The Dark Alpha's Light

           The Shopping Episode

Torben

 

 My eyes lingered on the door after Lenore left the office with Mother and Mina. Her scent still hung in the air, and my heart thumped against my chest. I shook my head and tried to concentrate on the papers in front of me. I stand up and walk around the office. I wind up staring out the window that overlooks the driveway. I had mind-linked my driver to drive the ladies around. I watch Lenore exit the house with Mother and Mina and slide into the limo. The limo drives off, and I can’t help but watch. A knock on the door makes me jump slightly.

 “Come in,” I snarl.

 The door opens, and Gamma Frederick walks in and stands at attention in front of my desk. I turn to him. 

 “What is it, Gamma?” I ask in a low tone as I step towards him.

 “Alpha, I found alcohol in the rooms of three warriors,” He reports.

 “And?” I fold my arms. “You know what the punishment for them is,” I huff.

 “Yes, twenty lashes and three days without medical attention for their wounds along with no food or water,” Gamma Frederick says to me.

 “So, what is the problem?” I ask.

 “They wish to speak to you, Alpha,” Gamma Frederick responds. “They are three of our best warriors.”

 “So? Everyone is bound by the same laws, Gamma,” I sit in my chair.

 Gamma Frederick makes a face, “In my opinion, I believe you should speak with them.”

 I stare at him briefly before standing up with a low growl. “I have work to do, but sure, that can wait while I go down and do your job,” I mumble and rush out of the office.

 “That’s not what I am requesting, Alpha Torben,” my gamma says from behind me.

 As we rush toward the elevator, we are met with Beta Garth. “Where are you two going in such a rush?” He chuckles.

 “Gamma Frederick asked me to speak with three lawbreakers,” I turn to the gamma, who bows his head. 

 Beta Garth looks at the gamma but says nothing. “So, what law did they break?”

 “The most important law in this pack, Beta,” I snarl and continue towards the elevator that will take us to the dungeons. “Where are the three violators being kept?” I ask my gamma as we step off the elevator.

 “The first cell,” Gamma Frederick responds.

 I nod and step down the metal walkway. I get to the cell, and my gamma opens it up. The three warriors are standing in the cold room. 

 “Alpha,” one of the warriors speaks. I recognize all three of the warriors in the room. I hate that they are all excellent warriors who felt it was okay to break my laws. “We are sorry about the alcohol,” He tells me and gestures to another warrior, “It was Jerry’s twenty-first birthday.“

 “Silence!” I bark. The three warriors stand at attention. “I don’t care that it was Jerry’s birthday. All three of you are honored warriors in this pack. You are well aware of the laws. You were caught with alcohol in your rooms. So you must be punished.”

 “Sir, please,” Jerry pleads. “It was a mistake.”

 “It was a mistake, Warrior,” I agree. “One I hope you won’t repeat.”

 “I won’t, Alpha,” He smiles slightly.

 I turn to Gamma Frederick, “I spoke to them. Now get on with the punishment,” I order him and step toward the door.

 “Punishment?!” Jerry screams. “You-“

 I turn to him, “I what?” I growl.

 “This is unfair, Alpha. We have served this pack well, and this is how we are thanked,” Jerry stands tall and looks me in the eyes. “We just had a couple of beers. It’s bullshit that you don’t allow any sort of fun around here!”

 I stalk towards him with my eyes narrowed. I wrap a hand around his neck and slam him against the wall, “My laws are etched in stone, Warrior. They are not up for discussion. You may have served us well, but consuming a forbidden substance has soured your service to this pack. For your sharp tongue, you shall suffer thirty lashes,” I hiss and let him go. I turn to the other two, “Do either of you have anything to say?”

 “No, Alpha,” They both shout.

 “Good,” I breathe out and walk out of the cell. I hear boots marching behind me and turn to my beta. “Do you have something to say?”

 “No, Alpha,” He presses his lips together.

 “Ensure Gamma Frederick carries out the punishment,” I order.

 “I have work-“ My beta sighs. “Yes, Alpha.” 

