The Alpha's Guardian

Wade

POV

Ali has seemed anxious all day. Anytime we were near the forest line, she watched it like a hawk looking for its prey. As if she was expecting an attack at any moment. Even now, as we walk back to the packhouse, her eyes keep darting around looking for some evil force that wants to sweep me away.

"Ali"

"Mmm," she says looking over her shoulder.

"Are you always this tense before stressful things?"

"No! And that's what's got me even more on edge. Something doesn't feel right. But I can't place it."

"Everything will be fine," I assure her.

"Right." She scoffs. "Do you know how difficult you are to guard?"

"What? Me!?"

"Yes! You are always running headfirst into dangerous situations. Rogue attack? You're the first out the door. Sparring session with a jealous mate? Tap Wade in."

I laugh a deep, hearty laugh. I can see her point.

"And don't get me started on your wily ways that got Trudy all enamored with you." she huffs.

"Ok. But that was hardly my wily way."

"Exactly. You attract trouble."

"I attracted you," I smirk at her.

"No, you got assigned to me. There is a difference." She retorts. "Either way, you breed trouble quicker than mated wolf breeds their pups," she mutters, annoyed, and watches the forest line again. "You are being absolutely ridiculous."

"Am I though?" She asks, exasperated.

"Yes! You are. What is going on?"

"Nothing." she says without hesitation, "I'm fine."

"Oh, great," I mutter.

"What?"

"Fine, never means fine," I tell her.

"Yes, it does!"

"Ali, I have a sister and a mother. I am well versed in the female meaning of the word 'Fine"" I remind her.

She huffs.

"Let's just get back to the packhouse, ok?"

"Fine," I say smugly, and she groans.

By the time we make it back, Francis, Kane, Ada, and Robin are all waiting for us in the kitchen. Dinner is sitting on the counter for me and Ali, and while we devour the pasta before us, the 4 others run through their assignments for tomorrow. "Ada, you are on packhouse duty, but you will be along the back. I will be at the front. Kane, you are in the city center keeping watch on the surroundings. Robin will be in the tree line with Isaac not far behind." Francis fills them in. "Why only us?" Robin asks, looking at me.

"You guys are the best in your respective field."

"Really? I'm the best tracker?" Robin asks, her chest puffing up in pride.

"That won't be of use elsewhere? Yes."

"What about Mason?" She asks, looking at Ali for a moment, then back at me. "He won't enjoy being left out."

"I have a job for Mason," I answer her honestly.

"You do?" Francis asks, surprised.

"Of course. Everyone has their role to play."

"You make it sound like we are going into battle." Kane jokes,

"I hope we aren't, but we have to be prepared for that possibility."Content is property of NôvelDrama.Org.

"Seriously?" Ada asks, concerned.

"The whole committee is going to be here, along with the rogue king and myself. We have a meager force of recently trained warriors and a handful of warriors from Alpha Liam's pack and Alpha Liam himself. If anyone ever had an issue with the committee or the rogue king, now would be the time to attack."

"It's when I would do it." Ali states.

"So what do we do if there is an attack?"

"You fight to save every pack member you can and get them to safety," I answer with ease.

"What about you?" Robin asks.

"He can handle himself," Francis says.

"He has me," Ali adds.

"But what happens if you get taken down?" Robin asks, turning to Ali, looking worried.

"There is no taking me down, Robin." Ali smiles reassuringly.

"There is always a chance," Kane frowns.

"Look. I know you are all worried, and yes, we need to be prepared. But I will die protecting Alpha Wade if I have to."

"We know because you have to," Francis says coolly.

I shoot him a scowl. I know he is still struggling with the fact that Ali was meeting someone behind my back, but he doesn't have to show division before such a big day. Ali sighs heavily.

"Everyone should get some sleep," Ali says, sounding drained.

I look at her emotionless face, trying to see past her armor, but as usual, she gives away nothing. So often I curse this bond we have because she can so easily get into my head. Now I'm cursing it because I can't get into hers. She is like a stone fortress that is locked up before the war.

As we make our way up to our rooms, I notice her little isms that she has been doing the whole day. A quick turn of her at the sound of a creak. The flexing of her hands as if trying to control her rage. I change into comfortable clothes and slide into her room, setting up my usual spot on the floor while Ali stands at the window watching the forest line for any movement.

"Ali." I call to her "Everything will be ok."

"You can't know that."

I walk over to her side, gazing out the window into the dark line of trees.

"Ali, what is really going on?" I ask. Sticking my hands in my sweatpants pockets.

"Nothing."

"Ali," I say sternly.

Reaching out, I turn her to face me. For a moment she averts my gaze, but she succumbs and stares at me. Her stoic face falls and her eyes glisten with tears. My heart breaks as I reach up and wipe away a tear.

"What is going on?"

"I think I'm compromised."

"What?" I chuckle.

"It's not funny," she whines. "This isn't me. I don't cry or get nervous or fuss like this."

"Ok. So you are under a lot of stress." I shrug. "It's normal to break down every once in a blue moon."

"It's not that. I know what it is,"

"You want to talk about it?"

"I am going to reject Liam." She says.

The air dissipates from the room and I feel like I'm choking on hope. She is going to reject Liam. She doesn't want Liam, not that I'm all that surprised. He is an a*****e, and she deserves to be respected for who she is, not who she is mated to.

My excitement sits deep in my stomach until I allow myself to look at her. She is distraught. She has always put so much value on the mate bond and respects it fully. For her to come to this conclusion must have put her at such odds with herself. I can no longer keep it a secret from her. I have to tell her that Liam is lying and that I'm her mate.

"Ali, I have to-"

"I'm in love with you Wade."?she blurts.

The room spins.

"What?" I breathe.

"I am in love with you and it's wrong, but I can't help it. I thought I knew what love was when I loved Liam. But I didn't know that it could be like this. I don't want to be away from you, ever. The thought of anything happening to you sends me into a panic attack. I don't know what to do. I-I love you." she rushes all her words out so quickly.

"Ali," I say, smiling so wide I'm sure my cheeks will split.

There is a knock on the door. I groan in annoyance. Of course, right now is when we get interrupted. Ali crosses the room and pulls the door wide open, looking over her shoulder.

"It's for you Alpha," she says, her stonewall face back in its place.

I look up and there stands Francis, red-faced and tears staining his cheeks. My heart falls. It must be bad news about Sammy.

"Francis." I rush over to him. "Why didn't you mind link me? I would have come to you."

"I forgot I could do that," he mumbles.

"What happened?"

"Sammy is sick. They admitted her to the hospital with 24-hour doctor supervision."

"What? How?" I ask.

"It's a rare condition where her wolf is trying to give herself to the child to ensure its survival. Sammy said she and her wolf agreed. But-"

"Sammy is becoming omega," Ali finishes, looking shocked.

"Have you heard of it?" Francis says, looking at Ali.

"Yes. It's but extremely dangerous," she answers cautiously.

"Come, I will sit with you until we know more," I say to Francis, shooting a glance over my shoulder at Ali. I guess I will have to tell her later.