The Mark of an Alpha
Chapter 3

Time means nothing when you have everything you ever wanted right in front of you.

Marcus has his arms wrap around me as we sway with the music. We don’t speak instead he stares into my eyes as I try to remember how to breathe.

“You know I was about to give up on replaceing you,” the smile he forces does not reach his eyes.

“Oh,” is all I say. I know what he is saying. Many wolves replace their mates right after their first shift. We were not that lucky.

“I searched and searched I even left my family to see if I could replace you. Who knew you were here the entire time?” Few wolves travel the world and replace their mates in the most darn places.

“I knew. I was here,” I counter and this time the gleam in his eyes sparks something deep inside of me.

“We were so close, yet so far,” he pulls me into his chest as he buries his nose in my hair inhaling deeply. I inhale his scent as well. It smells like the forest, he has been out running.

“Marcus,” I look up at him. His full pink lips capture my attention. My wolf stirs deep down and I know exactly what she wants. She wants to get closer to her mate — our mate.

“I’ve never loved how someone said my name as much as I love how you say it,” the world suddenly vanishes from around us and now that he is with me I know that no one will make me feel this way other than him. The moon goddess made him just for me and no one else.

“Melany,” there is a tap on my shoulder pulling us out of our bubble and Andrew is next to us, “its past midnight and your father wants to know if we’ve done our rounds.”

“Rounds?" Those plans are vague in my mind. "My father!” Everything from earlier comes crashing down on me. My father does not know that I found my mate. Looking into his hazel eyes I do not want to leave and I know he can feel it as well.

I spent years looking for him. Finally, I have him in my arms and I have to let him go for at least a few hours.

“Go on,” Marcus pulls me into a hug, “I’ll see you soon,” he whispers into my hair.

“Promise?” The word sounds so childish but I want to know that we will be seeing each other again.

“Cross my heart,” he smiles, “now go!” Reluctantly I pull myself away from him and his warmth. Andrew is waiting by the trees and I give Marcus one last glance.

He is addicting, isn’t he?

Before I can make my way to Andrew a warm hand grips mine and spin me back, I know exactly who it is — Marcus. Before I can utter a word to him his lips lower down to mine as he gently presses them against mine. His tongue skims over my lips as he pulls away. The light of the fire dances across his face as I look over him, “I needed that before you left.”

Opening my mouth to say that I did as well all I could muster is a shaky breath. Marcus leans down and his soft lips press against my forehead. My knees grow weak rooting me to the spot.

“Now don’t make your father mad,” he chuckles and walks away from me into the crowd of people. Leaving me standing there alone.

Andrew and I do our usual rounds. My wolf is excited to be able to run through the dark forest. Andrew’s dark chocolate wolf runs next to mine.

Look at you.

What?

The trees rush past us as our paws hit the hard ground.

You found your mate.

And?

How are you going to tell your father? You know he will be mad if you don’t tell him soon.

Mentally sighing I contemplate how I am going to tell him. Don’t get me wrong he knows that this day was coming but we have not talked about mates.

This is more on me because I hate the look of sadness in his eyes when he remembers my mother. We run side by side for a long time Andrew does not try to make conversation with me but he leaves his mind open if I want to talk.

Andrew and I separate for a moment when we are close to the packhouse. The cold air wraps around me as I change into some pants and a shirt.

Ready?

Yes.

Andrew walks up to the packhouse with me right behind him. “It’s close to three in the morning,” he states as if time mattered to me at the moment.

“Okay,” I sigh, “I’ve been away from him for two hours and I’m sane.” Andrew nods and then playfully shoves me.

“I know this mate thing is not a game but if it were I would say you’re a pro at it,” he smiles at me. His words bring a smile to my face. “I hope that he knows what he has,” before I can utter a word Andrew walks into the packhouse leaving me outside.

