Let me distract you.

~Pinterest

ANASTASIA'S P.O.V.

I picked up my pace as my feet thrust deep into the earth, I ran through the darkened woods not once looking back.

I could hear the echoes of the growls which filled the air and left me yearning for peace and freedom.

I continued to run, my eyes glistening with unshed tears my feet ached as I'd been running for hours non-stop trying to survive the terrors that ensnared my life.

I turned back around, trying to grasp where exactly they were as the wind whipped violently, causing my dishevelled hair to cover my face.

"Ahh", I screamed. The momentary distraction was enough for me to stumble over a fallen branch.

I cursed under my breath, as I tried to push my palms against the dirt to rise back up.

But it was too late. Two large feet stood in front of me. I slowly looked up, my tear-stricken face now engulfed by the cold caress of the wind. I shook violently, as my eyes soaked in the figure in front, his chest bare and legs only adorned with black shorts.

The figure stepped forward, moving an inch closer to me. I shook my head fervently crying out as an arm reached out and grasped my fragile wrist.

"n-o-n-o... please!", I croaked.

My body shook, as I tried to plead with the devil I had no more energy to shift I was left completely breathless from the chase prior. I gulped, as a stone lodged deep into my throat, the arm tugged at my wrist dragging me behind.

My legs grazed against the mattered earth, fallen twigs and rocks a weapon against my bare skin. I cried, my sobs echoing deep into the forest as the stranger dragged me along the forest floor.

I tried desperately to tug my hand out of his iron grasp but it proved futile as he only tightened his hold leaving his nails to dig into my wrist. I cried out in pain, trying to yank my hand back.

The stranger halted. Immediately, he turned his body my way and peered down at me. I flinched, at his threatening gaze, he tugged me closer causing both our faces to be inches apart.

"Stop", he snarled.

I whimpered in response, trying to back away from the vile beast as his body shook in pure rage.

He grasped my chin between his fingers, urging my face to meet his murderous gaze. I gulped, at having the proximity, fear quickly seeping into my body and crawling onto my skin like silent tingles.

I dared one final look up at my captor, as his callous fingers held my chin captive. A small gasp escaped my lips as our eyes met. His irises burned a deep crimson, a shade I'd never seen on a wolf before.

His eyes bled a different shade giving the illusion of a living devil, which taunted me for an eternity.

As I continued to stare at the beast, he leaned in closer bringing his lips against my muddy ears, "It's for your own good, Anastasia", he tried to reason.

I shook, my head as salty tears continued to escape against my cheeks, "P-P-lease", I begged.

The wind picked up again, and distant howls began to echo and seep through the darkened night, he lifted his head up sniffing the air.

Soon we won't be alone, and he knew, glancing back down at me his irises glowed once more before he shoved me onto the ground.

"S-stop-p", I cried out.

My body shook against the mattered earth, while my feet curled deep into the earth. Cold hands grabbed my feet before I was tugged closer to the beast. I withered and shook at his touch... trying so desperately to free myself.

"Anastasia", a voice shouted in the distance.

I jerked my head in response, trying to see where the source of the sound came from but I came short as the darkened forest was merciless.

"Anastasia".

I looked back at the beast; his body now stilled he looked down at me before he lunged forward.

"Ahhh!', I screamed.

I shot up from the bed, fear dripping off me in tidal waves, while sweat encased my body.

I felt a cold hand touch my shoulder before I quickly jerked back hitting the headboard with a bang.

My eyes wide, and body shaking I looked up to notice the Alpha crouched on the side of the bed his hands up defensively at his sides.

His lips moved to mumble something I couldn't quite decipher, as my ears rang with only the sound of my rapid heartbeat.

My throat went dry, as a small stone lodged deeply into my throat, I couldn't stop the hyperventilation that quivered through my body.

The alpha seemed to be deliberating on something as his stern gaze held mine, but his shoulders rolled back in finality as he finally decided.

Before I could run away, he immediately reached across the bed and pulled me into his chest. I tried to protest, screaming, and thrashing against his chest. But it was to no avail as his grip on my shoulders tightened even more in response.

"Anastasia...".

He squeezed me tighter, his hold not once loosening. Soon, I began to calm down as my head was pressed against his chest leaving me to hear and feel the beat of his heart and this rise of his chest. I tried mimicking his breathing, slowly forcing myself to suck in a breath to match his pace.

"You're okay, Anastasia...it's okay", he cooed.

He began to move his back forward, rocking the both of us in the middle of the bed. We swayed for several minutes, falling automatically to a rhythm.

I nuzzled my nose deep in his chest completely engulfed with the warmth he provided. His touch left an array of tingles, which danced across my body offering me a distraction from the nightmare I had just seen.

I let out a shaky breath, as I tried to grapple with what I had seen.

