The Rogue Alpha’s Claim

“I have to go, baby.”

“Why?” Ariel whined, hugging her mate tighter, afraid he would escape her hold. “Do you have to do this?”

“Yes, I do. I already explained to you that it is part of defending the pack, and as the alpha, I have to lead by example.”

“But do you really have to? What am I going to be doing all by myself when you are gone?”

“You would have been going to work if you hadn’t quit.”

Ariel groaned, not ready to hear that. “I already explained to you why I couldn’t do that. Besides, you were the one who was insisting I quit.” Ariel accused him, and Kane shrugged his shoulders.

She had been very excited when she first started the work, but after a week, she had been quick to realize that that kind of life wasn’t for her.

Waking up every day was never for her. She was a baby girl, true and true.

“Only because you were always complaining that it was too much work. I don’t like seeing you in pain or miserable.” Kane said, stroking her chin softly.

“I know.” Ariel replied in a soft voice.

“I could call Liza for you; she will be happy to stay with you.”

Ariel shook her head. “It is okay; I don’t want to be a burden. I can stay by myself; I could declutter my wardrobe or do something else.” At the mention of decluttering, they both looked at the overflowing wardrobe, and Kane knew it was going to be impossible.

The only reason Ariel decluttered was to make way for more clothing, but who was he to talk?

“That is a good idea, babe; you can always donate the ones you don’t need.”

“Hmm.” Ariel nodded her head, trying to prevent the tears from dropping from her eyes. She has gotten so used to seeing Kane around, and this was the first time she would be sending him out. “I love you.”

“I love you too, baby.” Kane replied, leaning down to connect their lips. Their lips had only met for the briefest of kisses when they heard the knock on the door, and Kane groaned.

“I know; you should go. They are waiting for you.” Ariel was saying, but her actions betrayed her as she gripped his arms stronger, refusing to let go.

“I promise I will be back, baby.” Kane reassured her, and this time he gave her a kiss on her temple before he was moving towards the door.

Ariel followed behind him like a dutiful mate, and the door opened to reveal his beta and gamma, all wearing serious faces.

“We are good to go alpha.” Toby spoke, and Ariel couldn’t even recognize the man in front of her. Gone were the smiles and friendliness, and in their place were the eyes that had a deadly glint.

“I promise I will be back.” Kane reassured her again. He had never contemplated a mission before, but right now, he was willing to risk everything if it meant that she would be happy.

“Hmm mmm.” Ariel mumbled under her breath, afraid that when she opened her mouth, she would ask him to stay.

She watched with teary eyes as they walked away from her, praying it wouldn’t be the last time she saw them. Liza had told her how it could go on-that sometimes they wouldn’t be back for days, and when they came back, they were always a few warriors short.

Ariel looked up to the sky, saying a few words to the moon goddess. She had no religion, but they all believed in the moon goddess, and it was only right that she prayed to her to ensure their safety.

She felt a little peace in her heart as she went back inside the room, flopping down on her bed and closing her eyes.

She had woken up quite early to help Kane prepare for his journey, and now she had to make up for the lost time.

***

When Ariel woke up, it was to a slight headache, red eyes, drool dripping down her mouth, and questioning her existence-all evidence of a good nap.

She reached for her phone, about to call her mate, but was painfully reminded that he had told her that they don’t use any devices, and she flopped on the bed, all the energy draining from her.

Ariel clutched her stomach in pain, her internal alarm clock reminding her that she hadn’t had anything to eat. She stood up, walking towards his kitchen, grateful for the fact that he had a personal kitchen.

She wasn’t sure she was ready to face anyone now.

She had seen some potatoes around, and the only thing she could think of was fried fries and crispy fried chicken.

After a gruesome hour of prepping the meal, she sat down on the sofa, eating her lunch and staring at her phone.

But as she finished her meal, she stared into a space with nothing to do; Netflix couldn’t even solve the way she was feeling.

Ariel spent the remaining hour on her phone, hopping from one app to another, looking for something to distract her.

The sun had long set, and she looked out the window as darkness enveloped the earth. It was obvious they wouldn’t be coming back home tonight; Liza had warned her about the possibility.

She had to do something. She was Kane’s girl, and it may not be anything, but her presence could comfort the people remaining.

Ariel was standing up from the bed, and she was marching down the stairs to the common room, stopping a few times to catch her breath.

She was definitely going to tell Kane about an elevator when he came back (If he comes back), an ugly voice rears its head, but she’s shutting it down and dismissing the thought.

She got to the common room, and her foot halted in the air as she heard laughter coming from the room. She peeped into the room to see women sitting around the TV, laughing and eating.

Ariel swallowed the lump that had formed in her throat, and for a moment, she was contemplating leaving them. From their laughter, it was obvious they were having fun without her.

“It is fine, Ariel; we already know you are at the door; you can come in.”

“Oh.” Her mouth opened in surprise, forgetting that they could hear everything. “Yea.” She dusted off the lint that may have settled on her dress, and she entered inside to see about 20 women sitting around with bowls of popcorn. “Hello.” Ariel waved at them, suddenly shy from all the attention she was receiving.

“Welcome. Don’t be angry; we didn’t call you; we weren’t sure you would love to hang out with us since you are always in your room, and we wouldn’t want you to get angry or else the Alpha may take it upon us.”

“Jessica!” One of the older females yelled at her, but she shrugged her shoulders, not at all sorry for her words.

“It is fine; I understand. I think I should apologize for that. We are obviously different species, and I know there is bound to be friction, but I am very friendly, and I would like to be your friend.”

The females looked around themselves, and Ariel suspected they were saying something in the mindlink, hopefully nothing bad.

“Of course, you are welcome, Luna. Someone get her a bowl of popcorn and a smoothie.”

Ariel smiled at the request, settling into her seat well. “What is the occasion? Is someone pregnant or what?”

The ladies shared a look between themselves, and they all burst into laughter. Ariel shifted in her chair, not sure she liked the laughter.

“Sorry about that, but no one is pregnant. We usually gather like this whenever the warriors go out. It is safer this way and more comforting.”

“Hmm.” Ariel nodded in agreement, dipping her hands into the bowl and scooping some of the salty, sweet toasted corn into her mouth.

“We would like to apologize.” One of the women began, and she could remember her as one of the women from her training. “Honestly, we had a bias against you because you were a human and all that, and I would like to apologize.”

“Yes, we are sorry.” Different voices echoed the response, and Ariel looked up, her eyes red with unshed tears.

“Thank you for the honesty; I accept your apology, and I would like us to be friends.”

“Of course, we are very pleased to be considered your friends. The truth is, we were jealous of you, and…

“Jessica!” The woman interrupted Jessica before she could spill any more secrets.

Ariel’s shoulders shook as she laughed. She was already aware of that fact, but she ignored it.

“Anyways, so how did you all meet your partners?”