The Alpha's Hunt Chapter 12

I touched the mark that Emanuel so insensitively put on my body. A forever type of mark, tying me to him for all eternity.

I was his now.

An Alpha could, and often chose, to have multiple chosen mates- some even took mistresses on the side but they weren't marked and would never step out from the shadows with the Alpha. It was something they agreed upon before the affair ever began. A girl, however, could have only one mark on her body and therefor only one mate. Til this day I have yet to hear of an Alpha that has only one mate- wether chosen or destined. To find your destined mate was rare, many believed it was just a myth, but I've heard of instances where they really have found their destined mates and forsaken all other desires for that one person. Never had I heard it happen to an Alpha though. They much preferred the rows of women at their disposal and it was normal for us, it was nothing you frowned upon or batted your eyes at.

My Alpha back home, Cristian, took his fourth last year during the Hunt. She bore him a child, the first son of the Alpha was born this year which was why he chose to stay back and live the family life for at least a year. We would see what happened next year, or the year after that when he got bored of the mundane day-to-day. I could bet my wolf that he would be back here again to Hunt another girl and bring her home. 

As i drifted away in thought I accidentally dragged my nail into the fresh wound and winced when I scraped of the healed skin.

“How does it feel?” He asked. 

Emanuel grabbed my hand and graced my fingers softly as he touched his masterpiece. 

“Healed,” I answered.

His face hovered by my neck and I felt the warmth of his lips as he pressed them just below the mark. 

He slid his tongue over my skin and licked the wound shut, sealing the mark and aiding the healing process. 

“I like it one you.” His golden-brown eyes glimmered subtly as they gazed with a softness at my tired face. 

“Do you like it as much on me as you do on the others?” 

Emanuel had eight girls; I was now the ninth.

He grinned and pulled my chin up. 

“It just gets better and better.” He said huskily.

“Maybe the tenth time’s the charm.”

“Are you planning to make an honest man out of me, Hazel?” 

I laughed at the amusement I saw in his eyes and his lips that he pulled back in a bright smile. 

It took a toll on the body to be marked and also the fact that I hadn't eaten and that my feet were open wounds made it even harder to walk. As thought he saw my pain, Emanuel lifted me up and cradled me to his chest as he began walking through the woods. 

I rested my head against him and from time to time I looked up and caught the proud expression cast on half his face while his eyes sparkled under the streams of light that started shining down.

His heart was beating in a normal pace and I knew that this was nothing more than a game for them… for him. It was a show of power and agility, stamina and dominance. He’s proud to walk home with yet another girl to add to his collection and a successful hunt where he won over another respected Alpha. Many girls fooled themselves into thinking it was love and devotion that they were receiving with the mark but the truth was that the mark was like a branding- a proof of ownership that you belonged to him. 

I looked up at Emanuel’s face, gazed at his thin lips that curled in a grin when he saw something further ahead. His broad shoulders and big arms shielded me from the winds that were coming in from behind us and I knew that whatever happened now, at least I would be with a good man. I just had to share him.

It could be worse, I said to myself while we walked through the woods- I cast a glimpse to the doors   where I saw Dom walking in with a girl on his arm, it could have been much much worse.

Emanuel gently lowered me down on my feet. He checked me up and down and grinned. 

“Can you walk?” 

I nodded and realized that the grin on his face was from seeing Dom, Emanuel won and he would no doubt parade that in Dom’s face. Parade me like a prize. 

Keep a straight head, you are a prize…that’s all you are

We walked into the house where the Alphas were spread out in the room with a girl on their arm.

Standing lined up by the wall were six girls, they were the ones that hadn't been claimed. I had grown up with all of them and now they would have to return and explain how they hadn't been marked, how no Alpha had chosen them. I envied them but based on the melancholy expressions they wore, they would have much rather been in my position, with an Alpha to take them to his pack and his mark cemented on their necks. 

I watched the mated girls stand straight next to their Alpha’s, their marks were red and swollen- just like mine.

The one most in my vision was Alpha Dom and on his arm was Liv; the rip in her dress and her hair falling from the braid in disheveled pieces indicated that they had already mated. A part of me was grateful that he had gone after her instead but I also felt for Liv because we all knew that Dom’s pack was the one closest to the human territory. 

Emanuel’s hand snaked around my waist. I looked at him but saw that his eyes were playfully hinting at Dom who was holding down a scowl.

“Stop that,” I said and slammed my elbow into his side. 

“Easy, kitten. It’s all fun and games.” Emanuel mused. 

He grabbed my chin and turned my head, his lips came down and pressed against mine. I knew it was all for show, to mess with Dom.

“He has no idea what he missed out on by giving up.” Emanuel teased.

A loud growl rumbled from Dom’s chest and all heads snapped to watch him. 

I saw how he pushed away from the chair and marched over the floor

His nostrils flared and his eyes were growing darker, almost black when he zeroed in on Emanuel’s cocky grin.

“Now look what you’ve done.” I scolded and moved back. 

Emanuel just laughed, cocky bastard.

They were inches away from colliding in a fight when the door opened, and Lady Hale walked in.

“Enough!” She ordered and both men stopped and glared at each other.

Or well, Dom glared, Emanuel looked a little too happy. I'd probably want to beat that smile away myself.

In a fight between the two it was hard to say who would win. Every Alpha here was strong, powerful and competent in their duties, otherwise they wouldn't have been invited to participate in the Hunt. Only the best of the best received an invitation.

Everyone looked behind Lady Hale because she hadn't walked in alone. I saw him behind her, the Lycan King, he walked out from the dark room in the back and watched the two men that stood challenging each other in the middle of the room.

He’s walking over, why was he watching me. 

I tried not to shrink under the heat of his gaze, it wasn't a heat one wanted to be under, this was intense and montane.

“There has been a change of plans,” Lady Hale called with a much to prideful smile.