The Alpha's Long Awaited Mate

Chapter 4: You Should Call Me Kade

                Alani was confused. She was going absolutely nuts in her opinion. That man. Mr. James was driving her absolutely up a wall, and it had only been a day. There was something about him that just pulled her to him and ignited her body in a way it never had been before. Even now, she felt her n*****s distend and breast swell in arousal, just by thinking of him. Even so, it was just more than his looks that captivated Alani. The man was smart. To be the CEO and founder of an industry that estimated billions per capita and at such a young age; she couldn’t fathom. He’d built his sports and outdoor empire from this little town. It obviously helped that his father was a real estate mogul, but from what she read of him, he was a strong fair man. He didn’t seem the type to give out handouts to his kids. From what she knew of Kade already, he was precise, hardworking, and didn’t tolerate fools. And he’s impressed with me.  Well her work anyway. Alani still couldn’t help but feel that maybe he wanted more from her than her work though. Call her crazy, but she knew he had to feel the connection between them. His eyes ignited with a predatory arousal whenever she was around him. But he never did or said anything about it.  Maybe he doesn’t feel it. Maybe it’s just me. Alani thought. No! It can’t be. He HAS to feel it.  Alani thought back to their interactions today. While Mr. James had yet to behave inappropriately, he sometimes made comments that Alani was unsure how to take.

                Either way Alani was going crazy and needed some relaxation. She decided to go on a jog through the trail that ran behind her home, and led to the falls about 2 miles away. She got on her running clothes and hit the trail with her music in her ears. It was still light out so she knew she could make it there and back with enough time, but just in case, she brought her bear mace, taser and flashlight in her running pack around her waist. In extra precaution she wore her reflective gear. After a quick stretch she started the trail. She made good time to the falls, getting there in just 20 minutes. But she misjudged the light and it was fading. Even so, the trail was marked clearly, so she decided to snap some photos of the falls. She couldn’t believe that she was living near such beauty, doing her dream job, living in a beautiful home. Deep in thought, Alani admired the beauty feeling grateful for the turn of events. Then she felt it. A shiver went down her spine and chills wracked her. She swiftly turned around, unable to see anything but having that feeling of dread. She quickly put her phone in her pack and took out her mace, secured the strap to her wrist, and began her run back to her home, still very uneasy. She couldn’t help but look abound as she made her run. She saw nothing. As she was going downhill, she slowed her pace. She felt the shiver again and then all of a sudden, she was tumbling down hill with a scream.

                Across town in his home Kade was deflecting questions from his family about his new mate. His brother was smart enough to keep her identity secret. Suddenly he felt a niggle down his spine and couldn’t help the growl that erupted from his throat his family went silent in shock. “Michael, you are sure the borders are secured?” Kade growled. “Yes, Alpha.” Kade nodded but felt very uneasy, his wolf was growling, clawing to get out. He stood, ready to appease him when he felt it, that niggle, then a feeling that felt like a punch to the gut. His mate was in trouble. Before his family could gauge what was wrong he took off out of the patio doors tearing off his clothing in just enough time before his wolf took over and he shifted. His wolf stood for a second and smelled the air, called for his family to change and took off for his mate. What’s happening? His brother Luke mind-linked with him. She’s in trouble, or hurt. I’m not sure? He responded. Who, son?  His mother asked. My mate. With that he cut the link and sped up towards her home. Upon reaching her cabin, he couldn’t see her. Her scent wasn’t as strong either. His wolf wouldn’t stop growling. “She’s not here.” Michael said after he shifted and did a quick sweep of her perimeter and home. I know. He sniffed the air again and caught her scent. It was mixed with blood. His wolf growled and took off following the sent. About a mile from her home the scent strengthened. He slowed his pace and concentrated on her scent, when he heard her. She was weeping. He moved toward her sound and found her crawling on her hands and knees on the trail. She suddenly looked up and caught sight of him. He watched the terror erupt on her face as she watched him and his family arrive. He signaled with them to surround her. Her fear was palpable.