 I get back to my office and slump down in my chair. I turn my attention to my computer and notice my phone is vibrating. I see a familiar number followed by a string of texts from my old girlfriend, Victoria Cullen. A small smile spreads on my face. Victoria was the one whom I thought my heart beats for. She was going to be my Luna even though she wasn’t my fated mate. But that all soured when I found her in bed with another man. I almost banished her from the pack, but her father was one of the best warriors in the pack. I set the phone down as her face flashes through my mind. Set growls viciously.

 ‘She is not our mate,’ He snarls.

 ‘No, she isn’t,’ I concede and banish the thoughts. I set my eyes on my computer and worked for a few hours, only taking a brief break for lunch. There is a knock on the door, and Mother strolls into the office without waiting for permission, “Mother,” I growl.

 “Don’t you growl at me, Torben,” She growls back. 

 “What do you want?”

 She stops in front of the desk and glares at me, “Don’t you speak to me like that. Do you think your father would appreciate the tone you take with me?”

 “No, ma’am,” I look at the desk. “Can I help you with anything, Mother?”

 “That’s better,” she pats my hand. “I just wanted to let you know that the shopping trip went well. Mina and I helped Lenore get a lot of lovely items to wear. We also helped her unpack and put things away.”

 I lean back in my seat and tent my hands. “Great,” I shrug. “That couldn’t have waited until I was done working for the day?”

 “I just thought I would tell you how much I enjoy your mate. I think Mina likes her also,” Mother walks around the desk and leans against it beside me. She looks me in the eyes, “I wish you could see how lovely Lenore is.”

 I look away from her, “I know how lovely she is, Mother.” 

 “Have you told her? Or did you just dismiss her and tell she is merely a broodmare?”

 “Mother,” I drawl out. “You needn’t worry about the relationship I have with my mate.”

 She places her hand on my cheek, “Torben Silas Ambrose, I am your mother. I gave birth to you. I will worry about you till the day I die,” She huffs. “And it worries me that you do not see the gift of the mate bond. The Goddess gave you an intelligent, strong, and beautiful mate. That girl is ready to reject you and leave this place.” 

 I shudder at her word but do my best to hide how I feel. “That won’t happen, Mother. She is my mate. Her main job is to ensure that I have an heir. You can help shape her into a proper Luna that knows her place.”

 “She already knows how to be a Luna, Torben,” Mother argues. “She has been doing it since her mother passed away. But please, you must see her as more than a vessel to birth your heir. My Goddess, what happened to my happy son?”

 “I have work to do, Mother,” I push her away. 

 She takes a deep breath. “Don’t squander your gift, Torben.” 

 I ignore her last words and look at my computer. The door closes, and I stare at it for a moment. Set is not saying anything in my head, but his mood tells me everything he is thinking. I rise from the desk and walk out of the office. 

 Lenore’s scent hangs in the air, and I allow myself to follow it out to the garden. I walk past the flowers and the fruit trees. I hear laughter from the gazebo and see Lenore laughing with my sister and her friends. I watch them for a few moments loving the way Lenore is smiling. Her bright and happy face warms my heart. 

 ‘Claim her. Make her ours forever,’ Set urges me, but I ignore him and just stare at my mate.

 ‘She is quite beautiful when she smiles,’ I mention to him.

 ‘She is more than beautiful, Torben. She will be the best Luna this pack has ever had. And she will provide us with more than just heirs. Why can’t you see that?’ Set asks, and I turn away from my mate. 

 Saying nothing, I saunter back to the packhouse. ‘We will go for a run tonight,’ I tell Set. ‘Then and maybe then, I will mark her.’

 ‘Maybe,’ Set huffs.

 I make my way back to my office, and a familiar person greets me.

 “Torben,” the feminine voice of my ex-girlfriend Victoria echoes in the hallway. She is wearing a tight white dress, accentuating her bright red hair and green eyes. For a moment, I am caught up in old memories and let her sway her hips toward me. “Torbie, as handsome as ever,” She strokes my cheek, and I let her.

 ‘Torben!’ Set growls, and I pull back from Victoria.

 “Victoria,” I scowl at her. “What are you doing here?”

