Aaron stayed away for a week. It was torture but for the best. Father still isn't very happy with him.
"So what's on the agenda for today?" I ask father as I enter the office.
"I think it's about time we set a date for you to take my place." He said it so casually. ME.... ALPHA! Am I ready? Wow! "I've taught you all you need to know... and it needs to be done before you and Aaron get too close."
"DAD!" I yell at him blushing. "What about the rouges?" I ask. I know he wanted that dealt with before I take over.
"They haven't caused any trouble recently... they may have given up." Father seems less than convinced but presses on. "Anyway I'll still be here to help you... I just won't be Alpha.... how's 2 weeks sound? Make it a birthday present. You know happy birthday you're 24 here become an Alpha!!"
I laugh it's funny... a lot has happened in a year. I've been trained to be an Alpha. I found my mate. And now I'll become an Alpha.
"And be mated soon after!" My wolf adds. I turn pink.
"Maybe... who knows!... just shut up!" I tell her.
"You seem distracted little wolf." Father says.
"Yea I guess..." I say not willing to admit what my wolf was distracting me with.
"Take the day. Call the boy. Invite him over." Father says. I'm not about to argue. I jump up and head for the door. "Lilly." Fathers voice stops me. "Take him to the lake... it was your mother and I's spot...romantic." I nod and run out.
"Hello?" Even hearing his voice is amazing. I take a breath. "Lilly?"
"Yea... wait... how did you know it was me?" I hadn't even said anything yet! He laughs.
"A magical thing called caller ID." He says.
"Screw you!" I yell he keeps laughing.
"You promise?" I feel my face flush. How is it that men make everything dirty?
"Well I was going to invite you over but now I'm not so sure!" I tease him. He let's out a little whine.
"Come on it's just a joke... mostly." I roll my eyes.
"Bring swim trunks." I say.
"Be right there." Click! He hangs up.
"Well good buy to you too!" I say and head to my room to get ready.
"So Alpha's coming." I hear EV from behind me. "Cool guess I'll get the day off!"
"Yup!" I say happily as I run upstairs.
"What are you guys doing?" She asks flopping on my bed.
"My plan is to go for a run to the lake... there is a spot where the water cascades off a cliff into a small pond... its beautiful you'll overlook it if you don't know it's there... a picnic and a swim." I say... "don't tell him... making it a surprise and all."
"My lips are sealed." She says. I begin packing my swimsuit in a pack. "Cute suit."
"Thanks... now for lunch!" We run down to the kitchen and I pack a couple sodas and make sandwiches. Add some fresh fruit and we have lunch.
"Lilly?" I hear his voice ring as he enters the room panting.
"Did you run here?" I ask him.
"Well yea! I missed you." He responds.
"Trunks?" I ask and he holds them up.
"In the bag" he tosses them to me and I pack them in.
"I hope you aren't too worn out. My plan involves us running." I tell him.
"For you? I'm never too worn out!" He huffs still a little out of breath.
"On that note I'm gone... assuming you don't need me Alpha." EV grins at Aaron.
"Nope all good!" He says breathing back to normal.
"Lead the way Lil!" He gestures to the door and I head outside.
I loosen the straps on my pack to accommodate the shift... once I'm Alpha I don't think this will even be enough to fit my wolf... I wonder how I'll carry anything then? Teeth I guess. We each shift then I find Aaron and lead him through the woods. When we reach the spot I have him stop. I hide behind a tree and shift putting on my suit and taking his out. I toss Aaron his trunks and he catches them in his mouth. Moments later he is shifted and standing in front of me.
"Wow." His jaw drops when he looks at me. I start to blush.
"Is that going to be your customary greeting Wow?" I taunt.
"If you keep looking hot yea!" He answers not helping my blush.
"I have some news!" I say tossing him a towel and laying mine out. I sit down and divvy out the food. He tosses his towel down and sits next to me.
"What's up?" He asks.
"In two weeks I will officially become Alpha!" I tell him.
"That's great!" He yells hugging me.
"I'm kinda nervous." I admit sipping my soda.
"Don't be you'll do great!" He says munching on his sandwich.
We eat and chat for a bit then I look at the water.
"Beautiful." I breathe listening to the falls hitting the still pool.
"Yes you are." Aaron smiles at me "let's go!" He grabs my hand and pulls me into the water. Soon I am off my feet and in his arms.
"Don't you dare!" I yell at him.
Next thing I know I am under water in the deep part near the falls. Jerk! As I resurface I get an idea.
"Help!" I yell allowing myself to go under again "can't!" One more dunk "swim!"
Aaron panics. He swims over to me and holds me up.
"Why would you take me swimming if you can't..." my smile makes him trail off... "you little!" I push him under and swim toward the the falling water. "Not cool!" I can feel him chasing me.
He catches me under the falls. We slide behind them as he pushes me against the rock.
"That wasn't very nice." He says in my ear. Our proximity makes my wolf howl in my mind.
"I'm sorry." I say wrapping my arms around his neck.
His eyes widen in shock. We have never been this close and that reality is just dawning on him. This is technically only our second date even tho we've been spending time together for a couple months. I lean in close to him and he closes his eyes. So I do what any girl in my position would. I push him under the water and swim away as fast as I can!
"Lilly!" He yells and I hear splashing after me.
I just step foot on the beach when I feel him grab me. He pulls me into him. I look up into his eyes.
"You can't do that to me!" He yells.
