The New Alpha Haria

JACOB'S POV

She's taking it so long to take the badges that I'm giving her. Perhaps, she doesn't want it. I even went through this kind of hassle as apparently, this is my peace offering to her even though I didn't do anything wrong. And of course, to impress her somehow. But everything I did seemed to be just useless.

I was about to take my hand back and just accept that we will never be okay no matter what I do, when she suddenly reached for the five badges from my hand.

"Thank you because I really need these badges," she said. "My father and my brother don't want to give me a break. So I'm going to use it to somehow have a rest."

"If you want to..." I couldn't finish what I was going to say when she turned around and immediately walked away from us, out of the woods.

I just shook my head as I followed her with just my sight.

Then, I felt Carl's hand landed on my shoulder.

"Don't worry, man. Whatever you're thinking right now, I've got your back." There was teasing in Carl's voice and I seemed to know what he meant.

"And how sure are you of what exactly is on my mind at this moment?" I immediately broke Carl's teasing of me. He might already notice how I behave when Haria is in front of me or when we're talking about her.

And in order to completely avoid his teasing, I removed his hand that was on my shoulder and turned my back on him. But Haria's cousin immediately appeared in front of me and I was surprised by what she did and said.

"Take this one badge that I got from a trainee," Kate said seriously as she handed me a badge.

I wondered what she wanted to convey so I looked at Carl and Richard. Richard just shrugged, while Carl motioned to me to get the badge that Kate was giving me.

"Don't you want to follow Haria so you can talk and finally sort out whatever misunderstanding you have? And in order to do that, you have to collect five badges and get out of here, in the woods," Kate continued when she didn't hear an answer from me or saw any reaction. It was obvious that she noticed how I got surprised at what she did and said earlier.

I was still speechless and I hardly knew how to react to what she was saying. Then, she took my hand and put the badge on it.

"I'm actually rooting for you, Mr. Jacob Cabarse. Just be patient with my cousin. That's really her attitude. But if you persevere and don't give up, you'll get to know her completely and see that she has a soft side. And it's not far for you to get her one day."

And now, she even gives me encouraging words.

"Fighting, Mr. Jacob Cabarse!"

"Take these badges that Richard and I have as well. And that makes three badges. Plus one from you, that makes four. You only need one more to get out of here, in the woods, and follow Madam Haria." And Carl also joined the conversation. They are in the same boat now. And that made me more speechless. What made them think about this kind of idea? But in fairness, this is a good idea. I actually like it.

They also helped me complete the five badges that I needed. And when I got the fifth badge, I immediately left the woods. They cheered on me, so somehow, my confidence rose.

I left the training grounds in a hurry, hoping to catch up with Haria. But I didn't see her anymore. She has probably already returned to the mansion or to her barracks, if Alpha Jomer doesn't allow her to stay at the mansion during training.

Never mind, there is another chance for sure. At least, I tried as I really want our misunderstanding to be resolved already.

Then, someone suddenly honked from behind me so I was surprised and even jumped a little. I felt nervous and my chest suddenly beat faster due to the loudness of the horn. I was on the side of the road so I felt annoyed with the driver and immediately looked at him.

I saw a green motorcycle. The rider was wearing a helmet so I couldn't recognize who it was, nor could I tell if it was a woman or a man.

A few moments later, the driver took off the helmet. I just shook my head and felt slightly embarrassed when I recognized who the driver was.

"Did I surprise you?" Haria's smile almost reached her ears and it was obvious that she was holding back from laughing out loud after she took off her helmet.

"Isn't it obvious? I even jumped a little because I was surprised," I answered her, although I was still a little embarrassed because of my reaction earlier which definitely caught her attention.

"Do you want a ride?" Haria offered while still smiling and holding back from bursting into laughter.

"Are you sure? I seem to remember, in the past days, you were mean to me, as if you wanted to eat me alive. It's surprising that you're suddenly becoming nice to me," I answered jokingly. I was trying to get rid of the embarrassment that I was feeling.

"Let's just say, this is my way of apologizing for the bad behavior I showed you in the past days. And also to thank you for what you did for me earlier," Haria replied with a smile on her face.

And I just nodded while staring at her.

"So, what now? Are you going to ride my motorcycle or not?" she continued. "I assume you've already collected five badges. That's why you're already here and out of the woods."

"Actually, I'm not used to riding someone's motorcycle. I like it when someone rides my motorcycle," I jokingly replied while smiling at her.

"But the problem is... you don't have a motorcycle and I do," she immediately answered.

