Page 4 of Her Arranged Alpha
"You will be married," Ralph said, his eyes drifting between Jillian and me. "Whether you get along or not is not up to us. But you will marry. This is part of the human mating operation, and you two are next in line. Your relationship may be like the others, but you will be married. It is what's best for your pack."
I ground my teeth together, feeling my stomach bottom out. I turned to Jillian, who couldn't even look at me. I rolled myeyes and stormed out. I slammed the door shut behind me as I headed down the hallways and then the stairs.
I felt like my blood was on fire as I stepped outside. The wind helped a little, but not enough. I ran a hand over my face and started to pace.
I needed to clear my head, and the only way I knew that was going to happen was going for a run.
After a few hours of running and trying to figure out what the hell I could do, I knew it was useless. The Council stated it was to be, and I couldn't fight it. I was Alpha, and I would do what was needed for my pack. But just because I agreed to marry her didn't change anything. I would do what was asked of me, but that was it.
There would be rules and a detailed agreement outlining what I expected from this. There would be no love. No comfort. Nothing. Just us sharing a space, which even though it sounded like it was going to be hard. I could do it, though. We would figure things out, and soon this operation would no longer be needed.
I drove to Frank's pack, trying to iron out the details. I didn't trust her, and I didn't want to wake up with a knife in my back because I let my guard down.
As I got to her house, I remained still for a moment. As angry as I was, I felt a tug to be near her, which only angered me more. I knew that feeling, and I knew what it meant. The guys had given me detailed descriptions of how this felt.
My wolf growled, irritated with me. I knew it was angry since I flat-out told Jillian no and that I wouldn't accept her.
I headed up to her door and knocked. I waited for a moment, but there was no answer. So, I knocked again. I leanedback and stared past the house towards the backyard and into the woods. I sniffed, catching the scent of lemon and citrus.
I remembered that scent in the Council room. I pushed off the railing and headed into the woods. I walked calmly, taking a path that you could tell had been taken more than a few times. Her footsteps were on the ground, and I could smell her strongly as I moved.
The trees got darker, and I knew we were nearing the edge of the wood, the edge of Honeycomb Valley, into another. All the hair on my body rose as I realized she wasn't just out for a walk. She was flat out trying to run away.
Chapter 2 - Jillian
I felt the urge to vomit as I unlocked my front door. I dropped my purse, barely making it through the door before my legs gave out and I tumbled to the ground. I didn't cry, though. I just sat there numb, unsure of what I was supposed to feel. What was I supposed to do now? What was I supposed to do with what happened?
Mate.
That word just repeated over and over in my head like a bell. I never thought I would have one or find someone who came close. I was a shifter, but not entirely. I couldn't shift. I could only listen to my wolf, which at this point was just a voice in my head. I was more human than shifter. So, the possibility of having a mate felt out of reach.
I squeezed my eyes shut, suddenly missing the person I used to be. None of this would have bothered me before. After being possessed, I felt something break deep in my chest. My wolf felt it too. Having another person control you left a scar that others couldn't see. It left memories I would never forget.
I missed who I was. I was sunshine and happiness. I knew everyone and felt respected. Sure, some people didn't accept me because I was half human, but at least I was happy. I had everything I needed. I didn't feel half broken, half put together.
I stared across my living room, taking in the space that was home. My large couch and egg chair sat in the corner. I had dark blue walls, plants, and artwork all over the space. It was my own, and normally, it was comforting to walk into my house. But suddenly, the knowledge that this wouldn't be mine hit me like a train. If I were mated, I would likely have to move. I'd have to leave my home and this pack.
I sucked in air, feeling my body shake. I felt utterly cold as I sat there, reminding me of my time in confinement and my one-on-one time with Katie. I still had nightmares of everything, and still needed all the lights on when I went to bed. If I didn't, I had panic attacks or woke up screaming to be set free.
"Did you do this on purpose?"
"What are you hiding?"
"Who are you taking orders from?"
"Why did you do this?"
Question after question slammed into me, and it was like I was back there again. I had nowhere to go, nowhere I could hide, and no one I could lean on. I was utterly alone.
They left me in complete darkness for the first day. Nothing around me, and I swear I could hear the voices. My wolf had even gone quiet, leaving me entirely alone. I cried until I had no tears left.
I could tell Katie felt bad about testing me. I saw the look in her eyes. I had hated it. Hated that pity look, and I remembered snapping at her. I screamed in anger, and Katie just took it in stride. I told her I was a person. I was a good person. I didn't deserve this. I remember crying, wishing someone would believe me. I remember begging her to let me go, begging her to understand.
I could still remember her voice, soft like a pillow. Her eyes had softened as she sat across from me, giving me a soft smile. "Jillian. You will never be who you were. That girl is gone. No matter how hard you try, you're not the same. Something happened to you, and it forever changed you."
I felt panic slowly suffocating me, and tears burned my eyes. I bit hard on my cheek and tried to push them all down. Ihate this feeling. I hated constantly feeling this weight pressing down on me.
I pulled myself up on shaking legs and headed into my bedroom. I opened my dresser and pulled out my small stash of cash. I shoved it deep into my pocket and turned back to the front of the house.
