Page 2 of The Alpha’s Addiction (Night Grove Falls: The Alphas #1)
TWO
Rhodes
The wind carries the scent of pine and damp earth as I trek the familiar dirt path from my pack’s land into town.
My boots crunch over fallen needles and soft gravel, the only sound cutting through the stillness around me.
Morning fog lingers in the hollows of the forest, curling around the trunks of tall evergreens like fingers.
It’s peaceful here, wild and quiet. It’s the kind of place where a man and a wolf could breathe.
Usually, I love this walk, but something about today feels off.
My wolf is restless. He’s been pacing beneath the surface of my skin, ears twitching, nostrils flaring, ready for something. I just don’t know what.
He’s been on edge for weeks now, agitated in a way I haven’t felt since I took over as Alpha of the North Section of Night Grove Falls years ago.
I run a hand through my thick black hair, the early morning chill biting at my fingers, and exhale a breath I didn’t even realize I was holding.
The trees thin ahead, revealing the winding road that cuts through the town of Night Grove Falls.
Beyond the tops of the trees, rooftops peek through the mist, barely visible in the distance.
Night Grove Falls is split into four sections, each run by a different Alpha.
My land is in the north and covers the northern border, closest to the river and the old logging roads.
It’s the quietest part of town, full of dense forest, winding trails, and the occasional rogue hiker.
Perfect for a pack that values solitude and strength.
The other Alphas and I have taken over in the last ten years—Cyrus, Camden, Foster, and me.
We were young, stubborn, and worried about the trouble that seemed to be growing in town.
So, we took over power from the previous Alphas.
Now, we keep the peace. We share borders.
We trust each other and work together to make Night Grove Falls a solid and peaceful pack.
"Ever get that weird déjà vu feeling?" Cyrus asks, sneaking up on me.
I grunt as he falls into step beside me, his dark jacket zipped up to his chin, dark brown hair tousled and messy, like he’s hopped straight out of bed.
"You ask me that every day."
He grins. "Doesn’t mean it’s not true."
"It’s still not funny."
"Depends on who you ask."
"Where are you headed?" I ask, ignoring his smirk.
"Where do you think? Patrol." He jerks his chin toward the southern ridge. "What about you?"
"The diner."
"Let me guess. Your daily sweets run?" he asks with a laugh.
I grunt again, this time with a hint of annoyance.
It’s become a running joke among the Alphas.
Big, bad Rhodes, who used to scoff at desserts, now can’t go a day without them.
And not just any desserts. No, I crave them from a few specific restaurants in town—three of them.
I’ve never had much of a sweet tooth. Or I didn’t until a couple of weeks ago when the cravings started.
Pecan pie on Mondays. Strawberry shortcake on Tuesdays. Snickerdoodles on Wednesdays. Cherry pie on Thursdays.
It’s bizarre. My wolf insists on it. And I’m just along for the ride.
“Maybe it’s a sign that you’re going soft,” Cyrus suggests.
I glare at him. “Never that.”
He laughs. “Hmm,” he hums, trying to drive me crazy.
We walk in silence for a minute. I try to speed up to lose him, but it’s no use.
Out of all of the Alphas, I’m probably closest to Camden, the Alpha of the West. We’re both no-nonsense, driven guys. We’ve known each other for years, and I was his biggest supporter when he took over from the last Alpha of his section.
Cyrus and Foster are both a few years older than me, and they’ve been Alphas of their sections for the longest. Cyrus is the optimist of the four of us and the most laid back. Foster is easy-going and patient. He’s the most levelheaded, especially in a crisis.
"You ever considered that maybe your mate’s in town," Cyrus says casually, pulling me from my thoughts, "and that’s why you’ve been acting like a sugar-starved addict?"
My steps falter.
Mate? My wolf asks, perking up inside me.
"What?"
He shrugs. "Just saying. Something’s got you all riled up. It wouldn’t surprise me if she’s close."
I shake my head, burying the hope that sparks to life. "You read too many romance novels.”
He blushes, not bothering to respond to my comment about his choice of reading materials. "Seriously," he says, sobering slightly, "if it is your mate, you should be ready."
"I’m always ready."
Cyrus shrugs, clapping me on the shoulder before he turns and veers off the path, heading toward his patrol route.
My wolf paws at me, whining so loudly inside my head that I wince.
If our mate is here, we’ll find her, I promise him, and he growls in agreement.
As I step into the main part of town, the fog begins to lift, revealing the modest charm of Night Grove Falls.
A line of cars passes slowly through downtown, early risers on their way to work or errands.
Shopkeepers unlock their doors, flipping signs to OPEN, and smiling at the people passing by.
The town is like something out of a storybook—calm and timeless.
It’s home.
The diner sits on the corner of Main and Willow, its red trim freshly painted and the smell of bacon and coffee wafting out the open windows.
My wolf perks up the second we cross the threshold.
Something is different.
The second I step inside, a low growl hums in my chest. My senses sharpen, instincts going on high alert. I stalk toward the counter, muscles tense, scanning every face in the room as I try to spot something that stands out.
Nothing is different. My mate isn’t here.
But dessert is.
With a sigh, I step to the counter and place my order.