Alpha

"W-what?" Annabelle said, trying to appear strong but obviously failing.

"My mate," the stranger said.

Her mate, Annabelle thought. She had never imagined she would meet her mate like this or even have one at all considering her human status.

"Who are you?" She demanded, proud that she had managed to sound so assertive. But, that didn't last for long. Suddenly, Annabelle was yanked into the shadows and immediately placed on the stranger's hip. Alarms instantly went off in her brain at his weird behavior

"Alpha Ethan Washington. But, little one, you get to call me Ethan." She gasped in pure terror, realizing who he was. Her human heart was beating a mile a minute. Alpha Ethan Washington.  Annabelle whimpered and tried to wriggle out of his hold. He was a monster. His name alone made people cower in fear.

"P-put me down, please. Somebody is probably looking for me," she pleaded as she tried to see through the darkness to get a good look at her supposed mate.

"Why would I do that? You're mine and you're where you belong. Right with me," he said as he pulled her closer and started bouncing her up and down to soothe her. Annabelle was proud she had managed to hold in her tears considering the situation. But, she couldn't hold it in any longer. Loud sobs racked her body as she nestled herself farther into the Alpha's neck.

"Shhh... it is okay angel," Ethan cooed. "I won't hurt you. What's your name, princess?"

"Annabelle," she said, embarrassed by the pet names. Ethan started rubbing circles on her lower back with his thumb.

"I'm scared," Annabelle sobbed. Ethan's crisp button-down was getting wet at this point but he didn't seem to care.

"I have to go find Jack," Annabelle said as she slipped through his hold. Her mate growled and pulled her into his rock hard chest.

"Who's Jack?!" He snarled.

"The-e gamma," Annabelle whimpered. "H-e-e's mated. You don't have to worry." Ethan relaxed his grip on her quivering waist.

"Fine," Ethan said. He picked Annabelle up once again and stepped out of the shadows. Annabelle gasped once her eyes adjusted. Her mate was beautiful. He had a strong jaw and beautiful caramel brown eyes. Breathless, Annabelle caught herself pulling her hand through his shiny locks. She blushed when she realized this and he cooed. She looked into the crowd in embarrassment. The crowd.

The members of her pack-or the remaining citizens who hadn't fled the scene, The Dusk Pack, were standing in part awe, part fear as they stared at Annabelle and Ethan in astonishment. Whispers swam through the citizens and they started to point at Annabelle.

Annabelle nestled herself into Ethan's neck in slight humiliation, which whom she surprisingly felt safe with. Ethan snarled at the crowd.

"Don't look at her!" All of the werewolves practically stampeded out of the marketplace, leaving all their possessions behind. Annabelle flinched at the terror he had managed to bring with one command.

Quickly, a blond-haired man came forward.

"Jack!" Annabelle managed to wriggle out of Ethan's possessive hold and rushed forward. But, only to be immediately yanked back.

"Mine," Ethan growled. Jack looked from Annabelle to Ethan and back to Annabelle before his face paled in realization.

"No! Her father is going to kill me," Jack muttered, his broad shoulders shaking slightly. He knelt on his knee with his neck showing in submission. "Alpha," he said.

"Get up," Ethan said. "And take us to her house."

"Jack?" Annabelle whimpered. But Jack didn't look at her for he knew that would only anger the powerful Alpha more.

"Yes, sir," Jack sighed as he picked up Annabelle's bags. Ethan led Annabelle to a dark car and swung the door open. The first thing he did was put up the divider between the front and back seats. Jack grudgingly got into the passenger seat but not before scanning Annabelle for any injuries Ethan could have given her. Ethan gave out a warning growl.

Next, Ethan sat himself down on the comfy leather seats and plopped Annabelle on his lap.

"Seatbelt," Annabelle said as she tried to shift herself to the other available seat. "I don't want to get hurt."

Ethan pulled the girl even closer. "You'll never get hurt when I'm around. I'll always protect you." Annabelle stuck her bottom lip out and furrowed her eyebrows. She looked more like a bunny than a fierce werewolf. Ethan chuckled at her attempt to be scary.

"Don't stick your lip out like that, baby. Or else I'm going to bite it." Annabelle's eyes grew as wide as saucers as she quickly relaxed her lips. Needless to say, she hadn't had her first kiss yet and was intent on keeping it that way. 

"My dad isn't going to like you," Annabelle warned him. "No one will. They're all very protective of me."

"I don't care. You're my mate and they can't change that. You are mine and only mine." Ethan growled. He hated the thought of someone taking his little one away from him. At least he now knew that her family had been protective. So they were protecting her from the dangers of the outside world. 

Ethan was shocked at how quickly he had attached himself to his mate. It took him two years to have a one-minute conversation with his Beta. But, Annabelle had somehow wormed her way into his heart within a matter of minutes. The bond truly was magical.

The car pulled in front of Annabelle's house. Ethan could tell her parents were the Luna based on the size and structure of the house. 

Annabelle was shaking. She knew her parents would protest the mate bond and possibly get hurt if they angered Ethan. Ethan noticed her distressed state and started peppering the back of her neck with tiny kisses. 

This was Annabelle's first form of remotely sexual contact and she immediately sprung forward, her eyebrows shooting towards her hairline. 

Ethan chuckled at her innocence and rewrapped his arms around her body. They heard the passenger door slam and then a pounding at their door. It was Jack, who had been sweating bullets the whole five-minute ride. He knew Annabelle's father and mother would blame this whole situation on him, as Jack was supposed to be watching his daughter.

Ethan slowly opened the door after swiping Annabelle's leftover tears with his index finger. As soon as Ethan stepped out of the car, the pack's guards immediately went on high alert.

They had heard about the Alpha's arrival through the traumatized shoppers who had spread word about the new mate bond. The only two who were not aware were the Alpha and Luna. Who would probably go into a stress-induced coma if they heard the news from anyone but their daughter.

"Bring us to her parents," Ethan demanded. Jack nodded and shakily led them through the gates.

Hi everyone! I hope you enjoyed chapter two. Remember to vote!

- Hannah