Page 2 of Becoming the Alpha

“Lily, your soon-to-be mate was seriously injured in a fucking fight to the death for the right to claim you, rebels have attacked us, and Jason just challenged his fucking father - King of all Wolf Shifters - to another fight to the death. You smiling right now is not an appropriate reaction,” Dean explained.

“I can’t help it. My wolf is so damn giddy.”

“Why would she be-” Dean cut off as he looked closely at me. He stepped forward, leaning in and inhaling deeply. We both froze as a loud growl filled the air.

“Son, I’d recommend backing away slowly, but as soon as fucking possible. You’re sniffing another man’s mate. He’s liable - and well within his rights to rip you to shreds,” Alpha Luke said. His voice was tense. I glanced at Jason, seeing his green eyes had shifted to the golden hue, making it seem like they were glowing. His entire body was tensed, every muscle coiled and ready to punce.

“Mate.”

A feeling of rightness flooded me, as my arousal also became evident. Dean’s face paled. “Are you trying to get me fucking killed?”

I didn’t answer, my attention solely taken up by Jason. I stepped out and away from Dean before moving toward Jason. I stopped in front of him, his eyes glued to Dean’s back. I slid my hands up his abdomen, the feeling of tense muscles heaven under my fingers. I stopped my hands on his shoulders, lifting my gaze to find he had shifted his attention to me.

More heat flooded my core, my entire body freezing at the knowledge a predator had me within his sights. I was hoping this one would catch me. I leaned in, letting my hands slip to the back of his neck, and softly planted my lips on his. I sighed into the kiss, brushing my pelvis up against his, eliciting a groan from his throat.

“Enough of this fucking foolishness. You challenged me, boy, so let’s put an end to this fucking delusion right now,” King Huntington roared. Jason broke off our kiss, wrapping his arms around me and growling at his father.

3

Jason

I was ready to tear into my father as soon as he spoke. “Calm the fuck down, we are in no place to have the Alpha Challenge right now,” Alpha Luke cut in.

“No, this ends right fucking now,” My father demanded. Alpha Luke stepped in front of him. “Are you denying the Challenger his rights?”

My father snarled, looking obviously pissed off. “Of course not.”

“Very well. The challenge will take place in three days. We are going to be doing this by the book. In the meantime, you two will stay away from each other. Prepare yourselves.”

Wrapping my arm around Lily’s shoulders, I turned us away from my father and walked toward the castle. It was one of the worst insults a wolf shifter could give, making it seem like he didn’t deem the other man enough of a threat to keep an eye on. I could hear his warning growl from behind us, but I didn’t acknowledge it. I needed to get Lily to safety inside the castle.

Dean followed, making sure we were protected from the back. I wanted to be grateful for his protection of my mate, but my wolf was riding my ass. We were injured and my mate was being actively threatened. I was going to have to make it up to him as soon as I got my wolf under control. We walked quickly through the castle and made our way down the hallway. I was leading us to my room, the only way I could guarantee Lily’s safety.

“Nope.”

I stopped short as Lily pulled away from me. My wolf jumped up, trying to force the shift again. “What is going on?” I bit out.

“You’re going to the infirmary.”

“No. We’re going to my room. It’s the best way to protect you.”

“I don’t care, Jason. You’re injured for fuck’s sake and you need medical care. If you want to keep me protected, you’re going to have to do it from the fucking infirmary,” Lily said, planting her hands on her hips.

I scowled, frustrated with the fact that she was fighting me. I sighed and let her lead us to the infirmary. We walked in and the pack doctor was in the corner, messing with some supplies in the cabinet. “Arthur!” Lily cried, a smile breaking out on her face.

“Lily!” Arthur smiled back. He came rushing up to her. “Are you hurt? What happened?” A growl left my throat again as Arthur gripped Lily’s arm. He froze, releasing her and stepping back carefully. Dean shifted in front of her. Lily huffed, turning toward me.

“Jason, you need to calm the fuck down. Arthur is a friend. He’s Dr. Laurence’s assistant in the infirmary, remember? He isn’t going to hurt me and he’s only trying to help. Stop being such an asshole,” Lily snapped. I blinked, my wolf happy to see her spark. He had been so confused when he first met her as to why she was so flighty. I cleared my throat and grimaced. “My apologies, Arthur.”

“Of course, Your Majesty. How can I help?” Arthur asked, keeping his eyes downcast. The familiar smell of sulfur and rotten apricots hit my senses and I closed my eyes, disappointed I had scared the boy.

“He was injured in the challenge with Callum. Can you help him heal?” Lily asked. I heard the pack doctor move toward us. I opened my eyes, meeting his gaze. I nodded at him. He bowed slightly, gesturing to a bed. I moved toward it and gingerly settled down.

“Dr. Laurence is going to check you over. Be nice to him,” Lily lectured me. My wolf instantly was suspicious. When she moved away, he forced himself forward, panic overriding his senses. The shift was painful and sudden, causing everyone around me to jump. I looked up at Lily from the lower vantage point I had with a whine. Lily’s eyes grew wide and she backed up a few steps. A whine left my throat again as I realized she was afraid again.

“Jason, you need to calm your wolf down. I realize you’re newly mated, but we can’t fucking deal with this right now. You’re injured and your father is liable to send someone to kill you now. If you want to protect your mate, you need to fucking shift back and let the Doc take care of you,” Dean said. He approached the side of the bed cautiously, his hands up as if he was worried I was going to attack. He spoke through gritted teeth, proving how annoyed he truly was with me.

My shift back was just as sudden and full of even more pain than the first one. The injuries I had sustained reopened and blood gushed out.

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