Torn Between The Alpha and His Bodyguard

Torn Between The Alpha and His Bodyguard

last updateLast Updated : 2023-12-31
By:  MiriGoogagCompleted
Language: English
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Finding love is supposed to be easy. You turn twenty-one and you scent your mate and the rest falls into place. Well, for most people. But not for me. No, I was rejected the second we discovered we were mates. Now five years later I have moved on and here he is once more. Not to claim me and make me his, nope. Maverick is here to take me to be courted by his boss, the Alpha of Alpha’s. The worst part? Maverick has only gotten more attractive over the years and his eyes are saying a hell of a lot more than his sealed lips. Lips I fully intend to get answers from. Two words: Tatum Rhodes. My best friend's little sister, my ex mate. The very last person I want to be picking up to deliver to my Alpha as his potential chosen mate. Rumor is second chance mates aren’t a thing, I can believe that. But they also say once the mate bond is broken so is the attraction. And that I can confirm with certainty is bullshit, because I feel like I just found the fucking sun after five years of living in a dungeon.

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Chapter 1

Creeps and Croissants

*Tatum*

The loud clinking from the kitchen has me creeping out of my bedroom in search of River, my usually quieter roommate. It’s barely six in the morning, far earlier than either of us ever get up, but I would be lying if I said I wasn’t happy she wasn’t able to sleep either. She was passed out on the couch last night when I got home from work, so I haven’t had the chance to tell her the good news yet. I have a date. And it’s not just with any ordinary person.

I half expect her to freak out when she sees me come around the corner. I was not, however, even remotely prepared for the handsome, well-dressed man leaning against my kitchen counter. Panic creeps up my spine as I blink at him.

His dark eyes lift from the cellphone in his hand and a smile grows on his face when he notices me. In an instant he straightens up, places his phone down and saunters over, stuffing his hands in his pressed suit pant pockets.

He’s not a stranger. No, this is the very handsome man I’ve been chatting with for two weeks on the newly launched dating app for the rejected werewolves in the community. Only I opted for the more…well…elite version. I upgraded to the royalty level.

Meaning this gorgeous man with the pretty smile is Artemis. App handle name ArtoftheAlphas. Known to all the werewolf world as Alpha Artemis. The literal Alpha of the Alpha’s. He is our king, one without a queen. And he is staring me down like he might want to put that crown on my head and I’m now ready to freak the flip out.

“I was in town…” he starts when he seems to pick up on my internal freak out. “I just thought…maybe it would be romantic…?” He asks, looking around for reassurance from anyone who will give it. 

I notice the woman who is laying out a display of breakfast pastries. Another prepares two mugs of steaming coffee, all the while frowning at the array of decorative mugs in my cupboard. My jaw drops open, but I force it closed, feeling a little uneasy. Instinctively, I hug my arms around my body, looking for coverage.  

We’ve never met in person before. Nope, not even once. Yet here he stands, overwhelmingly eager to spend time with me, like a golden retriever waiting for a walk. He looks gentle and harmless, so he probably won’t kill me, at least I don’t think he will.

I flash him the best smile I can muster. This is fine. Not how I would do things, but that’s okay. I need to choose him just as much as he has to choose me. 

“This is…sweet,” I offer, and he smiles in relief and chuckles. 

“Go get something on…” he says, looking at me like I am underdressed, though I can see the grin. “And then maybe I can win you over with a unique proposition.”

I arch a brow, intrigued. “I’d say make yourself at home, but well…” 

“Yeah…” he winces “I can see now how this may have been too much.”

“It’s fine.” I tell him, though, I’m not completely comfortable waking up to a man in my house taking over. Okay, not at all comfortable, but it’s not like he came alone and crawled into my bed. He came with staff and is clothed in the nicest tailored suit I’ve ever seen.

“It’s a little creepy, now that I think about it,” he sighs. I grin and nod.

“A creep with croissants and coffee is a creep I can get used to,” the words fumble out like word vomit and I want to crawl away into a corner. Did I just fucking say that? “Uh–I’ll just go get dressed” I chuckle awkwardly as I rush to my room, stopping to glance in the mirror.

I groan in horror, regretting the thought of looking at my reflection. I’m a mess. My ponytail askew with tufts of brown astray on my head and a sleep line from my pillow down my cheek. Just great. I told him he was an okay creep by me when I’m the one looking like I crawled out of a grave looking for brains. At this rate, I should just wish him the best, pack my bags and join a convent.

