Lola let out a sigh, her arms crossing over her ample chest, pushing them forward yes she had done this on purpose. Hoping just for a moment to catch the alphas eye. But his tone chilled her blood. But still her chin lifted in defiance "Well neither should you"she said her tone like chimes a finger gently pushing into Caleb's shoulder. Something wet and warm clung to his clothing. That's when the smell hit her<span style="font-style: italic"> blood</span>. "Caleb why is there blood on you? Are you okay?"her voice no longer soft but jagged with concern.<br/><br/>She would have lived to push Maria down a hill but not Caleb she admired and feared. The concern in her hazel eyes her arms uncrossed to grip his shoulders gently her eyes inspected him, no sign of injury. That's when the lingering scent of female wafted to her nose raising her hackles as she let out a light throaty growl in jealousy.<span style="font-style: italic"> Maria</span>. Lola stepped back trying to avoid anymore contact with Maria's scent.<br/><br/><span style="color: #BF0000">Caleb took a deep breath and closed his eyes for a second as he prevented himself from snapping at the she wolf before him. Opening his eyes again Caleb paused as a new idea crept into his head.<br/><br/>"Lola was it? You must have goals. Tell me, what are they?</span><br/><br/>Lola ' s Hazel eyes focused into slits as she took in the Alpha's words. Her head cocking to the side, a wrist gingerly resting on her hip, as she stood in silence. her heart drumming in her chest, a deal? Her alpha wanted a deal with her of some kind. A chance she couldn't pass up.<br/><br/>Swallowing the fear that had stumbled into her stomach as the time had clicked by. "I do, I want to be alpha."She said clearly her chin lifted with confidence. "And I don't mean your first wife"she said her eyes narrowed on the word first.<br/><br/><span style="color: #BF0000">Caleb’s mouth twitched into a grin for a split second as his mind raced a whole new path that he hadn’t even thought of opening before him it would be hard though every step a struggle.<br/><br/>“Just alpha? What would you do in that position?” Caleb’s eyes stared unwaveringly into hers as he studied her reaction</span><br/><br/>Lola's eyes caught the slightest hint of a smile on the Alpha’s lips. Making her gulp, quickly she searched for the right words that proved she was worthy. "The pack is stuck, we haven't moved forward at all. Or lands every year grow smaller. Either from the humans or the other packs. We have to step further out our watch or pack get picked apart from all sides."Her tone had been strong and sure.<br/><br/>She hadn't lied she wanted and thought her pack deserved more. Some how the wolves had stopped challenging each other becoming tame. They had just accepted the line of Alpha. A change was needed if they were gonna make it another ten years in these woods. Lola waited with a nervous heart paying that this would be her chance.<br/><br/><span style="color: #BF0000">Caleb grinned noticeably at her words pleased at her ambition and desire she would be good for the pack. Wincing as a sharp pain shot through his head Caleb pinched the bridge of his nose as he waited for it to pass. After a few seconds Caleb looked back up at Lola.<br/><br/>“So tell me if you had to choose anyone of our pack which male would you choose as alpha?” Caleb’s eyes were hard and unwavering as he watched Lola.</span><br/><br/>Lola's heart swam at his grin, pride filing her. She had caused that. A triumphant smile appeared on her lips. But quickly the smile faded as she noticed Caleb was in pain. Her hands had raised to coax him	but the lingering scent of Maria hit her again. Making her want to growl again.<br/><br/>Caleb's question had caught Lola off guard a pink hue coating her tan cheeks. She swallowed no longer the confidant show. Her eyes moved to avert themselves from Caleb's green gaze. Taking a minute to calm her inner nerves she sighed. "You, always you"she said meekly. Like a childish confession, she was highly embarrassed. This was not something she had wanted to admit. She had wanted to hold those cards a little closer till she was sure he wouldn't just stomp all over her feelings. But her tongue had beat her brain to it.<span style="font-style: italic">Stupid feelings </span>she thought silently to herself. "That doesn't matter why would you ask me such a thing? You're the Alpha's only son I couldn't marry anyone else. "She questioned her brows knitted together in concern.