CHASE ME ALPHA Novel – DARIA “Let me in. I need to see Caleb.” It took everything in me to keep my voice steady as I spoke, Her lips stretched into a smirk. Felicia, just like always, seemed to mock me with her presence alone. But unlike all the other times, this was the time that it really hurt. I couldn’t stand it. Pain lanced through my belly and I had to hold back a groan to keep from showing it. I needed to speak to Caleb. Needed to tell him… “Caleb isn’t available right now,” Felicity replied smoothly. “Please,” I pleaded. Once I would have never begged her for anything, not when she was his lover, shamelessly flaunting her relationship with him in my face.
Yet now desperation filled me to the brim. “I have no idea what to tell you Daria, you’re interrupting our time together. Are you really so desperate for attention?” She sneered and I flinched. “How dare you speak to her like that? She is the Luna and his wife.” Sabrina, my maid and best friend shouted beside me. “Really? Some Luna you are.” Felicity huffed, “Are you still fooling yourself? Everybody knows that Caleb would have ever married you if not for the peace treaty and even then he had to be strong-armed into doing it.” I flinched at her words. Not just because they hurt, but the fact that it was all true. She leaned in and I had to stifle a shiver, bracing myself for the final blow. “Nobody here respects you. in all honesty, I’m sure that for Caleb it will be better off if you were dead.” It hit me like a punch to the gut. I blinked back tears right as the door slammed onto my face. Surrounding me, I saw the guards and passing servants look on with derision. Clenching my jaw, I turned away from their mocking stares, walking away with Sabrina following at my heel. I barely felt myself moving through the hallway as her words replayed in my mind. It wasn’t the first time, or the last time, but this time it truly hurt the most and it was all because…because.. “Daria,” Sabrina cried out as I nearly keeled over, holding myself up against the wall.
Without a single soul in sight I wished I could drown there, but “You shouldn’t have had to move in your condition. I-” “I’m fine Sabrina,” I waved her away even though I felt anything but. Only several minutes ago, I had woken up to bloodied sheets with a tearful Sabrina looking at me. “I’m sorry…the baby.” Shutting my eyes tightly, I couldn’t hold back the sobs my arm wrapped around my belly. The bump was still small. It was too early. In the end I didn’t have the strength to move anymore as Sabrina was the one to hold me up. The pain grew numb as Sabrina led me to my room. Resting on the bed I shut my eyes tightly letting the sobs out. Nothing could heal this pain. Pain was all I knew. It felt like it would never end from the moment I was born. I’d never known my mother, but I knew well enough of my father. Alpha Kingston of the Red Vale pack, the man who had abused me my entire life. Whether through his hits or screams, I had grown subject to his mercy. And then suddenly, less than 6 months ago he had declared that I was to marry. It wasn’t so hard to tell the reason why. Months before I learned that he had been planning an ambush attack on the Wisteria pack, the largest pack in the region held by the ruthless Alpha Caleb. Despite the elders and everyone else warning him, he was just too arrogant. And then when the ambush failed and we were at their mercy, he had offered me up as a marriage alliance and peace treaty in order to avoid consequences. Yet the moment I looked at him, everything changed. Because Caleb and I were fated mates. None of that mattered. From the day after our marriage he had never looked at me, taking on lovers and mocking me, it didn’t take too long for others to follow in his footsteps. I was a Luna only in name while others sneered at me. All my life I had been used and beholden to the men around me. first my father, then Caleb. Yet no matter how hard I tried, no matter how dutiful and loyal I tried to be.
I was only one thing to them. Nothing. Worthless. A father who abused me and a mate who hated me. I thought I could bear it all, but this? Losing my child was the last straw. “No more,” I breathed out. “Luna?” Looking up, I saw Sabrina’s gaze. She had been with me ever since childhood and had witnessed all the horrors I went through. Out of everybody else, she knew me the most. Which was why it was going to be difficult for me to say this. “I need you to help me leave this pack.” I said The result was instant as shock rose over her face. “Dari-” “Sabrina,” I cut her off. “I can’t stay here anymore.” “You can’t leave just like that. What about Caleb? You have to-” A bitter laugh left me, stunning her into silence. “You say it as if he cares for me,” I smiled bitterly, wiping my tears away. “He never wanted me, so why should I stay any longer?” She looked stunned but I quickly reached her, holding her hands as I spoke. “Trust me Sabrina, if he learned I left, the last thing he would be is bothered. In fact, he’ll be glad he no longer has to see me.” Felicia, for all her venom, at least was right about that. Sabrina was in tears and I found myself tearing up as well, but there was no time to think. “I don’t know where I’m going to go, so I can’t ask you to come with me. But I can’t stay here anymore. Please.” I begged. Sniffling slightly, she nodded and my fate was sealed. In a matter of minutes all the necessary things were packed up. I left all the dresses and trinkets behind. They had never meant anything to me in spite of the pain and they never would. With that, she led me through the servants quarters out of the pack. nobody noticed it was me as we ran out into the open forest. When we were far enough and it was time for her to return I hugged her. “Take care of yourself.” I whispered. With teary eyes, she turned away and ran back leaving me alone in the daunting forest. Where did I go? Trepidation filled me. I knew nothing aside from the walls of my father’s home and now the Wisteria pack. I had never gone anywhere else before.
