The Alpha's Guardian

The moment I'm in my room, I trudge to the bathroom. I stare at my reflection, contemplating my options. My face is smeared with blood and tears that I hadn't known were escaping. This seems to be a recurring problem, these leaky eyes of mine. I can still hear Wade's fists, wet thuds landing on my uncle's face. The sloshing of the flesh on blood makes my bile rise again. That's my family. My only family. I may not have forgiven him yet, but we share blood and memories. Memories of my parents and birthdays that I could never speak about out loud.

I have had Samuel, and though he is giving and kind to me, he isn't my father, and he isn't my uncle. He is the man who saved me and trained me. He never tucked me in or sang me happy birthday. He didn't make me cookies because I failed my spelling test and nearly burned the house down. No, that was all Uncle Corbin. The same deformed bloody sack of flesh hanging in the dungeon being bludgeoned by the man I love.

Reaching out, I turn the faucet on and grab a washcloth and wet it, scrubbing my face raw. I should have known. I should have seen or sensed that something was afoot. I'm no moron, so what did I miss and where? Was Wade playing me from the beginning? Expecting me to convince him of this meeting?

I don't want to think of him as conniving, but after what I just witnessed, I know he is a man who seeks blood for vengeance. It shouldn't be surprising, he lost many pack members to the rogues over the years. Despite that, it's a side of him I hadn't known existed and could have gone without seeing. Perhaps my opinion would differ if the person on the other end of the knuckles wasn't my uncle.

I walk to my closet and freeze when I smell fresh blood. I pivot quickly, finding Wade standing by the closet doorway, rubbing his knuckles. He looks tired, both mentally and physically. Beating a man senseless can do that, I suppose. "Ali..." He starts but doesn't continue.

He knows as well as I do that any words spoken will fall short of what we need to say, want to say. I am furious with him, and with myself. The heavy tension between us could have so easily been resolved had we trusted each other and communicated better. I created that doubt, that barrier. But he jumped off that cliff when he took it too far with Corbin. And I have an inkling that he knows it too.

"You should get some rest, Alpha Wade."

I sound as robotic as I feel. It's time to turn off the emotions that landed me here. No more ogling him, no more craving his touch. These are things I can just as easily turn off if I need to and I get the feeling I need to before he sways me with just his touch. "We should talk first." He says, his eyes trying to pierce the armor I have already placed up.

"I need to change," I say to him curtly.

He doesn't move as he stares at me longingly. I roll my eyes at him, annoyed by this shit already. I am angry and I will remain angry. No amount of sweet puppy eyes can change my mind.

"Fine. You can stay there." I unsnap my tactical vest and toss it to the side.

I yank my white tank top up over my head and toss it to the side, reaching for my oversized band tee. Then, reaching to my back, I remove the hooks on my bra and drop it to the ground. I peek over my shoulder and notice that Wade is looking at his feet fidgeting and I'm enjoying that this torture at least makes him uncomfortable.

"You going to stand there and watch me change or are you going to go and at least rinse off the blood of my only remaining family member?" I shoot at him.

I can feel a shift in the air and hear the click of my bedroom door, and I breathe a little easier. As fast as I can, I toss on a clean pair of tactical pants, tank top and grab my vest and run to my bed, crawling under the covers. The moment Wade is asleep, I will go to see how many people I have to take care of to get Corbin out.

The full moon filters through the window as I lay and wait for Wade to make his appearance to sleep on the floor like I have become accustomed to. He pads in quietly and stands by the door, highlighted partially by the light. I watch as instead of heading to his perch on the floor; he walks over to the bed and lifts the blankets crawling in beside me. I freeze in shock at his forwardness as he scoots closer.

He lays his head and next to mine and we stare at each other for a moment until I remember I am resolved to be emotionless and angry. I blow out a huff of air and turn my back to him.

"Why are you in my bed?" I ask cooly.

He says nothing. I sigh heavily and choose to pretend to sleep. I know he crawled into bed with me so he can keep a closer eye on what I do. He must suspect that I will at least try to visit Corbin at some point throughout the night. "Samuel is going to take his wolf," Wade whispers.

Dread overcomes me, and I thank the heavens that I am laying down. My legs feel weak and my heart is in my throat. I understand it is still capital punishment, but it has long been something that has been viewed as barbaric, even if alphas relish doing it from time to time. A cold sweat breaks out on my forehead as I struggle to articulate words.

"W-when?" I ask, the tears brimming my eyes.

"Tomorrow morning," he says.novelbin

The bed shakes with a silent sob that escapes me, and I try to reign myself back in. I am tough; I am trained. I haven't acted like this since I was a child lost in the woods. But then again, I had thought I had no one left. I had lived on the whims of the men and women who dictate the world we live in and never thought more about mine other than the longing to have someone. All along, I wasn't alone.

Warm muscular arms wrap around me. I want this comfort, his warmth, and his love. But I know that what I will do soon will destroy us. I move away from him, gingerly removing his hand from around me, and I turn to face him. I need to know if he approves of this punishment for the man who has killed many of his pack members.

"Whose suggestion-"

"Not mine," Wade says, sitting up fast. "Ali, I would never approve of that," he says with conviction.

"So it was Liam?" I ask. I look at Wade and our eyes lock. His eyes tell me everything I need to know.

"No, Ali. Liam doesn't want to hurt you, he also protested. It was Samuel's suggestion."

I gape at him. Samuel. How could he even suggest that knowing my background? Why would he want to hurt Corbin so badly? I get he has done some terrible things. But Samuel is usually reasonable, willing to look at alternative punishments. I turn my back to Wade again and lay my head down in complete shock.

Maybe I don't know Samuel as well as I thought I did. Tomorrow morning? I have to get Corbin out tonight. No time for reconnaissance or plans. I have to grab my gear the moment Wade is asleep and leave. There is no turning back after doing this. The risks are too high. I will have to leave with Corbin.

I have to leave Wade. Fear collides with dread at the thought of being away from him. I don't have it in me to face Wade right now. I know the moment I turn around, I will kiss him. Fall into his arms and beg him to come with me and he would never leave his pack. They are his family and he has to protect them. Just like I have to protect mine. Tears fall as my heart shreds. Maybe this is a punishment for thinking about denying my mate?

Wade's arms wrap around my waist as he brings his chin to the crook of my neck, his face gently touching my cheek.

"Please be careful." he sighs into my neck. "You can't get caught." He squeezes me and I shake my head in silence. He knows me too well.

"I love you, Ali." He whispers as he gives me a sweet kiss on my cheek and, turning away, he hops out of the bed and walks to his room.

I guess this means it's go time. Just as soon as I pick the pieces of my heart.