<br/><br/><span style="color: #BF0000">Caleb tilted his head slightly as she blushed her answer catching him slightly off guard. He recovered quickly though his eyes going back to their usual hard confident gaze.<br/><br/>“Lola, everything matters. Never forget that. Now besides me who would you choose as alpha</span><br/><br/>He was being sneaky, planning something that was now obvious. Whatever his plan was she was not the main focus. That hurt just as much as it did to have her feelings passed by without as much as a glimpse. With that her feelings hardened, she would find out what he was up too. Sighing in frustration she looked away from Caleb giving her back to him. A slightly disrespectful move but the way things were headed she needed to challenge him.<br/><br/>"I guess the beta, he comes from a good family and follows the rules. But if you're playing match maker it comes at a price Caleb" she said turning ever so slightly to peer at him over her shoulder.<br/><br/><span style="color: #BF0000">Caleb could feel his hackles rise as Lola turned her back on him his anger rushing back into him like a tidal wave as he let out a low growl. The look she gave Caleb sent chills down his spine as he took a step forwards his hands clenched.<br/><br/>“Lola, everything comes at a price. But yes with you behind him I think he would make a good alpha.” Caleb slowly took a few breaths relaxing his muscles as he regained control over himself.<br/><br/>“Lola, What do you want?” Caleb let out a small sigh as watched her warily</span><br/><br/>Caleb's growl had  sent shivers down Lola's back but she didn't dare move a muscle she would not appear weak again. She watches as he took a step forward,<span style="font-style: italic">so even Alpha's are weak to a woman, how weak </span>. She could his breathing he was trying to regain control over himself, seems even the wolf couldn't help himself.<br/>"Something I can't have fully so I'll only ask for a taste"she said before turning latching her arms around Caleb's neck.<br/><br/>"I'm not a fool so give this one thing to me."she said tilting her head slightly. "An no take backs Caleb it's this or nothing. And you never know if my pretty little mouth will stay shut"she whispered.<br/><br/><span style="color: #BF0000">[Caleb felt his blood boiling at the sudden pressure of Lola’s body against him her whispers light and playful. Letting out a soft growl Caleb grabbed Lola’s waist and moved her against the wall as he looked into her eyes. Grabbing her hands from around his neck Caleb pinned them against the wall above her head as he grinned at her. Leaning in slowly Caleb gave her a kiss on the cheek lingering for a second before pulling away. Raising a hand up to her face Caleb gently cupped her jaw as he looked into her eyes.<br/><br/>“Lola, do you think I can trust you?” Caleb spoke softly his eyes slightly softer but still as sharp and piercing as ever</span><br/><br/>Again Caleb's echoing growl in her ears had its same effect. Except this time Lola let her body react reveling in the contact in the mate that she truly desired. His touch on her waist full of command, just like an alpha. Her heart thudded in her chest her breath coming ragged. As her hands were pinned to the wall. She could barely breath less think straight. Some how he had turned her own weapon against her.<br/><br/>But when his warm lips hit her cheek it was like cold water had been splashed on her. Soaking her in a icy field of nothing. A gently but firm hand gripped her chin as his lingering warmth so close, but she could feel it like a edge of a knife. "You've already asked your favor more or less. It's not a matter of trust but getting what we both want. As long as I get what I want you have nothing to fear". Her words had come out more ragged than she had wanted. But there it was all she wanted, to be the Alpha female and to know a piece of something she would never have.<br/><br/>"You mean to replace yourself, fine but if you want me to agree. Give me what is demanded or is the Alpha not true to his word"the word's were to be a smack to him to anger him to throw him off. To finally give in and give her this  piece that she craved.<br/><br/><span style="color: #BF0000">Celeb smiled at Lola and let out a small chuckle as he gently moved his hand up gently cupping her cheek before running his hand through her hair. <br/><br/>“Someday you will be a good leader Lola. I hope that you will show me that I can trust you. I want to trust you but I will not be coerced into anything.” As he spoke Caleb was petting her head gently, his fingers running through her soft hair.