There is no time to shower, not with my date being a whopping fourteen hours early, so I pull my hair down and brush through it as quickly as possible. I touch up last night’s makeup, freshening up my mascara with a quick stripe before turning to my closet.

I opt for my black maxi dress and grab my emerald green cashmere sweater, tossing it over the dainty straps. Okay, it’s not MY sweater. It’s River’s, but she gave it to me to wear on my date, so this may be the only thing going according to plan.

I do a twirl on my hardwood floor, nibbling my lip in nervous excitement. I don’t look like royalty. Sure a shit doesn’t feel like it either, but royalty is sitting in my kitchen waiting for me. And now that I don’t have time to be nervous, it’s kind of exciting. So I smooth the front of my dress, take a deep inhale and open my door, yelping when I find Artemis waiting right outside of it for me.

“Sorry.” He smirks. “I was just meandering. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen such a condensed place before…” He says and I bite back a laugh.

“You’ve never been in an apartment?” I ask him and he smiles a sexy little grin. 

“No. Usually everyone wants to come back to my place.” He shoots me a wink and I can’t fight the laugh. He is strange, but he makes it easy to relax in his presence. It’s refreshing, to say the least. 

“I’d offer you a tour…” I wave my hand around the space. “But there isn’t much else to see but the bathroom.”

“I’ve already looked in there, too. It’s fascinating how you make do with one bathroom for two girls.”

I furrow my brows but follow him as he turns and walks through my apartment and toward the door, completely bypassing the breakfast his staff set up for us.

I squeak in sad surprise as he opens the door to the hallway. With a longing look, I offer a silent goodbye to the delicious smelling coffee that lingers behind us.

He parades me to the elevator; the hallway lined with his staff. I mean, what the hell did I expect? Someone remotely normal? At least he isn’t trying to wink his way into my pants like the weird guy at the bar last week.  

“Uh, Alpha Artemis…”

“Please, call me just Artemis, Tatum.”

“Uh, Artemis…About breakfast…”

“It will still be there when we come back.” He offers me a gentle smile and I return it. 

This may be the first time we have met, but we’ve been talking for weeks, I remind myself. And all along he has been quirky and fun. This is the same Artemis who was up texting until four in the morning days ago because we were watching the same movie and he needed to know how I was reacting. 

My heart flutters as the conversations flood back and blush rises to my cheeks. No, I may have been surprised in the apartment, but I am excited he is here. I feel the heat of his hand, not touching mine, but resting so close it feels like it is. We are both nervous. It’s so easy to sense those nerves when you know them so well, so I reach out and entwine our hand. 

He chuckles, his breath releasing as if an immense weight had been lifted off his shoulders. 

“Thank you,” he murmurs, and I give him a curious glance. He gives me a shy grin. “I’ve crossed a few too many barriers this morning already. I was afraid to take your hand.”

I can’t help but giggle and look down at our hands as he gives me a firm squeeze. 

“I am happy to meet you halfway and cross a few of my own.” I tease as the elevators beeps and the doors open.

He drags me alongside him and presses the button to close the door, giving us the first moment of privacy we have had together yet. He seems to relax a little without his warriors and staff around. 

“Can I ask where we are going?”

“Of course.” Artemis says as if he had forgotten he hasn’t told me a dang thing about this supposed date. The one I thought was happening upstairs. “I am taking you shopping.”

“Um…What?” I ask, my eyes wide.

“You do like shopping, right?” He seems worried as he looks at me.

“I mean, as long as it’s not from my paycheck, it’s always a great time.” I tease and he laughs. “But stores don’t open until nine in the morning. We have a good two and a half hours, if not more.”

“You do realize I am the Alpha King, right?” He reminds me. It’s odd how any other man in this position it would sound like he was gloating or trying to remind me how lucky I am. But he seems to be genuinely trying to tease and make light of everything about himself to make me more comfortable, and it’s working. 

“What? You are? Well shit, why didn’t you tell me?” I joke back. His smile seems permanent now, his sweet dimples on display, and I can’t help but want to touch them. He’s devastatingly handsome under ordinary circumstances, but add these playful dimples and I want to just eat him right up.

“I have a proposition for you, Tatum.” He says as we exit the elevator. 

“Okay.”

“Now,” he sighs, his smile dropping for the first time since being with me. “I know this may not come off right…and you can, at anytime, say no, but I truly hope you say yes.”

