Apex Predator

~TWO~

"Don't you find it odd that we're going to be a team of Devines, and then we have one Thunder whose about as useful as a Beta." Riley carried on again, ignoring the fact that we weren't even acknowledging him.

My skin grew hot with anger and my arm slipped from Trella's, turning to face the bitter werewolf. Last thing I needed was to get into a fight with another clan, but I was through with the disrespect. I didn't know how to successfully fight, but I had Alpha blood. That had to be good for something, right? As I opened my mouth to spit an aggressive remark, Atlas slipped out from the shadow's and growled at Riley. "Say one more thing and you'll be hunting alone." he snapped angrily. His eyes had darkened and his arms flexed as he tried to remain civil, and I couldn't help but gawk at the tangle of veins traveling up his limbs.

A small part of me wanted to believe that he said something to be protective, but maybe the Alpha in him didn't want to listen to the bickering. Maybe he didn't want the fight with my father, because everyone knows he'd go to war if anyone touched me. It was wishful thinking, and I couldn't help but meeting his gaze again. This time, the anger in his eyes was directed to me, and the rage building inside me continued.

How dare he? I didn't ask for the help. He just decided to offer up a response to something I could've handled entirely by myself. Now he was upset with me? Why couldn't I exist without always getting under people's toes? "Why are you mad at me? Your pack mate is the one who can't keep his mouth shut."

Normally, I could get away with the back talk to my father. Only because of the blood we shared, but Atlas was from an entirely different pack and they were known to be way crueler than any other clan. I don't know why I thought I could give another Alpha the same amount of attitude with no other repercussions, and I knew Trella and Riley were a little frightened for me. They exchanged uneasy glances and returned to look at their Alpha, who was now red in the face and absolutely livid, "Astrid..." Trella whispered to me as a small warning.

Atlas didn't even let her finish her caution before his hand wrapped around my forearm, squeezing tightly and dragging me away from the group. As we descended deeper into the woods, the terror screaming in the pit of my stomach got louder and my hand desperately tried to pry his grip lose. You're not supposed to be terrified of your mate, but here I was, tears threatening to spill as I tried to escape his grip. The thickness of the forest prevented the moon light from reaching the ground, and that added to eerie effect. Deep inside, I was coming to the terms that my big mouth had finally gotten myself into more trouble than I can talk myself out of. I wasn't ready to die, but with ever slap or hit I landed to his back and arms, his grasp didn't lessen. Despite the blood running through my veins, he was a man, he was twice my size, and he was a full-blooded Alpha, I had no chance, and I might as well accept my fate. I did this to myself.

Once the gathering of wolves wasn't audible anymore, he stopped pulling me and I squeezed my eyes shut, ready for the fatal blow to my neck. You can imagine my surprise when suddenly my body was slammed into the trunk of a rather large pine tree, his hands pressed flat against the bark next to head, trapping me in place. He had me in a small clearing, the trees not dense enough to block out all the light, and the soft glow allowed me to see the fury in his eyes. There was something else deep within his stare as his jaw clenched. "You..." he started, and I was vaguely aware of his right hand squeezing the at the tree, pieces of bark falling onto the forest floor. "You do not talk to me like that. Ever. I am an Alpha, and you will treat me as such."

His breath fanned my face, and normally that would've grossed me out, but he smelled of fresh peppermint and I bit my bottom lip. It was taking every ounce of strength I had in my tiny body not to open my mouth and dig my grave, and I submissively looked away, "I'm sorry..." I whispered.