Chosen

by Melanie Purser

  To top it all off, halfway through the trip when she got bored of the lack of conversation, she took down her partially dry hair and fiddled with it. She must know exactly what that scent is doing to me. I’m sure she got an idea a few different times when I couldn’t control myself in time, and now she’s torturing me.

  Thankfully we are back on the ground and finally home. Now that we are here, I realize the impact this might have on our lives. Things are about to change.

  We have joined ranks with a strong pack with a lot of territory, but more than that, I will never crawl into an empty bed again. Ari will be my mate and my pack will look to someone other than me.

  Just yesterday morning I had expected to be annoyed or angry returning with the bratty mate I assumed I’d be inheriting, and who would automatically have almost as much power and control as me.

  We’re not mated yet, but I am happy to have been proven wrong, and strangely excited to share my life with her. She may be just what we need around here. Or so I hope. She could be playing me for a fool for all I know. Women are definitely not my forte.

  While everyone unbuckles and stands to stretch, I make my way to Gray to thank him for the ride. Everyone including Ari follows suit. Gray bows, earning a laugh from us all.

  “Take my truck and go grab some lunch before you head back,” I half command, half suggest as I hand him my keys.

  “Yes sir,” he agrees without hesitation and shuts down the chopper.

  Asher and Trace hop out of the helicopter first, followed by myself. I turn to help Ari out, but she just glares at my outstretched hands before gracefully sliding out on her own. Her hostility surprises me, but I figure she’s probably nervous about stepping foot in a completely new place with no one she knows anywhere nearby.

  Before she can stop me, I grab her two suitcases, and just leave her shoulder bag for her to carry. I meet her fierce eyes and know that I am testing her patience, but I won’t give in. Bracing myself for attack, she takes a deep breath, and pushes passed me in a huff. Smart girl.

  She may have held back this time, but I foresee a challenge coming soon. Obviously, she needs to get something out of her system.

  If it were anyone else in the pack, they would have already been taken care of, but this is something completely different. This is my soon to be mate. A challenge between mates is unheard of. Why does that excite me? This woman is definitely going to be interesting to say the least.

  Ari

  “Where are we?” I ask as I take in the sight of beautiful, endless green fields and trees. There’s a partially frozen river running up to a large house in the distance.

  With my wolf eyesight, I can see that the house is actually a huge log cabin that reminds me of my parents' house back in Alaska, but without the stonework. There is lots of river rock surrounding the home though. The property is set far back from the roadway, which has a wall of small hills and trees bordering it, leaving plenty of privacy still.

  “This is my ranch,” Darien says warmly, “Welcome home, Ari.” My body tingles all over at his words. I take a closer look. It’s beautiful, and apparently, it’s mine now. It doesn’t look like a monster’s home.

  Lanterns run all the way up the walkway and around the house. I bet it’s quite a sight when it’s all lit up at night. And lucky me, I’m sure I’ll get a chance to see it if the Alpha doesn’t kill me before nightfall.

  We make our way through the field towards the house after Darien thanks the pilot. The house grows more beautiful the closer we get.

  The sound of horses in the barn reach my ears, and I instantly smile. Dad always offered to get me one, but we both knew it was pointless. It was unknown how long I’d be around to take care of it. Plus, anywhere I wanted to go, I preferred to run on my own four legs. I have a feeling that I won’t have that luxury here though, so at least I’ll have another option that I can accept.

  From the corner of my eye, I notice Darien watching me, and I quickly hide my smile. After a few seconds go by, I dare a glance at him to find him smiling, though I have no idea why.

  He carries my heavy bags effortlessly, and I think back to how I acted moments ago, ready for a challenge before I remembered his men nearby. My nerves of setting foot in an unknown area amplified the moment we landed.

  I’ve already fought and broken my father’s control. I don’t want to give away my secret quite yet. Not over something so silly as a man doing what men are “supposed” to do anyways. Even if that is so, I don’t like feeling useless.

  Darien and I step onto the generous sized porch where I find a bench and porch swing. It’s strange how similar this place is to my parent’s place, but for some reason this house feels more like home and I haven’t even seen the inside yet.

  Trace and Asher both remain at the bottom of the steps with their small suitcases. They don’t look like they will be joining us. Shit. Soon I would be truly alone with Darien, and while my wolf seems to be excited by that, the human me is on edge.

  “Remember what we discussed earlier,” Darien regards his men, “We’ll talk soon.” Wait, what did they discuss? Why don’t I know what’s going on? This isn’t helping keep me from the edge. It’s like being back at home, kept out of the loop.

  Maybe now that I am technically higher up in rank, I can demand the information. No. I won’t do that. That has my mother’s name written all over it. If Darien has anything that he wants to share with me, then he can. If not, then so be it. I just hope it’s not something that comes back to bite me in the ass.

  “Yes sir,” Trace says, followed by a “Have fun you two,” and a wink by Asher.

  I look longingly after them. I’m not ready for this. I would rather go shopping with my mother than face whatever may be coming. Maybe Darien’s so far sweet and calming demeanor was just an act in front of his men.

