The Alpha and The Vigilante novel Chapter 51

I whistled lowly. Impressive, Alpha. You whip with a heavy hand. I like that about you. And I did. I respect his use of brute force. It's exactly how I handle my problems.

Alpha Cain looked at me as if I grew another head. "You know, most girls would have been impressed with the romantic picnic. Only you would respect me for whipping you into submission."

I shrugged. It takes a lot to get me to submit. Congratulations, Alpha.

He narrowed his eyes at me. "I thought we talked about this already. Please call me Cain, not Alpha."

Considering his request, I hesitated before responding. I accepted you as my Alpha by submitting, not as my mate.

His face slightly fell at my words. "Ares, I will do whatever it takes to get you to accept me as you mate, but I need you to meet me halfway here."

I glared at him. Easy for you to say, Alpha. You get your freedom and your mate. I only get one of those, and its not the one I would have chosen for myself.

Cain searched my eyes, and I kept my poker face, even though I could feel the mate bond punishing me for my words by giving me pain in my chest. "I actually have quite the compromise, little mate. I think you'll find the terms quite agreeable."

I leaned forward, rapt with attention. I didn't think the Blood Alpha had any leeway on the Laws, and I certainly didn't think he would be willing to make any compromises with me on my freedom. He seemed to enjoy having me under his thumb at all times.

"I am willing to let you walk on my pack territory without being carried. This does not apply to when we visit other territories, but while you are on Blood Lake land, as long as you have an escort, you will be allowed to go where you please on our land." His face remained impassive, not giving anything away.

I narrowed my eyes. What's the catch? I asked, not trusting his words at face value.

I nodded, and reached my arms up, waiting for him to pick me up. His countenance contorted in confusion. "You don't want to walk yourself? I was positive you would want to test ride your newfound freedom."

Oh, right. I was so used to him carrying me, I acted out of instinct. I threw my legs over the side of the hospital bed, and jumped to the ground. However, my legs were so weakened from not moving for two weeks, that I would have crumpled completely to the ground if it were not for Alpha Cain grabbing me by my shoulders to steady me.

"Okay, pup, I changed my mind. You'll get your freedom back tomorrow," He chuckled, picking me up into his arms as he stood up from the side of the hospital bed. He grabbed a fur pelt from one of the chairs in the room and I frowned as he placed it over me.

This isn't the same pelt, I remarked.

Alpha Cain's eyes cast to the side, his voice thick with grief. "The other one was soaked in blood. It was unfixable. I made you a new one."