Rise of the Alpha (The Rise Series Book 1)

by Helen Dhanoya

  IT WAS WELL past 4 a.m. now, but I wasn’t tired. How could I be when I’d been crying again for the last thirty minutes? I guess you can’t escape your emotions forever. Worry picked at me the most this time.

  Tears streamed down my face as I cried on Nathan’s couch. These two days have been taking a heavy toll on my health.

  Physically, mentally and emotionally. So far, I had everyone looking for her except me. I was here just lollygagging and relaxing when I should have been out on the front lines with my patrols, searching everywhere for clues. But I knew it wouldn’t be that easy.

  Nathan had gone to the kitchen to grab some coffee for us.

  When I heard his footsteps coming back toward the living room, I quickly wiped my tears and hid my puffy eyes.

  Handing me a cup, he quickly noticed my tears, his face filled with sadness. “Hey, are you okay?”

  I took a gulp, slightly burning my tongue before I replied, “No, not at all. This is my fault. If I hadn’t tried to ignore my Grandma, we wouldn’t be in this situation. I failed her. I am trying to be strong for the pack. They can’t see me like this.”

  He set his cup down on the coffee table before taking mine from me.

  “Hey—”

  He cut me off, gently picking me up and placing me in his lap. His strong arms enveloped

  me, helping me to relax and melt into him.

  I breathed out slowly, wrapping my arms around his neck and leaning into him.

  “You are not a failure. There was nothing you could’ve done,” he breathed, placing gentle

  kisses to my collarbone and up my neck before lying down with me on top of him. “Talk to me. What can I do?”

  I looked into his eyes; they were full of love and concern. “I don’t know. This has been a lot on me, but I’m grateful to have you around. I don’t want to know what I’d be like if I were alone.”

  I sat up, straddling him—a soft moan escaping my lips as my core hit his erection. It made me shudder. This sudden lust filled me, making my body tremble and my center weep.

  His eyes grew dark as he growled, feeling the need grow within me and fueling his own desire. “Let me take care of you. I know you want me. I can feel it.” His eyes changed back to that enticing emerald that captured me every time. He tilted his head to the side, adding, “Only if you’re okay with it. I know you’re having a hard time right now, so we shouldn’t be rushing into anything if you’re not all there. You know?”

  We’ve been childhood friends. I didn’t know when these feelings for him grew, but you couldn’t choose who your body wanted. I knew this wasn’t the right time for this but damn it, I needed the release. This shouldn’t even be a yes or no question.

  My mind knew the answer but Eva chose to speak up right then. You should save yourself for our mate. This one is not him. She sounded annoyed.

  I mentally rolled my eyes. Shut up, Eva. This is my chance to let some frustration out. Don’t worry about it.

  She scowled before I blocked her out and replied to Nathan’s request, “I’m okay, really. I need something to keep me from worrying so much. I need you, Nathan.”

  Without another word, his emerald eyes lit up, as he maneuvered us to where his feet touched the ground. With me still in his lap, he smiled, taking his hands and slipping them under my shirt. They were warm, his rough palms gentle against my skin as he roamed upward.

  Looking into his eyes, I noted that they glistened with lust and excitement. His hands landed on my plump breasts, my nipples hard, causing him to bite his bottom lip. Fuck the Gods, he was adorable. His shaggy blonde hair cascaded over his eyes, making him even cuter.

  He quickly took his hands from my shirt, making me pout a little.

  He chuckled, his left hand now on the small of my back pulling me closer to him, before he locked me in a deep and passionate kiss. I kissed him back, my hands tangled in his hair, wiping the strands from his eyes.

  I felt his need and desire in this one kiss. It made me happy, but sad at the same time. I knew he wasn’t my mate, but I needed this connection with someone to keep myself sane. I knew it was selfish of me but this was the beginning of something magical.

  Breaking the kiss, he smiled again, both of us breathing heavily. I sat up slightly as he started to unbutton my shirt. I pulled his shirt off, admiring his well-muscled chest.