 “I came back to say I made a huge mistake, and I want you to take me back,” She flutters her long eyelashes and smiles. Her perfume chokes my senses, and I find it hard to concentrate.

 “You cheated on me,” I say to her.

 “It was a mistake, Torbie,” She squeals out. “I told you over and over that it was a mistake.”

 “Apology accepted. But I have no desire to have you back,” I scowl. “I have met my mate. You are no longer needed.”

 Victoria snorts, “So, I have heard. I doubt she is anywhere as beautiful as I am.”

 “She is very beautiful,” I say without much emotion.

 “Torbie-“ She reaches toward me again, and I back away.

 “That’s Alpha to you, Ms. Cullin,” I push her back and turn toward the office. 

 Her hand strokes my back, and Set growls viciously. “Have you forgotten our time together? Forgotten everything we went through?” She sighs. “I was there when your father died. Don’t you remember that?” 

 I turn to her, “I remember that, Victoria,” I say quietly. “I also remember the betrayal of seeing you in bed with one of my allies.”

 “He got me drunk and then claimed me as his mate,” She sniffles fake tears. “Isaac wasn’t my mate, though. Just some playboy alpha who threw me out just like you did. I have nowhere to go. My father doesn’t want me back in his house.”

 “You may stay within the pack,” I tell her. “You were not forbidden from this territory. But you and I are over.”

 She leans into me, and I am intoxicated by her scent. Set is in my head, trying to take control. 

 ‘She is not your mate. Do not let this succubus make you do something you’ll regret.’

 Victoria looks down the hall before planting a kiss on my lips. Instinctively I wrap my arms around her, and she moans. I am lost in the moment until the scent of chamomile becomes strong.

 “Torben!” My sister shouts, and I turn to see Lenore beside Mina.

 “What?” I shout. My attention turns to my mate, whose eyes flood with tears. She then turns and runs away. That enrages Set and I have to fight him from taking control. “Lenore!” I bellow as she runs further away. 

 ‘Go after her, you dumbass,’ Set snarls, and I take off running after my mate.

 Outside I look around, and Lenore is nowhere to be found. I sniff the air and let Set guide me to her. My fine suit is dirtied as I run through the woods looking for my mate. I hear sobbing and find Lenore sitting on a rock, crying her eyes out.

 “Lenore,” I speak, and she looks up at me.

 She takes a deep breath and stands up. She looks me in the eye with fire in them. Set whimpers at the sight before us, “I, Lenore Angelica Moonglade-“

 I interrupt her rejection by pulling her into my arms and kissing her lips. For a moment, she leans into me but then starts trying to pull away. That only angers Set, and I hold her tight. She kicks me in the knee, and I let her go.

 We stare at each other for a moment before she slaps me hard. “You son of a bitch!”

 “Lenore,” I try to grab her, but she steps away. “Let me explain myself.”

 “I don’t want explanations from you. I only want to be rejected so I can go home and be happy again,” She shouts.

 “You aren’t happy here?” I ask with an air of sadness.

 “No!” Lenore stomps her foot. “I hate you! I hate how my spirit is fading. I don’t want to become dead inside like you. Now, reject me and let me go home.”

 “I can’t do that, Lenore!” I shout back at her.

 “Why? You just want me for heirs. You can have heirs with the whore you were just kissing!” 

 Her blue eyes are so full of fire that it is turning me on, and I have to resist taking her here in the woods. “Victoria is my ex-girlfriend,” I try to explain. “She kissed me.”

 “And you seemed to like it,” She folds her arms.

 “And? If you want me to reject you, why do you care whom I kiss?” I manage to smirk. I step towards her, and she takes a step back until she hits a tree. A small whimper escapes her, and I press my lips against hers again. She tries to resist for a moment before giving in, and I wrap my arms around her. I pull back to look her in the eyes, “You are the only one I want to kiss,” I whisper against her cheek, and she shudders.

 “Alpha-“

 “Torben,” I whisper to her. “Call me Torben.”

 “Torben,” she repeats softly, and we deepen the kiss.

Chapter 10 - The Dark Alpha's Light