Alpha Knight’s Cursed Mate

NIRVANA

“I’ll take your grandfather with me and send him home.”

I suddenly felt emotional that I wanted to cry. “I’m grateful.”

“I’ll see you soon, honey.” Grandpa kissed me on the cheek. “Be safe.”

“You, too. Love you, Grandpa.”

“Love you, too.”

I was still standing even though the portal had disappeared minutes before me.

I didn’t know what I would become if I were raised by a different person. I was glad my grandfather was there for me growing up.

“Your grandpa is a strong man. He’s going to be okay.”

I looked at McKaye. “Yup. After what happened to me, it’s just that I don’t wanna be far from him.”

“We can visit him. At least once a month.”

“That’s a great idea, Mac.”

“Vana, we’re going to the pack house. Are you coming with us?”

I turned to Kailin.

Knight was standing next to her and smiled at me. “Let’s go?”

“Sure.”

I climbed on his bike, and he revved it up. It purred and roared off down the road.

The trip to the pack house was thrilling as I rode with Knight on his bike while the guys used the SUV.

“Maybe you could slow down a bit. Even if I heal fast, I don’t want to take any chances. Maybe it was just a mishap.” I was yelling. Even with my helmet on, I knew people still died in a motorcycle accident.

“Are you scared?”

“Isn’t it obvious how I gripped my arms around you? I’m terrified.”

“I thought you can’t just get enough of my abs.”

“Silly.” I playfully slapped his chest.

“But thrilling.”

“Knight, if you call this thrilling, then it is.”

“I should teach you how to drive a bike.”

“No, thank you. I’m good with bicycles.”

“If you say so, sweetheart.”

The pack house finally came into view. We entered the gate, and he parked at the front.

“Oh, my God. My legs are shaking.” I hopped off the motorbike, removed my helmet, and fixed my hair. “Not going home in this thing again.”

“Really?” Knight was amused by my dramatic response. “We’ll go by car then.”

“Come on, guys. The game is about to begin,” Kailin gestured before she entered the house.

“What game?”

“Football.”

“Wait. We came here to watch football?” I took the hand he offered.

“Yes. At the back.”

I didn’t want to argue. If this is how he wanted to spend some time with his pack, then by all means. We went to the back-the field before the vineyards were already filled with people, kids, and players.

“I thought we were going to watch football on TV.”

“No, Nirvana.” He kissed the side of my head, and the people just saw us, making my cheeks burn.

“They saw us,” I whispered.

“And?”

“I’m not used to this attention just yet.”

Everyone greeted their alpha and me. Knight was used to this kind of attention he was getting. These were his pack, after all.

We sat in the front row when Luka and Kaleb joined us.

Luka smiled timidly. “How are you doing?”

“I’m doing great. Thank you.”

“I heard what happened. I wish I were there for you,” Kaleb said.

“Your plate is full, Kaleb, but thanks. Did you find anything in that area where I fell?”

“Aside from werewolf scents, nothing.”

“The game is starting,” Luka informed.

“What team are we, alpha?” I saw North, West, Zander, Azrel, Gage, Maddox, and Tucker among the players.

Luka and Kaleb laughed.

“I have to go with my brother, the blue team,” Luka said.

“Are you on the green team with the twins, alpha?”

“Yeah.”

“Is there a bet?”

“No, but there’s a prize for the winning team and a consolation for the losing team.”

The game has started.

“Who’s the referee?”

“That’s Antoine. He’s a high school referee.” He looked at me with a smile on his face. He seemed to enjoy a lot watching these guys focus on sports instead of ruining their lives on drugs.

“That’s great.”

I suddenly felt a hand on my back. When I looked over my shoulder, it was Aspen.

“Hey. I heard you were rushed to the hospital.”

“Yeah. A bug bit me. Apparently, I’m allergic to it.”

“I’m glad you’re okay.”

“Yeah, me too.” I also said hi to Roisin, Heartley, and Haylo.

“What team is leading?” Kailin asked, who had just joined us.

“Why are you late?”

“I brought us some snacks.” She carried a big plastic bag full of chips, and McKaye carried two packs of beer and sodas.

“We’re getting drunk, are we?” I laughed.

