Page 61 of Her Destined Alpha (Alpha #3)

Rayhan

I watched Delsanra talking to Raihana. It was sweet of her to take Raihana away when this entire topic had been clearly affecting her.

I smiled slightly and looked at two of the special women in my life; my beautiful, irreplaceable snowflake that looked like a goddess in red and my temperamental, spoiled little sister who had a heart of gold beyond her diva-like antics.

“Rayhan, it’s been so long.” A woman’s voice drew me out of my thoughts, and I looked at the group of young women who had approached me. I actually had no idea who the hell they were.

Rayhan, get rid of them, Mom’s cold voice came through the link.

I smiled at that. Mom would kill me if I so much as hurt my mate’s feelings. I just hoped that would never change.

“I’m sorry, but I have no clue who you ladies are, so if you will excuse me.”

“Rayhan, don’t tease! I’m surprised you are not over there with your mate.” Another one of them giggled.

“Me too. Let’s change that,” I said, glancing up just to see Delsanra turning away. Damn, I hope she didn’t misinterpret this.

I looked at her, smiling softly. There was something about her that made her stand out. Even in a room full of women lavishly dressed, she was unique. Glowing like a beacon of beauty. I walked off, not bothering to reply to the young women who were trying to engage in a conversation.

There was something my girl had wanted, and I refused her. I think it was high time I made that up to her.

Delsanra

The lights dimmed , and I spun around as a new song began playing. Suddenly, a spotlight lit up right above me, and my eyes widened as a voice I recognised filled the room.

My cheeks burned as all eyes turned on me, but my heart was pounding for another reason. My eyes fixed on him, the man singing, supporting a microphone headset. A small smile lit his face as his eyes met mine. He gave me a wink as he began dancing, a second spotlight illuminating him.

Oh, he was good.... His voice was deep, low, and sexy. The way he moved, God… that man was beyond perfection.

“Body first to dance, lay down for me… when you work it so perfect, I wanna call you my Habibi…” His words rang in the air as the music boomed loudly just as the lights came on, and I clamped my hands over my mouth, a thousand emotions coursing through me.

“I love it one hundred, wanna hear you say inta hayati.”

Everyone cheered as Rayhan looked down at me, standing in front of me and taking my hand as he spun me around and back into his arms, my back pressed against his chest. One hand threaded with mine, the other on my stomach, igniting a firework of sparks coursing through me.

I couldn’t stop the smile that spread across my lips.

I felt like I was in a fantasy. His voice sent pleasure to my core, and I had to admit the others had been correct; Rayhan could indeed sing.

He let go of my waist, holding my hand as he twirled me around, and I didn’t know where I found the courage to sway my hips, moving to the music.

It was probably the first time I had danced, but I didn’t care what others would think because right then, all I wanted was to enjoy the moment with my man.

I locked my arms around his neck, and his hands skimmed down my waist, pulling me against him as we moved to the music.

Others joined in the dancing, but we were lost only in one another.

I joined in singing along to the chorus, letting myself go.

The look in his smouldering grey eyes consumed me, hypnotising me completely.

If he told me to lay down my life for him right then, I would do it without question.

“I love you,” I whispered the moment the song came to an end, flinging my arms around his neck. His heart raced, catching me as he lifted me from the ground and spun me around, his arms locked tightly around my waist too.

“I love you too, Kitten,” he whispered, his voice resonating in the room around us thanks to the microphone.

I looked into his eyes, pulled down his headset, and kissed him passionately. He smiled against my lips, kissing me back with even deeper passion. His hand grazed down my back while the other locked around my waist. I was drowning in an ocean of pleasure and happiness.

Whistles and hooting brought me back to reality when I finally pulled away, gasping for air as Rayhan let up. He pressed his lips against my neck right on top of his mate mark, making my core clench. I blushed deeply, glancing around at the large group of people watching us.

My smile faded. The laughing, the smiles… the bright lights...

My heart thundered as I remembered being kept as entertainment for those monsters long ago... being the centre of attention…

“It’s okay,” Rayhan’s strong, smooth voice came. I took a deep breath, burying my head into his chest. He locked his arms around my shoulders, the other holding the back of my neck. He kissed the top of my head. “I got you.”

I clutched his jacket tightly, trying to calm the storm within me. His hand caressing my back soothed me.

“Who knew my man could be so charming?” Chris’s voice called out.

“Who knew? Seriously? This is Rayhan, probably the sexiest, most charming alpha around, which is no mystery,” Raihana’s voice answered, and I was tugged from Rayhan’s arms as she gave me a tight hug.

“I won’t deny that considering he just stole away my limelight,” his cousin chuckled, slapping Rayhan on the back. “Careful, brother. Every single she-wolf seems to have just upped their desire for you. Must feel good knowing how wanted you are,” he added quietly.

Despite how quietly he had spoken, I’d heard. Raihana was too busy exclaiming how good we looked together, having pulled me over to her mother and Layla, but I couldn’t help but listen to their conversation.

“My mate is the only one I want to be desired by. Really, Zain, I don’t know what you’re trying to insinuate, but you can take it elsewhere.” Rayhan’s voice was as cold and dangerous as it had been warm and sexy minutes earlier.

“Ray-”

“This conversation is over. Enjoy the rest of your day, Zain.”

I gasped when I felt his hands slip around my waist, my breath hitching when his lips brushed my shoulder. Did he know I had heard? I wasn’t sure. They had talked very quietly. Everyone was chatting, and it was loud.

“Rayhan, is it okay to steal your mate for a short while?” Maria asked her son.