"Do what?" I ask innocently. He holds me tighter and leans closer. I feel my breath catch. He is so close we are sharing breaths.
"You pull me in...make me want you... torture me... and pull away... not nice Lilly." By the end he is whispering.
"What are you gonna do about it?" I ask knowing the answer. In a split second he kisses me but it is short lived.
"No!" Aaron says backing away from me.
"What's wrong?" I ask.
"Brayden!" He says breathlessly. "He's been taken!"
We run back to the pack house as quickly as possible. In the office I see father and Aaron's Beta Clay.
"What happened Clay!?" Aaron asks as soon as we enter.
"He ran off heading for this pack... I guess he wanted to see Lilly... we got this letter." Clay says handing the letter to Aaron. He reads it then his hand drops and I take it.
"Dear Lilly,
I see why you and Aaron like this boy he's funny. Good looking kid too. I'd hate for that to change. I don't want him so here's the deal. Meet me alone we'll make a trade you for him. Simple swap. If you agree break from your guards and leave your territory. We are watching we'll find you.
With Love,
Alpha Damon
or as you call me the rouge Alpha
P.S. no tricks I won't hesitate to rip his throat out... I'm done waiting Lilly and you have many people you care about."
"Damon!? I've never heard of an Alpha Damon!" Aaron says.
"We need to look up the name... maybe he is an Alpha's son that got passed over... it's a long shot..." father begins.
"I don't care who he is Mason! He has Brayden! I want him dead!" Aaron yells.
"We don't know where he is so finding out who he is is a start." Father responds.
"And My boy dies while you look through files NO! I'm going after him!" Aaron continues yelling.
"I know how to weed him out." I say and they look at me. "It says right in the letter what he wants."
"NO!" Both men scream.
"You can't be serious!" Aaron says turning to me. "I won't loose you too."
"You're right you're going to catch him. We make it look like I'm abiding by his rules until Brayden is safe and then you attack." I say.
"Too dangerous!" Aaron says.
"Only option" I respond.
"She's right." To my surprise it is my father agreeing with me. "If we want to save the boy it's the only way."
"No! We can't!" Aaron says
"With or without you Aaron!" I say. Slowly scanning my determined face he relents.
"Fine." He agrees.
○●○●○●○
The plan is set. I leave first thing in the morning. they will stay hidden until Brayden is safe and I give the signal to attack. It is a solid enough plan. After much debate we leave the office. Aaron and clay will stay with us tonight so we can start early tomorrow.
"Lilly!" Aaron calls to me as we leave. "Can I have a minute?" I nod to him and he leads me out the front door and around the side of the house. This area is vacant leaving us completely alone. "I hate this I don't want to lose you... I can't be close to you for too long or I'll never let you leave, but before we do this tomorrow I just need to do one thing."
"What?" I ask and he pins me against the wall with a kiss. It was quick but strong and filled with desire.
"We were interrupted before." He says stepping away... "Goodnight Lilly." He runs off leaving me breathless.
I make my way to my room in a daze... my first kiss... and second... wow. I slide in the door with a smile. It quickly fades when a smell hits my nose. Blood!
On my bed is a small box. In it a little toe. A note is stuck in the lid.
"Really Lilly,
I'm not an idiot! I won't fall for your little trap! This title piggy won't be going all the way home. Don't make me hurt the boy further. Come tonight. I won't even make you go far. One mile west of the boundary... you don't even have to leave your territory! See how accommodating I can be? The boy probably won't want too walk far. Come alone I mean it when I say no tricks.
With Love,
Alpha Damon"
No! I can't let him hurt Brayden. The plan is scrapped!
"Mate won't agree to it." My wolf says.
"So we won't tell him!" I get up and head for the door leaving the box and note. When they see I'm gone this will tell them why.
I sneak out mostly unnoticed until I reach the forest.
"What are you doing?" Its Alt standing by a tree... of course he is on patrol.
"I need to run... nervous energy and all." I lie.
"Alpha says no one out." He replies
"Come on Alt a lot has happened today... I really need to run off some of this energy." I beg him.
Dalton steps closer to me and inhales deeply. He smiles at me and steps aside.
"I'm sure you do." I start to walk away but stop as he continues "I can smell him on you... run it off girl!" He laughs.
That is so not what I meant! MEN! I swear everything is dirty to them! I don't argue tho... at least he's letting me go. I stay in human form and run to the meeting.
One mile. That's what he said but I don't see anyone! I look around. Where is he?
"Over here baby." A voice calls from my right. A man steps towards me.
"Brayden?" I ask staring him down.
"Bring the boy!" Another man drags him out from behind a tree. "Had to make sure you know how to obey."
"Lilly!" Brayden calls.
"Let him go." I yell. The first man nods and Brayden is thrown forward. He runs to me limping.
"Now you know the deal Lilly you for him." He says
"I know." I say to him then look at Brayden "run as fast as you can back that way!" I point toward the pack house. He starts to protest so I order him "NOW!" He gives me an angry look and takes off running. He's going to be mad about me commanding him for a while.
"Longer if we die!" My wolf chimes in.
"Not helping!" I tune her out.
"How do I know you will let him get back safely?" I ask.
"Why Lilly I'm a man of my word! now lets go! As soon as he is back they will come looking for you." He says. I nod and go with him. It will take about 30min for him to get back with that limp and considering how little he is.
"So where are we going?" I ask.
"Oh dear Lilly do you take me for a fool? I won't be giving you any information." The next thing I know I'm unconscious.