The Alpha I Had to Leave Behind Novel – The rain before dawn still hadn’t let up when I got a call from Alpha Ryan, asking me to bring him a box of ultra-thin condoms. By the time I arrived, he was leaning against the doorframe, his gaze sliding from my rain-soaked coat down to my collarbone, his breath going low and tight. “Damn,” he muttered. “Why are you always this obedient?” I held out the bag. “What you asked for.
Ultra thin.” As he took it, the pad of his finger deliberately brushed over my knuckles, the touch carrying that particular Alpha heat. I went rigid for a second, while the corner of his mouth slowly lifted. “She’s not here yet,” he said in a low voice. “Why don’t we use them first?” I froze. He chuckled. “Relax. I’m teasing you.” Then, like something had just occurred to him, he added casually, “Next Wednesday, I set you up with a pretty decent blind date.
You’ve followed me around for so many years and still don’t have your own mate. I don’t want you wasting time anymore.” He sounded like he was discussing it with me, but his eyes pinned me in place until there was nowhere left to retreat. “You’ll go, right?” My fingers curled at my sides as I forced myself to stay calm. “Alpha, just send me the address.” The moment I used that overly polite title, his brows drew together for a beat, then smoothed out.
Rainwater dripped from the ends of my hair, cold enough to make me shiver. I took a step back. “It’s late. I should go.” “Wait.” He turned and walked into the living room. When he came back, he was holding an expensive cashmere wrap. He wrapped it around my shoulders, cocooning me until only my damp eyes were left exposed. I had just tipped my head up to thank him when I crashed into the sudden darkness in his gaze.
His fingertips lingered at the edge of the wrap, his Adam’s apple rolling. “Don’t leave tonight.” I blinked. “But… isn’t there someone else coming––” He reached out and tapped the top of my head, impatience threading his voice. “Do you really think I would mess around like that? Is that who I am in your mind?” “All these years, who’s been by my side except you?” Inside me, my wolf stirred uneasily at his nearness.
He scooped me into his arms and carried me back to the bedroom. Lost in the haze of his kisses and the rough pull of his breath, I heard him murmur against my ear, “This will be the last time. Stella’s coming back to the pack.” “I don’t want her getting suspicious, so be sweet and go on that blind date.” There it was. The truth at last. Rage and humiliation pressed on my chest. I sank my teeth into his shoulder, biting hard.
He barely reacted, only held on tighter, fucking me again and again until the faint edge of dawn leaked in through the window. Only then did he finally pull away, breath unsteady, and disappear into the bathroom. When the shower started, I dragged my aching body onto my side of the bed. We had a standing rule between us for the past five years: he slept light and hated having someone beside him.
No matter how exhausted I was, I always had to be the one who left. The next time I opened my eyes, it was already nine in the morning. I rushed through a quick wash and practically flew downstairs, only to come face to face with Alpha Ryan just finishing his workout. He was in a white tank top, every line of muscle cut sharp under the light, so imposing it almost hurt to look at him. “I had the maid save you breakfast,” he said.
I shook my head. “I’m going to be late. I have to go.” He raised a brow. “I’ll drive you.” Bending to change my shoes, I blurted, “No.” “I’m announcing the promotion results today. If others see me getting out of the Alpha’s car, I won’t be able to explain it away.” His hand paused on the cap of his water bottle. For a second, the air felt heavy. Then he gave a low laugh. “Suit yourself.” I had just reached the door when he called after me and pressed a business card into my hand.
“Your blind date for next week.” The card was as cold as metal, jerking me cruelly back into reality. The real reason I had come last night… was to end this five-year secret affair. So he would not think I was the one who refused to let go. I took the card. The sharp edge bit into the soft skin between my thumb and index finger. I drew a breath, my voice barely above a whisper. “I’ll be there.”