My heart races, and I try to calm my nerves. Is he…asking me to be his chosen mate already? Because even with our two weeks of chatting, and the smiles and the butterflies…This is all…it’s too soon.

It feels like I am suffocating as I try to control myself and my emotions, my wolf just as distressed and alarmed in my mind as she tries to calm me down. 

Artemis walks me down the corridor and opens the door, dragging me out into the cool crisp morning air that feels like ice against my heated skin. I inhale sharply and give my head a shake. All I have to do is be honest with him and myself. It’s all he has ever asked of me.

“I am seeing other people.” He whispers. I rear my head, turning to look at him, taken aback. 

“I’m sorry…?” I blink, and he takes his hand, rubbing it down his face. 

“It’s just…My advisors thought…I know it seems wrong.”

He fumbles for his explanation, and I find it cute. Clearly Artemis is unaware of the rules they gave us when we signed up for the Royalty package.

It stated, in simple terms, that he would be speaking to several women, overlapping at times. I know he has been talking to other girls. What speaks louder to me is that he is still here, holding my hand. 

“Artemis, I know.” I reach out and press my palm to his cheek. “They informed me it was a possibility when I signed up. It’s okay.” 

“They did?” He asks, taken aback. I nod and he heaves a hefty sigh. “Well, that makes this easier, then.”

“Are you breaking up with me?” I ask, feeling a little sad.

“No, I am asking you to move in.”

“What?!” I squeak, my voice as high as my eyebrows.

