

He looked better than last night, his cheeks had more colour and at some point, Minerva must have changed his bandages.

"I've been better. You shouldn't be here. I don't like you to see me like this." In spite of his words, he placed an arm around my waist to pull me closer to him.

"I'm sorry that they did this to you. It's my fault." 

Lewis' eyes flashed open.

"If that's what you really think then I wish you hadn't spent the night."

I frowned in confusion, did he blame me too? "If anyone was going to get hurt for you then its right that it's me."

I shook my head at his words.

"Why?" 

Lewis sighed heavily.

"I really thought we would have been on at least one date before we had this conversation." 

I smiled at that, it really did seem that the universe was against us being together. "But I guess now will just have to do." He paused, thinking out his words. "Lauren I know what you are."

I gasped, he knew that I was a journalist. But how? I hadn't told anyone. "I know because I'm one too, just a different kind."

No, he had lost me. "I'm a werewolf."

I burst into a fit of giggles.

"You think that I'm a werewolf!" This was hilarious. I couldn't be more not a werewolf. I hate the outdoors, aside from tennis all serious energetic activities lack any appeal and to top that, I'm allergic to cats. He was staring at me in confusion but gradually his face changed into evident relief.

"You're not one of them?" He verified.   I sat up and put my hands up in surrender, I couldn't believe I really had to say this.

"I'm not a werewolf I swear." I was still chuckling but part of my brain had stopped finding this conversation amusing. Oh-my-God, he just admitted to being a werewolf. What should I do now? Act shocked? Admit that I already knew that? Instead, I did the cowardly thing.

I got up out of the bed, forcing myself to keep laughing now. My logic was this, just pretend he didn't say it and then you don't have to do anything. I walked easily to the other side of the room, my legs felt fine, which was a nice surprise. "You should get some rest. I think the pain meds must be kicking in. I'll be back to tease you later."  

"No Lauren wait-"

I shut the door behind me and fled down the hall. I've never been one for the big talks in life.

My legs began to tire quicker than normal, reminding me that I was still healing. Breathing heavily I sagged against the wall and slowly slid down it until I crumpled in a heap on the floor. I rested my head back against the wall and closed my eyes waiting for the pain to ebb away. So I had a lot that I needed to deal with. Snooping into the werewolf exclusive would have to go on the back burner. Right now my priority had to be Ollie. For some reason, him and me were in danger but not the rest of my family. What had he gotten us into?

I needed a plan. I couldn't speak to Ollie. I couldn't return to England. But I could investigate the attack at the inn. I would need to see the police report.

"Luna?"

"It's Lauren," I corrected. I looked up to see a guy that I didn't recognise. His skin looked ashen, his eyes were bloodshot and his hair was all over the place. His chin began to wobble and he looked on the brink of tears. "Are you alright?" Clumsily I got to my feet and went over to him. "What's your name?" I asked softly, deliberating if it would be right or weird to put an arm around him.

"Connor," his voice was cracked and high. Tears silently slipped down his cheeks getting caught on the stubble of his jaw. "I'm so sorry!"

"Why?"

"I did something terrible."

"What did you do Connor?"

"I'll show you."

He led me down some stairs. He was holding himself as if he would fall into pieces at any minute. We entered an underground garage. Connor clicked on the lights. I looked at all the cars, they looked really expensive, most were big hefty four wheel drives but a couple were sports cars. I turned to look back at Connor to ask why he had brought me here. He was gone. I spun around peering about the gloomy, cavernous room.

"Connor!" I called out.

"I'm sorry." I spun again. His voice sounded close but I still couldn't see him.

Pain erupted in my skull.

Colin's POV

"Have you found her?" Minerva demanded the instant I entered the room.

"No," I admitted glumly. We had followed Lauren's scent down into the garage but from there she must have gotten into a car. "There are traces of blood." Minerva growled fiercely, her iris' turning black as she lost it. I looked down worriedly at my friend. Lewis was sleeping - oblivious to the nightmare situation. "How is he?" 

"I can't wake him up." 

I ran my fingers through my hair. Shit! "He needs her," Minvera's tone was thoughtful, "I don't understand how, this isn't how mating is supposed to work, but I think they heal each other."

"How is that possible?"

"I just said that I don't know! Now get out of here and bring her back!" She leapt up and slapped my arm.

"Hey!"

"MOVE!" She kept hitting me, herding me out of the room. I put my hands up to cover my head. When I escaped into the hallway I quickly shut the door behind me.

"Beta." 

I looked up to see Meg.

"Yes?"

"Alpha Zeke's pack has been attacked. He's on the phone now."

"Shit!"

Lauren's POV

I wake up when my back collides painfully into something. Before I have fully opened my eyes I face plant whatever floor I'm lying on. There's no light but the continued knocking and slamming of my body swiftly answers the question of where am I. I'm in the boot of a car. A foul tasting gag is securely around my mouth, my legs and arms are bound by some nasty plastic stuff which is digging in painfully. I face plant the floor of the boot once more. This guy really needs to meet speed limits.