Taming the Ruthless Alpha

Chapter 7

The sun rose, casting golden rays of light through my curtains. I stared at them, unblinking. I hadn't slept at all.

"We need to get up," Kida said.

My gaze flickered to my suitcases and my stomach twisted, a dozen emotions pulsating through me at once. I was leaving, really leaving. I had a mate again- who had a girlfriend. And I was now a Luna. That didn't scare me like it should. I'd always been the leader type, the one to take charge, to jump into action. Dad always said it was because of my Beta blood, but I felt ready to step into my role and lead the Fire Lake pack.

I lay in bed for a few more minutes, contemplating what the day would bring. When I did finally rise, it was with a groan. My muscles were stiff from lying curled up, tense, all night. I stretched my arms, my legs, and then jumped in the shower. My reflection showed me exactly what I thought it would- dark circles like bruises under weary eyes and my usual perkiness replaced with slow, sluggish movements.

The hot water did nothing to erase my racing thoughts. The minutes ticked by too fast. I was unaware of getting out of the shower, brushing my teeth, or getting dressed. I did everything in a blur, moving from one thing to the next robotically. Before I knew it, Alex and Mom were here, helping me bring my stuff downstairs where Dad and my brothers waited with our Alpha, Luna, and my new mate and his beta. Blake grinned at me. I couldn't help but give him an answering smile of my own. My mate's mother, on the other hand, was practically bouncing in place. I didn't realize she'd also stayed, assuming she would have gone back to Fire Lake. When I reached the bottom of the stairs, she walked over to me quickly.

"Hi dear!" She pulled me in for a hug, surprising me. "Are you all ready? Got everything you need?" I nodded to her questions mutely. She smiled. Over her shoulder, Kit looked. . . well, bone tired. He had the same dark circles under his eyes that I did, and his suit from the night before was haphazardly thrown on. Even with his rugged appearance, he was still the sexiest man I'd ever laid eyes on. He met my eyes with a neutral stare, his expression masked.

"Belle?"

I turned to my Alpha and Luna.

"Belle, honey, we are going to miss you," Luna Kate said with a smile. "Come visit anytime."

"Thank you, Luna."

Alpha Ryder stepped forward, placing his hand on my shoulder. "I'm sad to see you go, but I hope you will find the happiness you deserve." He glanced behind me for a second, a warning flashing in his eyes. Then he looked back at me. "I, Alpha Ryder, hereby release you, Belle Samuels, daughter of Beta Steven Samuels, from the White Moon pack."

I clutched my chest, gasping. Mom was beside me in a second, her wolf soothing mine. Family bonds lay outside the pack bond- unbreakable. Dad joined his mate and my brothers. Kida responded, but there was a crushing sense of loneliness inside me that I'd never felt before. If my family weren't here to help, I could only imagine how much worse it would be. No wonder rogues went feral. I could never live like this and not go insane.

Luna Trisha took my hand. "I, Luna Trisha of the Fire Lake pack, hereby accept you, Belle Samuels, daughter of Beta Steven Samuels, into the Fire Lake pack."

Warmth spread through me, chasing away the emptiness. I squeezed her hand, and she returned the gesture.

"Are you alright now?" Greg asked.

"Yes. Thank you, all of you," I said.

Greg wrapped me in a bear hug, lifting my feet off the floor. "I'm going to miss you, sis. Call me, okay? And come visit." When he released me, James scooped me up. I embraced Alex after, and then my Mom.

"Dad?"

He stood a little off to the side with his arms crossed and his head down. When I approached, I saw his eyes were moist. "Awe, Dad!" I threw my arms around him and he pulled me close.

"I'm going to miss you. So much. I love you," he whispered. "Stay safe."

"I'll miss you too, Dad," I mumbled into his shirt, "I love you so much. I'll call you whenever I can, okay?"

After one more squeeze, he released me. He straightened his shoulders, stepped around me, and walked right up to Kit.

"I know I'm just a Beta, but I need to say something to you, Alpha."

"Go ahead," Kit replied.

"You treat my daughter right. If she gets hurt, it's your ass I'm coming for."

Kit's mouth turned up in a smirk. "You're threatening me?"

"Dad," I said, a faint warning in my tone.

"I'm a father first. So, yes, consider that a threat. When you have pups of your own-" Dad moved another inch forward, his voice low "-you'll understand why I'm not afraid to threaten an Alpha."

Kit glanced between him and me, nodding once. The tension in the air was released, allowing us all to breathe again. Without another word, my brothers and Blake took my luggage. We followed them outside where two cars waited. One was a sleek, luxurious black limo, the other a huge, dark green SUV. I was hugged by my parents again, and then I walked to the large vehicle where Blake was loading the last suitcase.

"Oh no, dear. You're riding in the other car," Luna Trisha said behind me.

"I am?" I looked at the limo and gulped. Kit was paused with the car door open, his shoulders tense.

"Of course! I wouldn't monopolize your mate like that. Go on now." She shooed me away from the SUV.

A complete bundle of nerves, I walked to the limo. Kit was still holding the door. I cleared my throat.

"I guess I'm riding with you," I said. "May I?"

His hand released its grip and he stepped back. Without looking at his face, I climbed in. The space was roomy, with bench seats and thick, dark glass between us and the driver. I slid over to the opposite door, the furthest I could get from him. He got in, shutting the door behind him. The sound was loud to my ears, a reminder of the choice I was making. There was no turning back now. His wonderful scent quickly invaded the car, making it seem not so roomy anymore. I felt trapped, unable to escape the wicked temptation of him. I took a deep breath, keeping my face turned away, and hoping I could keep myself in check. Kit tapped the glass twice. The limo lurched forward smoothly, circling around. On the stone steps were my parents, my brothers, my now former Alpha and Luna. All waving goodbye with expressions that ranged from worry to downright fear. I waved back, unsure if they could see me through the tinted glass. Movement in one of the upper windows caught my eye.

I met Jack's agonized gaze for one moment, and in that moment, I was positive that he was regretting the choices he had made. And then he was gone, his tortured face replaced by trees and houses. He was in the past, where he belonged. Where he and Justine both belonged. Kida was quiet in my head. Waiting, just like I was. When we passed the pack's borders, both of us let out a quiet sigh. Of relief, of sadness. . . I didn't know yet. I wasn't sure if I was moving forward, per se, but I knew I was moving on. That would have to do, for now.