  I hear the door open behind me, and Darien goes inside where I hear him set the bags down. My body doesn’t move.

  “Ari. You’re going to have to come in sooner or later,” he calls softly from inside. Damn. I was hoping that maybe he would just leave me out here to sulk like a child. No such luck. I suck in one last breath of freedom before stepping over the threshold.

  Inside Darien’s beautiful home, I feel trapped, or at least that’s how I imagined I’d feel. In truth, it feels like a home. Plus, it’s not exactly the cold, bare-walled dungeon I had pictured in my head. I guess murderers can have nice homes too.

  He asks me if I need anything, but I am distracted by all the fine detail. Its familiarity settles me a little. I comment on the beauty of the home and he replies with information that surprises me before he offers to show me the rest of the house. Apparently, he did a lot of the updates himself. Once again, I am impressed.

  Nodding absentmindedly, he grabs the suitcases and leads me around. The rooms he shows me are all tastefully done although a little bare and cold perhaps. I’m no interior designer, but it just feels like they are missing something. I guess it’s not a big deal since they seem to only be used by pack members passing through or needing a place to stay for one thing or another.

  “So where am I staying?” I ask wanting to settle in, and ok, maybe I need a reprieve from his intoxicating scent and heated gaze.

  Any other male Were, I would have picked a fight with by now for looking at me like that, but Darien’s heated stare ignites other things in me. Things I don’t want to feel for a guy like him.

  “This way,” he grabs my hand with his free one, and tugs me along up the stairway. I should flinch away from his casual touch, but his hand is large and rough. I can feel the strength and safety in his grip. It irks me to my core that I can’t sense the evil that I know he is capable of.

  It’s a mystery as to how he hides his true self so well, but my irritation is redirected when he leads me into a room that smells very strongly of him.

  The room is spacious and beautiful with its own fireplace, a large log wood bed, and a bay window looking over the rive
r. I don’t have to see it to know the on-suite bathroom is probably amazing.

  I try to hide the horror on my face when I look at him, but I have no idea if I pull it off or not.

  Most arranged marriages, I had heard that the female is offered a separate room in the beginning so that the woman can ease her way into the dramatic life change. Eventually they typically end up in the same bed, but right off the bat is virtually unheard of. I know we somehow ended up in bed together already due to interesting circumstances, but he can’t seriously expect me to share a room with him, can he?

  Darien

  We are finally alone, yet Ari doesn’t seem too thrilled about it. Maybe I’m not as lucky as I thought I was. Yes, she is indeed the perfect woman for me, or so it seems, except for the fact that she looks like she is ready to bolt at the first chance. Would I try to stop her?

  “Can I get you anything?” I ask gently as she takes in the entryway.

  She ignores me so I follow her gaze around the large room. As soon as you walk in, you are met with a large rock fireplace that dominates the living room. Everything else is made of wood. Wood floors, log walls, and a wooden staircase leading to the second floor. There is a basement as well, which is accessible from the trapdoor hidden by the fireplace.

  This room is decorated with leather couches, a few framed pictures on the wall, and lantern style lighting. I’m sure she will want to make some changes though. I’ll do whatever keeps her from wanting to run away. I may not deserve her, but I want her.

  “Beautiful,” she says shyly.

  “Uh, thanks. I updated most of it myself,” I reply stupidly. Smooth.

  “Really? That’s pretty amazing,” she says, and our eyes meet before she turns in on herself again. She is going to have to talk soon. I can’t take her tip toeing around me much longer.

  “Want to see the rest?” I offer and she nods without looking at me, so I grab our suitcases and head up the stairs without looking to see if she follows. I stop at each room and bathroom. Aside from my master suite, there are another six rooms, along with two more bathrooms. There’s also a king size suite in the barn with a pull-out couch for just-in-case situations.

  Saving my room, our room, for last, I set our stuff against the wall for now. Before I met her, I had fully intended to give Ari her own room far away from me. I like my space, but I’d rather chain this timid vixen to me than let her sneak away or get snatched away by my already interested pack.

  However, the shock on her face makes me think that I made a big mistake. Pushing her might not be the best idea. My wolf can feel her wolf’s attraction, but her human side is resisting. Hell, if you had told me two days ago that I would be rock hard, and practically salivating over my arranged, soon-to-be wife, I would have laughed hysterically.

  Only my true mate could elicit such emotions from me. If that’s the case, why is she about to leap out the window?

  True mates are rare, but a few of us have been lucky to experience what most would call ‘love at first sight’. Two wolves see each other and it’s like they instantly know that they belong to each other. I knew as soon as our eyes made contact that she was mine. There’s no other explanation, but wouldn’t her human side realize it just as mine has?

  “We don’t have to do anything until you’re ready,” I try to reassure her. After saying that aloud, I wonder how many lovers she has had. I know that like most packs, the males outweigh the females, and she is a grown woman with needs so I can’t hold it against her. I won’t lie that I am still curious though.

  Of course, she said she didn’t spend much time around the males in her pack, but that doesn’t mean she didn’t take a lover. I also saw how she was with the two men that helped find her last night. She is too beautiful to not have had every male in her pack after her.

