Poor Luna: My Cruel Alpha

AVA

"Hey, Ava, are you sure you're fine?" she asked, her brows furrowing in apprehension.

I shook my head and replied, "Y-yeah. I'm fine, Kate." Getting on my feet, I stood straight from the bench. "I'm not feeling well, I think." My lips pressed into a thin, white line.

She gave me a slight bob and smiled. "Oh-okay. Let's head back to the pack house. Jay might be looking for you." She grabbed my empty juice drink and discarded our drinks in the trash.

On our way back to the pack house, my mind was consumed with thoughts of Josh's unexpected presence. Despite my inner turmoil, a part of me hoped that his appearance had nothing to do with me. However, the weight of my instincts suggested otherwise.

As we walked back to the pack house, my mind was racing with thoughts of Josh's sudden appearance. Why was he here? Was it just a coincidence, or did he come for me? Although I wanted to believe that his visit was for something other than me, my gut told me otherwise.

As soon as I stepped inside the pack house, my heart started pounding with fear. A group of familiar boys was gathered in the foyer. Their attention was solely focused on Stella, with whom they were shamelessly flirting. I wanted to escape the situation, but I knew I couldn't.

The moment the door closed behind me, the boys' eyes shifted to me, and their expressions turned hostile. I could feel their anger and resentment toward me, making me take a few steps back in fear.

Suddenly, Caleb appeared out of nowhere and hugged me tightly. "We've been searching the town for you, Ava. Since you disappeared, dad has been worrying nonstop."

'What the hell?! Why is he here? Besides, Caleb doesn't act like this to me!' I was in disbelief, wondering if this was some kind of twisted prank.

As I retreated from Caleb, I heard him say through the mind link, "You're fucking dead after this, Ava. Dad will kill you."

His phony smile filled me with dread. My wolf was clawing at my mind, urging me to fight, but I tried to calm her down.

Before I could gather my thoughts, an authoritative voice interrupted the tense atmosphere. It was Jay, and I couldn't help but admire the confidence and power that oozed from his voice.

"What the hell is going on here?" Jay's piercing eyes narrowed at us.

"It's none of your business. I'm here for my sister, and I'll take her home," Caleb sneered, grimacing at Jay.

I could see the shock on some of the onlookers' faces. It was strange how Caleb spoke to the pack members as if he owned the place, despite not being a part of this pack. It then hit me that I had not seen the Alpha since I arrived. I didn't even know what he looked like.

Now that I think about it, it was definitely weird.

The Alpha should have shown up by now, but I haven't spotted him anywhere. Heck, I had no idea what he looked like. In a short amount of time, Jay had closed the gap and had Caleb by the scruff of the neck.

Jay's grip on Caleb's neck tightened as he spat out his words. "Have you got any idea who you're talking to, mutt?"

Caleb attempted to pull his hands off, but his grip only tightened. I saw the redness spread across Caleb's face and knew I had to intervene before he killed him. Even if he was a complete jerk and had hurt me more times than I can recall, I couldn't watch while he was murdered.

I quickly stepped in, not wanting anyone to get hurt. Although Caleb had hurt me before, I couldn't just stand by and watch him be killed. I pushed them apart, and to my surprise, a golden glow emanated from my hands, sending them both flying in opposite directions. I closed my eyes, trying to calm myself down before doing something I would regret later.

As I opened my eyes, I saw everyone looking at me. I immediately hurried over to Jay's side and kneeled down to see if he was okay because of our mate bond. His hand rubbed the back of his head, and when he brought it back around, it was covered in blood.

"Oh, Goddess! Are you okay?" I asked, scanning his body for any other injuries.

He sat against the wall, rubbing the back of his head, and when he brought his hand back around, there was blood.

"My goodness, I'm so sorry, Jay! Let me fix this. I'll hear-" I started, but Caleb cut me off.

"What, you were more concerned about that total stranger than making sure I was all right? I'm your brother, Ava! For fuck's sake, he nearly killed me!" Caleb yelled at me from behind.

Jay stood up with a growl, poised to attack. Caleb and his friends flanked him, ready to defend themselves. The tension was palpable, and I could feel my heart racing as I watched them.

"No, Jay! Stop!" I shouted, stepping between them.

"Shut up!" Jay snarled, his eyes shifting from blue to gold as he struggled with his wolf. "Nobody tells me what I should do!"