                Alani was dragging herself onto the trail. Her hands and limbs were badly scraped and her ankle was killing her. She didn’t know what happened. One moment she was running, then she felt herself falling, tumbling downhill and toward the ledge that segmented the trail. She was lucky, if you call it that, that she slammed into the side of a tree and it stopped her from tumbling the remaining steep 8- feet. But now her ribs hurt making breathing very hard, her ankle throbbed and she ached everywhere. She was able to crawl up the embankment on her hands and knees, but not without serious pain. By the time she made it, she was in tears, trying to catch her breath; her body was battered beyond her tolerance. Once she made it the trail she sat on her bottom. Then she saw it. A huge black wolf staring at her. Then to her dismay, the rest of them came into view. She watched as they circled her. She couldn’t even scream. This was her end. As she watched the black wolf, the others blocked her in on all sides. Alani was hyperventilating. The black wolf stared at her and she stared back. He c****d his head to the side, as if he was intrigued. Okay, intrigued is good. It means he’s not hungry, right? Suddenly the wolf walked closer to her. Alani couldn’t stop herself for squeaking in terror. He was HUGE.  A midnight black coat covered his body, his paws about the size of her head. I’m a goner. As she closed her eyes, resigned that her life was ending, she felt his breath on her. Then a lick to her cheek. She let out the breath she was holding and stared at the wolf. He’d brought himself down to his belly, his face level with her. He belly-crawled closer to her and nuzzled her neck. She giggled and let out a sob of relief. As the wolf put it’s head on her shoulder, she let go and sobbed. She grabbed him around the neck, hugging it. It probably wasn’t wise because she still wasn’t sure if he was going to eat her or not, but she was grateful for the comfort. She was at least a mile from home and was scared beyond belief.

 The wolf whined at her distress and licked her face and tears. She snuffled out a giggle and squeezed it tight. Kade felt nothing but relief and happiness. His mate was ok. She was hurt, but ok and safe. Michael, what is that smell attached to her. Kade mind-linked with him. Michael sniffed the air and growled. Kade felt Alani stiffen, the scent of her fear growing. He nuzzled her again and she giggled and squeezed him tighter. His wolf practically purred at her trust. Alpha, the smell is sterile. Whatever was here masked its smell. It knows its on pack territory. Kade stopped himself from growling as to not upset Alani. He freed himself from her hold. She stared at him, those beautiful brown eyes looking into his. When she studied his eyes, her eyebrows furrowed. Alani though those eyes were unusual. She didn’t know why, but she felt like she knew this wolf. Which was insane. Who knew a wolf? But she felt as if she did. There was something comforting about him. Then he lowered himself to his belly and her eyes widened. What Is he doing? She watched his eyes flick behind her and all of a sudden Alani felt herself picked up by the back of her hoodie. She screamed, frightened. Then she was dropped atop the back of the black wolf. She held on as he rose. She wasn’t sure what was happening, then she soon saw her home come into view. He knows where I live? How? Suddenly she was on the porch of her home. Her door nuzzled open, by some trick. Still on the back of the wolf, he prowled her home, sniffing. When she attempted to slide off, he growled. She tightened her hold on him and he made his way up her stairs. She watched as a grey and white wolf entered the area and plopped down in her doorway. Her midnight wolf stalked into her bedroom.

Kade looked around her bedroom before settling nest to her bed, where he allowed her to settle. On her nightstand he saw her computer and files, as well as several books. She had a bookshelf on the left of her room, near her patio doors. He turned to her and watched her eyes lock onto his. Alani stared at those eyes, something niggling at her memory. Then she felt that unmistakable heat rush through her. She leaned back in confusion. She never felt that way unless….. She looked back at the wolf. His head c****d to the side. Staring at her in curiosity. Alani thought she was going crazy. She could almost envision that those eyes were Mr. James’. The same startling green. But no, it was only because she was thinking of him earlier. She was seeing him in everything. But Alani knew that shifters were real. They were thriving parts of communities. Some friends, others foe, but they were real. Alani looked at the wolf again. Her heart beating fast. Something in its eyes flashed. Something like recognition. No Alani. Mr. James is not a shifter. He is not here, right now. You’re losing it due to the pain. She looked back at the wolf. She had to know. “Mr. James, is that you?” The wolf stood suddenly and grabbed the towel on the back of her chair. Then she felt the electricity ignite in her body as it shifted. Suddenly, Kade James was standing gloriously naked in her bedroom, her towel in his mouth, then his hands, then finally around his waist. “Hello Alani. I think you should call me Kade, don’t you?” Kade watched as her eyes rolled to the back of her head and she fell back on the bed in a dead faint.