  She doesn’t speak for a long time, but when she does it’s not what I expect to hear.

  “I can see why you wanted a woman here,” she laughs, but quickly cuts it off with an apology, and her cheeks redden.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” Here we go. She is ready to start spending my money. Maybe she is not much different from mommy dearest.

  “Er, just thinking the rooms could use—well I’m no expert, but it needs something. Unfortunately, you chose the wrong girl for the job.”

  “I know the others need some work, but what’s wrong with this room?” I ignore her other comment.

  “Nothing’s wrong with it per se, it’s just missing something. Like some curtains, a mirror, or some pictures on the walls,” she shrugs. I guess she has a point.

  “What kind of pictures?” I ask intrigued.

  “Of your family—uh well I guess that probably wouldn’t be the best idea,” I flinch at the word family, but what is she talking about?

  “Ari?” she looks at me, and though she says nothing, I can see her form tense. “What is going on?”

  “Why don’t you tell me?” I watch as the little bit of control she has snaps. “I didn’t choose to come here. I was sent here and I have no idea what happens next.”

  “Your dad offered you to me. I didn’t force him into anything. If you don’t want to be here that badly we can try to figure something else out, but will you not even try?”

  I feel pathetic using that line, but I don’t know what else I can do. She wanted out just like I did only yesterday, so why am I trying to guilt her into staying? Just because she appears to check everything and more on my interest list, doesn’t mean that is who she is. For all I know, she could be a spy sent to win me over and then stab me in the back. Maybe we aren’t true mates, and this feeling is just some kind of trick.

  I step towards her and she retreats with a wary look in her eyes.

  “Dammit, Ari, why are you so afraid of me?” she glares at me, but I glare right back. I am the Alpha here and I can’t let her make me weak.

  “I’m not afraid of you,” she grinds out, but I can smell her fear, even as she is preparing for a fight. Fine, if that’s what she wants, that’s what she will get. We need to be done with this.

  This time when I step towards her, I do it with purpose. She holds her ground. The look in her eyes hardens.

  I reach out with both hands to grab her, but she knocks both arms aside with surprising strength before delivering a swift kick to my chest. If this were my first time seeing what she could do, the surprise would slow me down, but I have an idea of what she is capable of, and I don’t give her time to plan her next move.

  I move in close, startling her but she throws out a quick fist that I barely dodge. I catch the next hand coming at my face and use it to spin her away from me so that I can grab her from behind, but now I’m the one caught off guard.

  She holds me tightly and uses the force of the spin to pull me down. Damn, I forgot that she knows how to use my size against me. Taking us down to the bed was a mistake on her part though.

  I fall to the bed, but I am able to retain my hold on her and pull her down with me. She collides against my chest, and I quickly roll us to position myself above her struggling form. I hold her legs down with mine, and pin her hands above her head.

  “Ari,” I try to calm her, but she continues to struggle. “Please, tell me what I have done to upset you so badly. If it’s something I can’t fix, then you can leave.”

  “Oh please. Just try to kill me already. Let’s get this over with. Stop feeding me lies.” She snarls at me with watery eyes, but no tears fall.

  “What the hell are you talking about?”

  “You are a murderer!”

  Her words catch me off guard.

  “I’m an Alpha, Ari. At some point we all end up killing.” She knows this. I don’t know every detail of her father, but I do know that he has killed his fair share.

  “And what got you that role of Alpha? Oh yeah, killing your own father! Then you killed other Alpha’s for more land.”

  My body stiffens above her. “That’s what this is about?” I ask incredulousl
y.

  “Um yeah Darien, it’s kind of a big deal,” she replies, too tired to struggle anymore, unless she is feigning exhaustion. I hold on tighter just in case she gets any ideas.

  “Well you are right. I killed the fucking bastards. I would do it over and over again if I could. I didn’t do it for the Alpha position though. Any person, human or werewolf, that abuses and rapes women and children should be tortured slowly and painfully. I did him a justice he didn’t deserve,” I shout at her, barely hanging onto my control.

  So, this is what she has thought of me all this time? She is going to side with my father? My wolf threatens to surface when she doesn’t say anything for a while.

  “If that is a problem for you, then by all means, please leave,” I release her, stepping out of her reach.

  Ari

  He told me to leave so I do what I do best. What I had planned to do all along. I run. Out of the room, down the stairs, and out the front door. I want out of my skin, but it’s too light outside to shift in a place I am unfamiliar with.

  I’m not at all surprised that he doesn’t try to follow me, considering I basically just shamed him for doing the right thing. Word about his father had never reached my ears.

  This is why I should know better than to listen to gossip. There’s always another side to the story.

  Frustration and anger pushes me to run faster. How could Darien’s father do that? Alphas are supposed to protect their pack. I should have known there was a reason Darien did what he did or else someone would have stopped him.

  My head is clearer now with some space. The electricity between us has been way too intense. Now that I can breathe, I feel stupid for running like an immature coward.

  All I’ve ever wanted is freedom, and the moment he provided that opportunity, I jumped at it. The only problem is that now I’m not so sure that I want to disappear anymore. Not from him.