"...it was only a dream, you're okay, I've got you...", The Alpha's voice was softer than usual. We continued to rock, as he held onto us with a vice-like grip.

Was it only a dream?

It had felt so real like I was there... I shivered remembering vividly how the devil-like man had tugged at my feet and dragged me towards him.

My chest began to cave in again, as I recalled just how wild it all was the chase, his crimson eyes, and his final words.

"Shh". The Alpha pulled himself away just enough to look down into my tear-stained eyes, the panic no longer there but the remnants of fear still lingered.

"Are you better now?", he asked.

I lifted my head up towards the Alpha, I gulped realising the situation we were in. I was beginning to feel the unwavering sense of comfort a mate could bring but most importantly just how much the Alpha seemed to be utterly worried about me.

His blue orbs pierced through mine; his brows etched together in viable concern. I was reminded of how close he was, the very man I had told not long ago to not touch me till I could trust him.

But now, seeing the concern that laced his expression, and the continued motion he chose to comfort me left me questioning the declaration we agreed on.

I felt my mouth go dry as one question continued to linger at the forefront of my mind, Did he really care?

As though seeing the question within my eyes, he cleared his throat and moved his knees towards the edge of the bed then climbed off. The moment his hands left my body, the warmth and tingles immediately escaped leaving me to battle with my current self.

"I'll take that as a yes", he breathed out. His hands were fisted at his sides, while his eyes were zeroed in on the bedside table completely avoiding my eyes.

"...Thank you", I croaked.

I silently cursed at how hoarse my voice sounded, this wasn't me. I let out a sigh, which attracted the Alpha's gaze.

From the corner of my eyes I saw the Alpha nod in response.

Clearing my throat, I squared my shoulders and narrowed my eyes at the Alpha daring him to look away. His blue orbs held mine, his face now impassive as his brows smoothed out and jaw tightened.

"I think I'll go on a run", I voiced coolly trying to ensure my tone didn't falter once again.

The Alpha looked down to his wrist eyeing his watch, then looked back up at me he shook his head once, "it's late now you should rest up".

"I can't go back to sleep after that".

I sighed seeing the Alpha's face still impassive not seeming like he would budge and let me out.

"Fine!", I huffed. I threw my hands up in the air defiantly and moved back towards the centre of the bed, I lifted the duvet and covered my body up. I slowly leaned back towards the bed, glaring at the Alpha as I did. He only rolled his eyes in response, before closing the light and walking out.

Soon I began to fall back into a light slumber, as my eyes shut at it's own accord. I prayed to the goddess I didn't see the man again.

But I guess, my prays were left unanswered.

I was back in the dark forest, though this time there stood a tall woman with long black hair, her back was towards me as she was engrossed in a discussion with the devil from before.

I gasped as my eyes fell upon him, I tried to run as I pushed my body to the side in an attempt to lift myself to my feet. Though I immediately fell back to the ground as something tugged me back, that was when I noticed it, below my feet were silver shackles.

Two long chains were intertwined within the shackle which snaked down on the ground and around a nearby tree trunk.

Hearing sound of the chains, the man quickly turned around growling, "you need to stay put". His arm reached out for my hair and tugged at the loose ends. I let out a shriek before, my knees gave way and I fell back onto the matted earth.

"How long is this going to take", the man growled back at the woman. She seemed to be overlooking an old book, which binds seemed to have frayed.

"Soon...", her thick accent bellowed through. I gulped, as she slowly turned towards me a wicked smile adorned on her lips while her face filled with a sickening white.

I shook my head, as they both eyed me I slowly backed away my skin burning against the silver which constrained my movements.

"NO", I shouted through.

******

This time I shot out of the bed. I woke up to the darkened room once more, small whimpers had escaped my lips as I struggled to get a grip on reality and the vivid dreams I had seen.

I quickly flicked the light switch on and turned around to the bathroom I went to the sink and opened the faucet on full blast. I needed to feel something other than the eerie sensation which crept over me.

Moments later I heard the door bust open and hit the wall, I stiffened turning off the faucet until the familiar scent of cinnamon and sandalwood flowed into the bathroom.

The Alpha stood in the doorway, his hands on his hips and lips were drawn in a straight line. I straightened up, tugging down at the satin shorts which had lifted. He narrowed his eyes following the movement before his blue orbs settled onto mine.

"Did it happen again?", he raised his brows in question.

"How did you get here?", I groaned.

Sighing the Alpha leaned against the door frame, "I never left...I was waiting in the corridor when I heard the whimpers".

I looked back at him, shocked that he stayed despite the distance he tried to create.

"Did it happen again?", he prodded.

I slowly nodded, reaching for the towel which hung against the wall. I yanked at it, causing it to leave it's hold, I slowly brought the towel up to my face unravelling it completely.

