Bound To The Shadow Alpha

Subconsciously, I took a step back, last night's memories flooding my head. It looked like he noticed because his eyes hardened before averting his gaze to the two lovebirds that were in each other's embrace.

"Are you done? What did you get?" Beta Ryan wriggled his eyebrow suggestively at Arla, whose face became beetroot red.

"I got some hoodies and some cute flower-patterned gown. Ohhh, I got some flare jeans too and you should see the tops," Ryan chuckled before letting her continue, "—they're so cute. I got a necklace too and I got a matching bracelet for us."

"Really? Seems like you had a lot of fun."

"Yes. Ohhhh, I got you a hat too." At this point, she was bouncing on her feet. "Elyssa and I got matching bracelets too." She showed off the bracelet on her wrist, seemingly proud of herself.

He chuckled, grabbing her cheeks. "Yeah, you definitely got a lot of things."

Just as I was 'awwwning' at both of them, Beta Ryan moved to me next, ruffling my hair. "Thank you, Elyssa."

I huffed, trying to tame the mess my hair had become. "You are very welcome, Beta Ryan."

"Oh, don't be an oldie." He waved me off playfully. "Everyone calls me Ryan... I'm not as stiff as Kaelith." He whispered that part out, but I don't think it made any difference. Alpha Kaelith sent him a glare from where he stood, leaning on the counter with his hands in his pocket. He looked so out of place in this store and it's obvious that he doesn't visit this type of place. I bet he has his clothes tailored specially for him.

But I was surprised at Beta Ryan's words though. Most high-rank members like being addressed with their title, but I guess it's not that surprising seeing how laid-back he is.

He suddenly bent down to my height, his eyebrows furrowed. "What is this?" His fingers moved closer to my face, intending to move my hair from my forehead, but I quickly swerved my head away from him.

"It's nothi—"

"It doesn't look like nothing. Did you bump your head on something? It kind of looks like it's bruising."

Great! Now I have unnecessary attention on me. Even Alpha Kaelith's—which gives me goosebumps.

"Yeah, I was being clumsy." I chuckled, awkwardly rubbing the spot. I hoped he bought it, and looks like he did, because next he went back to fawning over his mate.

Ooof, thank goodness. That was... too much.

I've never had anyone worry about me before, but now that I do — it feels a little overwhelming. I'm so used to being alone... to being isolated from everyone that it's taking some time to get used to it.

I watched as he said something to Arla, which made her giggle and blush. I felt a pang in my heart as I watched the two.

I have always wondered what it'd be like to have a mate. To have someone look at you like you're the only one they see — but I guess I'll never find out. Just like Alpha Bastian said, "You are cursed to be alone. That's why the Moon Goddess didn't even grant you a wolf."

I'm not one to break down in public, but I could feel tears sting my eyes, so before I could slip up, I excused myself.

The outside cold hit me, reminding me that winter is almost here. I couldn't care less though, that I was wearing too little for the evening cold. I buried my face in my palm, letting a tear fall. Normally, I'd be able to keep my emotions in place and drown out Alpha Bastian's condescending voice in my head, but since yesterday, they've been all over the place.

Goddess! I'm such a mess.

I wiped at my face quickly, hoping the wind would take care of whatever my fingers couldn't. Maybe I could play it off as irritation from the cold. Yeah… sure.

I turned to go back into the store, but my head suddenly came in contact with a wall.

Wtf, I glanced up, confused, but instead of seeing a brick — I met with very familiar grey eyes.

My heart skipped a bit, and I felt my whole jumbled thoughts stop—not in the way that made me feel at peace, but in the way that made me feel empty up there.

"Why? Are you that weak that you cry at any chance?" The way his eyes looked at me when he said those words — like they were judging me.

"I did not cry," I snapped, a little too fast and way too defensively.

"Watch your tone." He snapped back, his middle finger lifting my chin so I could look him in the eyes. I felt chills running down my spine from how cold his eyes looked, but it compares to nothing to the tingles that spread from his finger on my chin.

I saw his eyes flicker a bit to the bruises on my forehead before his jaw tightened.

"You should be more careful. I don't like my properties getting bruised."

And with that, he left, leaving me speechless.

Did he just...