Page 4 of Alpha's Fated Flame

His eyes flashed at my attitude, and his lips thinned at my lack of respect. We weren't in the old days anymore, damn it. I didn't care, and I could feel Jess's shoulder shaking with laughter as she watched us.

"Why do you wish to die, foolish girl?" he asked, eyes flashing.

"Wow, minding your own damn business isn't really your thing, is it?" I retorted, stepping away from his grasp and pulling away from him.

What an arrogant prick…

He cocked his head to the side, the corner of his mouth pulling up as he looked at me with amusement. "That's fine. Next time, I'll let you die if that's what you really want."

"Damn right you should," I said.

"But for now, I am escorting you home. The streets are no place for someone like you."

I gasped as he pulled my hand in his, like a child, and started walking.

"Point me in the direction," he demanded.

I gaped at him, speed walking to match his long stride. Jess trailed along awkwardly behind us, as wide-eyed as me.

"My apartment is just around the corner," I sputtered out, finally finding my voice.

“Okay, I’ll take you there,” he grunted.

We rounded the corner and reached the steps of my old apartment. He released my hand and took a step back. He looked at me quizzically. "This is where you live?"

I had finally managed to move out of my family’s house after there was no hope of me ever shifting, but I had to really downgrade to what I could afford with my cashier’s salary.

"Yes, we can't all be rich alphas now, can we?" I snapped back, my hand fumbling in my purse for my keys.

I unlocked the door, and Jess and I stepped in. I quickly slammed the door in his shocked face, turning the lock.

Silence reigned over us, except for the beat of the music pumping from the neighboring apartment.

"Damn, girl. You told him off," whispered Jess as she pulled back the living room curtain. We both watched the alpha walk away in long strides. “An alpha out of all werewolves on top of that. You have some guts there.”

Hot tears pricked my eyes, threatening to fall as the reality of my situation set in. I didn't care about that snobbish, overprotective alpha. I was upset that my mission failed miserably. I just wanted to be alone at this moment.

My body shuddered as the tears flowed down my face.

"I'll never be able to shift," I said. "I think I'm doomed to live a human life forever. I'll never be able to feel the wind on my face as I run…"

"Shh," Jess interrupted me, wrapping me in a hug. She patted my back as I cried awkwardly on her shoulder. She was a lot shorter than me. After a couple of minutes, I pulled away, hiccuping.

"Here's a tissue, Adrianna. Don't cry, okay? Your time will come."

"That's what everyone says," I said, blowing my nose into crinkled tissue from her pocket that smelled like mold.

"That alpha is probably so confused why you blew up on him," she said, and I giggled.

"Well, he messed up our plans," I said. "Didn't even give me a chance to fight the guys. I didn't even call for you yet."

"I know, but it probably wouldn't have worked anyway," said Jess.

"I think I'm going to head to bed now," I sighed. Today was a major disappointment.

"Why don't you come with me tomorrow to the Were Gathering," said Jess.

"You know I can't go," I said, shaking my head. "There will be way too many wolves there. I can't risk blowing my secret."

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