Alx’s P.O.V.

I should follow them.
Maybe I shouldn’t. Chris is with her. Having both the Alpha and the beta looking after one human girl could be seen as excessive.  

‘Why do you care? They have no right to question why you do things. You are their Alpha. If they don’t like that, then they’re free to leave. She’s our mate. Her protection is above all else.’

‘True.’ Leaving to find her. They can’t be that far ahead of me.

Eric’s right I shouldn’t care. And I wouldn’t normally. The only reason I was hesitant, was because I didn’t want the whole pack knowing that she’s my mate. I don’t want to give them any reason to gossip about it. Because once they start, one way or another someone will tell her. And the only person that should tell her is me.

But not acting on my initial instincts can have the same if not worse effect.

Dam it. With any and all things concerning Shayla, I can’t think straight.

Smelling a wonderful scent, I stop in front of a bench just outside the shop. Looking down I see Shayla. If she wasn’t my mate. And if it wasn’t for her scent, I would have walked right past her. Sighing, I rub my chin. She’s alone. Why the hell is she alone?

Looking up, Shayla gives me a short wave.
Nodding my head and grinding my teeth before I speak.  
“Why are you sitting here alone.”

“I’m waiting for Chris.” She answers plainly.

“Chris should be with you. Why isn’t he with you?"

“Because something happened.” Giving me a shy smile. Knowing that I wouldn’t, and don’t, like her answer.

“What happened?” trying my best to remain calm.

“*Sigh* I believe that I was threatened.” She answers very reluctantly.

She was threatened. Threatened. Someone threatened my mate!
“In what way?” Anger in each and every syllable.

She gives no answer. And the look that she’s giving me, tells me that she doesn’t care for my tone.

“In what way, Shayla?” I ask in a calmer but still frustrated tone.
She just sits there contemplating whether she should tell me.

“He told me to watch my back.” Refusing to look me in the eye. This is the first time that she hasn’t looked me in the eye when she talks. And it’s pissing me off.

“Come with me, Shayla.” There is no way I’m going to leave her here alone. Even if that means that she sees something unpleasant. It’s better than her being alone.

“No. Chris is probably trying not to lose his cool. The cashier is either scared shit-less or pissed. Everyone else is probably wondering why I’m here. I don’t even know that myself. Some if not all of those people want me out of here. And that’s why I’m here, sitting on this bench. So, I don’t make the situation worse.” Stubborn. Smart. But stubborn. At least she looked me in the eyes this time.

“Come with me.”

She’s still hesitant.
“Shayla. Come with me.”

“Uh, ok!" She finally agreed. "Shayla, Shayla, Shayla. Why the hell are you here?” she said more to herself than she did for me. Reluctantly getting up from her seat and following me.

-

Walking into the shop, I see him. I see Chris. He’s towering over some young pup.

Must be the cashier that threatened Shayla.

Now I’ve got to keep calm. I need to stop him not join him.

I can see the look on Chris’ face. I haven’t seen him this mad in a long time.

“Do not threaten her.” Chris looking the boy dead in the eyes.

And the boy’s trying not to show it, but he’s scared shit-less. Just how Shayla predicted.

“Having some trouble, Chris?” making sure that no anger comes out in my voice.

He doesn’t move. And the boy’s so scared he doesn’t even look at me. I shack my head at the whole situation. This is how easily everything can go wrong. I don’t like that.  

“Chris?” placing my hand on his shoulder. He calms down a little bit but still doesn’t move.

“Chris?” Shayla calls out to him. Allowing her presence to be noticed. Casually leaning on the wall by the door.

Chris moves his head in her direction ever so slightly.

“Grade 7. Term 2. Week 4. Tuesday. Second brake. Was he worth it?” tilting her head at him, waiting for his answer.

“No.” Chris answers simply, without thought.

“Is he worth it?” nodding her head in the direction of the cashier.

Chris takes a second to study the boy. Relaxing he straightens his clothes.
“No. I suppose not.” Walking away from the boy to Shayla.

How the hell did she do that?

“Thanks, I almost lost it there.” Chris thanked her gratefully and slightly ashamed.

