Alpha Markus
Chapter 11

Markus P.O.V.

When I asked her if she’d met her wolf, I saw the panic in her eyes. When I asked her age, I knew there was something else going on. She looked like a scared rabbit, ready to leap away. Away from me. I didn’t know what to think. I didn’t know this girl, but every fiber of my being screamed that I needed to protect her. To do that, I needed her not to be scared of me. The thought that she had to hide her age seemed weird to me. It made me wonder what else she had lied about.

“What’s your name?” I asked.

“Celeste is my real name,” she said. I could read between the lines. Her last name wasn’t Pierce and she didn’t want to tell me. Hurt coursed through me and I had to look away, remembering my father. This girl already had my heart, but I didn’t even have her trust.

Someone hurt mate. She is scared. We will earn her trust and protect her. No one will touch mate again – Atlas growled inside my head.

Damn right they won’t. – I said.

“I’m sorry. I haven’t told-“ I tried to hide my hurt and remembered that she had no reason to trust me other than a mate bond she felt before passing out. I forced a smile on my face and looked back at her. “It’s OK. Thank you for trusting me. No one here needs to know.”

I grabbed her hand, desperate to hold her. “So, back to business. I am Alpha of the Crescent Moon Pack…” I explained who I was and what my plans were. To my delight and surprise, she gave me the most dazzling smile and threw her arms around me. I held her tightly, breathing in that intoxicating scent of honey and strawberries and chuckling. I’d finally done something right and this was the best reward. “I take it you’re OK with leaving this place?”

“Yes please,” she said against my shoulder. She seemed to realize what she’d done and backed away shyly. Her face blushing adorably.

“We can leave tomorrow morning. You can rest a little longer,” I said, not wanting to let her go. She nodded and I heard her stomach growl. I laughed. “How about we get some lunch and then we can get your things packed up.” I said. ‘She’s good. We’ll be leaving tomorrow. Can we get another order of whatever? She’s hungry,” I mind linked Gillian ‘

Way ahead of you. George is already back with more food.’

I laughed at him ‘This is why you’re my Beta.’

‘And don’t you forget it.’

He walked in with Maya, the warriors and another bag of food.

“Celeste, this is my Beta Gillian, this is George, Brent and Zack. They are some of my most trusted warriors.” I introduced her.

“Luna,” they bowed their heads in respect.

I grabbed a paper plate and handed it to her. I saw her jump slightly as my fingers brushed her.

She feels the bond – Atlas said smugly – She will feel love for us soon.

I hope so buddy, cus we’ve already fallen pretty hard and we don’t even know her real name. If she doesn’t love us…..

That woman was not father’s real mate. She did not feel the bond. Our mate is different. Like father’s true mates. She will love us. – He said with determination.

Let’s hope.

I saw her take a bite of food and she looked a little confused. “Is something wrong Celeste?” I asked.

“I’ve never had fast food before. I didn’t think it would taste this good for something this squished,” she mumbled happily, taking another bite.

“You’ve never had fast food?” I asked incredulously. She shook her head.

“Alpha Geoff said he wasn’t wasting money on Omegas,” Maya said between bites. “We are only allowed to eat leftovers and there’s never any left overs when they buy takeout.” I couldn’t help the growl that escaped my lips. I knew these girls were being underfed but this was practically starvation.

‘How many Omegas work in the pack house?’ I mind linked Gillian

‘Too many for us to take from the Alpha. I know what you’re thinking, Markus, but going up against the Alpha for mistreating the girls is risky. We don’t have any proof and those girls are scared to death. As much as I hate this too, we will need to think this carefully, back in our territory’ he sighed.

‘You’re right, but I don’t have to be happy about it. Let’s get some groceries and slip them to the rest of the girls without the Alpha replaceing out. Some cash too maybe. It’s the least we can do since we can’t get them out of this s**t hole. Let’s make it a priority to talk to a few Alphas when we get back. See if anyone will back us up and take this to the council to launch a full investigation.’

‘Sounds like a plan. Now, you might want to reassure these girls, because they look like they think you might want to eat them. You’ve been growling non stop since our mind link started,’ he laughed in my head.

I looked at Maya and Celeste. They were both looking at me with wide eyes. I tried to smile and Gillian started laughing. “It’s alright ladies, he barks but doesn’t bite,” he said, bailing me out. I heard the most delightful sound as Celeste started to giggle. I could feel Atlas running in circles and wagging his tail. He was so whipped already. We – Atlas corrected. I laughed along with everyone else.

At that moment, Dr Castle came into the room.

“Alpha Markus, Alpha Geoff has requested you and the Beta to his office. He would like to speak to you both.”

I nodded at him and turned to the girls, “Why don’t you both go gather your things. I’ll meet you back here after.”

“Maya is coming?” Celeste asked, her bright eyes going wide and hopeful.

“Yes, since Sandra attacked you both, I was able to get guardianship transferred to my pack. She is coming with us,” I said. She gave another dazzling smile.

“Zack, why don’t you go with them to carry their stuff back to the front. George, go grab the car so you can load their suitcases. Brent, you come with us. If this meeting goes south, we’ll have to leave today.”

“Yes Alpha,” they all responded and I headed out to meet with the Alpha. I had a feeling this was not going to be pleasant, so we needed to be ready to go if we needed to.