Alpha's One Night Bride
Alpha’s One Night Bride – Chapter 43

The house was quiet when Ronnie returned home; she wasn’t sure if anyone was even there. She was thankful Melissa and Rock were no longer fighting as sometimes they fight into the night, and it escalates the more Rock drinks.

As she walked past the bedroom doorways, she could hear the light giggles of Emily in the guest bedroom along with the soft m***s of Rock. It made Ronnie cringe hearing them so close to her bedroom. She knew Rock was going to sleep with Emily; she was a beautiful woman and Rock has never passed the opportunity to get with beautiful women.

As she reached her bedroom and sat on her bed, the words of Jess ran through her mind for the hundredth time that night. She knew that the others didn’t feel the same way, but she also knew that Jess had every right to be concerned. She didn’t know Ronnie that well and a week ago she was sure that Arina was probably saying the same things.

The way everyone was staring at her though like she was some freak that was about to explode at any given moment. It drove a knife in Ronnie’s chest. Even Erick was staring at her in a way that made her uncomfortable.

“Ronnie?” Arina’s voice roamed through her head.

But Ronnie wasn’t wanting to talk to anybody; she just wanted to go to bed.

“I’m sorry,” Arina said softly, once she realized Ronnie wasn’t going to answer. “Jess was way out of line. Jonathan had some words with her after you left. Everyone was so worried about you. Jess felt awful.”

Tears welled up in Ronnie’s eyes.

“Erick left shortly after. I was hoping he was going to go after you. Did he?” Arina asked.

Ronnie hadn’t seen Erick, though she just got home.

“No,” Ronnie finally answered.

There was silence on Arina’s end.

“Ronnie, what Jess said was wrong,” Arina spoke after a beat of silence. “She should have never put you on the spot like that. You are not your mother, just like I’m not our father. I hope you know that not all of us feel that way.”

“But you did,” Ronnie muttered. “You did feel that way.”

Arina was silent for another moment.

“And I was wrong for that. I’ve already admitted that I was wrong and I’m trying to make things right with us,” Arina told her. “I hope you know that,” she added.

“I do,” Ronnie said softly before disconnecting the link.

She didn’t have anything more to say and she didn’t have any more strength to listen.

(Arina)

It’s been a few days since Arina last spoke to Ronnie. She tried reaching out to her after the group meeting, but it was obvious that Ronnie didn’t want to talk.

As much as Arina loved Jess, what she said to Ronnie was completely out of line. It was out of character, to begin with, and she wasn’t sure how Jess could say such terrible things like that. Ronnie looked so hurt and so embarrassed. Arina couldn’t blame her for not wanting to talk.

Once Ronnie left, Erick got up and left as well. He didn’t say much, he thanked us for including him in the meeting and said that he needed to get home and rest his wounds, so he’ll be strong to fight in the territory war next month. Of which Jonathan failed to tell me about.

I thought maybe Erick was going after Ronnie, considering he did love her, but apparently, he didn’t do that.

“Have you heard from Erick?” I asked Jonathan as he came home from the office.

He gave me a tired gaze but shook his head.

“Not since the other night.”

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

“One of the deputies had a run-in with a Blackcrest wolf,” Jonathan began; his face was grave. “Chief Miller found his body in the forest.”

“A Blackcrest wolf killed one of our deputies?” I asked, astonished.

If we weren’t sure before, we were now. A territory war was breaking out.

“I’m going back to Blackcrest,” Jonathan announced.

My eyes widened.

“What?” I gasped. “Are you sure that’s wise? That sounds dangerous.”

“Which is exactly why I need you to stay here under the protection of Anderson and Erick. They will be staying here while I’m gone.”

“What if something happens to you?” I asked; I tried to keep the tears from welling up in my eyes, but my voice gave away my fears.

“Then I die protecting those I love. But if Graham is serious about this territory war, he’s not going to kill me right now. He needs me alive so he can assert his dominance in front of the other packs. He wouldn’t kill me this soon in the game,” Jonathan told me.

“What are you planning on doing when you get there?” I asked, panic rising in my tone.

“Make him pay for the life he took,” Jonathan grumbled.

