Page 48 of Rise of the Alpha

She stands slowly, dropping the sponge on the floor, and wraps me up in her arms. “I’m going to miss you, baby. Please, do as your father and the alpha have asked, and be sure to remove that from your nose once you return to campus,” she whispers into my ear.

“Yes, Momma.” It’s a lie, but if it makes her feel just the tiniest bit better, then it’s a good lie. The doorbell rings, pulling both of our attention. “I’m sure that's my ride. I’ll message you to let you know I got back safely.” She just nods her head and hurriedly returns to cleaning the floor.

Heading to the living room, I pick up my suitcase before opening the door, and sure enough, there stands Jeremiah. “Let me take that for you, Magnolia.”

What? Was that kindness? I just stand there, stunned, waiting for the bolt of lightning to hit me or the asteroid to come barreling from the sky, landing directly on me. But neither happens.

“Sure,” I mumble as he reaches out, takes my luggage, and heads back to his car, with me following behind.

He puts the suitcase in the trunk while I open the passenger door and get inside. It’s only a moment before he’s sliding into the driver’s side and we’re backing out of the driveway. A small sigh of relief comes from me. I’m one step closer to getting back to freedom and away from the suffocating pack lands.

The ride to the airport is filled with deathly silence, neither of us uttering a word to the other. It doesn’t mean I didn’t catch him glimpse my way when he thought I wasn’t paying attention. He’s a curiosity to me. While he tries to play the part of the bad boy Beta, he has a glimmer of kindness hiding in his eyes.

Pulling in front of the airport, he puts the car in park and jumps out, rushing to the trunk. I follow suit and meet him there. He hands my suitcase to me, holding on slightly longer than he needs to as he stares at me before releasing his hold on it.

“No hug goodbye for your mate?” he asks.

Stepping up to him, I wrap my arms awkwardly around his waist as he pulls me into him. He reaches around me, sliding his hands into the back pockets of my jeans. “Read it when you are away from here, Magnolia.” His words are a riddle to me.

Slipping my hand into my pocket, I feel a small folded-up piece of paper. Pulling my hand back out, fighting the urge to pull it out and read it, I turn and head inside, eager to get the fuck away from here.

Once I’ve finally boarded the plane and we’ve taken off, I unfold the paper and read it.

Magnolia,

Please do not come back to pack lands, it’s not safe for you here. I’m working on a plan. I’ll have a package delivered to your dorm later. Until then, don’t speak or show this letter to anyone. Your life is in danger. Once I’m able, I’ll explain everything.

-J

I fold the paper back up and slip it back into my pocket. The words are so confusing, and I don’t know whether to trust him or fear this is some trick, and if I don’t react the right way, it will end badly for me.

I spend the rest of the flight both excited to see Wylla and the guys and worrying about what this letter means. Maybe talking to Wylla about it will help give me some clarity. The airline attendant coming over the speaker pulls me back from fretting as she begins her landing speech. One I already knew all to well.

Once I’ve gathered my suitcase, I head outside to order a ride, stopping short when I see who’s waiting for me.

Blaine

Mate!My wolf growls as we lean against the truck, waiting for our girl to exit the airport. She doesn’t know I’m coming, but the guys and Wylla agreed someone needed to be here to pick her up. We all wanted to be the one, so a serious game of rock-paper-scissors decided for us, and I came out victorious. No way was our girl Ubering when she has four mates. Even if she hasn’t claimed us yet.

Looking up, I see her making her way toward me. Damn, she’s beautiful, her gray hair floats side to side with each step she takes and her tits bounce, clueing me into the fact that she’s not wearing a bra. And now my dick’s hard. I casually reach down and adjust it with my hand. The woman is perfect if she’d just accept how strong she is. She needs to stop living in total fear of her father and pack. It’s a work in progress, and I have no doubt if we are patient, the reward will be immense.

She’s just a few steps away from me when she finally looks up and realizes I’m here. Dropping her bag, she runs toward me, and as soon as she is close enough, she leaps onto me, wrapping her arms and legs around me. Her head is buried in my neck, and I can already feel the warmth of her tears soaking my shirt. Wrapping my arms around her tighter, I hold her as she cries in my arms.What the fuck did they do to her?

When she finally has herself composed, I set her down and nuzzle my face into her shoulder. “I missed you, babe.” As she’s about to respond, I feel my nose twitch, and I push her back gently, still holding onto her shoulders. “Why do you smell strongly of another wolf, Magnolia? I know your dad wasn’t there to bid you farewell, and this scent is very strong and very fresh. What happened? Is this why you were crying? Tell me who upset you!” I’m all but yelling at her. My wolf is pacing inside, growling and snapping in rage, ready to tear whoever the scent belongs to limb from fucking limb.

“Probably Jeremiah, one of my intended mates. He’s a Beta and offered to drive me to the airport,” she tells me as if it's no big deal.

“Why didn’t you take an Uber?” From what she messaged us over the weekend, that’s how she got to her house from the airport.

“That was the plan, but last night, my father surprised me at dinner with the Alpha and his son with his two Betas. He all but demanded I change my flight unless one of my intended could drive me. So, thankfully, Jeremiah offered to take me. He’s not that bad, actually. Something is different about him. I just can’t put my finger on it.”

What the fuck?Not that bad? What is this woman smoking? That whole pack is rotten from the bottom to the top. Now she comes home and one of the Betas she’s supposed to mate isn't that bad. Is she going to change her mind about everything and go along with their arranged mating? Was this all a joke to her? Was she brainwashed while she was there?

Annoyed by her words, I quickly walk to where she left her bag, snatch it up and storm back toward my truck, dropping it in the back roughly. She looks at me in shock, then walks silently to the passenger side of the truck and gets in. I make my way to the driver’s side, open the door, and slide in. Turning the key in the ignition, I hear the truck come to life. I look over to Magnolia, who is just silently sitting, staring out the window. I grunt before reaching over her and grabbing her seat belt to buckle her in.

Leaning over to buckle her was a mistake, but I want her to be safe in the vehicle. However, it gave me another potent whiff of the other male wolf, who had to have touched my mate for his scent to be that strong. She smells like rain mixed with cotton candy and rain is not her signature scent.

We drive in complete silence for the first ten minutes of the trek to campus. I keep looking over at her, and each time, I catch her staring at me in confusion. “Blaine, can you please tell me what’s wrong? I know I smell like another wolf, but I don’t understand. I told you I got a ride,” she says, breaking the silence that filled the cab of the truck.

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