The New Alpha Stole My Heart

“I'm sorry for being late, Alpha Hunter. You saw what happened. What will we talk about?”

Those were the first words that came out of my mouth when I twisted the doorknob. I felt so nervous like my heart was going to pump out of my chest. Either way, I still didn't forget how he insulted me a few moments ago. I fought the urge to roll my eyes.

Hunter raised the side of his cherry-red lips before he mockingly smiled at me. He was near his office desk and was wiping off the sweat on his upper body.

It seemed he also took a run in the woods. His sleeveless shirt let me see the protruding biceps he had in his arms. It was a good sight to look at, especially how some of his sweats escaped his towel and alluringly fell to his neck, making me gulp.

I shook my head. It wasn’t the time to appreciate his good looks and sexiness.

Alpha Hunter must have caught the kind of stare I bestowed on him and coughed. “What do you think, Ms. Hemmingwood? Didn’t I tell you we still had unfinished business?” he asked.

I took a seat in the receiving area even though he didn't invite me, and faked looking bored as I watched him almost done wiping off his sweats. When he was almost done, I roamed my gaze again in this once familiar room. But I got distracted when something slumped on the same couch.

With the speed of lightning, I found Alpha Hunter a meter apart from me, using his wolf abilities.

Wow, he was quick!

I met his serious gaze. My eyes wandered to his plump kissable lips, making me awkwardly avoid his gaze.

I found my voice and said, “Again, I am sorry for what happened. I—”

I couldn't finish my request when Hunter suddenly moved closer to me, leaving only a ruler apart in our distance. I could vividly hear my strong heartbeats. What was wrong with me?

“You have to understand how important it is to follow your alpha, Ms. Hemmingwood. Follow his command first, before jumping into someone’s arms. There’s a time for that.” When he said that, Hunter's eyebrows were bridged together, giving him a strict and hot look.

But my head was starting to boil and heat too. He was not the only hot thing here in this room.

I moved to the farthest space of the settee to keep a distance and expressed my thoughts.

“What are you talking about, Alpha Hunter? I made it to your office after you said I would follow you after five minutes. I abide by your rules.”

Without hesitation and retaining the stern expression on his face, Hunter answered, “But you’re still late. That’s not the time we are supposed to meet. I asked you to come to my office first thing in the morning. Are you dense? I even caught you playing around with a pack warrior, using saving a pup as an excuse to do what you want. Does flirting around count as following your alpha?”

He shook his head before he comfortably leaned on the couch, waiting for me to answer. Even though he looked like that, I could hear him gritting his teeth.

Is he jealous? A man only acts like this if he is? He’s stepping beyond his boundaries.

I heaved a deep sigh and closed my eyes. I couldn't understand why he was treating me like this. My first idea wasn’t acceptable.

“Well, Alpha Hunter, for clarity, you didn’t say at what exact time should I show up today.” I tried to calm myself as I didn’t want to aggravate him more.

I saw amusement flickering in Hunter's eyes before they gradually darkened.

With a voice like it came from the depths of hell, Hunter spoke, almost sounding like his powerful wolf. “If I didn’t have good self-restraint, my wolf, Thunder, had already taken over and slit your throat.”

All the hair on my body was raised with terror. His voice sent a shiver down my spine.

Hunter was not joking because his wolf seemed to be so powerful and dominating as he tried to take over Hunter's body. Maybe he was the reason why this man was a bit obnoxious and overbearing. Or perhaps they were just alike, cut in the same tree because the Moon Goddess partnered them.

Moreover, I knew I couldn’t hold a candle to Hunter's fighting ability right now even though he was in his human form, but I was also aware that I was the only one who could clash with him like this. I never heard anyone disobey him. I was the first to do it. But it wasn't intentional. It was just that…there were things that I find it hard to ignore especially when it came to him and his old pack.

I placed a safe distance from him and sat on his desk's receiving chair.

I shouldn't take chance. I also knew the infamous reputation of alphas. I could be alive now, but I could never tell what would happen in the next seconds. I learned it the hard way thanks to our previous alpha.

Yes, violence was common among werewolves, but that death was too horrendous. I could kill rogues, but I didn’t kill them without any purpose as I knew, once in their life, they were also sane werewolves that were loved by their pack. But due to some circumstances, they became packless or mateless, pushing them to turn insane.

“Aren’t you going to say something smart like yesterday? Did that already scare you?” Hunter ridiculed.

I bit my lip and tasted rust on my tongue, my blood. I clenched my fist and covered my face. I wanted to shout or insist on my point. But I didn't want to die yet or be soaked with my own blood.

Enveloped by a tense silence, Hunter walked to his desk and handed me a file. He took my silence as submission, making me grit my teeth.

“This is Ms. Witchworks' pack bill. You are responsible for breaking her ribs.”

Perplexed, I widened my eyes. Did I truly break Chloe's ribs? That was ridiculous! Am I that strong to do that to her?

“I... I, well, that woman deserved that.” I struggled to form a sound reason. In the first place, it wasn't my fault that happened. “She insulted Uncle Stan and I could never let it pass.”

“Deserved or not, you are responsible for your own actions, Ms. Hemmingwood. So, for punishment, I am still thinking of what to do to you,” Hunter said with finality.

“Another punishment for me? But that’s unfair!” My blood boiled after hearing it. Why are they putting all the blame on me?

As I watched his anger start to show, I felt like I wanted to shrink and hide in the farthest place I could find with Hunter's deadly gaze.

“Woman! Did you just raise your voice on me again?” He said loudly. The voice which seemed to come from hell boomed again.

I slowly took a step back but stopped immediately when I realized I shouldn't show him I feared him. If I were to die now, I might better die fighting back, holding my ground. I was not at fault here.

“Yes, I am, Alpha.” I indignantly said.

Hunter immediately attacked me and choked me to death seconds after I answered yes. I struggled to breathe as I bravely looked at his glinting gold eyes.

“Do you know what this pack's new rules are?” He kept his hold on my neck and abruptly pushed me to his office's door. I felt my eyes tearing up because of suffocation.

“First is to never disrespect or disobey your alpha!”

“Second, never speak back to your alpha.”

“Third, follow your alpha!”

“All the pack rules were about following 'me,' as your alpha. Are we clear, Ms. Aria Hemmingwood?!”

Gasping for breath after he freed me, I managed to nod as I held my neck. I kept coughing until I cleared my throat.

“Ms. Hemmingwood, you can now get out! We're done talking!” Hunter yelled, but he avoided looking at me and went to take a seat in front of his desk.

Before I weakly went out, I saw him run a hand on his hair frustratedly.