  I think I drooled a little bit, staring at his six pack as I ran my index fingers over him, causing him to chuckle and wipe my lip before taking my shirt off fully and admiring my breasts through my bra.

  “You are so beautiful,” he said softly, reaching behind me and unclipping my bra. He helped me out of it before tossing it onto the floor beside us. I blushed as he took his hands and cupped them gently.

  Running his thumbs over my nipples, he watched as they grew hard at his touch. He smiled again before taking one into his mouth, causing me to moan loudly while throwing my head back as my hands found his hair.

  I quickly covered my mouth, realizing that I’d maybe been too loud. “I’m sorry.”

  He removed his mouth from my breast, looking me in the eyes with something serious. It was insane. “Baby, you can moan as loud as you want. You’ll be screaming my name by the end of this, I promise. Besides, no one cares. I unintentionally eavesdrop all the time, thanks to my wolf hearing.”

  “All right,” I said before he pulled me back into a breathtaking kiss. I felt his rough side come out as he ravaged my mouth with his tongue, trying to get access. I gladly opened up for him as I moaned again, feeling his erection twitch under me.

  “Come on,” he said, reluctantly breaking the kiss and removing me from his lap, before standing up. He took my hand in his, leading me out of the living room.

  I followed him, tits bouncing, as we headed for his room. Inside, he quickly closed the door behind us before motioning for me to sit down on his bed.

  “Sit,” he commanded, giving me a dark look as I contemplated denying him but I decided to play along instead.

  I sat on his bed as he came back to me, taking a hand to gently caress my cheek. “I knew you were beautiful, but I didn’t imagine you’d be this stunning.” He smiled as he moved his hands to unbutton his jeans.

  “Stop,” I told him as he gave me a confused look, furrowing his eyebrows. “What’s wrong?”

  I shook my head, smiling. “Let me do it.” I stood, coming to him. I undid his jeans, starting to pull them down. His dick was huge. It sprung free as I removed his underwear. The tip leaked pre-cum, so I knelt down and gently licked it away.

  His moan was like music to my ears. I chuckled, looking up at his face for a reaction, as I took him into my mouth. He closed his eyes, another moan escaping his mouth, as he knocked his head back toward the ceiling.

  “Damn,” he hissed, looking back at me, as I moved up and down, sucking him.

  He stopped me, suddenly helping me stand. This time I looked at him confused, tilting my head and frowning slightly.

  He smirked. “I can’t be the only one naked here. Let me help you.”

  I looked down, realizing I still had my pajamas on. He untied them, slowly pulling them off. He eyed my lingerie, a deep growl leaving his throat as he knelt and put his hands on my hips before taking in a deep breath. “You smell amazing. You are dripping. I love it.”

  Picking me up bridal style, he gently laid me on the bed before ripping my underwear off.

  I huffed, salty. “Hey, those were expensive.”

  He growled back, his eyes black. “I’ll get you some more.” He spread my legs, gripping my thighs tightly and getting down on his stomach, before looking up at me and setting himself between my thighs. “Darling, you are amazing.”

  The next thing I knew, he plunged his tongue deep inside my weeping core, causing me to moan loudly. His large hands gripped my ass cheeks as he gently lapped at me.

  I screamed out, grabbing the sheets above my head. My body trembled at his movements as he stopped.

  �
�Look at me,” he growled.

  I opened my eyes, looking at him as he licked his mouth clean and smiled. “You taste

  sweet, baby, I like that. I’m going to worship every inch of your body to make you forget everything that’s bothering you.”

  I nodded at him as he got up and laid himself over me. Balancing on his elbows, he positioned them on either side of my head, to where we barely touched skin to skin. His breath was hot against my face, his eyes filled with love.

  I smiled, pushing myself up from the bed to meet his lips, our chests touching. The small motion ignited a growl from both of us, making me kiss him harder. I nipped at his bottom lip.

  He took an arm, wrapping it around my waist, our mouths still locked, as he rolled us over. Now I straddled him, tangling my fingers in his shaggy locks as his hands roamed my body. His touch was amazing. I loved having him feel me everywhere.

