Out Running the Alpha

Everythings Not As It Seems

Bastien wouldn't let me out of his sight for the next several days. I was surprised by how gentle he was being. He looked at me with a softness I didn't think he was capable of feeling. When he saw the dark bruise around my arm where he had grabbed me forcing me to watch his trial by combat he looked ashamed. The next day he'd given me a delicate diamond tennis bracelet. I'd protested at his generosity. I didn't want him to think that he could buy me off with a pretty piece of jewelry and everything would be fine. He'd looked genuinely upset and asked what I wanted instead. Since then he'd stopped with the grand gestures although he'd insisted I keep the bracelet. Instead, he'd started doing small things like bringing me books or making me food himself rather than having someone else do it. I would have been annoyed by the blatant attempt to win me over, but he never once pointed out these small kindnesses or asked for a thank you.

Getting dressed I found a long beautiful dress and pulled it out. It was a light nude short slip dress with a sheer layer of fabric embroidered white flowers over it that had sleeves that went to my elbows and a long flowing skirt. Pulling it on it fit perfectly hugging my curves in all the right places. It was sophisticated and chic while still being sexy.

I went down to the library to continue to look for a way to help Brandon as I had spent most of my time doing lately. I sighed turning on some music before sitting down in my chair. There were several books about rogues, but I hadn't found anything useful. Some argued that it was a choice to become a rogue while others believed that they were born that way then there was another group that thought it was a combination of the two. While interesting I didn't see how this was going to help me.

Sighing I put the book down and turned up the music as Riannon by Fleetwood Mac came on. I stood swaying to the rhythm closing my eyes. I twirled raising my arms letting the music fill me.

Rhiannon rings like a bell through the night

And wouldn't you love to love her?

Take to the sky like a bird in flight

And who will be her lover?

All your life you've never seen a woman taken by the wind

Would you stay if she promised you heaven?

Will you ever win?

I rolled my neck letting my hair fall back relaxing into the music. I invoked the elements letting them dance with me and I laughed happily. I hadn't invoked the elements in a while as it felt incredibly freeing. I laughed letting air twirl around me opening my eyes.

I saw Bastien standing in the doorway staring at me in wonder. I flushed embarrassed. "Sorry I didn't mean to interrupt you," Bastien said looking away. Through the bond, I could feel his embarrassment as well as an incredible lust pouring off of him. Before I realized what I was doing the bond had pulled us together. He wrapped his arms around my waist pulling me closer to him and I leaned in resting my head on his chest. He smelled like the forest just before it rains and I breathed it intoxicated. What was I doing this man was evil? I pushed away from him, but he didn't let go of my waist and I found that I didn't want to.

Rhiannon rings like a bell through the night

and wouldn't you love to love her?

She rules her life like a bird in flight

and who will be her lover?

All your life you've never seen

a woman taken by the sky.

Well would you stay if she promised to you heaven?

Would you even try?

And he says, "Rhiannon, Don't go."

And he says, "Rhiannon, stay."

And he says, "I still cry out for you.

Don't leave me, don't leave me."

Bastien looked down at me his blue eyes glistening. "Don't go" he whispered his warm breath tickling my neck "stay."

"I don't know if I can," I whispered back. It scared me how much I wanted to give in to him and I didn't think it was only the bond pushing me towards him. Bastien stroked my hair sadly.

"It's ok. We have time," he tried to smile, but I could feel his hurt. "I have some business to attend too so I'll be gone for a little while. I would take you with me, but it's safer for you here".

"You're going to try and conquer another pack," I realized softly. He was beginning his war and quest to be king.

He didn't answer. "Flint and Jax will be with you and hopefully I'll be back soon," he said. He gently put a finger under my chin and lifted it so I was looking at him. He stayed very still. Surprised I realized he wasn't going to kiss me despite how much he wanted to. I went up on my toes and pressed my lips softly against his cheek. As much as I wanted to I couldn't bring myself to actually kiss him, but it didn't seem to matter to Bastien. He was grinning broadly as if I had given him more than he could have asked.

"See you soon kitten," he said kissing my forehead before walking out of the room. I sagged exhausted by the conflicting emotions coursing through my body. I wanted to hate Bastien, but I was finding it harder and harder to imagine after what I'd seen him do.

I decided to sneak into Bastiens office once he was gone later that night. I realized that I didn't know that much about him. Maybe I could find something that would either put any doubts out of my mind that Bastien was a monster. That this nice guy act wasn't just for my benefit, but actually part of who he was.

I rifled through his filing cabinet where I was surprised to find a file on Cole. Apparently, he had been connected with the rape and murder of several local girls, but there was never enough to charge him. According to the notes in the files Bastien suspected that he used his connections on the force to cover up evidence of his guilt. That was why he'd gone crazy when he'd found me with Cole. My heart dropped as I realized that he might not have been trying to help me. I didn't even know if he was driving me towards to airport when Bastien had caught up to us.

My heart dropped. I had been hoping for something to assure me that Bastien was a monster, but when he'd killed Cole he had been trying to protect me. This changed everything. Now that I looked back on everything he'd ever done, while some of them were horrible he had done it to protect me. I shivered as the bond delighted inside me.

Walking back to my room I felt more confused than ever. Bastien was a ruthless killer, but it was starting to look more and more like he genuinely cared about me and wanted to protect me. But I had to think about more than just me if I was going to be with him. I couldn't be with someone who was cruel to the others around him.

"Brittney" I heard a voice whisper and I turned around to see Victor the winner of the fight to the death that Bastien had made me watch. I turned surprised and he pressed a finger to my lips. "Your father sent me to bring you home."

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Authors Note: Hey guys I know it's short, but I hope you like it. Let me know who your favorite characters are and whether you guys like Bastien or Greyson better! Comment and Vote! Shout outs to @petethepeeler @crackheadcat and @Stephy974!

I do not own Rhiannon by Fleetwood Mac