The Alpha and The Vigilante novel Chapter 42

Alpha Cain withdrew himself from my hair, and looked me in the eyes. He seemed less frenzied, and like he reigned in his wolf somewhat, but not completely.

I unlocked my eyes from his gaze, feeling shame at being caught again, and oddly enough, I felt guilty for making him so frantic. The mate bond reverberated with happiness at us being so close in proximity, and I briefly wondered why I left.

He grabbed my jaw, forcing me to make eye contact with him. "Don't leave me again." Oh yeah, that's why I left. Dumb, domineering Alpha. I nodded, partially to pacify him and partially because I didn't think the mate bond would allow me to. I was enslaved by the bond now. Leaving and then coming back made it stronger than anything in the world. I wasn't even sure if I could block out my emotions from him anymore.

He picked me up and cradled me in his arms, more tightly than Thane had the day before. Alpha Cain sat in one of the dining room chairs, and when I struggled to get out of his grasp, and held on tighter to me.

Little mate, he spoke through our mindlink, not wanting Thane to hear, If you don't stay in my lap, my wolf will come out and kill every wolf within a 3 mile radius.

I looked into his onyx eyes and knew he spoke the truth.

So, I stopped struggling and sighed heavily. I looked over at Thane, who was watching the exchange in amusement, as if it were his favorite reality show.

I glared at him for ratting me out to Alpha Cain.

"Don't give me that look, Sarah," He said my pseudonym mockingly. "He's family. I could smell his scent on you the moment I saw you in the woods."

"Thank you, Thane." Alpha Cain nodded at him. "I apologize for how I entered. My wolf was crazed."

Thane waved his hand dismissively. "No harm, no foul. Except for the door of course." He looked over at what remained of the door. "I can see why you're so desperate to get your mate back. She sure is... something."

Cain looked down at me in adoration. His eyes softened as he looked at me, and it tugged on my heartstrings. "She's everything to me now."

"Enough of this mushy love stuff. It's almost making me wish I had a mate of my own," Thane grumbled and reached for the bread rolls.

Thane appeared shocked. "The Red Crescent Gamma was the first female Gamma. She took power at age 13." Alpha Cain looked surprised by the age, but quickly shook it off.

"What can I say, my mate is quite impressive. Rather violent, as I'm sure you've witnessed firsthand." Alpha Cain knowingly smiled at me, tweaking my nose.

Thane laughed. "She tried taking off my head with a flail, and then kicked in my leg and broke my jaw. I've never seen a Gamma that powerful. Why is she?"

Alpha Cain cleared his throat. "I'm unsure. I had her lineage looked into, but from the names of her parents that Alpha Wilson provided, her family has a long history of being Gammas. There's no real reason why she should be so strong."

I was surprised to hear Cain's admission. I didn't realize he was looking into my history.

"Interesting indeed. Perhaps when you claimed her, you shared some of your power with her." Thane suggested, immersed in the conversation as if this affected him directly.