Chapter 5

Chapter 5: The Alpha’s Refusal

The air in the room felt empty like someone had sucked it all out.

Dominic stood in the doorway his face frozen in shock and anger. Alpha Ronan did not even look at him. To Ronan, the only person who mattered was the girl in his arms, me.

I tried to pull my heart beating really fast like a bird trying to fly away. "Alpha, please " I said quietly my voice shaking. "The Elder is watching us."

Ronan held my wrist tighter not to hurt me but to keep me close. His skin was warm really warm. It felt weird against my cold fingers. He did not look at Dominic he just kept looking at me with a hunger in his eyes that scared me.

"Let her go, Ronan!" Dominic said finally his voice sharp and warning. "You owe a debt you are the one who can save this pack. Remember who you are!"

"Get out " Ronan said quietly but his voice was powerful and it made the air feel weird.

"Ronan, the ritual is set for…."

"I said get out!" Ronan shouted, looking at the door his eyes glowing like gold the wolf in him showing.

Dominic looked scared even he knew not to mess with an Alpha. He gave me a look and left the room slamming the door shut.

The silence after that was really uncomfortable.

I took a breath and tried to step away again. "You should listen to him " I said, my voice barely loud enough to hear. "Please let me go."

"No " Ronan said, his voice final. He did not let me go instead he stepped closer his arm around my waist pulling me close to him. His warmth spread through my clothes and made my cold body feel a little better.

“Mate " he said his voice low and rough it felt like it was vibrating against my skin making me feel things I did not want to feel.

My wolf made a sound a sound I had not heard in years she was trying to get closer to him. I tried to fight it I had to be strong one of us had to remember the danger that was coming.

"What is your name?" Ronan asked, his voice softer now like he was begging. "I have been dreaming of you for three days. I did not even know your name."

I felt a connection to him a pull it was like my soul was tied to his and it was making me want to tell him everything. I fought it for a second then I gave up. "Lira " I said quietly.

"Lira " Ronan repeated, his voice trailing off like he was enjoying the sound of my name. He leaned down his forehead against mine. "Do not run from me again okay? It hurt me when you disappeared into the woods when I felt your fear."

I shook my head tears in my eyes. "We can never be together Ronan. You saw the mark on me you know what I am. I am an Atoner my life is not a gift it is a payment."

I looked up at him I wanted him to understand. "To the pack I am a countdown the Elders will want the ritual if you keep me the pack will turn on you they will call you a traitor they will say you are letting their children die for a girl you just met."

Ronan’s face got hard his jaw set, like he was not going to change his mind. "I do not care what you are to them to me you are the one who matters. I will do anything to keep you safe even if it means fighting the pack."

"You cannot say that!" I said, pushing him away. "You are the Alpha your life belongs to the pack my life belongs to the altar that is how it has always been."

I was crying now tears, bitter tears. "Please, Ronan if you have any mercy reject me now break the bond before it is too late if you reject me the Moon Goddess might forgive you she might give you a Luna who can live."

The moment I said reject, the room got really cold.

Ronan’s eyes got dark his pupils like black holes. A low growl started in his chest, a sound of rage.

"Reject you?" he said, his voice low and angry his grip on my waist tight. "You want me to rip my soul in half?"

"I want you to survive!" I said, grabbing his shirt. "I love this pack even if they hate me and they need you if you choose me you will lose everything please Ronan say the words reject me."

"Never " he said.

"Ronan, please….”

He did not let me finish he kissed me his mouth on mine it was like a storm, angry and possessive.

I was shocked my eyes wide my heart stopped then it started beating fast. His lips were hot and firm they tasted like lightning and rain. The bond between us was like a fire it was burning, making my knees weak. For a second I forgot the curse I forgot the Elders I forgot that I was going to die.

I found myself kissing him back my fingers in his hair pulling him closer like I could hide in his strength.

When he pulled away he did not go far his lips close, to mine his breath heavy. He looked at me with an intensity that felt like it was seeing into my soul. My cheeks were red my breath caught in my throat.

"Do you hate me much that you want to reject me already?" he asked, his voice cracking, like he was hurt.

I looked at him my Alpha, my mate, the one who was going to kill me. I realized that the curse had not just taken my life.

It had taken his life too.