“I’m sure you can do that in my presence,” he said, kissing my neck. “I just don’t want to be far from her.” Maria smiled and nodded.

“Fine then, how can I pull mates apart,” she said proudly.

I smiled up at Rayhan, knowing he did it for me, but I needed to do it, alone… especially if I wanted Maria to like me.

“Thank you… but it’s okay. Me and…” I couldn’t bring myself to call her Mom yet, not when she didn’t even know what I was. “We will be okay.” He frowned slightly. “Trust me,” I whispered, caressing his hand gently.

He nodded. A strand of his hair that had escaped from his man-bun fell in front of his forehead. I reached up, brushing it aside. God, he looked so sexy tonight. His shirt wrapped around his sexy arms so perfectly that every move he made showed off his incredible physique.

“As long as you don’t go too far,” Rayhan replied, kissing my hand.

“We won’t,” she replied before smiling at me. I felt nervous, my heart racing as Maria motioned for me to follow her.

“Don’t worry,” Rayhan murmured, kissing my cheek before he motioned for me to follow his mom. “I won’t be far.” I nodded, trusting him.

His mom led me out of the huge hall, and the sudden silence was welcoming. I didn’t actually realise how loud it had been in there.

“Don’t be scared, I just want to get to know you a little,” she said, smiling. I nodded. This was going to be tough. I didn’t want to lie to her... yet there were things I couldn’t tell her either. She made her way outside, and instantly, six men flanked us.

“These are my trusted guards. They will make sure we are safe,” she said, looking around. She sighed softly. It was clear she was extremely careful.

The cool breeze skimmed past us. The gardens were decorated as lavishly as the inside had been. Several couples were walking around, some having an intimate moment.

“So, tell me about yourself; your age, where you grew up, your family?” Maria said.

“I grew up in the States and moved here when I was eight. I lived down near London before moving up to Yorkshire. Since then, I’ve just been here and there…

I never knew my mother, but my father and stepmother weren’t the greatest people.

I have a half-brother and a sister; the latter never liked me, and my brother was pretty young when I left home,” I said, looking down at my hands.

I could sense the sadness washing off her, and I looked up to see the emotions in her eyes. But I didn’t want it… not the pity, I just… this lie…

“Oh, I’m so sorry, my child,” she said, cupping my face for a moment.

“It’s cool,” I said with a faint smile.

“So, what do you do? Or what did you do before meeting Rayhan?” she asked, schooling her face once again.

“I worked at a diner,” I said, wondering if she was expecting me to be someone more at Rayhan’s level. She looked surprised but simply smiled.

“So, you are patient, efficient, and quick at whatever you need to get done?”

“Umm, I guess we could put it like that,” I said with a small smile. She let out a graceful laugh and looked up at the cloudy sky.

“Well, those are skills needed to make a fine Luna. I’m sure you will be capable… the Moon Goddess would not have gifted Rayhan an incapable mate,” she said, smiling as she looked at me. Her words almost made me frown. Was she insinuating something, or was that just me being paranoid?

“I will do my best, I guess,” I said hesitantly.

“Good, because to run a pack, there are things a Luna needs to do. Certain responsibilities... enough of that now. I’m sure, with time, you will learn that, and we will see what kind of Luna you will become.

” My stomach sank a little. Maybe I wasn’t what she was expecting.

She looked at me and gave me a small smile.

“Please don’t take my words the wrong way; it’s just that we are one of the strongest packs in the country, and our reputation is known throughout. I just don’t want people to think we have weakened since having a human Luna.” I frowned. Well, that wasn’t fair…

“So, I’m guessing maybe a witch or vampire Luna would have been better than a human, then?” I asked.

It wasn’t fair to judge me on my race. Human or witch, she was still looking down on me. My words made her freeze, her heart thudding as she looked at me sharply.

“That is not a joke, Ana. I know you don’t really understand our world yet, but witches... they are worse than anything you could possibly encounter. We lost many loved ones thanks to them.”

“But Rayhan said they aren’t all bad,” I replied. I knew I should back down, but I never could. Half the time, it was why I got punished. Her frown deepened.

“Rayhan is too blinded for his own good.”

“Or he is the one who is looking at things with clarity? Not blinded by his beliefs… perhaps the majority of witches are horrible, but I’m sure it does not define them all.”

“You will be wise to not listen to everything Rayhan says.”

“He is my mate, and I will always take his words into account foremost,” I countered, my blue eyes meeting her grey.

“Witches are selfish, cold, and ruthless. Their entire kind is.”

“Rayhan’s grandmother was a witch, an evil one at that, but his uncle, father, and he are nothing like her.

Yet they have a witch’s blood running through their veins.

I’m sorry, Luna Maria, if my words don’t sit right with you, but human or not, I won’t let anyone make my decision for me on any matter. ”

Yes. I hated witches for what they had done to me, but Raihana and me? We weren’t like the majority. I looked at Rayhan’s mother before me and realised that until she saw me for who I was, there was no way I would ever consider calling her mom.

“Hmph. You’re a stubborn one…” She forced a smile and shook her head. “When you lose your own at the hands of those evil witches, then you will realise what hatred is.”

No, that was not true. Even I had suffered at their hands, but I wouldn’t class them all as one…

“Maybe,” I replied, but before I could say more, a growl ripped through the air, and the sound of shattering glass made us both spin around.

Maria grabbed my arm and pulled me behind her.

The six guards closed around us, my heart thundering.

When realisation hit, my stomach sank. I recognised whom that growl belonged to.

Rayhan.