I didn't answer anymore as what she said was true. I don't really have my own motorcycle. I just borrow my friend's motorcycle when I go somewhere far away.

"But, that's easy to solve," she continued as she turned off the engine and handed me the key. "You drive and I will ride with you."

"Where are we going? Going around here, inside the camp?"

"It's up to you where you want to take me," she answered as her face suddenly became serious. "I-I'd like to go outside the camp but there are dogs who are following me wherever I go."

I immediately understood what she wanted to say, especially when I saw the two soldiers who were following her.

"Sounds interesting," I replied with a smile. Then I turned to look at her and spoke seriously. "Are you really sure about what you're thinking?"

"Yeah, I'm sure."

"Then, let's go." After saying that, I took the motorcycle key that she was handing to me. She also got down to let me drive the motorcycle. And when I was ready, she rode behind me.

"How about those dogs behind us?" she asked after getting up behind me.

"I'll take care of it. Just hold on tight," I answered as I put the earbuds in my ears that were connected to my cell phone.

I opened the cell phone first and went to the messenger app to type. Then, I played some songs and put the cell phone back in the pocket of my pants.

After I put on the helmet, I immediately started the motorcycle. Haria felt a little surprised and pinched my side. And because I had a tickle in that part, I slightly turned the motorcycle to the side of the road. We almost slid because of that, but because I'm good and well-experienced when it comes to driving a motorcycle, that didn't happen.

"Do you have a tickle in your side?" Haria asked after seeing my reaction.

"Yes, since birth. So don't mess around and we might end up rolling in the ground with the motorcycle."

"Can you get away from the dogs that are following us?" she asked again, referring to the two soldiers who were also riding their motorcycles and following us.

"Just relax. I'll take care of it," I answered and then I sped up the motorcycle even more. Until we reach the road out of the camp and an intersection, that, if you are not careful, it will surely lead you to misfortune.

"It's showtime," I said while smiling, and upon getting to the intersection, I suddenly turned the motorcycle to the left. And Haria screamed because of that. She must have been surprised.

The two soldiers who were following us still didn't slow down as I could see them in the side mirror of the motorcycle I was driving. But when they got into the intersection, two motorcycle riders suddenly appeared and they barely hit them. I smiled a little when I saw them both sliding. They tried to avoid each other but they failed, so they ended up being on the ground.

I even accelerated the motorcycle, until I noticed that no more soldiers were following us. Then, I slowed down a little.

"I think they're already gone," I said while smiling widely. "I told you. I'll take care of it."

"How did you manage to escape those dogs?" Haria answered with a question. "I've been annoyed by their presence for a while now."

"Just connections."

"Connections or did you ask your gang for help?"

"That's too much for calling my friends a gang," I immediately contradicted what she said.

"Alright, alright. I will not call your friends a gang from now on. Happy?"

I just smiled as a reaction to what she said. Is this a sign that she is slowly getting comfortable with me?

Then, I felt something strange as my heart beat faster. But I ignored that and just focused on driving the motorcycle. While Haria did not speak anymore. Until we reach a place near the sea.

We entered the entrance of a beach resort and went straight to the parking area. After getting off the motorcycle, I immediately started walking. And she immediately followed me. But she just kept quiet and looked around.

A man wearing a smile that almost reached his ears immediately greeted us.

"You have someone with you today, ha," the man immediately commented as he got near me.

"She's the alpha princess of the Blue Blood Pack," I immediately answered him.

And he immediately showed respect to Haria and she smiled in response.

"Go ahead. Go straight to your favorite place," he continued. Then, he turned around and started walking away from us.

"Let's go," I offered to Haria as I started to walk.

Haria immediately followed, still silent and seemingly deep in thought. Until we reach the beach with white sands.

I can see her amazement at the beauty of the place and the cool breeze. Then, she couldn't stop herself anymore and ran towards the shallow part of the sea to feel its moderate temperature.

I remained where I was standing and just watched her with a smile on my face. I'm glad that she liked the place I brought her.

I am seeing a different Haria now. It's far from Haria who is always annoyed and seems to be angry with the world.

Then, she turned to me. The wide smile was still on her lips and she was obviously enjoying playing in the sea water. She even waved at me and invited me to come to her.

"Come on. Let's play," she offered me while still smiling.

I hesitated to come closer to her but she didn't stop waving so I just came to her.

When I got in front of her, she immediately splashed water on my face. I was surprised as I did not expect her to do that to me. I couldn't move immediately and looked like a statue from where I was standing as I almost didn't know what my reaction would be.