</span><br/><br/>Defeat registered in Lola as Caleb's hand cupped her cheek. His fingers gently petting through her locks. Losing was the worse, but to pour salt in the wound she had been looked over her feelings walked over with such ease Mba it made her chest ache. She would not cry she would not let him see her weak ever again. Swallowing the flooding feelings that swelled in her she lowered her gaze letting her hair fall around her face.<br/><br/>"Let me go Caleb"she spoke softly almost a whisper as her words willed to betray her. Her breathing became soft and even as she willed herself to move away to no longer seek his comfort. His sweet comfort. "Please Caleb for the love of Fenrir, just let me go"she said clearly the facet in her voice.<br/><br/><span style="color: #BF0000">The hurt in her voice cut through him like a knife. His instincts battling with his mind as he looked down at the proud woman now so defeated. He let out a soft sigh as his alpha instincts and his personal desires roiled like an ocean.<br/><br/>“Lola, I want you to know I’m sorry.” Leaning in Caleb gently kissed her lips before turning and walking away.</span><br/><br/>His voice soft and comforting his lips brushing hers, hearing his footsteps add they grew fainter and fainter. Sadness and anger toiled underneath her hazel eyes. He had pitied her and given her a parting gift. Her fingers brushed over her lips were his had been. The ache in her chest buried itself deep inside her heart she would not forget the shame he brought on her. She would make him pay.<br/><br/><span style="color: #BF0000">At the corner of the house Caleb paused and looked back at Lola his calm demeanor was gone showing how shaken he was sadness and anger rolling like waves across his face. It showed for just a second and just like that his calm sure demeanor was back as if it was never gone. <br/><br/>“Thank you Lola. I can at least give you something I hope. Look for a mate that can give you everything you want.” With those parting words Caleb walked around the corner of the house towards the front door hoping that they somehow helped to heal her injured pride. Steeling himself, knowing that if he was to succeed he would have to be willing to destroy some, Caleb opened the front door and walked inside.</span><br/><br/>Sadly with her heightened hearing Lola heard Caleb's last words to her. Her hackles raised as she let the words set in. He was 'sorry', no not even close. When she was through with him he would be. But that would take time, and he wasn't going to do itself. Taking a deep Lola was on her feet heading into the woods, she needed to exchange some words.<br/><br/>Back at Maria's house...<br/><br/>Maria had risen from her bed finally her skin blue and deep people from her wounds. Internal wounds always took longer to heal. Watching herself in her long mirror she could see black rings around her once blue vibrant eyes. Her hand teaching over the glad leaning streaks of dried blood talking behind.<br/><br/>Her father had been silent and had come to her aid but she refused him in silence.  In his frustration he let her be, she could hear the creak of the rocking chair on the porch. The lingering memory of her father rocking her to sleep in the summer, the sound of the cicadas. The memory was fond but it was one she never had again. Looking at the dried blood in her pink locks she locked it in her hands.<br/><br/>Letting out a sigh she moved herself to the bathroom, the calming colors of brown and burgundy surrounded her walks. A black furry rug at her feet tickling them gently. She drew herself a bath the sound of rumbling water filling her ears allowing her to drown or her feelings. One foot at a time entered the warm rose scented water. And the stress floated away, or so she had hoped.<br/><br/>The still ever lingering idea of<span style="font-style: italic">why</span>still pounded in her mind. She wanted to scrub the omega's eyes from her brain. His gaze had seared itself into her body. She reeked of fear now, something so unbecoming of a Beta female or not. Sliding back she eased herself into the warm water. Till she submerged herself from head to toe.<br/><br/>The deaf echoing of her heart beat thumping around her as she lingered inside the tub.<span style="font-style: italic"> Please wash this away </span>she thought as her fingers ran along her body. The blood swirled and swayed in the warm water.<br/><br/>Via DragonGrame... Rawr