The Alpha's Redemption: Between Vengeance, Bond and Power

She couldn't help but gaze at him, disturbed by the depth that could be seen in his brown eyes but revolted by the anger and prejudice that could be seen there as well.

With a single glimpse of his eyes, it seemed that he was making fun of her and making fun of her capacity to reign as Alpha. He was condemning her ability to rule.

They reduced her to nothing. They made an effort to breach her defenses and see beyond the façade that she battled so hard to maintain in place.

Because her own heart was attempting to tear it down, and was striving to allow him in—her mate—and break down the barrier between them.

He sprang to his feet, and both of her beta and gamma seized hold of his arms at the same time.

"No! I don't believe it," he stated in a threateningly low voice. "Are you sure that this is the Silver Phoenix pack?"

"Yes," she said, protruding her chin.

"Then where is the stern and powerful Alpha that I've heard so much about? Where is he? Show him to me!" He took a step forward, but her warriors held him back with their hands.

"You are already in front of the Alpha you’re looking for. I've been the Alpha for five years," she stated with lethal accuracy, infuriated that he was underestimating her might.

"So that means one thing… any whispers and rumors about the powerful Alpha that you have heard would have come from under my rule, my reign," she said.

The moment his mouth contorted into a smirk, the notion of running into his arms evaporated completely. She just wished she could give him a nice, hard smack.

Tyra, her head of guards, pointed her head towards him and said, "Alpha Alora, he's all yours."

She then reminded her of how she generally dealt with trespassers—whether they were rogues or Alphas, it made no difference. "He's all yours," Tyra repeated.

"Alpha Alora, is that it?" He took his time looking her over from head to toe, and the sensation of his stare caused goosebumps to rise on her skin.

"Alpha?" Tyra gave her an annoyed look.

‘Tyra, I-I just can't do it! T-This man… he's my… he’s my mate...’ Alora communicated with her through mind link.

‘No way? You don’t possibly mean that, do you?’ Tyra made an effort to cover the look of surprise on her face.

‘Tyra, do I give the impression that I am joking? He really is!’ Alora answered as she remained her cool.

"What are you waiting for, Alpha Alora? Go ahead, kill me," he responded with an arrogant expression on his face. "I don't care. That is exactly what you had in mind, right Alpha Alora?”

"Don't even presume to believe that you know what I have in store for you. Even those under my charge are unaware of my goals." She was babbling as she said this, but she was aware that she was doing so.

Her normally clear-cut cognitive processes were becoming clouded as a result of the man’s presence. She circled him and examined him thoroughly, just as he had done before with her.

Jeans that were worn and tattered, a black shirt, and unkempt dark brown waves of hair that fell over his shoulders and framed a lovely face that she really wanted to…

"Is that the reason you're taking your time? To put together some plans?" he asked, trying to annoy her.

Alora let out an angry roar before shooting her palm out to his neck and grabbing it firmly.

"Don't try to trick me in any way. I am able to say the same thing about you… the great and powerful Alpha of Black Trethello. Someone who have been dishonored, disavowed, and dismissed from your position by your very own father-"

"Don't attempt to speak about things that you have no knowledge of!" He sneered and before he could even utter some words, Alora cut him off.

"Oh, man! That's why you came here, isn't it?" She persisted with her question in spite of the pain and rage that could be seen in his eyes.

"You want to murder me and steal my land for yourself? You really believed that you could simply go in here and easily defeat this Alpha, did you? But don’t worry, don’t be too excited. We have something coming for you, so you have to be patience and-”

"Kill me then," he yelled at her, cutting her off this time, as the muscles in his neck tightened in response to her pressure.

"No, you do your plan! Come on! Banish me now! I dare you to wring my neck as I know you have planned all along! Take my territory and my pack. Go, kill me!” she challenged him as she looked at him fearlessly.

When the man raised his arm, Alora’s soldiers drew closer but remained at a distance, having realized that this display of force was essential to their Alpha's strategy. Alora is the one who establishes the parameters.

He was able to comfortably put his huge hand around her neck. The sensation of his flesh brushing against hers caused her to let out a startled gasp, which she quickly smothered.

He did not exert any force in any direction. Just looked directly into her eyes, nose to nose, with hardly an inch of space between their faces.

She was able to feel his warm breath on her lips, as well as the quick pounding of his heart in the chest that was pressed up against hers.

They were both bold, but neither of them was willing to make a move, regardless of whether they were going to win or lose.

While she did so, Tyra was holding her breath and shifting her gaze rapidly from one side to the other.

At long last, he pulled his hand away. "I would never intentionally harm you. You're my mate and you’re aware of that," he whispered to her.

Her soldiers choked and sputtered in response to this, but all it took was one glance from her to stop them.

"Take him to the Black Building," she ordered them.

They responded with, "Yes, Alpha," and obeyed.

"What about the Black Building?" As she made her way out of the conference room, Tyra automatically fell into step next to her. “Why not on the dungeon?" she added.

Alora took a slow, deep breath to slow her rushing heart, and after a while she flashed a kind grin to her childhood best friend.

She was appreciative of Tyra's compassion for her as well as the fact that she constantly looked out for her. On this point, though, she knows she was completely incorrect.

"Didn't your father ever teach you to keep your friends close and your enemies closer?"

‘But I wonder if he’d still choose to be my enemy after realizing about our bond…’