In the Alpha’s Arms

Bonus Chapter- Where’s Cole?

Ligh, this is so stupid! Lita thought to herself, holding up yet another bodycon dress over her damp towel, hoping she’d see herself in a different light. Confidence was tricky like that, one minute she felt amazing, the next, her head was an ocean of self–doubt.

It was something g she and Elise had been working hard on but some days were better than others. For example, when they’d all arrived at the showcase earlier that day, Lita had been feeling strong and proud. The fancy dresses and five–star accomodations hadn’t made her nervous. Being in her home city hadn’t made her stomach sour. But now, imposter syndrome made her a nervous wreck. She couldn’t stop thinking about everything going terribly

Lita stretched the material in different directions, trying to find a silver lining for her new body. Muscles gave her a new shape, banishing the

the thin, undernourished girl she’d been. She normally loved her body. And Cole had absolutely no problem reminding her how beautiful she was whenever she forgot. But he wasn’t with her, and she was having a hard time seeing her own worth. When Lita looked in the mirror, she saw none of the improvements her body had made, only imagining herself as the bruised, sleep–deprived person that begged Alex for a chance to train. Or even, as the haunted. bandaged one that left Maxim’s compound with blood on her hands,

She hopelessly cast the dress aside and brushed her hands over her wet hair until it hugged her neck. She needed to calm down. Elise had taught her breathing exercises to control these spirals but sometimes, even that wasn’t enough. The bath had been so luxurious she’d hardly noticed anything outside of lavender scented bubbles and her relaxed muscles. What she wouldn’t give to go back to when she felt good.

But somewhere in that hot water, she started thinking of her parents and Brian. She started thinking of being back in her home city and how she might run into any of them. All of them. How many of the people downstairs knew her? How many had secretly laughed behind her back or called her wolf- less? How many had thought she deserved whatever Brian gave her?

Brian had buddies, she knew that, even though she’d only met them in passing, and never for long enough to talk. Were they Alpha wolves, too? Were they fighters? Would they be downstairs waiting to embarass her? Her chest grew tight as lightheadedness took over until she was forced from the warm water. The entire time she dried off, her mind whirled. What would they see when they looked at her? How could she show them how much she’d changed?

On some level, Lita knew this was a battle against herself and her own insecurities but it felt real. It felt like the minute she stepped out of the hotel room, everyone would know she had been Brian’s punching bag. A downtrodden wolf–less girl who had her life shattered so completely that the pieces still hadn’t come back together yet. A dead brother she’d only recently begun to moum. A biological father she didn’t know, A mother she couldn’t face, not yet, anyway. Rafi, who hadn’t done nearly enough to be forgiven for trying to use her. A wolf that had only been let out of her cage for a few months and still seemed hell bent on biting first, asking questions later.

Not fair, Nyx gruffed, I don’t try to bite people who have good energy. Only the ones that smell rotten

Not really much difference from the outside, Nuff Lita shook her head, trying to keep her smile in check.

Don’t call me off, you hairless human

That was uncalled for, Lita gasped, Only you could make the lack of fur sound like an insult. Mine was a cute aknasse, ours was meant to be mean you overgrow dag.

Nyx made a sound somewhere between a chuff and a growl, If I could bite you…

I would muzzle you. You no self–control having, drooling…

I’m chewing your shoes the next time I’m free. I’ll show you a damn dog

Lita mulled her eyes and dug through the tightly–packed layers of clothes for the fifth time, searching for something appropriate. She ignored the stream of discarded shirts and jeans leading from the bathroom mirror to the bed. Lita grupned, throwing yet another basic outfit over her shoulder. She had packed based on the tournament they’d attended; the one full of casual, if not underdressed, attendees and good energy. But this place was nothing like that… all this money… she hadn’t expected to feel like a small girl left alone at her mother’s banquet table again. She hadn’t expected to feel the way she had when Brian wooed her.

“I have literally” nothing to wear to this, she whined. Two quick taps at the hotel door were the only warning before someone came barging in, oblivious to the barely wrapped towel Lita still wore.

“Hey, what the hell,” Lita yelped, rushing to tuck away as much as she could

“Calm down, it’s just me,” Stace laughed. “And that, as nice as it is–Stace made a dramatic gesture in the direction of Lita’s body then froze on Lita’s hand, “Wait a damn minute, is that my dress?”

Bonus Chapter–Where’s Cole?

Quickly tossing the damned thing behind her, Lita arched a confused brow, “Is what your dress?”

“Wooow, a Luna who steals,” Stace clicked her tongue, hands on her hips, “Mice.”

Lita laughed, her frown breaking immediately, “Shut up. It was cute and you don’t wear half your clothes, Stacey Ramos. Alex has been demanding you donate more of your stuff, so consider me needy.”

