The Brutal Alpha's Tender Daughter novel Chapter 27

But I stood my ground and trusted myself. I owed it to Levin, who had never shown me any kind of aggressive behaviour and I owed it to myself in order to trust me again.

So I stood my ground when Levin angrily spit out, "When have I shown Alpha qualities? When I almost had a panic attack just looking at your father? When I could not sleep the whole night while staying at your old pack, because I feared for my life? Or when I found out that I could not even give my pack a Luna?"

He winced at the end, probably regretting telling me all that, but I felt more than glad that he had confided all this in me. So I had been right when I had felt the anxiety emanating from Levin back at the Mercy pack. I also felt guilty because I had not realized how scared Levin had been while staying with my family - one more clue that we definitely were not mates as I should have been able to tell.

And finally I felt strangely relieved when Levin finally confirmed that he and Oliver were mates. I felt torn in two, because one part was definitely heart broken and ready to bawl her eyes out, because it did feel like a rejection and feelings of unworthiness started to creep up on me, but another and somehow bigger part of me felt light and hopefull. Could it really be true that my mate was still out there? That I still had a chance to find the love of my life? That maybe the black wolf from my dreams, who I had experienced the strong electric current with, could be my mate? Or was it wishful thinking?

I shook my head not wanting to get my hopes up too soon.

Levin and his well being were more important right now.

I took a step closer to him and saw his shoulders rise. He was ready to get attacked, so I had to be cautious.

"As an Alpha you protect someone in need, as an Alpha you're able to calm situations down and as an Alpha you know exactly what's good for your pack and pack members. You have shown me all those characteristics in the last days. You had been willing, even before you knew me, to let my parents believe that we are mates, just to protect me. You were able to calm me down when I thought that my problems would keep you away and reassured me time and time again that everything would turn out okay."

I saw his shoulders relax and slowly outstretched my hand in order to take his. He let me and squeezed my hand.

"But no matter of how great of an Alpha you could be, you need your true mate to be a strong Alpha."

Levin's eyes widened again and he tried to reason with me. "You don't understand Sophia..."

I felt a bit hurt that Levin thought that I of all people did not understand his fears. Did he not see that all my self doubts, worries my parents were definitely not innocent to, were crippling me? Did he not realize how I yearned for somebody who would take me as I was and love and cherish me? Did he not understand that my biggest fear was that I would not be enough for my mate, his family, his pack? I was as afraid as Levin that I would not meet the expectations of everyone.

"You're probably right. It's just hard knowing that I'm actually not the one who was supposed to become Alpha and then learning I have a male mate.... I never had the feeling I actually fit in, that everything I did wasn't good enough, so when I found you..."

I smiled gently at him, because his reasons where so comprehensible for me. I would have probably acted the same way, wanting to at least meet this one expactation my parents had set.

I heard steps coming closer towards us and without having to turn around, I knew who it was.

"I think you guys have a lot to talk about."

I squeezed his hand once again, but Levin did not pay attention to me anymore, because his eyes were locked on the person who came up behind me.