The sunlight that escapes through my curtains warm me up to the core. Taking in a deep breath of mountain air the fast footsteps in the hallway jerk my eyes open.

“Melany,” Andrew yells, “wake up.”

The back of my hand wipes the sleepiness out of my eyes, “I am awake,” I yell. Getting to my feet my shorts and tank top makes me feel exposed.

My bedroom door swings open, “Hurry up you have to see this.” Andrew grabs my wrist and pulls me out of my room as if the devil himself was chasing us. He leads me through the front door.

“What’s wrong with you, Andrew?” Before Andrew could answer a growl roars loud in my ears.

“I don’t think that it is acceptable for a male to growl at my pack members when you want to join my pack,” my father says and I see him standing before the house.

Lifting the top of my tank top I try to appear semi-respectable.

Damn you, Andrew, a little warning would have been nice. I glare at my best friend. He gives me a shrug.

There are three other males with him and my wolf is excited for one of them.

The taller male puts his hand on Marcus holding him in place, “Our apologies,” the male says, “we are here to vouch for our friend here. Our alpha has allowed him to leave the pack and join yours with no grudge between the two packs.”

My father looks over at us and arches an eyebrow, what are you two doing here?

Andrew and I usually avoid official pack business unless we are needed, we are not currently needed.

I can’t speak, not when my mate is a few feet away from my father.

We’re here because he’s a friend of mine and Melany’s and I wanted her to know that he wants to join our pack.

Is that true?

Still, I can’t say anything but look into those hazel eyes that seem to hold my future in them.

It seems as if Melany is still asleep. Andrew is kind enough to answer my father and it appears as if he accepts that answer since he turns his back to us.

"We also would like some insight into your job. You know you're always working and..." My father stops Andrew and Andrew gives me a scared look. There is nothing more annoying to my father than someone blabbing when he is supposed to be working.

“Why do you want to join my pack?” My father’s voice grows louder.

“Because I need a fresh start,” Marcus words hit me like a freight train. A fresh start. With me?

Of course with you why else would he be here! My wolf snaps at me.

“Hm,” my father ponders on Marcus’ answer, “but I see that you and my friend,” my father’s eyes dart to Andrew, “don’t get along.”

“Alpha Blake,” Andrew steps up, “Marcus and I got into a small quarrel at the party but it is all resolved.”

With a deep sigh, my father looks at Marcus, “I don’t know, son. You have this man saying that if you join our pack I won’t have a battle between packs but how do I know that I can even trust you?”

I want to interject but I know that that would lead to a lot of questions from my father. I am also interested in what he has to say.

“I can prove myself to you,” Marcus counters. He has not told my father that I am his mate.

“Do you know how many other wolves want to join my pack? Too many to count! If I let every single one of them join my pack I would be dethroned faster than lightning can strike.”

Oh no, this is not going well. Panic surges through me as I stare at Marcus with pleading eyes. Don't give up.

“I don’t want to take your title,” Marcus starts but I look at my father and see my worse fear. I can see that my father is done with this discussion, I have seen that look so many times before. His eyes narrow and frown deepens.

“Sorry but it’s a no. I have a great pack as it is. Maybe later on,” Andrew grips my forearm when I realize that I am ahead of him, my feet on the steps walking towards my father.

“Alpha Blake,” Marcus yells at my father stopping him from turning away from him and seeing me. Andrew tries to pull me back but it is as if I am drowning and Marcus is my breath of life. “Thank you for listening.” Andrew groans as I fight his pull and push myself closer to my mate.

“I’m sorry, you might be a great person but I have to put my pack’s safety before anything else.”

"I understand." His voice sounds far away.

“Father,” I yelp as Andrew grips my waist his fingers digging into my hip, most likely bruising me.

One second I am fighting Andrew trying to get to my father and then suddenly there is a jolt.

Marcus’ arms wrap around me as a snarl rips through his lips and his arms cage me in, “Get your hands off of her,” Marcus hisses at Andrew, who is smart enough to back away from him.