There was nothing remotely lady like about the laugh that burst out of them both, bringing them to tears. Lita coughed, wiping her face, “Trust me when I say, you don’t want it back now, anyway. I wore it for date night.”

“For the love of the moon goddess will you please keep things like that to

useless clothes. “Like I don’t have to hear about every new pack member you

He’s- I just don’t want to visualize my Alpha doing anything, okay? My poor mind can’t take it. So, I never want you to remind me of you and Cole again, thank you very much.” Lita snorted as

newest decree as Luna is that you are no longer allowed to tease me. Lita faked a serious face and stomped her foot. And if you’re not here to help, kindly get lost so I can figure out my

cents before she looked around the room, “Why does it look like

and jeans? Even if it is one of my nice t shirts?” She

but I was miserable. I was, god, I was so broken. And I didn’t think coming back would bother me. I don’t know, I just want to make a good impression. I want our pack to look successful and… and I want- Lita took a breath, brushing some of her damp strands out of her face,-If my parents were there, I’d want them to know that they didn’t win. I want to dress the part so they know I’m better than I was with them.

the towel hard

throat closing up, analety quickly barreling from mild to full bowl panic. Her fingers her

the girl running around calling him an asshole to anyone who would listen. Our Alpha. And believe it or not, Alex went to bat for you and so did 1. Because you were right. You convinced us all you weren’t willing to compromise yourself for your own Alpha and mate. That’s major, Lita. You

Not a fancy outfit, not a fake smile. Marking Stace stared Lita down until she sair a small nod, “Yes, we’re here for the showcase to build our pack members and to show our strength. Obviously that’s our focus, but we wouldn’t even want the types of

silly and reassured

now. Not on

she’s not going to start no my watch. We love you. We are proud of you as our Luna. You can’t embarrass the pack here, it’s impossible. We’re simple wolves. We like fighting and barbeque chicken, lake parties and brown tequila. We’re comfortable in our own skin whether we dress up or not. Nothing would represent our pack better than if you

Forget guns, get buns or Deadit this! Personally, I think the arrow pointed down is the best part of the shirt ta and Stace shared a look for all of two seconds before they were crying laughing. Lita could

shirts. Stace squealed. “Please let me be there the first time he reads

shirt

“Someone wise once told me that make up sex was worth the

Bonus Chapter Where’s Colp?

you that was nasty as

Lita grinned. “And Jaz agreed with your

well if I said it, it’s golden advice, baby, Just don’t tell Cole I gave you the idea,” Stace winked, reaching down to scoop up some of Lita’s mess. She dropped it on the bed and went back for more. “You’re

her in the bath like he insinuated. And she hadn’t even heard his voice through the door. If he had been here to help her…

shrugged too quickly, looking at the door, “I can go ask Alex if you

a brow, not believing a word of

word. Strange. Lita dusted off one of the team shirts that she’d cut into a half tank and a pair of panties. She didn’t trust anything Stace would come back to

as she finished getting herself together, Lita would take the matters into her

Chanter C

There

the lobby. Even the music did little to ease her irritation. If anything the gentle music only served to remind her of the hulking body a few inches away. He made

arms crossed and brows raised in mock disbelief. He’d been just outside the bedroom door when Lita emerged. One look between them, and he’d already known she planned to sneak out without telling anyone. There was

you lied

our second fight then. We’ve got to mark the occasion,” he

it depends,” Lita growled, “Are you

want to take this time to say, that it’s fucking adorable you can’t go a few hours without a man who has the personality of an elbow With a goofy grin, Ace

The ding of the elevator preceded the opening doors and Lita instinctually moved in

people shuffled in, “You can’t tell me you don’t get it. They dig into your ribs and in general, I’ve never come into contact with

scowled. “He’s your best friend. I’m one hundred percent going to tell him

comparing him to a kneecap better? It’s a little less accurate because there are some knees I’ve enjoyed.” His voice barely held all the self–satisfied hamor. “And please tell him. In fact, I’ll help you tell him so I can laugh at his reaction. He’s going to reach

smoke are

“Debatable.”

laughter of the others in the car. Of course, they were women who thought Ace probably hung the stars. She’d seen their thirsty eyes well enough as they’d filed in Normally, she would stay above such pettiness

alongside my spouse, you could just say that.” Ace opened his mouth to refute but she cut him off, “Don’t get me wrong, I totally get it.” Lita raised her hands, subtly drawing the eyes of the other women in the elevator. “When you see a fit fighter who isn’t using steroids to boost himself, you probably feel exposed. I’ve heard horror stories of what that stuff does to your most