Page 8 of Alpha Wolf's Arranged Bride
“Excellent,” he says, getting in the car. “I’ll return soon. Be ready.”
As he pulls down the driveway, I feel the shock in my veins turning into determination. The threat of the block has driven out my fear, replacing it with fire.
I’ve only heard rumors about the block… but I don’t want to find out if they’re true.
After Azarian’s car disappears, I race back into the house, yelling for Jarrod. Grabbing a bag, I start hurling things into it.
“Mom?” Jarrod asks, appearing in the doorway.
“Grab some things!” I scream. “Only what you can easily carry, essentials only. We’re leaving!”
“Now?” he asks, bewildered.
“Yes, now!” I yell. “RightNOW!”
Chapter 2 - Rex
Sitting in the back of the old hall with the Rose Hollow elders, I feel like control of my life is being taken out of my hands. I know that’s what being alpha is all about—putting the pack first and my own needs second—but after years of leading a squad in the military, I’m used to calling the shots.
There are only three elders in the pack, and I don’t know them very well. My father died two weeks ago, and upon my return to attend his funeral, I was told it was my duty to assume his position.
Looking across the table at Celeste, Dorian, and Galant, I can still see grief written deep in their faces. Clearly, they loved my father, and the last thing I want to do is let them down.
Leading a military squad isn’t the same as being alpha of the pack. I was yanked out of the only world I’ve ever known, so quickly, it’s been difficult to acclimate.
Apparently, that’s about to get ten times worse.
“Rex,” Celeste says, reaching over to touch my hand. “Are you with us?”
“Yes, sorry,” I answer. “I’m just shocked, that’s all.”
“We are as well,” Dorian says. “The last thing we expected from Eccles was communication, let alone an offer of marriage!”
Marriage.
The word makes me blank out again. I just can’t focus on the conversation. It’s all too bizarre.
After Dad’s funeral, my mother left on an extended holiday, telling me the memories would be too much for her to cope with and she needed time away. I immediately tookover the manor, put in my leave with Wolf’s Shadow—easily granted, since the alpha position superseded all else—and began to attend my new duties.
But this, I can’t do!
It’s been five years since I saw Scarlett, and I have never forgotten her. I didn’t expect to, but I believed I could leave her in my past and not be tortured by her image in my mind every waking moment.
It might have been alright if I hadn’t had to marry someone else.
“Rex?” Dorian asks. “Have you been listening?”
“Sorry,” I reply. “Please repeat that. I’m struggling to take all this in.”
“Of course you are!” Celeste says, giving my hand another comforting squeeze. “Just remember, your parents were wedded in this way, and they loved each other very much.”
“Yes, they did,” I answer. “But tell me, Dorian, what were you just discussing?”
“The potential advantage this could give us,” he replies. “We have been enemies of Eccles for a long time. There are recorded battles where they almost decimated our pack, and there is fear in this valley. If they are inviting us in, then we can finally discover what their hidden power is. Maybe even their motive.”
“It sounds like a trap,” I mutter.
Galant nods. “Yes, it does. We’ll be on alert for that, don’t worry. But the truth is, Eccles has gone very quiet for the last few years. Maybe their power has dwindled, and they want to join with us for survival.”
