Page 52 of Her Destined Alpha (Alpha #3)

Raihana

W hen Rayhan had told me that he and Delsanra were safe, I was so happy, and then to make matters even better, he had told me that morning to get her everything she would need. Needless to say, I was so excited!

Well, I was up until now, I thought, watching Blake and Chris have a stare-down. My heart skipped a beat as I looked between both of them. I had no idea why they didn’t get on, but the tension was so thick between them that you could practically see it. With each day, it just got worse.

“I’ll take her,” Chris said, standing there like an arrogant jerk in his black knee-length puffer coat, which only made him look more annoying than ever.

“It was my shift today. I’d appreciate it if we stuck to the rota. Not to mention, I know you took her off pack grounds the other day… I don’t think the Alpha knew you were planning on leaving town with his daughter,” Blake growled.

Wait, was that what it was about?

“Shame you’re not in on the picture, but we went to meet Rayhan. Raihana can confirm that,” Chris said in his cocky voice.

I sighed. Although Chris and I had to spend a fair amount of time together, we still clashed. I tried to take what Rayhan had told me into account, but it was easier said than done. There was something about him that got to me… a lot. Oh, wait, not to mention his cocky, sexist attitude!

“Blake. Dad trusts Chris, so regardless of where we went, you shouldn’t have a problem with it,” I said softly.

Since Chris stepped into my life, the last couple of days had been so infuriating, yet... looking at Blake, I realised I wasn’t waiting excitedly to see him every morning like I once used to. I spent my time consumed with my anger and irritation towards Chris. I missed Blake…

“I just don’t want you hurt in any way…” Blake replied quietly. Once upon a time, I knew those words would have made my stomach flutter with excitement. His eyes met mine, and even then, rather than melting into his intense gaze, I could feel Chris’s green eyes piercing into me.

Goddess…

“I won’t get hurt. Besides, I’m not a kid, Blake, I’m an adult.” I wished he could see me like that.

“Well, if we’re all done with our mushy-gushy ‘I’m okay. No, you’re not. I’m worried’ BS, can we go?” Chris asked, motioning with his thumb towards the front door. An irritated flash of annoyance crossed Blake’s face before he looked at me.

“Princess, do you want to go with me or him?”

My eyes widened. I snuck a look at Chris and didn’t miss the deep frown that had set on his handsome face.

“Obviously…” I trailed off, looking at Blake.

What was this? Wasn’t it Blake? Going shopping… even popping into some lingerie shops… I wanted it to be Blake. So, why was I hesitating? Anger began to bubble inside of me. I hated that Chris was getting to me.

“You, of course,” I said, giving Blake one of my best smiles. To my surprise, a small smile crossed his lips.

“Then let’s go,” he said.

“Yes,” I said.

I glanced at Chris, who looked super pissed. He glanced at me, shaking his head as our eyes met, and I felt something inside clench. Why did I feel like shit? He didn’t say anything as he left the mansion, the door slamming behind him with a loud thud.

“So, where is our stop?” Blake asked. I blinked and looked at him, taking a moment to gather my thoughts.

“Umm, city centre… I need to do some shopping…”

I had told one of our head Omegas to unpack Delsanra’s clothing that Kiara had ordered, they would arrive soon enough.

I told them not to mention anything to anyone else in the pack.

No one needed to know that our future Alpha had found his mate until he was ready to announce it himself, although, by the looks of it, they already knew.

Guess Mom had told everyone. With her excitement, it was no surprise.

Three hours later, I was shopping, and Blake was carrying the bags, having dropped some off at the car twice.

Spending time with Blake was peaceful; he didn’t talk much.

I paused, my hand on a black skimpy lingerie bodysuit, and glanced at Blake.

I could imagine Chris giving his input if he was here.

“What do you think of this?” I asked him. He looked down at it, and I resisted a smile when I saw his gaze flicker to my body. Was he imagining me in it?

“It’s sexy,” he said, looking away.

“Hmm, it is, isn’t it? Do you think the colour’s good? You can’t go wrong with black, right?” I asked, holding it against me. To my satisfaction, his eyes flashed, and I smiled coquettishly, a pout on my lips. “I’ll take that as a yes,” I whispered.

“Raihana, what are you doing?” he asked.

“Nothing at all,” I replied, turning back and grabbing one in my size and one in Delsanra’s.