  I bit his lip, causing him to chuckle before playfully nipping at me. He trailed his hands up my stomach, gently cupping my breasts. My nipples grew hard at his touch.

  I moved down enough for my core to graze his dick. I was throbbing for him.

  “We don’t have to do this if you aren’t ready,” he asked, looking for an answer in my

  brown eyes while rubbing his hands on my thighs.

  “Yes, I want to do this,” I breathed slowly, positioning myself above his erection.

  He reached down and rubbed my clit, making me moan while sending my body into a trembling heap of ecstasy. I could feel my pussy starting to drip onto him slowly. I gently lowered myself onto him, feeling even more full. His length felt amazing inside of me. I loved every inch of him.

  “Fuck,” we said in unison, as I adjusted to his size.

  “God damn, you are tight. I love it,” he moaned, gripping my thighs tightly before looking

  into my eyes. I slowly began to move up and down, groaning as my breasts started to bounce.

  Nathan rolled his hips in rhythm with mine, smashing his dick into me. The room began to smell like sex as he began to thrust harder into me. Without warning, he wrapped his arm around my waist, flipping us over. He was now on top, leaning over me as he kissed me furiously.

  When he broke the kiss, his breathing was heavy again. His eyes were as black as night. “What do you want, baby?”

  I licked my lips, running my hands over his abs, then his chest and up his neck, with the tip of my finger outlining his face. “You.”

  He hissed, coming down to nip at my collarbone and growling. “What do you want?”

  I screamed as he took my left nipple in his mouth, biting down hard, almost enough to break the skin. “I want you to fuck me harder. Please, Nathan, harder.”

  He smirked, removing his mouth from my breast as he kissed me quickly.

  Repositioning himself between my legs, he thrusted into me. It was hard and swift. It made me tremble and scream out in pleasure. “I know you like that, darling. Let me hear you scream.”

  I groaned as he slowed his pace, tempting me. “Don’t stop! Give me more! More! Nathan!”

  His growl was deep, his wolf coming out, as he placed his hands on my hips and began to thrust harder than before. I knew he was losing control, but we knew both of us were close to that edge of completeness. As he penetrated my walls, the tip of his cock ramming into my G-spot, I couldn’t help the loud moan that escaped me.

  “I’m coming!” I screamed, as my juices enveloped around him, tightening my grip around his length. I looked up at him. I could tell he wanted to release too, but he waited for a moment, letting my juices drip all over him.

  He groaned as he pulled out just in time to cum all over his sheets. We both were breathing heavily as we climbed off his bed.

  He started to strip his sheets as I headed to the shower.

  I turned to him in the doorway as he wrapped the layers up, rolling them together before he started toward his door. “Do you mind if I borrow a t-shirt?”

  He smiled, unlocking his door, and turned his head to look at me. “I’ll grab it for you when I come back. Go hop in the shower.”

  I nodded, closing the door behind me, and turned the shower on.

  A few minutes later, as I was lathering my body, Nathan popped in and set one of his

  t-shirts on the counter before deciding to join me.

  He wrapped me in a hug from behind, taking in my scent. “You smell like me. I like that.”

  “I’m glad,” I said, washing my body. “Help me wash my back, please?”

  He took the loofah from me, gently washing my back for me. “Thank you,” I said,

  thinking about what we had just done. It brought a smile to my face.

  “For what?” He set down the sponge on the soap stand as he turned me around and helped me get under the water to wash it all away.

  “For helping me get some frustrations out, it helped. Now I’m ready for bed. Can I join you?”

  Once all the soap was gone, he kissed me gently, pulling me closer. “Of course, I would love that.”

  After the shower, we dried each other off. I pulled on his shirt and walked out into his room. The fresh pine smell filled my nostrils and almost made me crumble.

  Nathan came out in a pair of boxers. His skin glistened against the light of the room.

  “I know you like what you see.” He smirked, moving so fast that I didn’t see him grab me and toss me onto the bed before joining me to cuddle up next to me.

  I laughed, trying to shove him away. “Hey, let me go get some underwear.”