I placed it against my skin, the soft cotton felt cool against my cheeks leaving me to sigh in contempt. Feeling the towel absorb all the water, I turned to toss it back in a hamper beside the sink and slowly turned back around eyeing the Alpha warily.

The Alpha stepped forward, coming into the bathroom and standing right in front of me. He reached out his palm grabbing onto my chin, he gently lifted my face towards his.

While his eyes narrowed, as though he were taking in every detail. Suddenly I felt self-conscious as no doubt tears had spilled not long ago from my eyes meaning they were blotchy and red.

I tried to turn away, as I tugged at his hand to free me from his heated gaze. But he held onto my chin tighter, locking my jaw between his fingers.

"I don't know what happened...or what you saw, but I don't want to ever see you flinch away from me again", he growled.

His blue eyes now reflected specks of ebony, indicating that Ezekiel was seething through to the forefront. He looked at me with such intensity, I felt my knees go weak and my fingers tremble at my sides.

"I-".

Before I could speak, he cut me off again, inching closer to me I quickly gulped. I looked into his blue orbs It was then that I noticed, the heavy bags that hung under his eyes and the slight tinge of red.

Did he not sleep at all?

Without a second thought, I reached out my fingers touching the bags under his eyes. He stilled in response, like a flash of light his hand reach out to stop my examination as he held onto my wrist.

I tilted my head to get a better look at him, "...you haven't slept". I sighed, shaking my head as the question came out like a statement.

"That's none of your concern", he growled before pulling my hand away.

I scrunched my brows at his response.

"...says the man who held me tight and comforted me not long ago on my bed. That clearly wasn't any of your concern", I snapped.

A low growl erupted from his chest and bounced off the bathroom tiles, as we both stared at each other both of us too stubborn to cave in and look away.

Not long ago we both shared a heated look, while the Alpha clearly displayed his concern for me openly. And now, it was like that all washed away and ceased to ever happen.

We were like fire and ice.

"You need to sleep".

It wasn't a question this time or a statement, it was a command. One in which the Alpha seemed to not like as he continued to growl while his chest caved in and out rapidly from anger.

"You don't get to command me", he growled as he poked out his finger into the middle of my chest.

Oh he was messing with the wrong person.

"I am the Luna of this pack, I can do whatever the hell I want!", I shouted. My arms up in the air as I was also seething with rage.

The Alpha's eyes immediately narrowed down onto mine, oh shit I gasped clutching my palm against my mouth.

I can't believe I had just said that out loud, what on earth was wrong with me? I was still a Rogue, not the official Luna of the pack. The title which I resented very much, as it came bearing great responsibility and threatened to completely shift my identity.

A small smirk played on the Alpha's lips, as he noticed the momentary slip-up I had committed. He shook his head before leaning in towards my ear. His hot breath fanned against the skin as he opened his mouth to speak, "not yet darling", he teased.

I growled at his teasing tone, and lightly pushed him away. Although he grabbed onto my wrist, and pulled flush against his chest, his nose rubbed against the crook of my neck.

"Unless you want to...?", he deadpanned. Before I could register what, he was implying at, I felt his canines descend and graze the surface of my skin.

I yelped, pulling away, "fuck no", I growled.

The Alpha raised his brow looking down at me, "we could do that first", he winked. I blushed at his playful attitude, what on earth was he doing? Clearly, the lack of sleep had eaten away at what sensibility he had.

Huffing, I took two steps back, trying to catch my breath, whether I like to admit or not he was my mate and had the ability to ignite feelings of desire within me.

The Alpha eyed the distance between us and huffed, he lifted his hand and dragged it against his face. Without looking at me, he spoke up, "I'm sorry".

My jaw went slack, as I heard the apology. The was the second time the Alpha had apologised to me, never once before had he cared or acknowledged what he had done.

It was something I wasn't used to, as knowing everything he had put me through. I was still astonished at the gravity in which he himself was changing, it made me think if it really could be possible...

Could this mateship work? Was he trying to put in effort as well? I shook my head slightly to rid myself of thoughts and questions which I didn't have the answer to.

Sighing I tried to change the topic, "You should sleep", I tried to re-direct the conversation as best as I could.

"I can't", he said. As he pulled away from me and took a step back. The luminescent lighting in the bathroom cast a half shadow across his face leaving the remainder in the dark and hidden.

"Why?", I questioned. We needed to clearly get to the bottom of this.

He didn't answer at first, remaining silent as he stared off at the ceramic bathtub in the corner of the bathroom.

Growing frustrated I growled, "why?", this time raising my voice a little to ensure the Alpha understood I wasn't going to back down.

His blue eyes snapped to mine quickly, "because of you, do you know how hard it is for me to sleep knowing you're a few rooms down from me. Do you know how restless my wolf is", he growled.