From what I could see by the dress sizes, the girl was tiny. I felt sorry for her, paired with a giant like Rayhan. He wasn’t overly burly, but he was built tall and, as an alpha, probably, you know… Eee! Yucky! Gross! Raihana, don’t go there!

Two hours later, I was ready to head home. Maybe I did get a little carried away, considering Kiara had ordered loads too, but a girl needed a lot, and I was ready to welcome my brother’s mate with open arms.

I was sure we would get on, and more than that, she was a witch, too. That felt good, knowing I had someone who would understand me there. I wouldn’t lie, I felt like an outcast at times, hiding who I was just so I wasn’t hated…

I looked at Blake, wondering if he would hate me too.

He opened the car door for me, and I slid in, away from the crazy windy weather. Like always, he reached over and strapped me in. His eyes met mine, and my stomach fluttered. He gave me a slight smirk before moving back and shutting the door.

What was that? Did he know the effect he had on me? Did I want him to know?

He got in, tilting his head as he looked at me.

“Want anything to eat?”

“We had lunch not long ago, I’m not hungry,” I replied, placing a hand on my stomach.

“Okay then, back home?”

“Yes…” He nodded and was about to drive off when he leaned over me. My eyes widened as he reached over to my head.

“Hold still, Princess,” he said, his eyes locked with mine. My heart was thundering as he got closer, and my gaze dipped to his lips. I could hear his heart too. I barely registered him removing something from my hair as I bit my lip, my stomach fluttering. Was he going to kiss me?

My cheeks heated up. Was something I had dreamt of coming true?

I leaned forward slightly, ready to meet him halfway, but just as my eyes were about to flutter shut, Chris’s face flashed in my head.

I suddenly felt cold rush over me, and the haze that was settling vanished.

I pushed Blake away with such force that he slammed into the steering wheel.

“Sorry!” I gasped, covering my mouth.

“No. Not at all, I was out of line. I’m sorry,” he said quietly. His face was pale, and I felt terrible. I had given him mixed signals. It was my fault.

“No, Blake… I shouldn’t have… I’m sorry,” I whispered, wishing that I wasn’t stuck in the car with him right then.

“It’s cool… I was stupid to think…” He cleared his throat, turning the radio on instead.

I closed my eyes, turning my gaze away from him. I felt dreadful. Why had Chris come to mind? I felt angry. I had wanted Blake for so long, and when I almost had the chance… Chris ruined it.

With every passing second as we drove back home, my anger toward the green-eyed devil was growing. The moment the car parked up, and before Blake could even speak, I gave him a small fake smile.

“Could you make sure everything is put in the hall? The omegas know what to do with it,” I said.

“Sure,” he said, knowing I didn’t want to talk. I got out, taking my phone out. I hurried inside before I texted Chris.

RAIHANA: I need to speak to you.

CHRIS: Aren’t we texting?

I rolled my eyes but wasn’t in the mood to argue.

RAIHANA: In person.

I texted, feeling my irritation growing.

CHRIS: K.

I rolled my eyes, heading straight to my room and throwing my phone onto my bed. I took my faux fur coat off and tossed it on the bed, running my fingers through my hair. What was I even going to say to him? I just felt so irritated. Wait, this is stupid. I don’t want to see his stupid face!

I grabbed my phone to tell him I’d changed my mind, just as there was a knock on my door. Who the hell is it now?

I yanked the door open, ready to snap at whoever was disturbing me, but I was facing a wall of muscle. My eyes snapped up to Chris’s face. I was beginning to see that moody face of his a lot more than his annoying smirks.

“I changed my mind. I don’t want to see you,” I said, about to slam the door shut, only for him to stop it with his hand, forcing it open.

“The thing is, Princess… I’m not here at your beck and call.

Neither is my time a matter of play. If you needed something, and clearly Blake couldn’t cover it, tell me.

What is it?” he asked, his piercing eyes looking colder as he stared down at me.

My stomach twisted, and I could sense the anger that he was trying to hide.

My heart clenched, and I wouldn’t lie that it didn’t hurt.

He was never like that, from what I knew…

“Well, I realised it wasn’t important. I just… I want you to talk to Dad about removing you from this position. I can’t stand you,” I said, my words cutting me.

Wow, way to be a bitch, Ri…

“Wow… I would really love to know what I have done to earn such hate.” His voice was disbelieving and breathy as he stepped into my room, looking down at me. My heart was thundering. I didn’t want to do it right then.

“Because you’ve messed everything up,” I said, my chest heaving as I stared up at him.