Betrayed by the Beta, Loved by the Alpha

6. Arrows

Hunter’s pov:

That was close! I only breathed properly once outside Eden’s room.

I had enough manners to knock. Twice. But she hadn’t replied, and I realized too late – only once I barged into the room – that she had been showering.

My wolf paced in my mind, threatening to take over, willing to bear the burn of her wrath, so long as he got close to his mate, and marked her as his.

I had only had one glance at her, a sweet, torturous glance that told me she was in a towel... and I then made sure not to breathe in too much since. I knew from past experience that her scent could drive me crazy. I dared not think what seeing her in nothing but a towel would do to me.

She wasn't even that startled at the sight of me, and I wondered how she could be so dismissive of a man's presence in her room, moreso while she was in a towel. Sure, I would never hurt her. I would never force her into anything, unless I was sure she was just as eager as I was...

But heavens above, her indifference hit a nerve somewhat.

Talking to her was difficult. Having to make sure my eyes remained on her face the whole time was hell. My self-control had never been tested in such a manner, and I wasn’t sure what was more laughable – the way she affected me without even trying, or the way my wolf purred as we saw the appreciation in her eyes.

I had all but ran out of there the moment she turned to her drawers.

Beta Mark, Sebastian’s dad, met me at the end of the stairs.

“Is everything okay, Alpha Hunter?” He raised an eyebrow at me in a quizzical manner.

“Peachy,” I told him dismissively. “Where’s Gamma Daniel?”

“Since you took over training today, he decided to go patrol,” he supplied in a matter-of-fact tone of voice.

“I wanna see him the moment he returns,” I said in a dark albeit calm tone of voice.

“Sure, Alpha Hunter,” he nodded at me with a deference I was used to.

I had intentionally infused my words with Alpha aura, wordlessly telling him that this was serious business.

I was back on the training grounds where the pack members were stretching, waiting for the real fun to begin, when my beautiful and beloved mate joined us.

“Took you long enough,” I let out calmly, my go-to scowl on my face.

“You said 10 minutes,” she retorted simply, like the nerd she could be at times. “I am not in trouble, am I?”

“Go stretch,” I said simply, before my eyes traveled down her outfit, noting with appreciation how simple and cozy it was — some oversize jogging wear and a hoodie.

My eyes then went to some of the all-too-eager she-wolves who were in some short shorts which could barely cover anything, and some sports bra.

Yes, werewolves tended to be comfortable in their own skin. And yet, it would be best to remember that each one of us was fated to but one other wolf. And we were territorial and possessive beings.

Eden did not know what she meant to me, might not even feel the pull, much less the mate bond, but she was at least not trying to impress anyone.

Before long, I was addressing the pack in a no-nonsense tone of voice, “Today, each one of you will show me what you’re made of.”

Some girls squealed in excitement, some guys groaned, while others cheered.

A glance at my mate told me she didn’t look half as pleased as I would have wanted her to be. But I couldn’t afford to let her win this round. She was meant to be my mate and Luna. And I would love for the pack to accept her readily when the time came.

My wolf growled in my mind, oh so eager to claim our mate publicly and call her ours.

Be patient, I told him in a chiding tone of voice.

I have been patient for years already.

I know, I retorted. But even though she’s now legally an adult, ain’t no way I am forcing her to be with me. She doesn’t even feel the bond for heaven’s sake!

I know, he growled in dismay after a beat.

Some of the pack members started showing off their skills without so much as a preamble. Most of them shifted to do so. And I had each one of them pinned, thrown away, or in a tight spot, within seconds.

Some of them claimed they preferred to fight as humans for longer periods of time, as they had better reflexes, and their frames allowed them to move more freely – which I could agree on.

Clarissa, Eden’s best friend, stepped up soon, offering me a smile I wasn’t impressed with, before she flicked her hair. Why was it even down? Didn’t she know it could be a disadvantage to her in a fight?

“I am an average wolf, Alpha Hunter,” she said softly, “but what I lack in brute strength, I compensate with speed.”

“Show me,” I said dispassionately.

She hadn’t lied.

Nevertheless, I had her in a tight spot before she could even say quick. She bared her neck in a show of submission, and soon we continued.

Before long, the only pack member that remained was my sweet, lovely Eden.

She stepped forward, and heaving a sigh, she let out, “While I cannot shift, I can provide assistance in human form.”

“What kind of assistance are we talking about?” I tilted my head to the side in a quizzical manner.

“I am good with arrows,” she deadpanned.

That came as a surprise. Mom had never said anything about archery. But then again, my time away had left me in the dark about many of my mate’s likes and dislikes.

“If there was to be an attack, Selene forbid, I could use silver arrows to target a few select enemy wolves. If not silver arrows, then arrows coated in wolfsbane.”

Some pack members snorted, and some growled under their breath tasteless words, like defect, freak, and wolfless runt.

I took my time to point my finger at each of the guys who had not hesitated to try to put her down publicly.

“You five, step forward,” I let out, and they did so, confusion written all over their faces. “Since you seem so eager to help her show her skills, I’ll allow you to do so.”

“What do you mean?” One of them stuttered.

I ignored him in favor of barking an order, “Peter, bring a bow and arrows for the lady, and 5 apples.”

My second in command, Sebastian’s older brother, nodded, disappearing at once.

I had each of the guys that had dared to run their mouths stand in a straight row.

And while they were confused, they were not yet scared enough.

I would show them what it meant to mess with their future Luna.

Peter soon returned with everything, and handed the bow and arrows to Eden, before turning to me with a quizzical look on his face, “What do I do with the apples?”

“A head, an apple,” I said with the same default scowl, shrugging. The faces they pulled were a pure kodak moment, but I was not going to allow them a way out, even if they were shaking in their boots. “How good are you with a bow, Eden?”

“Good, if I dare say so myself,” she said respectfully.