Chapter 5 Episode 5

CHAPTER FIVE

Luke 's POV

The girl pulled her hair free from its messy bun. Long brown waves tumbled down her back, making her look almost magical. The red had been pretty but this suited her better.

"Leave now, Nate, or I'll rip your throat out," she ordered, her voice strong like a leader's. He whimpered and quickly put his shorts on.

"Elara, where were you? Serenity said you got taken! Everyone's freaking out," the boy said, hugging her.

But I saw the anger in Elara's eyes. She wanted to punch him. This was one of the guys she ran from at the club. What a messed up pack!

She pushed him off. "I wasn't taken. This man saved me from Rogues. Let him go!"

"Yes, princess," Nate bowed his head.

"What did he say?" I couldn't believe it. She tricked me - she really was the princess!

"What are you doing, Elara?" Another Alpha voice boomed from the trees. He was weak, trying too hard to be tough.

"I'm doing what I want, like you!" Elara glared at him, furious.

You could feel the tension. She might hurt Nate but she wanted this Alpha dead. He grabbed her arm hard enough to bruise. Before he could talk, I growled and shoved him.

"Don't touch her like that again, little wolf." I used my strongest Alpha voice. They all froze.

They had Alpha blood, even the lying princess, but I was more powerful. My wolf wouldn't let anyone hurt the girl for some reason.

"Elara, go home now!" The Alpha ordered. She just laughed. He could boss others but not her.

Her rebellion made my head spin with want and irritation. My wolf craved her, wanted to make her obey.

"Let this man leave, then I'll go home. Not because you said so, but because I'm tired!" Her words jumbled as she got madder. I smirked - she fooled me but I still found her cute and sexy.

"You're 17 with no wolf, in the woods at night! You don't give orders!" The Alpha was losing it, scared of her and me.

I wanted to question her, touch every inch of her, but I'd protect her for now.

Wait, what?

"17? Oh hell no!" I groaned. This couldn't be real. "Listen, whatever your name is, go home! I'll manage. Let's forget this," I snapped, feeling betrayed. She was a kid playing grown-up games!

Tears filled her eyes as I brushed her off. My desire died - she wasn't just an enemy but a child. Rare wolf or not, I'm no creep.

"Screw you! I tried to help but fine, save yourself! Stupid know-it-all Alphas," she yelled, all teenage sass. She stormed by the Alpha but he grabbed her arm gently.

"Baby, talk to me. You don't do this - vanish, act out, dress like this. What happened?" He begged.

Great, I was stuck in teen drama.

"Let go, Tyler! I can't deal with you now," she yanked free and ran off. I hoped she went home this time. That kid had issues.

"Follow her, Nate. Check on her and find Serenity," Tyler told the other boy, likely his future Beta. This kid wasn't a true Alpha yet.

"What did you do to my girl?" Tyler demanded.

I was over it but needed to calm things down. "It's a misunderstanding. I'm Alpha Ryker of Night Shade. The girl ran from the club crying so I followed her. I got there as Rogues chased her. I helped her cross the river, then your Beta came. I don't know why you upset her but I bet you messed up bad." I was drained. My wolf's interest in her was wrong and annoying.

I wanted to destroy this Alpha boy, then claim the silver wolf. But I'd worked too hard to ruin it now. I'd never put a bratty girl above saving my family.

Tyler backed off, seeing the danger alone with me. "Thanks for your help. She forgets she's not as strong as us. I'll tell her dad - he'll want to thank you."

"No need. I doubt she wants him knowing any of this." I didn't want their teen soap opera.

"Too bad. She needs to learn her place and the risks out here."

I turned and jumped the lake, done explaining hormones to a weak Alpha. Elara was almost 18. That drives a need in our wolves for pack and more primal things. The boy clearly wasn't satisfying the princess.

But I didn't want her in trouble either. I hated how he said she needed to know her place. She was the future Queen, always more powerful. And how did they think she had no wolf when I saw silver in her eyes? I knew she was stronger than he thought.

"Are you insane? Rogues are out there!" Tyler yelled.

I wasn't scared of Rogues. I could handle ten easily. I was so mad I hoped for a fight.

Seventeen. I felt like a pervert now. We might only be four years apart. I've been with women with bigger gaps but she was a minor, a kid!

Thank goodness we got interrupted both times. If I'd taken advantage, I couldn't live with it. I'm a monster, a shadow assassin, but not that. I'd never force or trick my way with her. I needed to kill something or someone.

My mind flashed to the elevator, then the river. Both times I had her body on mine - no! Kill something, not that!

Shaking off the bad thoughts I craved from the little temptress, I heard Rogue growls - some on my right, more on my left.

"My lucky day," I said, shifting in mid-air to tear the first one apart.