Page 31 of Fated Alpha Protector

Goddess…

I sigh in contentment as I head back into the bedroom. I’m about to flop onto the bed when a knock sounds on the door.

“Hey, Mia…” It’s Anastasia who calls out. “Are you awake?”

“I am!” I reply, slipping my gown off. “Come in.”

Anastasia comes in, frowning as she watches me climb into bed. She plants her hands on her hips like a mother who’s about to scold me. I have to stifle my amusement, cupping a hand over my mouth.

“What?”

Anastasia rolls her eyes. “Have you forgotten that my parents are leaving tonight?” she asks as she stares at me in disbelief. “You were supposed to join us for dinner. They haven’t met you yet.”

Pressing my lips into a firm line, I make myself comfortable in bed. I pat the empty side, gesturing for her to come over. She sighs with exasperation but heeds my call anyway.

“I received strict instructions from the Alpha of Nightwalker…” I begin. “... I'm not to meet your parents yet.”

“Oh…” Anastasia purses her lips. “Why”

Her question opens up to all the reasons why I'm not supposed to meet their parents yet. Apart from being a Blackclaw wolf, I am the Alpha's fated mate.

The latter being something I'm still trying to wrap my head around. Though it's something we confirmed last night, I'm still getting to grips with the knowledge that he's my fated mate.

The notion seems highly unlikely, especially for an Alpha of his caliber. Still, it's something he seems to be relishing in. But I asked for time.

That's why I'm here, back in my designated bedroom. It's better this way. Until I've fully embraced what it means to be the Alpha's fated mate.

“Since they caught those hunters at the border, it's better this way,” I repeat the rehearsed explanation. It's what Theo and I agreed on. “After all, I'm from Blackclaw. And Alpha Theo isn't sure where he stands with the Blackclaw Alpha.”

Anastasia breathes a haggard sigh as she reaches for my hand. “I really wish there wasn't this amount of animosity between our packs.” She gives my hand a gentle, reassuring squeeze.

“I know…” I breathe. “But I trust that Theo will do whatever is best for all of us.”

The eerie crackle of fire punctures my eardrums. It's loud and sinister, the only sound that takes up the space.

I feel my brows knitting to a frown as I search for the source of the fire. The darkness that encapsulates my vision sends a shiver down my spine.

Where am I?

Looking all around me, I catch a glimpse of an orange flicker. To my left, so I begin walking in that direction.

The soles of my feet crush dried leaves as I walk forward. I'm barefooted, feeling every uncouth edge of the stones and twigs in my path. I find the reason for the darkness as a branch of leaves in front of me.

Reaching out, I push the branch aside. It opens up to the raging fire ahead of me, causing me to gasp in horror.

My vision is overwhelmed by the ensuing chaos ahead. Just then, a chunk of the thatched roof on the burning cabin snaps off and falls to the ground. Petrified, I shield my eyes as the air under my nose becomes scorching hot.

“What is this?” I murmur in disbelief as I scan the horrid scene before my eyes. I don't recognize the place – what appears to be a village.

A village aflame with giant licks of fire, lapping at every corner of the cabins forming a line. The howl of a wolf in the distance grabs my attention to the right. But I cannot see further than the fire.

As panic rises like the hot tendrils of smoke over the village, I take a step forward. But the sole of my left foot is seared by the fire creeping toward me.

“Mama!” The frail cry of a young girl rings out from somewhere between the fire. My first instinct is to rush out to help her, but the chaotic fire blocks any way in.

“Mama!” The second shrill cry sets my heart aflame with an intense urge to go forward and help. The third blanching call churns my gut with horror.

I need to help her. Whoever she is. I need to get to her. Eyes blinded by darkness when I close them, I rush into the fire. But the flames consume me…

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