“Get your hands off of my daughter,” my father orders as his hand scrunches up Marcus' shirt and shoves him off of me. His voice deepens as his already dark eyes darken even more.

His wolf wants to surface and Marcus is not safe.

“Sir,” Marcus looks at him deep in the eyes.

“Let him go," I yell as I shove Marcus away from my father. "He’s my mate,” I cling onto him for dear life as we stumble away from the person I love more than life, my father.

The flash of emotions that runs through my father’s eyes is none of the ones I hoped for. Anger, hurt, and then sadness. Marcus’ hold tightens around me.

“Melany,” he says my name as if it were foreign to him. He says my name as if I just broke his heart.

“I found him,” the words gush out of me as if the wind is knocked out of me.

Everyone around us is silent. Andrew's eyes go to me and then my father and then back to me. His confusion is a shared emotion amongst all of us.

“I need to talk to my daughter,” his words are cold.

“Pardon alpha, but I don’t feel right leaving my mate with someone that is clearly on the verge of losing it.” Andrew's mouth drops at Marcus' words.

Oh stupid, stupid, stupid mate. Andrew shakes his head.

“You think I would hurt my daughter,” my father questions and Marcus pulls me back putting himself between my father and me. His fingers wring mine tightly as if assuring me that I would be fine.

“I don’t know you well enough,” he says and there is a twitch of a smile on my father’s lips. My father is not someone to mess with.

"He wouldn't hurt me," I whisper to Marcus but he ignores me.

“Using my words against me,” his baritone voice makes me glance between him and Marcus. Marcus nods. “She’s my blood,” gulping down as his harden eyes pierce me. “I would never hurt her,” he states, “you on the other hand.”

“Marcus,” his head twitches at the sound of my voice. For a brief moment, we stay quiet. The silence is a clear sign to him. “Go. Let me talk to my father alone.”

“I’ll be close by,” it is obviously and painfully clear that neither of the men in my life trusts each other. Andrew walks towards us, his hands up in a surrender gesture.

“Don’t worry Melany. I’ll walk Marcus’ friends to the territory line and bring him back so that you two can talk.” I give him a thankful smile.

At least I have him. Andrew, my brother, to keep me calm while the storm rages in front of me.

“Thank you, Andrew,” Marcus’ loosens his grip on me. My father walks into the packhouse giving us a moment alone as Andrew leads Marcus’ friends into the trees.

“I’m sorry,” he tilts his head down an inch so that my nose almost touches his.

“Why?”

“I knew that you hadn’t told your father about me. It pained me that I could not just hold you whenever I wanted. So I thought that me becoming part of your pack that I would prove myself to him before you told him. It seems that I only messed things up for you.”

We both knew that we had to pick a side when we found our mates. God, if only I was lucky enough to have him be part of my pack from the beginning.

“You wanted to prove yourself to my father?” Furrowing my eyebrows as he bopped my nose with his.

“That and be closer to you. Last night was horrible for me. I wanted to run out here and replace you. Fight everyone and anyone that stood between you and me. I wanted to shout it to the world that I finally found my mate.”

I wanted to be with him as well but life is not that easy.

I can sense my father’s uneasiness as I bid farewell to Marcus and turn to face the music.

The house is empty for it being this early in the morning. The important people in the pack live in the packhouse. The alpha and his family, the beta and omega, the pack’s healer or doctor, the cook, and the trainers. Just my luck none of them are around making this feel even eerier than it already does.

As I make my way to my father’s office I play out all the scenarios in my head.

He could kick Marcus to the curb...but he knows that I would probably end up going with him.

He could kick me out of the pack but that would be stupid, he would have done that out on the yard.

He could accept the fact that I have a mate and not be a Solus as everyone has thought. Solus is an unmated wolf, they can be with whoever they like as long as they don't have a mate.

