The Alpha and The Vigilante novel Chapter 23

I quickly showered, appreciating the feeling of the hot water on my muscles, which were already sore from my morning workout. I blow dried my hair so I wouldn't have to leave the house with a wet head, and got dressed in the outfit I wore the night it all began, way back at the Red Crescent Pack House. I put on the black leggings and black long sleeve shirt, enjoying how comforting the feeling of my old clothes were. They made me feel more like a person and less like a prisoner.

And a prisoner I am.

When I went downstairs, Alpha Cain's enthusiasm was almost tangible. He had a large backpack on, and held a large fur pelt in his arms. "We're going on a picnic. I have a place I want to show you." I nodded, and began heading for the door after putting on my black combat boots.

The Alpha coughed awkwardly, and said, "Ares, do you remember what I told you the night you came here?" I turned back to look at him, confused, until realization sank in. He was referring to the rule that Luna's had to be carried by the Alpha when traveling outside of the Pack House. "I'm sorry, mate, I know you don't like it, but its pack tradition. The pack wouldn't respect me as much if I broke this tradition, and if I'm being honest, my wolf wants it this way too."

I seethed inwardly, positive that my hate-fire was hotter than anything coming from Alpha Cain's cursed hands. Not wanting to let my anger show, I gave him a tight smile and walked closer to him. His smile was huge. "Good pup. I really expected more of a fight from you. Looks like you're really giving into the mate bond. I promise one day you will obey me because you want to, not because the bond forces you." He said, cupping my cheek with one hand and looking into my eyes so intensely I was certain that he would set me aflame.

He took his hand off of my cheek and opened the pelt that he had in his arms up wide. To my surprise, he wrapped the fur blanket around me until I was swimming in it, with all of my appendages underneath. Alpha Cain picked me up with one arm around the crook of my neck and the other underneath my knees. The combination of the way he was holding me and the way he swaddled me in the pelt made me feel like an actual baby. I was disgusted.

His pack had a weird obsession with killing animals for their fur. The Pack House had fur blankets and rugs all over. I will admit that the fur in combination with all of the wooden furniture and décor was very aesthetic and made me feel comfortable for some reason. Plus, its not like I was really judging them for killing animals. I had killed werewolves for far less.

Still holding me in my new fur cocoon, Alpha Cain walked us out of the Pack House. It suddenly hit me that I hadn't left the house in almost a week, since my last failed escape. Now that summer was coming to an end, I could see that Alpha Cain was correct- it was beginning to get chilly already. She-wolves get more easily cold than male wolves, and it was likely that Alpha Cain never gets cold, since he is such a strong Alpha.

His strength was extremely obvious. Even with a thick pelt in between us, I could feel his muscles protruding from his shirtless body. Most of the times I see him, he is only wearing sweatpants. No shirt, no shoes. I subconsciously wondered if there was another reason why he did not ever wear that many clothes, or if he just did it because it was easier to shift that way.