Chapter 4 Selena's Alpha

Selena leaned against the counter in the small, poorly-lit diner and wiped her hands on her apron.

It was late and the hour only brought in tired truckmen and people lost with nowhere to go.

Well, not that she cared; the slow hours were good for her as they allowed her to focus and for a brief period, not think.

After five years in the house of Maria, working in the local diner made her feel temporarily as if she was beginning life afresh.

She focused her mind on her kid now. Ethan must be fast asleep in that little bed of his in the house of Maria's now.

He was six, and he was such a handsome little boy, soft, curly, dark hair, adorable bright amber eyes, and the kind of smile that can make the toughest person shed a tear.

However, a mother knows what her child has, and Selena knew that he had more than most children his age did.

Part of her did think that even though Ethan was young, there was a certain power that came with him, sticks and stones may break my bones, but blood will always rule.

Being the son of an alpha meant carrying the powers of the lines, and there was hope that one day, he would even possess more powers than what he was aware of at this stage.

This power had begun to manifest itself in Ethan. The forms of small, strange phenomena that never failed to get her worked up.

One very vivid occasion was when he first showed signs of this potential at the age of three, an age so tender he did not know what the word strength meant.

The young boy is said to have gone into his room where he found the bed he had previously slept in sitting strangely in the middle of the room.

She gasped in shock as she saw the boy leaning on the bed laughing. Little fists clenched onto the bedpost and to the look of surprise from everyone but him, it looked like he was not anchored down by the weight.

He had not been punished for that, rather, she had warned him nicely not to do that again, hoping that would mark the end of such behaviour. It didn't, however.

At the age of five years, Ethan's capabilities had also become a little more erratic.

For instance, Selena had once caught him sitting on the roof, balancing as though it was some playground equipment. He dismissed her concern-filled gaze, climbing down only when she looked genuinely terrified.

"How many times have I told you this is dangerous?... That's supposed to be a private issue, Ethan, okay?" she hissed, wrapping him in her embrace. He had looked her in the eye and swore that he would.

But did he, of course, comprehend in its entirety why they had to sneak away everything?

Now, Selena perceived that they needed to keep their heads because there was no way Ethan's abilities would not draw attention given the fact that he was going to grow up.

There were those people, terrible, terrible people who would sell you for a penny, who would hunt down a person like him. It was a feeling that she went through every day, a voice that urged her to be on her toes at all times.

She was sure that Maria would keep them safe; the woman was stalwart, and Red treated Ethan like her own child.

But Selena could see the slight worry on Maria's face as well. Whenever Ethan behaved in an atypical manner, she would look at Selena with a concerned expression, already worried.

She had witnessed too many near misses in her younger days to be oblivious to the danger.

The bell above the diner door rang, bringing Selena out of her reverie. She had to turn around while smiling, as a customer stepped inside the restaurant.

This time a well-built man in an old leather jacket, whose fierce expression was towards her.

The man slid into the corner booth, back to the wall, but feasting his eyes on her as she approached. "What can I get you?" she asked him, maintaining her calm and courteous veneer. There was a hope that her face did not give away her qualms.

"A coffee, please," he requested, sounding as if someone had mixed sharp gravel in his voice.

Selena tilted her head slightly and moved to the counter to place his order, but he seemed to study her the whole time.

She came back with the drink and cradled the cup into his hands. He even managed to offer her a smile then, although it did not reach his eyes. "This is a well-behaved town," he commented as he added sugar to his coffee and stirred it.

"It has its moments," she offered, attempting light-heartedness but defensiveness prevailed.

"Not many newcomers around here, I'd bet," he continued as his gaze surveyed through her. There was something too possessive about those eyes and it put her on alert instantly.

Selena tried to raise a smile. "Not too many I guess."

The man raised the coffee cup, sipping slowly while maintaining her gaze as if trying to uncover something deep within her – something he knew from work that she would most definitely not wish him to find.

"Just passing through?" she asked, decidedly shifting the focus away from herself.

"Perhaps." The man flashed a pointed smile. "

Selena made a quick exit, saying to the stranger, "Enjoy your coffee" and moved to Maria. "Is Ethan alright?" she asked in a low voice, not bothering that a slight tremor had crept in.

Maria's gaze softened, and she nodded. "He's all right, dear. Fast asleep. Just wanted to see how you were doing."

They shared a brief look of understanding, which was also directed at another person seated in the corner, Maria's gaze proving no exception.

Maria's expression turned tough as she noticed the way the older man was looking at Selena. Her hand was on Selena's shoulder; her tone was fierce but calm at the same time. "Relax Selena. We are safe in this place."

As he finished his drink, he didn't leave immediately but turned his head back one last time, that gaze saying something different-a promise.

It was an event that left a 'not so good' feeling in Selena. She was aware of the dangers of being rooted in one place for long, more so with Ethan, who she wanted to have a childhood free of fear and anxiety.

But that night, as she lay in bed, not able to sleep, scary thoughts invaded Selena's mind of dark figures, the powers of her son, and the extent she would go to protect him.