Reaching his door I take a deep breath and push the door open. My father is standing in the middle of his office and my stomach drops.

“It’s not what it looks like,” he says before I can wrap my head around what I am seeing. My father is holding a bottle in one hand and a glass in the other. “One of the other alphas loves his scotch and he seems to have forgotten how to clean up after himself.”

My father has never drunk a drop of liquor in my presences and I know that he used to have a drinking problem when my mother died. I do not want him to fall into old habits.

“Dad,” I start but he stops me with his serious face.

“Don’t,” he places the bottle behind him on his desk and then focuses on me.

He never wants to talk to me about his flaws, never wants to open up about what eats at him. He never wants to talk to me about what keeps him up at night.

“Take a seat Red,” he gestures for the chair in front of his desk. I sit as he takes a seat on his desk pushing back some of his paperwork.

“I’m sorry, father,” I blurt out.

“Sorry?” He laughs humorlessly. “Sorry? Why? Because you found your mate. I am sure that your wolf is ecstatic.”

He knows that my wolf has wanted to be with her mate for years.

“She is.” I sigh and play with my fingers on my lap.

“I have my reasons for you not to replace your mate. But then this is not my life on the line. You are your own person and he is the person that the moon goddess thought was meant for you. I am hurt because he had to come here and pretty much tell me that he is your mate when you never said a word to me. Why?”

His facial features are hard but I can see the hurt he is trying to mask.

Why?

Why in the world would I not want to tell you that I found my mate?

His chair creaks as he leans back.

Perhaps because you’re a powerful alpha. Perhaps because you lost your mate and I didn’t want to rub your face in my own happiness.

I know how much you miss mom.

“Because I see how much it hurts you when someone talks about their mate. You get sad,” my fingers wander to my neck the bumps try to surface an emotion that I pushed down for years.

“Red,” he closes his eyes and takes a deep breath from his nose, “you need to stop worrying about me and live your life. If you want your mate in our pack he is more than welcome to be here.”

My fingers roam over the same bumps that have marked my skin for years. I try to force down the memory but they seem to have grown in strength recently. The embedded marks make me hiss as the memory of the rogue flashes across my eyes.

Dropping my hand the memory fades as his words sink in.

“He can?” I was not excepting this. I thought I was going to have to fight tooth and nail to make him understand.

“Yes, but just know that I will not go easy on him just because he is my daughter’s mate.” What kind of alpha would you be if you did that?

“I wouldn’t ask for anything less,” I am on my feet and I wrap my arms around him.

“What did you think I was going to do?” He pats my back as I slowly pull away.

“Kick us out,” the heat rushes to my cheeks.

“Oh Red,” he says and rolls his eyes. “You think I would do that to you.” I shake my head.

“I was just nervous.”

“Go tell your mate that breakfast will be served in fifteen minutes and I expect him there with his pack members,” I nod my head.

“I love you, daddy.”

“I love you more, never doubt that.” He kisses my temple before I run out of his office.

Andrew, I can sense Andrew he must not too far away, bring them back! The stairs are nothing as I run down and head to the door pushing it out of my way.

They’re staying?

Marcus is part of our pack, but his pack members can stay for breakfast.

Thank god, I am tired of showing them all the kinds of trees we have.

Goofball!

Marcus is running back to you.

When Andrew told me that I can hear the rustling of trees just north of the packhouse when Marcus bursts through the greenery, along with my heart.

“You’re part of our pack,” I yell at him as he runs to me and I run towards him. Before I reach him I leap into the air and his strong arms catch me before I hit the floor.

“I’m so happy that I finally have you in my life.” My wolf howls in joy as Marcus lifts me, my legs pressing against his chest, “You’re the best thing that has ever happened to me.”

“That’s because you haven’t seen her when she has her mood swings,” Andrew says as he walks out of the trees with the other two males by his side.

There is nothing that can ruin this moment, not even Andrew’s stupid remarks.