I could see the anger burning in his soul; my wolf self could feel his anger radiating off his body. The fire was clear in his eyes, and it gave me chills. I don’t remember the last time I saw him this angry. I understood why though; packs were invading his territory. The territory his father, Regan, had worked so hard to build up. The territory he’s grown up in and loved his entire life; this pack was his life, and it was all he knew.

The thought of it being taken over and destroyed by some greedy wolves was driving him to the brink of madness. Now a life was taken at the hands of a Blackcrest wolf.

I worried about what Jonathan was going to do once he got his hands on Graham. I worried about what he was capable of doing and what Graham was capable of doing in return.

What if Jonathan was wrong and Graham decides to kill him right then and there. What if Jonathan decides to kill Graham? Or someone else from Blackcrest? What then? In the eyes of the law, there’s no evidence on what Graham is planning and it’d be their word against Jonathan’s. If the Grey Howler Detective Agency doesn’t believe Jonathan, it could mean death for him one way or another.

The thought of losing him made me sick.

“When do you leave?” I asked, my voice was breaking as I spoke.

At that point, I no longer cared if he saw me crying or if I revealed my weakness. I was weak. I’ve spent my life trying to be strong and prove myself but, at that moment, all I felt was weakness. The baby inside of me depends on me to take care of him or her and I was terrified I was going to have to do it all alone.

It’s not like I had a mother to help me through any of it; I wasn’t sure where I stood with Jess or Ronnie. Jonathan was knocking on death’s doorstep. I just felt so alone and so frightened.

Reading my face Jonathan’s gaze softened, and the fire began to simmer down some. I could tell he was still pent up, but he also recognized how worried I was and that he wasn’t making matters any easier for me.

He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me close to him. I rested my face in his chest and took in his musky scent. It was always comforting being wrapped up in his arms, regardless of the situation. He kissed the top of my head and lingered there for a few moments, taking me in as well.

I lifted my gaze to his and planted my lips against his softly. He smiled into the k**s; the first smile he’s had in days.

It felt nice knowing I had that effect on him.

“Tonight,” he answered softly, leaning in for another k**s.

My frown only deepened, and I pulled away from him.

“What if you don’t come back?” I asked him.

“I’ll come back,” he assured me.

(Jonathan)

Arina was worried; Jonathan couldn’t blame her, but he was too blind with rage to not go to Blackcrest and confront Graham for the final time before the war takes place.

A life was lost under his nose; a life he swore to protect along with the rest of the Sabrebite. He was the Alpha and he let his pack down. But that was never going to happen again; he tried to keep violence out of the equation but what happened with Erick and now that deputy, it seems Graham wanted to play dirty.

Jonathan was ready to play dirty.

He wasn’t even sure what he was going to say to Graham once he got there, but he knew what he wanted to do. He wanted to beat Graham into the ground and make him beg for his life. He wanted Graham to feel like his life was no longer in his hands and that Jonathan had all the power. He wanted the Blackcrest pack to watch as Jonathan belittles, humiliates, and beats Graham until there is nothing left of him.

Jonathan didn’t want to say that to Arina, being afraid of worrying her even more. She was carrying his child and he didn’t want to complicate her pregnancy any more than it was already going to be. Plus, Arina was already going through so much with Melissa and Rock, and now Ronnie. Not to mention Jess.

He hasn’t spoken to his mother since he told her off after the incident with Ronnie. He was angry at Jess for that, despite understanding where Jess was coming from. She still had no right to say what she did. She not only hurt Ronnie, but she hurt Arina too, and that didn’t sit right with Jonathan.

Regardless though, Jess was still his mother and he loved her. He made a mental note to check in with her before he leaves for Blackcrest.

Arina helped him pack his things; stayed quiet as she was deep in thought with her worries clouding her brain. The quiet was nice though, Jonathan was also lost in his thoughts. As he packed, he called out to Erick and Anderson to make sure they were still planning on spending the next few days with Arina.

They both confirmed; though Erick was a bit more hesitant, he still agreed to stay in Sabrebite. Jonathan was grateful for his friends, and he was even more grateful for Arina. He hated having to leave her behind; he always hated leaving her. But after a life has been taken in his pack, he knew he couldn’t stay hidden.

After everything that’s happened the last few months, he knew one thing for sure. Graham was about to get his a*s kicked.