My Big Bad Alpha novel Chapter 8

"My parents used to be Alpha and Luna of this pack. Their names were Tori and Xander."

"Xander? Xander Evans?" I asked her with wide eyes.

Rayne nodded and sniffles as she cuddled closer to me.

I used to hear stories about Xander through older wolves I used to hang out with when I was younger. After a while, he just disappeared without a trace, as well as his mate and I heard his pack got taken over, but I never realized it was THIS pack.

"They adopted me when I was two. My mom used to tell me stories all the time and my dad would bring all of us out on trips and Runs. It was really nice."

Rayne explained as she pulled my shirt into her fist.

"What happened to them?" I asked her and I felt her grip on my shirt tighten as she sighed.

"It was my birthday.. Dad said we'd have the party on the weekend because I had school so he just took us out to dinner instead. I was about 12 at the time. When we were going home, a-and Dad said he was going to take us to the beach to watch the sunset. It was so beautiful."

I listened to Rayne as she told me her story and I couldn't help but cringe at how loved she was by her family, despite the fact they weren't her real parents and it was taken away from her at such a young age.

"But they ambushed us." She said suddenly after a few moments pause. "R-rogues were everywhere. I-I wanted to help fight but mom wouldn't let me. "

Her voice cracked at the end and I pulled her closer to me and rubbed her back.

"Dad got us away and brought us to the pack house but it was a bloodbath. All of my friends were dead, pack members dead. It....was so horrible.

"Mom brought me into the house and hid me in a room behind the wall and told me...'Don't make a sound sweetie. Don't come out. You'll be safe and I'll come back for you.' I listened to her. I never should have.....She gave her ring and made me promise that I'd look after the pack and stay strong no matter what happens..I promised I would, and just like that she was gone. I waited so long for her to come back but she never did.

My dad's Beta, Raphael came for me. He told me my parents....d-didn't make it."

Rayne paused for a while as she let out a sob. I didn't know how to comfort her. Didn't know how to relieve her pain from losing her parents.

"The pack" She started again. "Suffered from the loss of its Alpha and Luna, but they looked to me to lead them and I didn't know how. I didn't know what to do. Dad said he'd teach me but it wasn't time. Raphael took care of me. He led the pack best he could from Beta position until I grew older to take over. But then Terrance came and challenged me to fight for Alpha when I was 16. Raphael took my place in the fight because he knew Terrance would kill me. He killed Raphael that day and took over as Alpha. Ever since then he's hated me and turned pack members against me because I didn't fight for them. But I was just a kid, what could I do? Since then I kept to myself and never talked to anyone unless I had too. I stay in my room, go to the gym, get food and that's it. So many times I've wanted to run....so many times...but I never broke my promise to m mother and I won't break it now. I can't leave Quinn. I need to stay here. No matter how much they hate me...I made a promise."

Rayne looked up at me, but I didn't know what to say.

For sure, I was pissed off Terrance took her position from her. This is her pack by right, even if it's not by blood but it is her right and he took it from her without a second thought.

I understand why she doesn't want to leave, a promise is a promise and she seems keen on standing by her word, even if in my opinion, it died along with her mother. But I'm not about to tell her that.

"I won't take you away.." I mumbled. Rayne's head shot up and her bloodshot puffy eyes looked at me.

"Really?" She asked and I nodded.

It wouldn't feel right to force her to go.

I saw how she was punching that punching bag from the first day I found her. No way I'm getting punched like that by someone I can't hit back.

Her arms flew around my neck faster than I could comprehend.

"Thank you thank you thank you!"

I smirked and slowly pushed her back. "Yeah yeah."

She giggled and looked into my eyes as I looked back into hers.

My wolf was pleading with me to take her and mark her right now, but as much as I fought him, I felt myself wanting to do it too.

"You're so beautiful..." I mumbled, caressing her cheek with my thumb. Her head tilted towards my palm and she purred lightly.

I leaned forward.

Just once.

Only once.