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Comments

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sm_hawker
Excellent! ... loved the story, characters and the writing was first class. ... If you don't end up with a book deal some day, there is no justice.
2025-02-03 18:48:05
1
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Belinda Ganoe
Love this book! There was moments i was crying so hard and feeling i knew these characters personally. That lets you know it is an amazing book. This is my favorite of yours although i love the others i have read. You continue to amaze me! Can’t wait to read more of these characters!
2025-01-31 13:42:47
2
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SONEVER
Oh, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book!! Even though I did have a few ugly cries ... it was wonderful! I highly recommend this book, and I look forward to reading more from Miri! Every book of Miri's I have read has been wonderful! Don't apologize for the long chapters they were all perfect!!!
2024-03-29 23:47:50
3
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Red Devil
Loved it. Love all your books I’ve read. You are an absolutely fantastic writer.
2024-01-21 01:44:55
1
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Jemmons
so good as always! patiently waiting for your next book!
2024-01-21 01:02:25
1
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jennifergooss
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, despite ugly crying a few times. This one was very heartbreaking and heartwarming, but amazing from start to finish! I just love everything Miri writes!
2024-01-06 17:39:25
1
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Jamie
miri did it again! another fantastic book!! I cannot get enough of this author and her stories. she truly has a gift.
2024-01-06 10:19:47
1
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tyebug2015
Welcome to the Bachelor with a werewolf twist that includes battles w/rogues & a FML with mysterious past. Buckle up for an emotional rollercoaster that you won't want to get off until the end. You will laugh, cry, bite your nails, and sigh with relief at the end. Well done. Can't wait for book 2.
2024-01-02 22:22:44
2
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XenyMarie
Miri put both, her MCs and readers, through the wringer with this book, and I guess I'm a masochist because I enjoyed every minute of it. I swear to god, these two have a Murphy's law thing going on, because everything keeps going wrong, but when they finally get to be together, it is just beautiful
2024-01-02 10:23:38
2
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Claresy
What a fantastic story! Yet another book by MiriGoogag that is incredible! Every book I read I fall in love with. Can’t wait for book2!
2024-01-01 19:50:45
1
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Spacekonijn
Miri is really on a roll again. Love the characters and their growth
2023-12-07 03:38:37
2
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Jemmons
is this a 2nd book? so far so good, but just don't want to continue reading it if I should have read one previously
2023-11-01 04:05:07
2
74 Chapters
Creeps and Croissants
*Tatum*The loud clinking from the kitchen has me creeping out of my bedroom in search of River, my usually quieter roommate. It’s barely six in the morning, far earlier than either of us ever get up, but I would be lying if I said I wasn’t happy she wasn’t able to sleep either. She was passed out on the couch last night when I got home from work, so I haven’t had the chance to tell her the good news yet. I have a date. And it’s not just with any ordinary person.I half expect her to freak out when she sees me come around the corner. I was not, however, even remotely prepared for the handsome, well-dressed man leaning against my kitchen counter. Panic creeps up my spine as I blink at him.His dark eyes lift from the cellphone in his hand and a smile grows on his face when he notices me. In an instant he straightens up, places his phone down and saunters over, stuffing his hands in his pressed suit pant pockets.He’s not a stranger. No, this is the very handsome man I’ve been chatting
last updateLast Updated : 2023-10-27
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Tater Tot
“Move in? With you…? Before being mates? While you are still seeing other girls?” I ask, my eyes wide with shock. “Yes,” he starts and then stops and sucks in a deep breath. “As you know, I’m rather busy, traveling all the time. So when I have downtime, I like to decompress, relax at home in my pack, in my pack house.”“I guess that’s fair.” I tilt my head, seeing his point.I can imagine traveling all the time leaves little left to be enjoyed except what is missing: home. Not that I know anything about that. Aside from moving from my family home to my apartment in mid city, I’ve traveled to the edge of the pack and back again a few times. I’d like to be sick of traveling. “I am asking a few of you, potential mates, ladies I can see myself wanting to take a relationship further with, to stay with me for a while. To minimize travel and allow you all to get to know me in my natural environment. I’m more than an alpha, and I want you all to see me behind my title.” He clarifies, and m
last updateLast Updated : 2023-10-27
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Friend Territory
“Don’t call me that” I frown and turn on my heels, leaving him behind me.“Why not?” He asks my back.“Only my friends call me that.”“We used to be friends,” he retorts, coming into my room behind me and I snort a dry laugh.“Yes, well, used to being the operative words there,”He says nothing as I search my closet. “What are you doing?” River asks, sauntering through the doorway as I grab out my suitcase and plop my new items inside it. I flick my eyes to meet hers, not stopping what I am doing.“I am packing.” I announce with a sigh before spinning away and grabbing a sweater. Then a shudder of excitement ripples through me and I bite my lip, stopping to face her with a smile barely suppressed on my face. Her eyes scan me, trying to decipher how she should react before she grins widely and squeals while jumping up and down. “He invited you?!” Her mouth hangs wide open as I nod my head and giggle. “Holy shit! Of course he did! He would have to be a moron not to.”“Stop it.” I fake
last updateLast Updated : 2023-10-28
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No Naps, just Snacks
*Maverick*“Let’s get one thing straight.” I say, taking measured strides toward her while she stands firm. “I’m no ghost. I’m as alive as they come, even if I’ve wished not to be.”I reach out and tuck a strand of her silky smooth hair behind her ear, my fingers aching to stroke her cheek. I have no right to do it. It’s completely inappropriate, yet I can’t seem to stop myself. She meets my gaze, her eyes full of fury and confusion as a storm whips around within her. There’s no helping the graze of my thumb on her cheek as I drop my hand and my heart races at the simplest contact. I knew it would be a mistake to be this close to her. Mate bond or not, she has always had a hold over me. “Right.” She scoffs, wiping at her skin where I touched her as if cleaning the stain of me away. My jaw twitches in disappointment, though I understand her hatred for me all too well. She takes a step back from me, turning to face her suitcase. “Ghost or not, we both want the secret of our past kept