Yet staring at the fast unknown, determination mixed in with the recent pain. Anything was better than here. With that thought, I took the first step. Away from the pain, the suffering of the past and towards a new unknown future. Chapter Two THREE YEARS LATER CALEB It had been three years. 1095 fucking days. I inhaled sharply as I threw back another glass of my whiskey. The ice was long gone leaving its undiluted burn to sting my throat, but I couldn’t care less. In the dark shades of my office, I fought back the familiar surge of anger that came with this day. this sick excuse of an anniversary I was supposed to care nothing about. Today marked the third year since Daria had suddenly disappeared. The mate I didn’t want. The daughter of my enemy and the man I hated. I had made sure to interrogate every single servant over the months after her disappearance, yet none knew anything. I’d sent troops and spies through multiple packs to search for her, but it was like she had left the face of the earth. It had been three years since then and I was nowhere near finding her. I was only left with this hollow ache. I wasn’t supposed to give a shit about her. hell, I couldn’t have cared less. If not for her father’s actions against my pack I wouldn’t have looked twice at the Red Vale pack. But then they ambushed us, killing a number of innocents and injuring many of my soldiers. I was filled with nothing but rage at the audacity and sheer damage that they had caused. When it was time, I was more than willing to get rid of them and make that damned Alpha Kingston pay for his arrogance and the harm he did to my pack. but as slimy as he was, he had managed to settle an arrangement with the Elders. In exchange for the blood he’d spilled he gave away his only precious daughter. It was unfair in every way and I had complained to the elders, but their decision was set and I was pressured to follow through with the agreement. That was where my hatred first started. The moment I saw her I didn’t know what to expect. Not violently red hair and doe eyes and I sure didn’t expect to feel a mate bond. The Goddess most certainly had a sick sense of humor, but I was never one to care for fate. Knowing her father it was easy for me to make assumptions with how well he had praised her. As the only daughter she was no doubt a spoiled and pampered princess who held as much arrogance as him. looking at that, all thoughts of her beauty left my mind and I was only filled with one thought. Revenge. Because of the peace agreement I couldn’t Ruin the pack as I wanted so I would ruin her instead. I set on ignoring her presence and humiliating her every chance I got. And it worked until it didn’t.
Now she was gone and I was left with a hollow ache and too many questions. The door opened but I paid it no mind until I felt hands run up my shoulders. “You’ve been distant over the past few days. I’ve missed you.” Felicia purred in my ears, but I paid it no mind. “Come on, let’s have some fun .” “I’m not in the mood Felicia,” I said, harsher than I expected before I felt her arms freeze. Over the years I couldn’t feel as excited to sleep with her or do much anymore. Not when the memory of a red haired doe eyed woman filled my senses. I shouldn’t have cared, but it felt like I had lost something important. Now all I could think of was the years when she had been good to me. Despite everything I believed she was nothing but kind. How ironic that it was when she was gone that I started to see that. Now, three years after the fact, I was still searching. She had to be somewhere. I didn’t care if it was the mate bond or the mystery behind her disappearance or the memories. I knew only one thing. I wanted her back. The door opened again and this time I turned to find my soldier, James at the door “Alpha, Elder Gerome is looking for you.” I tensed instantly. Peeling away Felicia’s hands I rushed to him. The Elders had been the ones to take care of me and raised me into the man I was today. As I reached his room, I stiffened in alarm. “Elder you should be resting.” I said as gently as possible but he shook me off. “I just needed to see you dear boy. You have grown. I know how you feel on this day…” My jaw clenched at the reminder. “Just rest and save your strength. You’re going to be fine soon. I’ll make sure of it.” In his frail state it didn’t take too long for him to fall back asleep. Leaving the room I hardened instantly, leveling a stare at James. “Is there any news on the healer?” I asked harshly. The tales of a famous herbal doctor had moved through wolf circles over the past year. Many spoke of her miracle treatments and vast knowledge compared to pack doctors but their identity and whereabouts were a mystery. Many said that they were selective about who they revealed themselves to and treated. I didn’t give a shit. Right now, they were the only possible solution. For the past few months I had been searching for them to no avail. Which was why it was a relief when for the first time, James nodded, “They spotted them recently near Gammon pack. My men have found their location.” “Good.” I nodded, “Prepare to leave. We’re going there.” Whoever the hell the doctor was, I would make them cure the elders, even if it took dragging them here screaming. … Being myself , James and a few other men, the next day we were off. The journey took nearly three days, yet as we reached the small home we were directed to, it was all worth it. “We are here to see the famed pack doctor.
Open up now or resist and we will take you by force.” Slowly the door opened. I didn’t know what to expect from who he or they were, but the moment the face came into view, my world stopped. I felt the loud murmur of the men surrounding me, but none of that mattered compared to I met a pair of green eyes I hadn’t seen in ages. Her name slipped out of my lips without thinking. “Daria…” Chapter Three DARIA This couldn’t be… Swallowing thickly, I tried to reconcile the sight of the men in front me. one man in particular. Caleb. The sight of him, from his long braided tresses to that sharp jawline to those silvery grey eyes haunted me. He was here right in front of me. Why? How? Blinking frantically I recalled what had been said moments ago, my blood turning cold. They weren’t looking for me exactly, but the famed herbal doctor that I was. Ever since I began this life, I had kept myself under the radar for no other reason than to be alone. The last thing I wanted was to be identified and found by anyone related to my father who would have done drastic things I didn’t want to think about. Yet it seemed that I had gotten too comfortable. If they had been able to track me down. Inhaling sharply, I looked at the shocked faces of the men around me, recalling them as the soldiers.