The Rogue Alpha’s Claim

For the next few days, Ariel had made it a point to be very far away from Maddie-as far as they could be in the same house. It was obvious the lady hated this place, and she wasn’t going to add to her stress.

She had confronted Toby on the issue, and she hadn’t expected the answer he had given her. It happened when she was on her way out, and she bumped into Toby.

“I think your mate hates me.” Ariel was telling him, but Toby had broken into a short laugh, which had instantly vanished as he saw the look on her face.

“Why do you say so?”

“Apart from the fact that she has expressed this several times, she also has a crazy notion that there is something romantic going on between us.”

“It is just typical Maddie, but it is nothing personal. She hates everyone, and this place is not helping either.”

Ariel nodded her head, although she wasn’t sure she could understand what he was trying to say. “How can I help? I understand I am the Luna now, and the pack’s concern is my concern, and I would like us to be friends.”

“Ohhh… Someone is a little excited about their role. See you being the Luna.” Toby was hyping her up.

“What can I say?” Ariel shrugged, a smug smile on her lips. “I try my best. That is beside the point, though; how can I help?”

“I don’t think any of us can help Maddie now. She is still vexed that she had to come here, and it is best we leave her alone. She will come to it on her own.”

Ariel nodded her head, again not understanding anything. “I am sorry if I am too nosey, but why is she vexed? Surely having a mate is a good thing.”

“Not to everyone.” Toby leaned closer, until his mouth was almost close to her ear. “You see, Maddie was one of the contenders for the alpha position in her pack, but the law requires the female to follow the males to their pack, and Maddie is bound by the law. She wasn’t exactly happy to leave her position, and it would take a lot of time for her to get used to it.”

“I see.” Ariel’s mouth opened slightly as it became clearer to her. “I thought only males could be alpha.”

“It was once an only male affair, but the world is changing now; females could be alpha, as long as they are capable.”

“I understand Maddie’s frustration now. I still wish I could get close to her.”

“Ariel.” Toby rested his hands on her shoulders. “I understand you have good intentions towards her, but in Maddie’s case, it is best she is left alone. Excuse me. Kane needs me.”

***

Ariel was walking down the hallway to the laundry room, dragging a week worth of dirty clothes into the laundry basket. Between her and Kane’s, the basket was always full every week.

Who even decides to have a laundry room so far away?

She was still dragging her feet grudgingly when she heard raised voices coming from Kane’s office, and as usual, curiosity won over, and she stood still, listening to the voices.

“Why?” It was Kane; there was no mistaking that voice.

“I am only telling you because we have been together and I consider you a friend. But I am tired of being a rogue, and the Alpha King has assured me a place in his pack. It would be foolish to turn it down.” She thought she heard what Toby said.

No, it wasn’t Toby. There was a coldness in the voice, and she could only guess one person.

Mason.

The man gave her the hives, and she would often go out of her way to avoid him.

“What happened to loyalty?” The tremble in Kane’s voice had her shifting closer to the door.

“Someone is at the door.” Mason’s voice stopped her in her tracks, and she stood still, not even taking a breath for fear they could hear her breathing.

“Ariel?”

“Hey Kane, I was just passing by to do some laundry. I promise I wasn’t listening to anything.” Ariel was saying, and she was already taking to her heels before they could come out of the door.

She only stopped when she got to the door of the laundry room, and she opened it, grateful they didn’t have to share the room with others.

She pondered what she had just heard as she sorted out the clothes, but she eventually ignored it. Kane was going to tell her if he deemed it important.

If he didn’t, she was going to count it as one of the things he was hiding from her and confront it when necessary.

But she didn’t have to worry about it; that was the first thing Kane was telling her as he came inside.

“Mason has decided to leave the pack.”

“Why?” Ariel cocked an eyebrow, tucking her arms into each other.

“I am sure you heard a little of what he said.” Ariel opened her mouth to protest, but one look from Kane shut her up. “The Alpha King has sent him an offer, and apparently he can’t refuse it.”

“That is bullshit! What happened to loyalty?” They shared a look at her choice of words, and they both smiled. “A simple no would have done the trick, but it is obvious he is no longer interested in staying here.”Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

“You are right, and I don’t think it would do us any good if I forced him to stay. He had already told me beforehand, and I have no choice but to let go.”

“What is going to happen to the beta’s position? It can’t remain vacant for too long.”

“It will have to be for now until I find a suitable replacement.”

“Hmmm.” Kane glanced at his mate, and he was shaking his head. “I know that look, you are about to suggest something I would not agree with.”

“Just hear me out. How about we make Maddie the beta? You know her right; she is Toby’s mate, and he told me she was a contender for the alpha’s position. Surely she will be very suited for the post.”

“I don’t think that is a good idea, love.”

“You haven’t even thought about it; she will be a perfect addition to the pack, and she could warm up to us.”

“Ariel.”

“For her to be considered a werewolf contender, it means she is very strong, and that is one asset you need.”

“Ariel, a woman cannot be…”

But Ariel wasn’t listening. “Surely, you are all for women’s rights. It would be the perfect opportunity to showcase it.”

“Ariel!” His firm voice startled her, and she looked up at him, slowly blinking her eyes. “Maddie is not going to be the beta, and this is no longer up for discussion. Goodnight.”