Weird Alpha!

The icy lake water embraced Seara’s body with a deceptive calm. She dove in, hoping the water could wash away the pain clawing at her chest since that night.

She had been wandering through the Blackthorn Forest for two days, shifting between her wolf and human form. She didn’t know where she was headed—only clinging to the moonlight that guided her every night.

The voices of the Nightshade Pack still echoed in her mind, mingling with the rippling sound of water as she emerged to the lake’s silver surface under the moonlight.

Seara brushed her wet hair back, gulping down air after submerging herself for what felt like forever. Her graceful movements didn’t go unnoticed—someone’s sharp gaze had already locked onto her.

Perched on a towering oak, a man who had been lazily lounging suddenly forgot how to breathe. The sight of Seara pulled at something primal in him. Her scent drifted through the night air, soft and warm like cinnamon—and it drove his wolf crazy.

“Rare…” he muttered under his breath.

He closed his eyes, inhaling again just to make sure. Cinnamon. Sweet, tempting cinnamon. His wolf howled inside him.

[Our mate, Austin.]

And she’s beautiful.

[Get her!]

Austin, Alpha of the Lycanisius Pack, had never felt his instincts flare this hard. This wasn’t just attraction. It was… a pull. A magnetic force that wrapped around his lungs, choking and exhilarating him at the same time.

He rose slowly from the branch, eyes fixed on the glowing figure in the water below.

A she-wolf.

And she had no idea he was there.

Until their eyes met.

Seara froze. Her heart skipped a beat, then raced like wildfire. Quickly, she crossed her arms over her bare chest and sank deeper into the water.

“Were you spying on me?” she snapped, her voice slicing through the quiet.

Austin smirked lazily. “Hey, don’t blame me! I was just hanging out in my tree. You’re the one who decided to take a midnight swim in my lake.”

“Your lake?” Seara shot him a glare.

He jumped down effortlessly, landing without a sound. Muscles shifted beneath the loose shirt clinging to his torso, and his smile—unfortunately—was criminally gorgeous.

“That’s right. I’m Austin, the very handsome Alpha of the Lycanisius Pack. And this forest, this lake—” he gestured around them, grinning—“all part of my personal chill spot.”

Seara narrowed her eyes. “You really shouldn’t be here while I’m… bathing. Handsome? Wow. Someone’s confident.”

Austin chuckled at her tone.

“And you really shouldn’t be skinny-dipping in my territory without permission. So technically, you’re the one disturbing me.” He tilted his head, flashing a teasing grin. “But honestly? I’m not complaining.”

“What the hell?” Seara’s voice dripped with disbelief.

Austin lifted both hands in mock innocence, his smile never fading. “Just being honest.”

She rolled her eyes and turned away.

“Come out of there, or I’ll have to drag you out,” he said, the words sounding more like a dare than a threat.

Seara’s eyes widened. “Try it, and I’ll claw your face off.”

“I like ’em wild. But please, not the face—that’s my best feature,” he teased, folding his arms and tilting his head playfully. “I’d hate to lose my good looks.”

Something inside Seara pulsed. That strange energy—her inner wolf—was restless, unstable. And damn it… he felt it too.

Austin stepped closer, his smirk still there, but his voice carried something heavier now. Serious. Dangerous.

“Stop!” Seara warned, pointing a finger at him.

“Who are you really?” His eyes narrowed slightly, scanning her aura. “You feel… powerful.” He moved another step closer. “Are you… rare?”

Seara’s eyes hardened. “And why the hell can you feel that?”

Austin didn’t answer right away. He gave a casual shrug, though his gaze never wavered. “Alpha instincts. Or maybe… fate.”

“Don’t start that mate crap.”

“Too late. My wolf’s been screaming that word since you came out of that lake. And… I like your scent.” His grin stretched wider.

Seara ducked under the water for a second before swimming toward the shore. She climbed out quickly, snatching the clothes she’d hidden in the bushes.

Austin spun around immediately, though his voice still floated back to her.

“So you’re okay with me watching you bathe, but not with me watching you dress?” she called out sarcastically.

“Hey… I’m an Alpha, not a creep. I have standards.” He paused, then added with a wicked smile, “But if you want me to look, I can turn back around right now.”

Seara dressed in record time, heart pounding—not from embarrassment, but from that damn pull. That raw, primal bond that linked her to this infuriating man.

When she stepped out from the bushes, Austin was sitting cross-legged on the ground like a kid, grinning at her.

“Do you always pop out of bushes like that?” he teased.

“Do you always spy on women while they bathe?” she shot back.

“Nope. You’re the first. And honestly… I hope you’re the last. Because I don’t think I could handle seeing anyone else and feeling guilty that it wasn’t you.”

“Cheap line,” Seara muttered, smirking faintly.

Austin laughed. “Fair enough. But give me a few conversations—I think you’ll change your mind.”

“Or I’ll shift into my wolf and tear you apart,” she said, eyes flashing.

Austin clutched his chest dramatically. “Ouch. That hurts.” Then he chuckled again.

Her irritation flared.

“So… you are rare?” he pressed, curiosity burning in his voice.

“No!” she snapped.

Austin took a slow, deliberate step forward, his expression dead serious now—enough to make Seara instinctively back up. “You can deny it, but my instincts don’t lie. We’re meant to be.”

“Bullshit.”

“Not bullshit. Because I can feel it. And the second you broke that water, my wolf claimed you.” His voice dropped low, sharp with conviction.

Seara stared at him, unblinking. “I don’t need a mate.”

“I wasn’t looking for one either,” he said smoothly. “But when fate throws one in my face, it’d be rude to ignore her, don’t you think?”

Silence stretched between them.

“Why are you here, rare girl?” His voice was softer now, but no less demanding. He stepped closer again. “Who are you really?”

“None of your business.”

“If we’re truly destined, then your life just became part of mine.”

Seara turned on her heel, walking away. “Not interested in playing games with some guy who drops out of trees and calls himself my mate.”

Austin quickly matched her pace. “Not claiming—just telling you what my wolf feels. He’s never wrong.”

“Maybe your wolf is confused,” she shot back, picking up speed.

“Or maybe…” Austin flashed her a grin, “he just fell in love before the man did.”

Seara exhaled sharply and stopped. “Stop following me!”

“Can’t. My legs move on their own when you walk away.”

“Then I’ll break your legs!” she threatened, eyes blazing.

Austin chuckled. “Go ahead. As long as you sit with me afterward. I just wanna talk. You’re not like any she-wolf I’ve ever met.”

“Not interested,” Seara said, marching ahead again.

“Oh, you will be. I’m funny, I own a lot of land, I can cook, and I’ve got abs. Six of ’em. Bonus feature.”

Seara bit back a laugh. Almost. But deep down, she just wanted to run. From him. From Alaric. From the pain. From this stranger whose eyes… felt like home.

Austin closed the gap, walking right beside her. “At least let me walk you out. You can reject me all you want, but don’t reject help.”

She stopped dead, turning to glare at him. “You think I’m weak?”

“I think you need a friend. Or maybe just someone to punch,” he said lightly, tapping his chin like he was considering the idea.

Seara stepped closer, her voice low and dangerous. “You’d let me hit you?”

He raised his hands in mock surrender. “If that makes you feel better, hit me. But after that, sit down and talk. I’m curious… about you.”

She scoffed, spinning on her heel to leave again.

In a blur, Austin caught her wrist and pulled her against him.

“You know what, rare girl?” His voice dropped to a husky whisper. “The more you fight me… the more I want to know everything about you.”