The Alpha's Angel

Chapter III

Madeline's POV:
That was quite possibly the worst scolding I had ever received and it hadn't even come from my parents. Not to mention the fact half the pack had been there to witness it. I had run. I had run far. Off pack land. It was reckless but I was sick of being trapped by my brother's lockdown.

I felt him pushing through the mind link. To yell at me again. To apologize. I didn't need to hear any more. Finally I ran to a secluded area, the forest sloping so I was against a ledge. I didn't know exactly where I had run. A patrol hadn't stopped me so I knew I was in human territory.

And yet something felt off. I sniffed the air. Other wolves had definitely been through here, which told me it was land bridging packs. Or I had been let through.

The area we're in used to be no man's land. It was between two packs, Shadowpaw and Red Moon. We closed a deal with Mara's grandfather and Sam's when we called ourselves unwilling lone wolves.

Shit. Before I could start to turn back I was being tackled to the ground by a large black wolf, mud caking leaves and twigs to my blonde coat. I snarled, attempting to take out my attacker's legs. He sank down, biting my neck. I felt the fight leaving me. He outranked me. He was a ruling alpha.

When I stopped moving completely he stood, dropping his head to playfully nip at my ear. Jason. I had most definitely hit Silver Crest territory. I pawed his snout in weak protest and he growled. He put an arm over me, holding me down. He was going to take his time assessing me in this form and he wouldn't have me fighting him.

I was relaxed enough as he took his time with my upper body, sniffing with an occasional lick. His tongue ran across my underbelly and I yelped, thrashing. Instead of growling at my defiance he released me with a whine. He expected my submission, yes, but above all else he longed for my trust. It was just too far, too fast.

I turned away and he whined again, likely thinking I was going to leave before seeing me gathering my clothes. He picked up his own, each of us changing as privately as we could. When I stepped out he was already waiting for me. "Ethan called you," I stated, opening the conversation.

"He said he screwed up and sent you running north. Pretty damn stupid on both of your parts considering what happened with Mara."

"He—I—It's just—I'm sorry. I'm not being fair to you. He knows that better than I do and I wasn't willing to listen."

"You felt like he was being a control freak?"

"I just don't understand it. How can something be wrong and right? How can I feel happy and guilty? He's telling me to let him deal with Mara's situation. Just run off and forget about my best friend. He said it hurts. I saw how it hurt him. I hate that I'm hurting you, but—"

"Madeline, I'm not going to try to push you, but you know how long it takes to get from Silver Crest to Shadowpaw and vise versa. How long did it take to run here? Fifteen?" I nodded, wiping tears from my wet cheeks. "So when you're sitting in a room in the Silver Crest pack and get a phone call saying that they're bringing her home will it be that hard to get there? Do you think your brother would hide progress in the search, good or bad?"

"I guess not."

"Then come stay with me. If you're still too worried about Mara then go back to Shadowpaw." He kissed my knuckles. "Your brother wasn't lying. It does hurt. But I'll wait."

"I—"

"Oh, thank God."

I leaped away from Jason as my insufferably overprotective brother had to come barging in. He brought me into a bone-crushing hug and somehow I managed to shove him away. I was still beyond upset with him, no matter how much I had given Jason today. I had opened up much more quickly than I expected to and I could tell he was frustrated that Ethan had interrupted us.

I honestly was too. "Don't. Just don't, Ethan. First you make the pack almost impossible to leave then you're practically shoving me out the door."

"Madeline—"

"No, Ethan. You've been controlling and overprotective and practically unbearable ever since Ryan and Violet were targeted."

"I keep my family safe. I keep my pack safe. I keep you safe. Call me paranoid but let's look at what happened the one time I backed off."

Mara was taken. It was then that I really saw the shadows. It was then that I saw his fear. His tormented soul was reflected in his eyes. No. I couldn't hurt Jason. Not after seeing this in my brother. "I'm changing packs," I told him, my voice so quiet I thought neither of them had actually heard me. Then Jason's hand was warming my back. It leveled me as I continued. "You were right, Ethan. And despite completely humiliating me in front of the majority of the pack, I don't hate you."

He grimaced. "I'm sorry. This wasn't something I should have made a scene of. Why don't you come home and get some things together. You can come back here when you're ready."

"Okay." Ethan turned, walking away from us. I turned to look at Jason and he was smiling as he rested his hands on my hips. "I'm going to spend the night over there. My mother is quite dramatic so I'm sure she'll have some elaborate dinner and breakfast to lay out. You might see me by lunch."

He shook his head, still smiling. "Take your time, angel. Like I said, as long as it takes."

I flushed at the endearing name and with a bit of hesitation stood on my toes to kiss his cheek. "I'll see you tomorrow."

"Tomorrow. And don't be surprised if my mother ignores me when I tell her not to make a big fuss."