He cursed under his breath, before lifting his face towards the ceiling, but not before I caught the slight blush that crept over his tanned cheeks.

He was embarrassed by his own revelation. He seemed to always be in power and control in everyone's presence, but now... he unveiled his inner thoughts.

I sighed, I had doubts that he ever slept even prior to discovering we were mates, as the bags under his eyes were ingrained deeply like they'd been there for a long time. Although I couldn't entirely deny that I struggled to sleep, considering the times I'd awaken hearing Roxy howl and my body yearn for his presence.

Seeing the Alpha continue to stare at the ceiling, I decided it was best I tried to ease his embarrassment through my own admission.

"Me too", I admitted. Although my voice came out as a mere whisper, it was hard owning up and opening up about the raw effects of the mate bond.

The Alpha's eyes found mine, as his eyes grew wide in shock. But just as quickly, his face morphed into his usual stoic expression.

I sucked in a deep breath as a thought came to my mind. But I wasn't entirely sure it was the right thing to do considering the predicament. But I guess it couldn't get any worse then this right? We were both restless and sleep-deprived.

"What?", he questioned seeing my unwavering gaze.

"Want to sleep with me?". I let out a breath as Id spoke the question, why was I so nervous, how was this man so capable of sparking the oddest emotions in me?

I saw the Alpha raise his brows, while his stoic expression cracked with a small smile that danced across his lips, seeing this I quickly corrected, "I don't mean it in that way!", I shouted. I internally groaned, realising how it must have come across.

He shook his head in response, as an unwavering silence hung in the air between us, seeing the Alpha's deliberation, I stepped aside and brushed passed him walking into the bedroom.

"Forget it! It was a bad idea, I'll just go and watch some tv", I yelled frantically.

I was trying so hard not to look back at him. I was stupid to have suggested it, I cursed silently as I looked around for the tv remote.

"Ah huh!". I spotted the black remote sitting on a dusty coffee table, but before I could reach over and grab it I felt two arms wrap around my waist before I was lifted into the air and slung over a solid shoulder.

I let out a yelp, realising the Alpha had literally sprung me over his shoulder, "put me down!", I shrieked.

He let out an airy chuckle before he began to walk out the door and headed towards his room across the hall. I blushed as I felt his thumb rub circles against the back of my sheer shorts, I was praying it wasn't see-through or at least nothing was exposed to his eyes.

Finally reaching his room, he kicked the door open with his foot and then placed me down on the bed. I looked around, taking in the room, noting how most of his room consisted of black just like his office had.

Long block-out curtains hung against a large window sill, whilst a tv was mounted right in the middle of the room which was decorated with two armchairs and a coffee table.

It was the sound of his throat clearing which snapped me out of my search of the room, I looked at him and gulped as he disposed of his shirt and was now facing me with a bare chest. His boxers hung low, which only accentuated the lower muscles which clung onto his broad frame.

Noticing my lingering gaze, the alpha smirked, "like what you see", he teased whilst winking to emphasise his point.

I rolled my eyes at the remark, before pushing myself off to the middle of the bed I began to pull back the duvet trying to get comfortable in a bed which was doused with his scent. Even as my head lay on the pillow, the scent of cinnamon and sandalwood flooded into my lungs, making it hard to think of sleep or forget the stupid idea I posed.

I turned, my back towards the Alpha as he climbed into the bed after me. His arm reached out and curled around my waist as he immediately pulled me into his chest. I stilled at the movement, I could feel the edged muscles of his chest as they pressed against my shoulders.

I tried to wriggle out of his grasp, not completely comfortable with being held so intimately against him. Though the tingles which danced against my skin, left my cheeks in a heated glaze. The warmth of his body was enough to get my mind reeling and Roxy howling in pleasure.

"Be still", he growled against my ear.

He held me tighter as I tried to wriggle once more, this time his nose pressed against my neck causing me to shiver.

"Good night", he whispered.

Sighing, I tried to do my best to relax against his hold, the soft sound of snores began to escape the Alpha's lips as he finally fell asleep.

I was beginning to doubt whether I would even fall asleep at this rate, the nerves and tingles were driving me crazy. But the vice-like grip the Alpha had against me was something I wasn't able to get away from.

But mostly I was afraid of having the same nightmare again, I didn't want to see the man or the woman for that matter. I could barely come to my senses, after the second time but the more I re-called the dream I felt like something was off, like a nagging feeling in the pit of my stomach warning me.

But I couldn't quite put my finger on it, for now I sucked in a deep breath, and began to count sheep in my head before my eyelids began to droop and I welcomed the darkness.

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A/N

AHH THIS CHAPTER WAS LONG!

THE ALPHA AND ANNASTASIA LIKE FIRE AND ICE ❤️‍🔥.

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