Alpha Benji

♕Chapter Thirty-Three♕

♕ Benji's P.O.V ♕

It's been nearly four years since I've inherited the Alpha position from my father. And over those four years, I've never had a problem with my promptness. Alaric tends to think I'm too anal about my schedule, but I beg to differ. 

When you're overseeing a large pack harboring nearly two hundred prisoners underground, you need to stick to a schedule. 

But, this morning I'm finding it extremely difficult to get my day started. I have the petite brunette sound asleep next to me to blame for that.

I can't really say I'm upset about her late night visit, because that would just be a complete lie. A bit shocked, yes, but pleasantly. I could sense her anxiety rolling off her in waves before she even knocked on my door. Whenever she's near, my body goes into tunnel vison - all I see is her, all I hear is her, all I smell is her.

I groan, digging my knuckles into my eyes to rub the sleep away. When my vision finally refocuses, my eyes immediately find their way to her. Her long waves are sprawled around her sleeping form, wrapping around her neck like fine jewelry. She looks peaceful, tucked beneath the heavy weight of the duvet. 

It's a striking contrast from when I first saw her. Underweight, dirty, and on the brink of death - death by which I ordered. It still haunts me to think about that day. Just the sheer idea of what could have happened if I hadn't showed up sends my wolf into a fit of rage.

I won't let anything happen to her. 

A quick glance at the clock next to me let's me know what I've been trying to avoid. It's time to go. I slip from the bed with as much grace as I can manage, considering my large form. I go through the motions of getting ready, sending a mindlink to Alaric that I'll be there soon. Jeremiah isn't coming today, something about checking up on his guards down in the cells. It's been quite sometime since one of us has gone down those stairs to the cells. Jeremiah prefers to manage from above ground, but with all these changes in place it's necessary to take a more hands on approach. 

I almost think I've managed to escape without waking her, until she interrupts my train of thought.

"Benji? Where are you going?"

I turn around from my dresser to stare at her. Hearing my name whispered from her lips sends an involuntary shiver down my spine. When she first came here, I demanded the pack doctors to run a ToxScreen on her blood. I was convinced she was a Siren, sent here to torment me and lure me to my death by one of my enemies. I had never believed the pull mates have on each other until I dealt with it on my own. It's funny; she has no idea the power she holds over me.

"I have a meeting. Pack business." I leave my statement broad, not diving into any details. "Jeremiah has some business to deal with today. I linked Elise to let her know you'll be taking the day off."

She shuffles in the bed, blinking through her haze of sleep. "It's s'kay, I can go. Jeremiah doesn't need to take me."

"Aria," My voice is firm as I take a step closer to the bed. It takes genuine effort to restrain myself from ordering her around. I know she doesn't like it, but it's second nature to me. "Just stay. I'll come home once I'm done."

I can see the apprehensiveness wash across her face. She's such a nervous little thing. It used to get on my nerves in the beginning because I didn't understand it. I honestly found it offensive, but I've quickly realized that it's not just with me, but really with anyone or any situation.