“We have good tolerance for alcohol.”

“Yay. Not me.”

Kailin sat next to me.

“Are you guys done talking?” asked our irritated alpha.

“I guess you’re really a football fan.” I gripped his knee, grinning. “Or your team is losing.”

“My team will win, Nirvana.” He smiled confidently, taking a bag of chips from Kailin and a can of beer and soda from McKaye.

“Oh, full of confidence. I like that.”

“Yes!” Knight just stood up and clapped his hands after his team earned points. “Go, guys! You can win this again.”

“We’ll get a touchdown, alpha.” Kaleb teased him.

“Good luck, buddy,” Knight teased back.

“Who gives the prizes?” I whispered to Kailin.

“The alpha.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. He also sponsors some college boys who can’t afford like the twins. That’s why he’s protective of them, of everyone, actually. Their parents are working class, but they also have kids in high school.”

I felt proud of Knight, knowing he wasn’t just about getting rich or being a protective alpha. He truly cared for these people and the boys.

“Next month, there will be a game between two packs. We lost in the last game.”

“Ouch.”

“Yeah. Just by two points,” Knight still proudly said.

“Yes!” Kaleb was also competitive, trying to rile up Knight when his team got a touchdown, making them lead.

Knight opened a beer can and sipped it. “If they don’t win in this game, I won’t sponsor them in the pack game.”

“You’re kidding. This is just a warm-up and a practice. They need a motivation to play harder.” I stood up and clapped even though Team Green was behind by two points. “Good job, guys! You can win this. You still have time. Now move your butt and make me proud.”

They huddled together before going to their respective positions.

“Right, guys.” I sat down when I noticed Kailin and the guys were laughing. I fist-bumped with them, including my alpha.

“Nice one, Vana,” said Aspen.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

“That’s a true Luna move,” Knight whispered.

I couldn’t help but smile until I heard a whooshing sound, which heightened my senses. The ball was overthrown and landed in our direction.

Something inside me snapped, hyper-aware that it was about to hit my face. Before it struck me, I caught it with my left hand, making the crowd gasp.

I looked at the ball in my hand and threw it back to the field.

“Thanks, Vana!” Azrel raised the ball before he ran to join his team.

The guys with me through just stared at me for seconds.

“What? Never seen a woman caught a ball before?” I smiled meaningfully to stop them from asking.

“It was awesome to reflect you got there, Vana,” McKaye said, but I saw him steal a glance at Knight. “Newfound ability?”

“I wish.”

Ultimately, Knight’s team won. Everyone left but us.

“You guys, coming?”

“I’ll be there in a minute, K.”

I felt Knight had something to say but held it back.

“Just say it. We don’t keep secrets, remember?”

“We have to search for something about Asina.”

“I was just about to tell you that. And I want to learn how to fight.”

He stared at me in shock. “Fight?”

“Self-defense. Since I am sure now that I can’t shift into a wolf. Will you teach me?”

“Kailin can teach you?”

“Why not you?” I felt offended.

“I can’t hit you.”

I rolled my eyes. “Yes, you can. It’s part of learning unless you’re busy.”

“That too.”

“Fine. Who knows how to fight?”

“McKaye and Luka.”

“Will you tell one of them who is willing to teach me?”

“Let me talk to Mac. How about shooting?”

“I hate guns. I wanna test the theory.”

“What do you mean?” He looked at me in the eye.

“Let’s run from here to there and use your werewolf speed.”

“Are you sure?” He looked more worried than challenged.

“Yes. It’s just the two of us.”

“Fine.” He stood up, giving me a hand.

“From here to that tree.” I pointed at the tree about 100 meters.

“You can stop in the middle if you feel exhausted.”

“I know, Knight.” We stood side by side. “You count one to three, then go, okay?”

Okay.”

We position ourselves. I closed my eyes and drew a deep breath before I laser-focused on that tree.

“One. Two. Three. Go.”

Air rushed around me in a whoosh. Knight went ahead. When I started moving my feet, something unexpected supernatural happened. I didn’t feel my feet move or exhaustion in my chest. Yet, I found myself standing before the tree, and Knight just reached the finish line.