last updateLast Updated : 2023-10-28
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A shadow
We drive in silence for the rest of the trip, Tatum growing more anxious by the minute as she checks her phone, and looks out the window regularly. I find myself looking at her more than I should, my eyes lingering, and I try to convince myself it’s because it’s been so long. Seeing her has brought back many emotions I never dealt with. Memories I buried without so much as thinking I would ever have to face them again. Yeah, that’s all it is. The memories, not the curve of her lips when she smiles anxiously to herself. It’s not the way the light bounces off her perfectly smooth skin or gleams in her hair. No. It’s the memories and once we get there, I won’t have to be troubled to be near her enough to worry about those.“We are here,” I tell her, my eyes connecting with hers as she looks up from her phone and then she glances out the window, perking up. The excitement on her face as we turn into the Fallen Star Pack is contagious, as I struggle to hide my grin and watch the road ahe
last updateLast Updated : 2023-10-29
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Injuries
*Tatum* “Shit, shit, shit,” I mutter in annoyance as I pace my new bedroom floor carpet. “Oh, come on, it’s not that bad,” Maverick says from the door frame he is leaning on. The one that now connects our rooms because I don’t just have a bodyguard now, I have zero privacy. I shoot him an icy glare and he fights back a smile. The blood still caked to the side of his head where his injury heals. “You are supposed to keep your distance,” I remind him. “You promised.”“Being around me isn’t that awful. The mate bond is gone, and we used to get along.”“I had the biggest crush on you!” I squeal “we got along because I liked you and hung on your every word, stupid or not.”“And?”“A lot has changed since then.” I scoff.“Like what?” he says. He is trying to annoy me now, and it’s of course working like a charm as my face heats and all I want to do is stomp and growl.“I don’t like you anymore! Not even as a person.” I remind him and he stares at me. There is a lingering smile on his lip
last updateLast Updated : 2023-10-29
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New friends
“Shit,” Artemis mutters, rushing forward, as he crouches down and turns Maverick’s head to the side, inspecting the injury. “He should have seen a healer, the stubborn idiot.” “I tried to get him to see them…” I whisper, trying not to show my internal panic. Maverick was in a rather intimate position with me now that I think about it. On his knees, hands on my body…I swallow roughly. What the hell was I thinking? “Oh, I believe you. I'm quite surprised he let you even help,” He says, standing and placing a hand on his hip before he exhales loudly. “Maverick never sees the healer unless he has to. And by has to, I mean when I order him to.” My eyes widen a little in surprise. “Why? Does he just not like healers?” I ask Artemis, who shrugs. “He has never really given anyone an answer, and it’s not really our place to ask,” He says, walking around Maverick before motioning for me to come over. “Here, help me get him up. We can’t leave him on the bathroom floor.” I want to tell him
last updateLast Updated : 2023-10-30
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Penance
*Maverick*I struggle to control the fall into the world of dreams. The inevitable spiral to the only place in the world, dream or real, that I fear. The darkest part of my mind, the reason for my self loathing and why I look for forgiveness in everything I do, why I started hunting rogues to begin with. I try to breathe through it all, the rushing of my mind. The twisting of my insides telling me that in a moment, no matter how hard I try, I will open my eyes and I will be back in that field. The same field that started the events of the hell I had to live through. But when I open my eyes, I’m living it all again. The rogues jump out of the woods, and panic digs its claws deep within me. My first thought should be to use the mind link to warn the pack, but I’ve grown cocky. Years of training have led to this one moment. My first fight, it’s finally my time to put all that hard work and sweat to good use. The first one lunges for my throat and, without so much as a sidestep, I avoi
last updateLast Updated : 2023-10-30
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Jealousy
*Tatum*“What are you doing?” Maverick asks, walking into my side of the room. I tilt my head to the side in feign shock as I tie the laces on my running shoes.“Oh, he speaks now?” I ask, and he shoots me a scowl. Three damn days of him being pouty and near silent. Strange how days ago I wanted him to shut up and leave me alone, but somehow, with him being my shadow, his silence annoys me more.I have spent the last three days trying to pretend the grump ass isn’t affecting me or the girls wanting to hang out with me. At lunch Clem teased maybe he suffered brain damage. I have to admit, until right now; I thought he might have. “I have spoken to you all along.” He says with an unamused frown. “I’m going for a run.” I tell him, standing and placing my hands on my hips, just daring him to tell me no. That’s the other thing he has been doing a lot of. Telling me no with a scowl and a headshake. And I’ve had more than enough of it.“You hate running,” he reminds me and I scoff, preten
last updateLast Updated : 2023-10-30
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A date
*Maverick*“You did?” I ask her again. I feel numb, my arms and legs heavy as I hang on her every word for confirmation of something that can only live in the past. But I have to know. Tatum rolls her eyes and walks away from me. “Yes, did. In the past tense. Now what does Beta Milo want?” She asks again.“He just asked me to escort you to his office.” And that’s the truth.I am friends with both the alpha and his beta, but that doesn’t mean I am privy to all the information. I don’t make important decisions, I just protect. It’s honestly easier that way. I don’t have much of a life, but I enjoy the simplicity of it.She fidgets with her running jacket, tugging at the hem before she reaches up and tries to smooth her hair. You wouldn’t think someone so naturally beautiful could be this self conscious. Tatum looks at me, catching me red-handed as I stare and she frowns. “Do I look okay?”“You look like you went for a run…” I offer her honestly.I can’t really tell her how her flushed
last updateLast Updated : 2023-10-31
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