Total pages in book: 46
Estimated words: 48567 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 243(@200wpm)___ 194(@250wpm)___ 162(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 48567 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 243(@200wpm)___ 194(@250wpm)___ 162(@300wpm)
I nod and walk into the forest next to Xavier.
“You want to be Alpha?”
He sighs.
“I’m born to be Alpha.”
"So, was it all a lie with me?”
“Absolutely.” He turns toward me.
“I just wanted to get close and look how close I got without even trying.”
"Cool. Good to know.”
“You won’t win against me.”
"I have heart.”
“I have strength.” He laughs.
“This won’t even be a competition.”
“Weird, since it shouldn't be, we’re saving kids, this should be a mission, not a competition.”
He pauses.
“I was one of those children. It will always be a competition on who can save who.”
I reach out and I grab his hand.
“But why?”
He doesn’t grip my hand right away, then looks down at our interlocked fingers.
“You’re warm.”
That’s all he had?
You’re warm.
A tear slides down my cheek.
“Why should that stand out? Do you think they’re warm? Those kids lost in the first, away from the clan I’ve never known? Everything comes at a cost. What’s yours?”
Xavier squeezes my hand.
“Power.”
“For what?” I ask back.
“Should I be the bigger person and ask you?”
He looks away and squeezes my hand.
“I wanted control. The clan could be powerful, but in the end…” He goes to his haunches and starts crying.
“It’s my family and they’re gone! They’re fucking gone! It’s my job to help my clan reestablish, and Eli, being who he is“—he sighs—“he’s my brother or half-brother, and it’s a threat.”
"Then,” I say gently.
“You don’t know Eli.”
He looks up at me.
“He’ll take everything from me.”
“Have you ever thought”—I sigh—“that he might give instead?”
Xavier frowns.
“What?"
"How many are lost in the woods, how many lost children?”
"Seven,” he whispers.
“Good. We can get that done right now. They’re terrified. Let’s go build back your clan, not just yours, but Eli’s.”
Chapter 33
I'm Not The Alpha
ELI
I watch her leave with him. I have so much fear it’s ridiculous, but he holds her hand as they walk into the forest.
I did not have this at all in my plans for today.
I was going to grab my coffee, be grumpy about it and then go to work, not walk into a forest, not bring up my past or hers.
And here we are.
They disappear, and I let her.
For the first time in my life, I let go.
I let go of the anger.
I let go of everything.
And I watch, with Gabe by my side.
“Gonna kill you later,” I whisper.
M walks up with Marvin.
“Are we angry again?”
“Bad timing,” Gabe says under his breath.
I look at all three of them.
“Were you all in on this?”
M raises his hand.
“I was the last recruit, so you can’t be mad at me.”
All eyes turn to Marvin.
Then Gabe.
"Wow.” I sigh.
“Wow.”
Gabe smiles.
“I think you’re ready.”
“For what? Death?”
Two bodies come back and then two more, and then three, four…
What the hell is going on?
Xavier escorts five lost children.
Ava escorts ten.
And then, in a weird exchange, they hug, and everyone turns toward her, she kneels and raises her hands to the sky.
And I realize.
I'm not the Alpha.
She is.
Chapter 34
Alpha of The Clan
AVA
It was dark around the forest. There were tons of wolves that needed help, but the more I looked the more I wondered, were they like him? They weren’t the same and even if they were, why would I not save them? Honestly, I wasn’t even sure what they were, just that I had a pull to them, a draw, and that it was my job to save.
And in the end.
It was Xavier who helped me help them.
I don’t remember much, neither does he, but I do remember holding their hands, walking out and proving my worth.
The kids go to the right as Xavier and I kneel.
I feel powerful.
I feel empowered.
I look up, and it’s to see Eli kneel, then Gabe, then every single person from the clan.
"Alpha,” Eli whispers.
“Good to meet you.”
They all bow.
I look to Xavier.
He just smiles, like he knew all along.
Gabe nods.
“Stand, Alpha of the clan.”
What?
I stand.
And look around.
I have so many people around me; I don’t even know my own past beyond knowing my mate.
“Doesn’t matter.” Eli comes up to me and pulls me into his arms.
“You were born for this, made for this. If the past is dark, let the future be bright. Let the future be you.”
I smile, “My future was you the minute we met.”
“Even though I was grumpy?”
"Even then.” I laugh.
"Now, should we go back to work? Kind of like saved the world.”
“Did you though?”
"Are you arguing again?”
“Yup.” He laughs.
“But I love you, so I’ll do it again and again, keeps you on your toes.”
"I’ll always reach for you.”
He smiles at me.
“And I'll always reach for you.”
The End
THE END