  He chuckled, wrapping his arms around me tightly and holding me in place. “That’s cute, but no. I like you naked underneath.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Of course, you do. It’s past 6 a.m. Let’s go to bed so we can go see Grandpa in a little while.”

  He nodded in agreement, burying his face into my hair. He took a deep breath. “You smell delightful.”

  That got me thinking. “By the way, how did you know my favorite body wash was lavender?”

  “My mother helped me.” He shrugged and smiled, as my world became consumed by drowsiness and comfort.

  “DAHLIA, WAKE UP.” Nathan kissed my cheek, waking me before roaming down my neck.

  I laughed, pushing him away. “All right, I’m getting up. If you don’t stop, there’ll be another round of last night and we won’t be going anywhere any time soon.”

  He smiled, thinking hard for a moment before he spoke, “I wouldn’t mind, but I know you want to go see your grandfather. So, my pleasure can wait.”

  I gave him a smirk. “I knew you’d say that. But you’re right, I do want to see Grandpa. So, let’s hurry up, get dressed and then head over. I’ll message Liam to let him know we’ll be over shortly.”

  He nodded as we both got up to get ready for the day.

  Twenty minutes later, we were packed into the car and on our way to Liam’s territory. I played with the AC to get it perfect as Nathan snatched my hand away, kissing each knuckle.

  I smiled. I had only a few “flings” before Nathan, but they weren’t boyfriends, so I was excited to see where this went. It was a new thing for me, so maybe it was just what I needed to get my head in gear, especially with all the responsibilities resting on my shoulders now.

  “Are you nervous?” he asked, pulling out of his neighborhood toward the highway.

  I watched out the window as we passed fields of hay. “I am extremely nervous. I don’t even know what to say to him when I see him.”

  He looked at me for a moment before turning his attention back to the road. “You’ll know when you see him. Hopefully, he’s awake. I’ll be with you the whole time, so don’t worry. It’ll be fine. He’s okay.”

  His words comforted me, making me smile lightly. “Thank you. I’ll message Liam real quick.”

  He nodded, letting my hand go as I took my phone out of my purse and pulled up Liam’s messages. Hey, it’s Dahlia. I’m coming to the hospital, so please let your patrols know we’re comi
ng. My Beta is with me.

  He saw the message, responding. I already let them know. Thank you for watching my grandfather. I appreciate it.

  You’re welcome, Dahlia. I know you’d do the same. See you in a few.

  “What’d he say?” Nathan asked as we pulled onto a dirt road that led us down a few miles before being stopped by an iron gate.

  “He already told the patrols about us. He’s waiting for us.”

  He nodded as we pulled up to the gate. He rolled his window down as the guard walked over and checked his clipboard, eyeing me. “Alpha Dahlia?”

  “Yes, I’m Dahlia,” I said, motioning to my Beta. “And this is my Beta, Nathan.”

  The guard looked at the clipboard again, writing something down, but nodded to the man inside, who looked to be pressing a button. The gate buzzed in front of us, starting to open on its own. Once the gate was completely open, we drove through and continued down the road.

  The forest surrounding the area was beautiful. I turned the AC off, rolling down my window, basking in the warm sun, and taking in the fresh autumn aroma. The leaves on the trees were red, orange, brown and yellow. The colors made the small village pop with life. The clearing had been scattered with houses, all painted different shades of brown and yellow, blending in perfectly with the fall theme. It was beautiful. The smell of the open air and the pine trees were what I loved the most about fall.

  We drove past an enormous mansion that was at the center of the village. It had the matching yellow and brown colors with its porch being completely wrapped around the whole building. The front of the house had a couple of porch swings that looked inviting.

  I stared forward, as Nathan drove toward the pack hospital. The building held two stories, with the front having a large overhang, where the ambulances rode in with patients. It was painted white, and each room had its curtains pulled closed. I pondered what room Grandpa was in.

  Nathan found a parking spot, pulling in and shutting the engine off before turning to look at me. “Ready?”

  I knew he was worried about me, but I also knew I had to be strong. “As ready as I’ll ever be.” I shrugged as he took my hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.