The Shadow Alpha

"Everybody out.” I called as we stepped into the room, I could feel the anger still coursing through my veins, but I simultaneously felt hopeless.

“Alphas.” Connor greeted as he passed and was followed by the rest of the group that had gathered in Christopher's infirmary room.

I approached his bed and took a seat beside Taylor who looked worried by what was about to come, while Devin paced at the foot of the bed, looking deep in thought.

"How are you feeling?” I started.

"Weak, but okay.” He answered nervously.

“Look Chris, what happened today is unacceptable. I understand that it's something that you have little to no control over, but we need to find a permanent solution for this, before anyone else gets hurt.” I explained gravely.

“I understand, that's why I think it's best if I leave the pack.” Taylor gasped and sprang onto her feet in shock.

"You can't do that!” She cried, tears already gathering in her eyes.

“Taylor, calm down and let's talk about this.” I reasoned and tugged on her hand for her to sit down. "We're not making any hasty decisions. Leaving isn't going to solve anything Christopher. The moment you go rogue your wolf will lose the last bit of humanity it's tied to, you'll become feral before you can stop it. If you don't get killed by another pack you will succumb to your own brutality.” I frowned at Devin still pacing, wondering what he was so caught up in.

"What else am I supposed to do Allison, you said it yourself that the only way to break the bond is to recreate one. I am a danger to the pack and the last thing I want is to hurt someone else.” He looked miserable.

“Dev, Taylor, can I please speak to Christopher alone?” They looked hesitant, but obeyed after a moment of doubt.

“Chris, I need you to listen to what I'm about to suggest.” he nodded seriously.

“Remember how I said the only way to break the bond completely is for you to accept the rejection and immediately form a bond with someone else?” Not giving him a chance to respond, I continued, “You were on a rampage today, you looked completely out of it, but the moment Taylor touched you, I saw your control return. It was as if your wolf recognised her touch and the connection between the two of you.” He started shaking his head.

“No, no! I can't ask her to do that, what if it doesn't work? I could hurt her.” His breathing increased and his fists clenched. I could see his heart beating in his chest.

“Calm down, you said you'd hear me out.” I ordered in my alpha tone, knowing he would instantly abide by my words.

When his breathing returned to normal I continued, “As much as you'd like to deny it, you have formed a bond of sorts, just because you both had mates does not mean that you don’t have the capacity to fall in love again. She was distraught seeing you in that condition and didn't care for her own safety when she approached you, that's a gutsy move and I know it's because her wolf recognised yours and pushed her to help you. So at least consider what I'm saying.”

“I don't want to hurt her...” He trailed off sadly.

"After what i saw today, I don't think you will. What do you remember?” I asked.

“The last thing I remember is feeling something hit my head, next thing I recall was waking up here.” “You don’t remember what you said to her?” I raised an eyebrow at him.

“I didn't realise I'd said anything, what did I say?" He frowned and I smiled.

“You told her how you feel.” I revealed cryptically.

"What do you mean?” His breathing hitched.

“I don't know Christopher, how do you feel about her?” I teased, loving how flustered he became. "Don’t goad my Allison.” He deadpanned.

“Hey they were your words, not mine.” I defended, giggling at his reaction.

"Did she respond?” He tried.

“I'm not a snitch, ask her.” he glared at me, but nodded. “Would you like to speak to her about things before you decide anything?” He sighed.

“I can't ask that of her, Allison. I just can't.”

“Fine, then I'll explain things to her.”

“There's no need, I want to do it.” The door burst open and Devin went flying to the ground.

“An Alpha and an eavesdropper. Shame on you Devin!" I scolded as he picked himself off the ground.

“What! No, I wasn't eavesdropping, she was, I tried stopping her from entering when she opened the door suddenly.” He scowled and she chuckled nervously.

“I'm going to bother asking how much you heard.” I rolled my eyes, knowing I should have made the rooms soundproof.

“Taylor, we don’t know what the repercussions are if we do this.” Taylor shook her head.

“It doesn’t matter, we have to try.” She approached his bed.

“I don’t want to put you in danger.”

“You're not, I'm old enough to make my own decisions and I want to do this. Unless you don't want me?” She stepped back, as if realising something.

“No, No! Tay, I love you and I want nothing more than to be tied to you forever, but at the same time I feel responsible for your safety and well-being, which means the idea of putting you in danger makes me sick to my stomach.” he ranted uneasily.

I looked at Devin with wide eyes and nodded to the door, this was something they needed to speak about privately.

We tiptoed out the door, and made our way to the room Jake was in.

“Jakey, how ya doing?” He was putting his shirt on when we walked in, there was a bandage wrapped around his abdomen and a plaster on his chest.

“I must say, he got me good, but they're all battle scars, I've had it worse. Remember that day I was shot by a silver bullet.” he smirked and I glared.

“I remember the time you thought your conscious was a girl.” I cackled earning a scowl from him. “Will you be okay for tomorrow?” Devin asked.

"What, this? This is all for formality, Dr Winters insisted, my mate will kiss it better tonight and I'll be good as new.” He smiled smugly and I grimaced.

“Let me tell her what you just said and I guarantee you won't be getting any tonight.” I beamed and ran out the door.

Devin shook his head and laughed as he followed me back to the pack house. Jake didn’t seem to care much for what I said, but he knew I wouldn't really tell on him.

“Now can I spend time with my future wife?” Devin asked, pulling me into his arms.

“No can do buddy, tonight we are celebrating Allie Cat's last night as a single woman and there's nothing you can do about it.” Jolene, followed by Lilly and Rosie grabbed my hand and tugged me away from him. “Toodles Alpha.” She called as she tried to drag me away.

“Can you people ever just let us live?” I huffed and pulled my arm from her grasp to kiss my mate. “I'm pretty sure you have only a few minutes before they drag you away, so kiss me goodbye and dream of me tonight.” I grinned and leaned up to place my lips on his.