"Hey, weirdo, you better listen to Ava! " Caleb warned him. "It's only going to make things worse for you."

'Why couldn't he just shut up?' I sighed inwardly. Caleb always had to put in his two cents, even in the middle of a potentially deadly fight.

Suddenly, a loud growl shook the entire pack house. My eyes widened in fear and shock as I watched Jay transform into a massive brown wolf. He snarled at Caleb, ready to pounce, and I knew I had to act fast.

"Please," I begged, stepping before him with my arms outstretched. I hoped his wolf would listen to reason and not harm anyone.

Jay growled again, but I stood on my ground. He gave Caleb a final menacing look before leaving the room in his wolf form.

A few seconds later, he returned, now wearing dangerously low shorts. I couldn't help but notice his toned abs and defined v-line, but I quickly pushed those thoughts aside. There were more pressing matters at hand.

"What are you doing here, Caleb?" I asked, turning to face him.

"Dad sent me to find you," he replied simply. "I'm bringing you home, Ava."

My lips pursed. I swallowed the lump as I asked again, "How did you know I was here?"

"Of course, I asked the people around her. I'm not dumb like you, you know?" he said, rolling his eyes.

"Why does he want me to return? He hates me," I stated, my voice laced with confusion.

"Don't be ridiculous, Ava. Dad is worried about your safety," Caleb said, giving me a knowing look.

I knew what that expression meant. Caleb was attempting to intimidate me, but it was futile. I had decided that I wouldn't return to that hellhole. Josh would go ahead with his grim plans for me, and Alpha Benjamin wouldn't give a damn.

"I'm not going back there, Caleb," I said firmly.

"That's not really up to you," Caleb said, grabbing my hand firmly and pulling me closer to him. My body tensed up, and I tried to pull away, but his grip tightened. I looked up at him, and for a moment, I could see a hint of frustration in his eyes.

"Let...her fucking go!" Jay growled fiercely behind me, his voice deep and menacing. I could feel his breath on my neck, sending shivers down my spine.

"Stay out of this, wimp," Caleb responded, his eyes darting nervously between Jay and me. "This is between my sister and me!"

"Who the fuck do you think you are? Entering my pack and instructing me on what to do?" Jay said, his voice rising with each step he took toward Caleb. He was towering over him now, and I could see the muscles in his arms bulging as he clenched his fists.

Caleb shook his head and backed away from me as soon as he saw Jay, his eyes wide with terror.

'What the hell?' I shouted in my head. My mind was still trying to wrap around the revelation I'd discovered.

'Wait. Does this mean Jay is the Alpha of the North Pack?' My mouth gaped open as soon as I realized that. Holy shit! That's why, when I asked Kate about their Alpha, she was adamant about talking about him. More so, Stella was agitated when she knew Jay was my mate.

My mate's the famous Alpha of the North Pack.

"So you're Benjamin's son?" Jay asked, his voice still tinged with anger.

"Yes. He sent me here to get my sister," Caleb answered cautiously.

"Ava's your sister?" Jay asked, raising a skeptical eyebrow. "You don't look like siblings." He crossed his arms and scrutinized the both of us.

""Whatever we have going on between us is none of your concern...Alpha," Caleb replied, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Are you sure you're only here for Ava?" Jay asked again, his eyes piercing through Caleb's.

"Yes, I am. I wouldn't be here if my dad didn't instruct me to return her to our pack," Caleb replied, this time with more confidence.

"Well, if that's the case, she isn't going anywhere. Don't make me change my mind and kill you, so get off my property immediately. Also, tell Benjamin that I plan to see him soon. We'll talk about...certain things," he responded, his menacing voice resonating through the air.

"I'll inform, Father." Caleb gritted his teeth, and his fists were clenched tightly.

"Get out now. I don't want to see you here, creating another commotion." Jay dismissed them and turned to walk away.

Caleb glared at me before he and his friends stormed out of the pack house, embarrassed by what had just happened. I knew this wasn't over.

'They're going to want revenge.'

A sense of dread settled in my stomach as I watched them leave. I knew Caleb and Alpha Benjamin wouldn't let me go this easily. Despite North Pack's undisputed power, Alpha Benjamin would do anything with his willpower to get what he wanted. He wouldn't hesitate to do that if he had to pull some resources.

I knew they wouldn't stop until they got what they wanted from me.

***