Chapter 10: Alpha King

I told myself a long time ago that I would never find myself in a situation where I had to run away from anything or anyone ever again, that no one could ever make me feel weak or helpless. But I ran out of there like my life depended on it. I pushed through the glass doors that led to the dark garden outside, my heart hammering like crazy against my ribs. The cool night air hit my face, but it didn't do anything to calm me. My breathing was ragged and uneven. No, no, no. I thought, pressing my hand against my chest. This cannot be happening again. It felt like the past was repeating itself, and the thought alone was suffocating me. I couldn't live through that nightmare again. Not after everything I survived. Not after the blood I bled, the years I spent training until my bones were broken, and everything I had built for myself and my pack. I turned myself into the Cold Alpha so no man could ever break me or trick me again. "Pull yourself together, Maya," I whispered aloud to myself, pacing back and forth on the smooth stone path. "Pull it together. You are an Alpha now." But no matter what I said to myself, I just couldn't do it. My wolf was pacing frantically inside my mind, scratching at my soul, screaming that her mate was just a few feet away. Then I felt a hand land on my shoulder. Sparks shot through my skin setting my entire body on fire and I jumped back. "Relax," a deep, enticing, manly voice said and I found myself coming face to face with the most breathtaking man I've ever seen. Seeing him from a distance didn't do him any justice at all. Up close in the moonlight, he was so handsome it was literally jaw dropping. He was tall, with broad shoulders that filled out his dark suit, a sharp, perfect jawline, and the most piercing blue eyes I've ever seen. He had a heavy, dangerous power rolling off him, but beneath that terrifying power, there was a raw, intense possessiveness in his eyes as he looked down at me like he was looking at the most precious thing in the entire world. His blue eyes moved over my face, taking in everything and he took a slow, deliberate step towards me. He didn't try to grab me or force himself on me, but his dominant aura wrapped around the cool air like a thick blanket, demanding my attention. "Please' don't," I gasped out, taking a step backward, my hands coming up between us. He stopped in his tracks, his striking blue eyes softening just a little, though the possessive energy surrounding him never faded. He looked at me with so much patience, so much understanding, and an undeniable hunger that made my knees feel weak. "I think you need time, and I'm going to give you time," he said. "But don't run away from me." Hearing those soft, gentle words made a sudden, sickening wave of déjà vu crash over me. Ten years ago, Ezra was this nice to me on the first day too before he turned around, marked another woman, killed my father, and threw me into a cage. My heart instantly locked back into ice. I refuse to fall for the exact same game and lie yet again. Men use sweet words when they want something from you, and I'm never going to be anyone's foolish victim ever again. "Don't talk to me, and stay away from me" I snapped at him. I didn't wait to see his reaction and turned on my heels and walked away as fast as I could, leaving him standing alone. I felt his piercing blue eyes tracking my every move as I walked, his possessive gaze burning into my back, but I kept my head high and didn't look back. I just wanted to get out of here. I wanted to fly back to the safety of Silver-Falls. But I couldn't. As much as I wanted to run, I knew I couldn't leave without meeting the Alpha King. This summit was too important for my pack. The hybrid attacks were getting worse every single week, and my people need help. As their Alpha, I had to put my pack first, way before my own personal feelings. I had to bury my emotions deep down where no one could see them. Having a mate for the second time was definitely not what I needed in my life. I survived ten years without a mate, and I don't need one now. "Maya. There you are" Terence said, stepping over to me. He reached out and touched my arm with concern. "Are you okay?" I forced a polite, tight smile on my face and looked at him. "Of course I'm okay. I was just overwhelmed by the crowd. But I'm okay now. Is the Alpha King here?" "Not yet" he said, looking up at the stage at the front of the room. "He should be coming out soon." "Good," I said, turning away. "I'm going to the bar." "Give me the strongest liquor you have," I told the bartender, leaning against the counter. He poured me a glass of alcohol and grabbed the glass and knocked it back in one gulp. The liquid burned down my throat, but it didn't do much. If I had to drink a lot in order for it to just kick in and numb the crazy electricity running through my blood, then that's exactly what I'm going to do. "Pour me another one," I ordered. I downed the second shot, then a third. Terence stepped up beside me at the bar, watching me swallow shot after shot with. "Are you sure you're okay, Maya?" "Stop worrying about me and talk to the other Betas. Find out what they know. I can't deal with your questions right now, I just need a minute alone." He hesitated, but bowed his head and turned back to the crowd to do his job. I stood alone at the bar, gripping my empty glass. Suddenly, the loud chatter in the hall died down. "Ladies and gentlemen, Alphas of the realm" the announcer declared. "Please welcome your host, the leader of the Royal Pack, your Alpha King Alexander" The entire room bowed their heads. I lifted my head slowly, turning around to look at the main stage. The golden curtains parted, and a man stepped out on the platform. He stood under the bright lights, looking powerful, untouchable, and commanding. Standing up on that stage was the exact same breathtaking, blue eyed man I just pushed away in the garden. He's the Alpha King. My mind went blank. my second-chance mate is the most powerful ruler in the entire world. Before I could even process the shock, a familiar arrogant voice interrupted me. "Well, well, well look what decided to crawl out of its hole."