The Alpha’s Substitute Mate

Isabella

It was dawn already. I woke up earlier than usual, I couldn’t get enough sleep last night because my stomach kept aching all night and I knew they were smooching and kissing all through the night.

But fuck him, I wasn’t going to spend another day in bed. I got dressed and went down for breakfast.

I walked into the dining hall and noticed that Arden and his Dad were having a heated altercation. Both of them were furious and there was this sinister aura around them.

” Your behavior is shameful Arden, you’re shaming your title, your wife, and your family. Is it so difficult for you to put your manhood in place?” King Leonard was growling in a low voice.

“I don’t owe you or anybody any explanation, I will live my life in whatever way I want, and as the Alpha, I no longer answer to you Dad, instead it’s the other way around,” Arden growled loudly.

I moved out of their way and went and greeted Queen Selena.

“Are you okay, my dear child, you look very pale and depleted this morning,” She asked worriedly

Her eyes cut to Arden and she lowered her voice as if scared that he might hear her

” He wasn’t like this before, I’m sure it’s the new responsibility that is getting to him. Don’t worry, I’m very sure he will come around.” She said

I raised my eyebrows. Why was she making excuses for him? It’s obvious he had been like that even Violet confirmed it.

“Come around to me?” I shook my head, I doubt it, Mum,” I answered and her mouth dropped open, as though she was surprised that I was boldly and openly talking about Arden’s unfaithfulness. I guess they were so enjoying their nasty lovemaking that they forgot the whole pack cabin was hearing their loud moaning.

I pulled out my chair and sat down and tucked my hands under the table so no one would see they were shaking. I hate being the center of attraction and I knew the reason the king had confronted Arden was because of me and the kind of pain he subjects me to.

My eyes darted back to Arden and his Dad as they kept arguing and exchanging words in the most terrifying manner. They kept glaring at each and finally, they both stalked out of the dining hall without eating or regarding anyone’s presence.

I shrugged as the omegas started serving breakfast around the table. At least we can eat in peace without any uncomfortable air around us. Not quite long Malcolm and Lance walked in together, they both wore a broad smile on their faces as they took their seats on the table.

Lance decided to sit next to me since Arden was not around “How are you sis, Hope you’re much better now?”

“I’m fine, I’m doing great,” I said firmly. I won’t allow them to keep giving me that pitiful look. I wondered if this whole scene was going to play out every morning for the rest of my life.

No!! No way, it would not. I would finally reject him after getting the necessary training for me to be able to stand as a lone wolf. At the perfect time, I would make Arden suffer the same faith he had subjected me to.

I grabbed the carafe and poured the hot water inside the porcelain mug and dipped my teabag inside it, wishing it was Arden’s head and Sia giggled at the back of my head. I added a spoonful of sugar and stirred it with more force.

I felt Malcolm’s eyes on me and I inhaled deeply and looked up at him cautiously. I didn’t want to see that pity look. Neither do I want him to ask about my welfare. We stared at each other for a moment. He smiled revealing a perfect set of snowy white teeth and his eyes were shining with desire and I couldn’t help but feel a flutter in my chest

“Luna, are you training with us this morning?” Malcolm asked, his voice low and husky

I sipped my tea and stared at him. My body was weak, and my husband’s infidelity left me feeling like I had engaged in a marathon race. I forced a smile and pushed my hair behind my ears ” Sure, I will.”

After breakfast, I left the dining hall and got into my chamber, changed my clothes to my training outfit, and proceeded to the training grounds. I entered and noticed that the beginner’s group I was training with was already assembled, spread out on the grass doing their stretches. Immediately they saw me, they greeted me and I grinned and returned the gesture. I dropped down on the grass and started stretching even though my body was sore and stiff, I still tried moving them. After the stretching, it was time to squat. I noticed that my hip was somehow stiff, I couldn’t move it.

“Luna, can I have a word with you, please,” Malcolm called

I sighed and went to meet him. ” Please sit,” he motioned at the woven divan.

“If you don’t mind Luna, can I work on your hips? I noticed you’ve not been able to squat properly,” he asked and knelt down in front of me.

I didn’t refuse, instead, I rolled over in the divan and exposed my hips to him.

He ran his hand over my hips and I felt a tingling spark run down my backbone. His hands were incredibly soft, big and firm, and gentle as they massage my hips.

“Oh! Ouch! I screamed as he touched the area that was sore and stiff from yesterday’s training. He eased up the pressure and worked more gently. I watched him in awe. His face was focused on my hips with the way he was staring deeply into my hips, one would think that he could see my tissue, bones, and muscles.

And he was extremely handsome and his lips were tempting, his smile was teasing but his eyes spread a calm and peaceful wave through me. I wondered what it would feel like to have a taste of his lips.

I blushed, feeling the heat rise to my cheek, and I looked away trying to hide the deep rosy blush on my face and also take a moment to calm down my racing heart. I shouldn’t be fantasizing about him.

“Why am I having indecent thoughts about him, something that does not involve training?”

I shouldn’t be doing this, I have a mate who happens to be his elder brother.”

He finished up and gestured for me to sit up. I stood up and tested it. I was able to squat freely without any stiffness or ache. I was feeling damn better and Malcolm watched me and nodded in approval.

“Thanks,” I muttered in a low voice

He smiled and said ” Please, Luna, sit here and wait for me. I would be training you on the motions of throwing punches and encirclement.”

With that, he left me and went to address some of the trainees on what to do, while some were fighting with wooden carved swords, some were fighting with real swords and arrows, some other groups were going hard on a punching bag, and some were throwing knives. After instructing them on what to do, he walked back to me

” Look Luna, you have to focus and do exactly what I’m showing you,”

” If your rival is below you, stretch forth your arm joint, around and down then put all your weight in it and swing with all your energy like this,” he demonstrated and held me showing me how to revolve my arm joint over my head and the way to bring it down with enough energy to be able to mutilate my rival.

” When your rival is obstructing you, getting in your face, he demonstrated by getting close, so close that I could feel the warmth of his breath on my neck. I tried to focus on what he was saying but my mind kept playing an erotic image of him in my head and I felt butterflies in my stomach. I couldn’t help the attraction, it was so real. I was so lost in my lil world of fantasy till he snapped his finger in front of me and pulled me back to reality.

” So I was saying you won’t have the ability for an effective punch or kick. This would be the perfect moment to use your arm joint or knee to attack. Now you have to attack me and show what you have learned so far,” He stepped back and positioned himself as the opponent

I moved my arm joint up and around exactly the way he had shown me and I hopped a bit and brought it down as forcefully as I could and my elbow connected with his body.

I felt the tingling sparks shoot up my arm joint through my whole body.

“No way!!!”

“How could that be possible?”

I looked into his eyes, searching for answers and it was there. He felt it too, that look in his eyes was enough to confirm all my doubts. Our eyes met and I felt the tension between us sizzle, my senses hyper-aware of the mixed emotions. My lower gut was contracted and something in me was ordering me to get closer to his body.

I could see a flicker of desire in Malcolm’s eyes, and I had this sudden urge to kiss him. His gaze was on me, it was as if he read my thoughts and his gaze left my eyes to my slightly parted lips.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

” Perfect,” he whispered in a low voice and turned away and gave his attention to other trainees.

I shook my head, this was impossible.

Or could it be that I was hallucinating but what about that knowing look in his eyes?