Chapter 5

I thunder down the stairs with such force that anyone in passing presses themselves against the wall to stay out of my way. No way would I let this woman get away with treating me like some weak piece of crap. I sniff the air, trying to catch her scent and grow more furious that I can’t sniff her out. I let out an angry growl as I enter the kitchen. My eyes land on her as she looks up at me, confused, her teeth sinking into an apple.

Within a second, I am looming over her, staring into her eyes that hold no amusement or fear, just confusion. Of course she tries to look innocent in the matter. She has just offended an alpha whether or not I’m her alpha; it is a grave misstep to make fun of an alpha.

“Alpha?” she says, sounding strong and unphased by my presence. I hate her cool demeanor. 

“Do you find it funny?” I seethe.

“Excuse me?”

“Do you find it funny?” I yell, my voice echoing through every corner of the house.

“Find what funny?” She says, irritated.

“How you are here to protect me? The weak Alpha incapable of protecting himself? Injured and weak. Is that what you think?” I can feel my wolf foaming at the mouth, trying to get out, begging to be released, and her eyes snap to mine. She can see it as well, but she holds no fear from me and it makes my anger grow. She must truly find me so weak that she doesn’t find me to be a threat. 

“Alpha Wade.” she begins. I step closer, our bodies connecting as my chest heaves up and down violently. She refuses to back down as I press myself against her, trying to intimidate her. I have her cornered between the counter and me, yet she shows no fear.

“You do not get to laugh at me. Not over something you don’t understand.” I say through my clenched teeth. She raises her hand in a surrendering manner.

“Understood, Alpha” Her face contorts in anger as she places her warm palm on my chest again. Within seconds, the pain in my legs comes flying back in a fury so strong it swept away my breath and I stumble backward. She follows my movements and leans in close to my face so I can see the raw fury in her.

“I do not laugh at the injured, Alpha Wade. I gave you a sample of what a Guardian can do for their Alpha. We can share our Alpha’s pain. Take it from them for a while. Did you not notice how you could so easily come down those stairs? Ungrateful fool.” She mutters as she stands to her full height. I stand and straighten myself, wincing as I take a step forward. I hadn’t noticed the pain was gone, and now I’m highly aware of its return.

“Can you heal me if I accept you?” I ask, thinking out loud.

“It varies.” She shrugs, walking towards the front door picking up her apple on the way out. 

“On what?” I ask, following her. If she can heal me, I mean truly completely heal my leg I would gladly accept her now.

“For starters, if I want to. And I really dislike you, Alpha Wade.” she plods down the front steps and turns to look at me. “Well, are we going or what?”

Ali insisted on walking around the pack grounds, which normally would be ok but my leg is more painful than usual today. I’m not sure if it is because I experienced what it was like to be in no pain for a short period or just one of those days where it acts up. Ali walks silently alongside me, looking over the buildings and watching everyone play. 

A ball comes flying out of nowhere towards her face as she looks in another direction. Before I can call out to warn her, she turns her head slightly down and heads the ball directly up into the air. She then bounces it for a moment, back and forth between her knees. 3 young boys walk up, watching her in awe as she juggles the soccer ball. She pops the ball up one more time to head height, and she heads the ball towards the smallest of the group and he catches it in his hands. 

“That was impressive,” I say honestly.

“Just some simple soccer tricks.” She says. “You haven’t shown me the training grounds.”

“Those are on the other side of the pack grounds,” I say, pointing over my shoulder. I’m ashamed to admit our warriors are lacking. They would do anything for me, but without someone capable of training them, I have found myself lacking in training them myself, though I show up daily with my uppers and we spare. 

“Your training space should be in the center of your grounds.” She says, frowning.

“Why?”

“So that everyone can see. It inspires the young pups to want to be a warrior. They get an inside idea of what happens and it can build morale and support around your warriors.” 

“Do you want to spar?” I ask her, raising a brow in jest. She looks at me, stoic as ever. 

“You are in no condition to spar,” she says, continuing to walk

“Ah come on. I’ll be fine.” 

“Alpha, when you are fully healed I will consider it,” she says, continuing on to walk. I can feel the tug of the mind link and I tap into it. 

I can’t find shit. Francis pouts

Try harder than Francis.

I need more time

I’ll see what I can do

“Well, I’m good for today. I’ll head back, I have a call with the committee and I can’t wait to tell them how swimmingly we are getting along.” She says, turning to say to me. I snap my eyes to hers and I know she can see it, my panic at the thought of her leaving. Her face darkens as she walks closer, eying me suspiciously.

“How about I take you to my favorite spot?” I stutter. She looks shocked by the invitation and her steps slow.

“You look irritated, Alpha. Bad news through your mind link?” she asks.

“Nope,” I respond too quickly. I walk and my leg twinges again. Jolting forward a small step. She is next to me in a second, muttering under her breath, annoyed. I hate how weak she makes me feel. I shove her off in a fury. My one weakness is flaunting itself and I can see her annoyance with it.

“I don’t need your help,” I growl out. She steps further back, her hands up. I can feel a cold sweat on my forehead as the pain wracks through my whole body. My leg is far worse than it has been in months. I bend over, nauseated from the pain, and I can see her stepping closer to me tentatively.

“This injury is from the rogue attack? I don’t remember you being injured there.” I look up, startled by how gentle she sounds. Immediately, I regret the decision when I look into her cold eyes and I can see her pity. I don’t want her to know this isn’t an unusual occurrence for me. I can’t stand feeling weak before her, not when she is a warrior.

“It will heal soon enough.” I snap, dropping my head again. She sighs, kneeling down before me. Reaching out, she timidly touches my chin and makes me look at her. Our eyes lock.

“I will take your pain for today, Alpha. Not because I believe you to be weak, but because I should have protected you sooner during that fight. This is a penance for me. I’m not asking you to accept this offer. My honor dictates that I must do it.” She removes her hand from my chin, leaving behind it little tingling sensations as if being poked by tiny needles.

She places her hand once more on my chest and looks right into my eyes. Her hazel eyes shift and swirl again, flashing colors of green and lavender. This time I can feel it. The weight of the pain lifts from my body as my muscles relax. My body sings as if happy to be rid of the toxic pain from the wolfsbane forever stuck in the fleshy tomb of my leg. She gasps slightly and winces, breaking our eye contact.

“I need to head back to the packhouse.” She says as she promptly stands and turns to walk away. I stand with more speed than I have had in years and grab her wrist. I can see the pain in her eyes. The flecks of lavender look like they are glittering in the sunlight. Who knew pain could be so beautiful.

“Let me help you.” I offer sincerely. She smiles weakly and shakes her head no.

“I have my pride to get me back, Alpha.” She turns and limps away from me, bearing my pain better than I have ever been able to.