“Yea, I kinda noticed. You know. You really haven’t changed all that much. Other then, well, you know.” Shaking her head as she leaves.

“No, I haven’t really. Have I?” Chris said more to himself with a laugh.

“To my house it is.”

Looking back to the boy, I see that his feet are still bolted to the ground.

Good.

I walk closer to him. He starts to relax.

Bad.

“Do not threaten her. Do you understand?”
He nods his head, trying to swallow the log in his throat.  

-

I catch up with Chris and Shayla at Chris’ house.

“A bit grand, don’t you think?” Shayla, studying the large brick house.

Yes, it is grand. But Chris is my beta. My second in charge. This is the beta’s house, has been for hundreds of years. When it was built, a person’s house had to represent the person. Bigger the house = more important the person. Hence why mine is the largest. It doesn’t matter all that much nowadays. Still odd to see an alpha or a beta live in a small house.   

“Yea, a bit.” Chris laughs, opening the door.

Noticing my presence, Shayla turns around and gives me one of her incomplete waves again.

“Oh, hi Alx.” Chris, noticing my presence too. Walking into the house.
Both Shayla and I follow him.

Shaya closes the door behind us. I would have done it, but she beat me to it. Walking into the lounge, we find Chris waiting for us. Well, waiting for Shayla.

“Ok. I know how much you like your privacy, and you know how much I like mine. So, this side of the house is mine.” Chris waving his hand over the right of the house. He is going to be very possessive over his mate if this is how possessive he is over his space. “And this side is yours. The lounge and kitchen are the middle ground. Understand?”

“Yep.” Shayla nodding her head.

Chris gestures for her to follow him. She does. And so, do I.
“This is your room.” Chris, opening the door for her.

Shayla nods, walking into the bigger than a normal room and places her bags on the bed.

Chris gestures for her to follow him again. “And this is your bathroom.” He said with a nod.  

“Who cleans this place?” Shayla, scanning the immaculate hallways.

“I clean my bedroom and office. And a cleaner comes in to clean the rest of the house. When I’m not here.” Chris.

“On what days?” Shayla.

“Why?” Chris.

“So, I can stay out of his/her way.”

“Oh, right. You have a point there. You can just stay in your room if you like. You will have to clean your room.” Chris disappearing around a corner.

“Ok.” Shayla, walking around her designated part of the house.

“Shayla?” I ask, following her.

“Yes?” not stopping to face me.

“Why are you walking around the house.?”

“Remembering the layout.” She answers still not stopping to face me.

“Why?”

“Escape roots. Why are you following me?” suddenly coming face to face with me. I almost run into her.

“Yes, why are you following her around the house?” Chris popping his head around the corner. Giving me a questioned look. Seeing her actions as normal, but mine not.

“I have my reasons.”

They both simultaneously raise their eyebrows at me. Before going off their separate ways. It’s going to be hard to hide the fact that they’re related.

“Wait, Chris. Be for you go and do whatever.” Shayla jogging past me to Chris.

“Yes.” Chris.

“Any emergency plans I need to know about?” Shayla.

“Oh, yes. Now pay close attention. Are you paying attention?” Chris.

“Yep.” She replies with a nod.

“Get Chris.” Chris, trying to keep a serious face. Spreading his hands out in the air.

My mate just rolls her eyes. And that makes me smile.

“On a more serious note. I will know when you need me. But I will get you a phone and I will start to carry mine again. Just in case. Ok?” Chris.

“OK.” Shayla walking past me again.

“Shayla?” catching up to her again.

“Yes?” turning around to face me.

“This goes without saying. But try to stay out of trouble.”

“Alright.” And she walks away from me again.

“Oh, and Shayla?”

She turns around to face me. A slightly bothered look on her face. Tilting her head, she asks me to continue.

“If by any chance you do get in trouble. I’m a lot more understanding than most would have you believe."

She frowns in confusion. And I smile.

“Bye Chris.” I shout.

“Bye?” Chris a little confused as to why I didn’t just mind-link him.

I take a step closer to Shayla. She doesn’t move away. Good.
“Goodbye, Shayla.” And I leave.

Looking over my shoulder I see that she’s still standing there a bit confused. Making me smile again.