The Alpha's Promise ✔️

C H A P T E R 40

Soulmate

They asked, "Do you love her to death?" I said, "Speak her name over my grave and watch how she brings me back to life." -Mahmoud Darwish

ALESSANDRA ROMANO

I wake up to an ache in my thighs. My werewolf healing will take care of it, but I relish in the feeling. The cool sheets press against my body as I stretch. My senses had already told me that Zane was not in the room with me and I didn't expect him to be. Nightshades were a serious threat that had to be dealt with quickly.

I take in my mate's room clearly for the first time. The walls are gray and all of his furniture is black which some gold accents. If I breathe in I can smell him all around the room. With time, the smell of pine will intermingle with vanilla and the room will smell like us.

Run.

I consider ignoring my wolf because of how tired I am, but that never leads to good things. I grab one of Zane's shirts and some running shorts. My mom had dropped off some clothes of mine and I was thankful for the athletic gear.

The giant, broken window is what greets me as I step down the stairs.

Yikes.

Ignoring the monstrosity, I step out and find a tree to hang my clothes on. Then I shift, and my wolf takes off. I give her most of the control since I'm too tired to deal with anything right now.

She takes off, jumping over logs and chasing any little furry creature she sees. A rustling to the side of us makes my wolf's ears perk up. She brings her body down to the ground, ready to pounce if an attack is needed. Then she does the strangest thing.

She whines in a pleading way. A large, black wolf comes out from the shadows and gives her a lick on her snout. My wolf rises and puts her face into Rafael's furry neck. They stay like that for a while and a twinge of guilt hits me as I watch them. All this time Zane and I spent avoiding the bond kept two wolves apart. It's simpler for wolves. Their mate is their mate, no ifs and buts. They do not deserve the complexities that come with being a human.

My wolf crouches down low and jumps. Her body crashes into Rafael's bringing them both to the ground. Dirt splatters as Rafael takes the brunt of the fall. Alpha wolves tend to be more dominant and less playful but Rafael seems to enjoy Leya's playful nature. Both of them run around each other playing a game of chase.

Their little game continues for a while but then Zane shifts back into his human form. While Rafael seemed content to see us, Zane looks furious.

Well, he can't talk to me if I stay like this.

"Shift Alessandra," his voice is cold as it flows into my ears.

His commands might work on everyone else, but they won't work on me. My disobedience only enrages him further. I can practically feel his anger drowning me so I shift back.

"Are you out of your mind? There was just a Nightshade attack and you're out here frolicking in the woods?"

Zane never raises his voice, even now. He doesn't need to. His words and his tone are enough to make someone fear for their life. I often hear the rumors that surround him but I rarely ever get to see the alpha everyone fears. This is one of those rare moments.

"Are you kidding me? I'm the one who killed that Nightshade last night!"

He grips my arms and pulls me into him.