Page 23 of Her Grumpy Alpha

His words touched my heart, and I felt a warmth spread through me. I reached across the table, covering his hand with mine. “James, I don’t want you to do anything you aren’t ready for. You don’t need to push this if you aren’t ready.”

“But I am. That’s what I’m telling you. I really want to give this a try. You might have to guide me a little because you have been there the whole time, but I want to be there.”

It was really starting to feel like everything was coming together. I couldn’t stop the tears from welling up in my eyes. I clapped my hand to my smiling mouth, trying to find the right words to thank this man. I never thought that this would happen when I moved to Maple Creek. My head was spinning from it all. I’d tried not to tell my mother too much, even as she was babysitting Gregory at her little cottage on my land tonight, but I knew she was going to ask a million and one questions eventually. It felt great to have good news for her. Especially the fact that this was Gregory’s biological father, this was going to be awesome for everyone.

“Would you like dessert here?” I asked James with a naughty twinkle in my eye. “Or would you like to come back to mine for something to eat?”

He knew exactly what I was talking about, and the way that he jumped to his feet so quickly made me laugh lightly. I loved that he was into this as me and that he wanted more as well. James was really proving to me that he was in it for the long haul.

James, ever the gentleman, paid the bill, and we left the restaurant hand in hand. The night was cool, and the crisp air invigorated us as we strolled down the quiet streets. It felt like a moment of calm in the midst of the storm that had become our lives.

That is until, unexpectedly, I felt that strange icy sense of paranoia creeping up my spine. The comfortable ease of the evening was shattered by an unsettling sensation that left me on edge. My whole chest grew tight with anxiety.

I glanced around, searching for any signs of what might have triggered this newfound fear. The world around us seemed ordinary, the town’s streets quiet and unassuming. But the unnerving sensation persisted, and I couldn’t help but wonder if the shadows of danger were never too far away.

As we continued our walk, the grip on James’ hand tightened, a silent plea for reassurance in the face of an inexplicable unease. The serenity of the evening had taken an unexpected turn, and the mysteries that shrouded our lives only seemed to deepen, leaving us in a state of perpetual vigilance.

“What is it?” James hissed, sensing my hesitation.

“I… I don’t know,” I admitted. “I just have this feeling that we’re being watched. I don’t know by who, though.”

“Brian,” he growled, snapping his head around, trying to follow my eyeline. “I swear, if that asshole is following me again, or you, I might kill him.”

Well, I definitely didn’t want that to happen, but I didn’t want Brian to get to me either. As James’ eyes flipped around, I did the same, but I wasn’t quite sure what I was looking for. My heart was absolutely thundering in my ears, my breaths coming in sharp and ragged, my whole body tingling with nerves. There was definitely something out there looking at me, but I couldn’t see it and now I felt all cold and exposed. This little dress I was wearing to be sexy for James was no way too small. I wished that I could pull it down to cover myself up completely. I didn’t like this, not one bit.

“Well?” I whispered as I tried to reach out to James, but he was on a mission. He had his eyes out there, trying to find the source of this feeling and he couldn’t let it go.

Oh my God.

That’s when I saw him–a dark, furry shape lurking in the shadows. A wolf, watching me with its piercing amber eyes. This didn’t look like Brian, but it had to be someone linked to him. I couldn’t imagine anyone else taking that much of an interest in me and James.

“James,” I whispered anxiously with an edge to my voice. “It’s there. A wolf, look. There’s a wolf there staring at me.”

“Fuck,” he groaned. “Josef what the hell are you doing?”

With cautious steps, James approached the wolf, keeping his distance but not backing down. “Josef,” he called out, his voice steady despite the adrenaline he had to be experiencing. “I know you’re there. Come out and let’s talk. Don’t do anything stupid, okay?” The wolf didn’t budge, maintaining his eerie, silent vigil. “Right, fine.”

All I could do as James backed away was watch on in horror. I couldn’t take my eyes off this wolf, not even to see what James was doing. I had a horrible feeling that if I took my eyes off him, then he might charge at me and take me down. I didn’t want to get hurt. Not here. I swallowed hard, trying to compose myself, but I was shaking all over.

All of a sudden, a streak of black and silver swooped in from the side. James, in his majestic wolf form, appeared with a powerful grace that only a high-ranking shifter could possess. He pounced, and the two wolves collided. I’d seen a wolf fight before, but this one drew a small scream from my chest. I slammed my hands to my mouth as I staggered backward, trying to get the hell away because I had no idea how ugly this was going to get.

Thankfully, the ensuing skirmish was swift, as James used his experience and skill to outmaneuver Josef. Surprisingly, Josef didn’t fight back as fiercely as he could, or at least that was how it looked to me. He refused to bite, almost as if he didn’t want to harm James. This realization was perplexing but also kinda confirmed my suspicions that Brian held some kind of power over his followers. Although it seemed like the other wolves only thought it was women…

With a swift movement, James managed to capture Josef, pinning him to the ground. Their growls and snarls filled the night air, but it was clear that James had the upper hand. Ever so slowly, the shifted back into their human forms, with James gripping on to Josef tight, refusing to let him go for even a second. In the moonlight’s glow, the tension in the air was palpable, but hopefully, all of that was going to come to an end right here.

I approached cautiously, staying out of harm’s way but ready to assist in any way I could. Josef’s eyes met mine for a moment, and in that silent exchange, I sensed his inner turmoil. He wasn’t just an unquestioning follower; he was grappling with his loyalty to Brian.

James, his powerful form exuding authority, exerted control over the situation. With a deep growl, he demanded, “Josef, talk. What’s going on here?”

“I… I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Josef stammered back. “I’m just having a nighttime hunt, that’s all.”

“Don’t fuck around with me,” James snapped. “I know you’re following us. Sadie and me. I just want to know why.”

“I… there is no reason… I don’t know…” Josef sighed heavily as the façade started to fall away. “I’m just doing what I’m told to do. I have to follow the Alpha’s commands.”

“You also have to follow the command of the Blackpaws clan leader,” James reminded him. “So, come on. Tell us what Brian is planning.”

Josef, still pinned to the ground, gave in to the pressure and began to speak. His voice held a hint of fear and desperation. “Brian… he wants to destroy your business, James. He’s planning to ruin your personal life, discredit you as the Alpha of Alphas. You know that’s what he wants. I don’t think this comes as any surprise to you.”

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