The New Alpha

Chapter 12

I helped Lena fix dinner, we talked right through lunch, the boys watched and listened to our conversation. Maddox never took his eyes off me, it was so distracting I caught a hand towel on fire when taking out the food from the oven. I blushed as red as the fire, but everyone laughed and was only worried if I was hurt.

I feel like I'm in my own little bubble here. No one judges me, no one thinks I am weak, no one looks at me as if I'm nothing. All three of them make me feel like I'm not different, like they actually want me around.

I smile, sitting next to Lena and Maddox, Peter across me, at the table. I wipe my mouth with a napkin "this was good" I look down at my empty plate, stained red from the sauce

"It was, you two did a good job" Peter smiles with his mouth full of his third helping

"Yes you did" Maddox agrees

I begin to thank them but my phone rings "excuse me" I say and stand, I walk into the living room, Maddox's eyes linger on me

"Hello?" I answer looking out the window, into the darkness

"Where are you young lady?! Are you with Logan?! How dare you! I knew you were bad but this-!" I hear my Mothers screeching on the line and pull my phone away at the sound

Chairs slide against tile and a moment later the three of them are behind me. I turn and Maddox looks mad, the other two frown...I'm assuming they heard "Mom I'm sorry, I'm not with Logan...I'm with-" I cut myself off, if I tell her I'm with the alpha she'll either think I'm lying or in trouble

Lena instantly points to herself and I nod "Lena" I rush out

"Lena?" My Mother asks surprised "the Betas mate?" She asks

"Yes ma'am" I say "I'll be home soon"

"I don't believe yo-" before she can finish Lena steels my phone

"Hi Mrs. Mason? Sorry for keeping Eve out so late, we just got to talking, you know how girls do. We've already eaten and lost track of time" Lena says with a smile and I silently thank her and she laughs lightly

"Oh-...uhh" my mom seems speechless "that's alright dear, just make sure she gets home soon" she finally says, her tone completely changed

"Of course, thank you" Lena hangs up and hands me my phone

I don't speak for a minute but then die laughing, Lena joins and Peter chuckles. Maddox just frowns and after we calm down he speaks "Do you want me to walk you home?" He asks and even though it's right next door I nod

I wave to Lena and Peter and they tell me they'll see me soon. Smiling we walk out into the brisk air. The pack is quiet, most lights already out. The sound of crickets and birds echoes across the area, bouncing off the trees. I smile looking up at the clear night sky. Hazy grey clouds float across the star filled darkness like mist.

Maddox stands next to me "beautiful" he says hardly above a whisper

I smile and nod, my eyes still on the night above us. I turn to him, the moon glows behind his tall figure and he looks like a god, but his eyes arnt on the sky-but on me. The dark gold orbs scanning my face.

He turns from me and start to walk, I shrink down and shake my head. I follow him but he doesn't stop at the front door, he moves over to the side of the house...so I follow.

"Thank you for letting me stay over today" I break the silence

He doesn't say anything he just stares at my face, inspecting every aspect. He reaches up his hand like he's done before but this time it seems slower but I don't know if my brain is moving in slow motion, trying to savor every moment.

I look down at his hand as he cups my cheek "did you have a nice time?" He asks in a quiet and deep voice and I nod

"Yes...a lot" I hardly hear myself

"Why do you let them treat you like that?" He asks stroking my cheek with the pad of his thumb

I sigh and shrug my shoulders "I don't know any other way...I've gotten used to it honestly" I tell him

"You will know a other way, things will change" he tells me and I smile

"Maybe..." I look up at him through dark lashes

He sighs, eyes widening, and looks away "I can't do this much longer" his voice is strained and he pulls me against him

I don't know how to answer so I don't. I wait until he looks back at me, his eyes lock onto my lips and don't move. He holds my cheek and leans in, I can't comprehend what's happening because I think I may be dreaming. But when his warm lips lean into mine and they mold against each other I know I'm fully awake. I close my eyes and sink into him. A warmth and tingle spreads around me as I become too aware of his strong hand that has crept up the back of my shirt. His fingertips touching my skin, causing fire to erupt in those few spots.

My hand instinctively moves to the hair I'd been craving to touch. It's soft as my fingertips effortlessly move through the dark strands. He wraps both arms around my waist and pulls me so close to him the breath in my lungs disappears, but I don't care. All I feel is his hard body against mine and the heat exploding through me. I lean up on my tip toes trying to get as close to him as I can.

Light floods the pouch and I almost don't pull away, too wrapped up in him but when I hear the door he pulls away, his mint breath fanning over my face. He drops me and I step up to the door. Breathless and flushed I smile as my mom opens the door, her blonde hair in curlers. Her hazel eyes widen and look over me "what's wrong with you?" She asks

I try to stop smiling but I can't, I hold my ragged breath "nothing, just ran from Lena and Peters, wanted to get home...I'm tired" I tell her

She perfectly sculpted eyebrow raise at me but she nods, pulling her white robe tighter to her body. She takes a step into the house when I don't move and eventually walks in further. I look back into the bushes to see him looking back. I blush deep red and wave, he smirks and raises his hand.

"Bye" I whisper

He smiles and steps out "goodnight Everly" he nods and my feet feel anchored to where I stand

Half of me knowing I have to go inside, the other side of me wishing I could run after him. He watches me as I step into the house and then as I slowly close the door my eyes stay locked on him for as long as possible.

I lean against the door and feel light headed, a smile so big my cheeks ache. My brain spins and I have trouble catching my breath. Did that just happen? Am I going insane? What was that about? I shiver, my brain thinking back to the first couple of times we met and how I'd didn't know if he hated me or not. And now this. I swear my heart is about to pound out of my chest. Dreamily I walk up the stairs and into my room.

I feel like I'm floating as I fall on my bed, my body still tingling from moments ago. I sigh and kick off my shoes and clothes, throwing on a long T-shirt. I cuddle with my pillow, pulling it close to my chest and fall into an effortless sleep, feeling more alive than I ever have.