The Alpha's Guardian

After Liam left, Wade went to his office, where he spent the rest of the day making phone calls and doing alpha things. Only emerging to grab dinner and then lock himself back up. I can feel him erecting his proverbial walls. Not only has he locked me out of his emotions and mind, but he is also now trying to create a physical distance between us. I know a heavy conversation is coming about Liam, about my sneaking around collecting information. I don't see how it's any different from what Francis does. Wade doesn't know who he talks to and sneaks off to meet. Hell, he doesn't even know who Francis uses to collect the intel he collects.

Wade emerges from the office and walks straight to the stairs. I follow behind him and stop short when I see him walk into his room and close the door. My heart sinks. I mean, did I expect him to keep sleeping on the floor of my room when he has his own plush bed in his room? Yes, I totally expected that. Do I need him to do it? No, but it was nice, and I slept better knowing he was safe near me.

I stalk to my room disappointed and lumber to the bathroom. I stare at the bathtub that started it all. All these dumb feelings that I shouldn't be having for a man that isn't fated to be mine. I still feel the touch of his calloused hands running along my back, gently massaging the ache from my soul. An ache I didn't realize was there. I'm so much more aware of what I want out of my life now.

I want to be blissfully happy. To wake up next to the man that completes me and makes me smile just by doing the most mundane things. I want someone who is so kind that others would die for him. Someone who is loyal and protective. Damn it, I want Wade. My head aches and I groan in annoyance. It hurts my head thinking about all of this. This is why being stoic and emotionless is so much easier. When emotions come out to play, they play rough.

I take a quick shower and slip into my pajamas. The chilly night air seeps into my skin as I run for my bed and jump into the abyss of warmth, pulling the covers over my head. A low laugh sounds from the end of my bed and I freeze.

"Wade?" I ask from under my safe place.

"Who else were you expecting?" he says with a chuckle.

"I-I just assumed since you are mad at me..." I sit up and in the moonlight, I can see he is in his nest of blankets again. My heart swells. Even though he was mad, he still wanted to protect me, even if I don't need it.

"I'm not mad at you Ali," he says, sighing.

"You seem mad."

"Well, I'm not." he snaps.

"Right. Not mad, got it." I say sarcastically.

The room stills and silence fills the void. "Wade?" I whisper.

There is no response so I listen closely, hearing his even deep breathing. He must be extremely tired for him to be asleep so fast. Perhaps I should take the hint. My eyes slowly grow heavy and itchy as I succumb to sleep.

I wake up to Wade, who is folding up his blankets and placing them on a chair in the corner. I take the moment to just look him over. He is spectacular. His crinkled white shirt is slightly oversized, keeping from me the curves of his muscles. My eyes travel down to his gray sweatpants pants and drift back up to his tousled locks of brown. A giggle escapes me as he turns to look at me with a smug look on his face.

"You seem mod."

After Liam left, Wade went to his office, where he spent the rest of the day making phone calls and doing alpha things. Only emerging to grab dinner and then lock himself back up. I can feel him erecting his proverbial walls. Not only has he locked me out of his emotions and mind, but he is also now trying to create a physical distance between us.

"Something funny?" he asks, knowing exactly what I am laughing about.

"Something funny?" he asks, knowing exactly what I am laughing about.

But it's what makes him that much more attractive. That confidence knowing that even in the most vulnerable state of being a freshly woken tousled mess, he is a sight to be held.

"Your hair is a mess," I say.

He quirks a brow and hitches his chin up, looking at my hair.

"And yours is any better?" he jokes.

I shrug my shoulders and fall back onto the bed.

"I'm not sure I care all that much."

"You probably should. It's a mess."

"Rude!" I laugh and toss my pillow at him.

He catches it with precision and speed like the werewolf he is and throws it back.

"We have a lot to do before the meeting tomorrow. I'll meet you downstairs."

The moment the door shuts behind him, I begrudgingly toss the blankets aside and rush to get dressed, searching out my tactical vest and leather pants. It's a day full of business and with so much going on, I need to be prepared for anything. And I have a feeling a shitstorm is coming.

My first stop is waking up Francis. I know he is the one who informed Wade of my meeting, so I take extra joy in waking him early.

"Francis," I yell through his shut door.

When he doesn't respond, I push the door open and flip the light switch. Francis groans and covers his eyes.

"What the hell!"

"Alpha Wade needs you," I say, smiling.

"Why didn't he mind link me then?"

"Oh he will, but I wanted to beat him to the punch," I smirk at Francis as he glowers at me.

"Is this because I caught you sneaking around?"

"I was doing it for Wade!" I say, throwing my hands up. "I took a blood oath, Francis. Unless that oath gets destroyed, in like a fire or something, I can't do anything bad to him. It would literally be suicide." I slam the door shut, then open it one more time. "And yes. It is 100% because you snitched."

Was it petty? You bet your a*s it was. Did I enjoy it? Every second. I make my down to the kitchen and find Wade is already eating a plate of eggs that Ethel had prepared for him. I grab my usual apple and lean against the counter. "How is Francis?" he asks, smirking as he shovels a fork full of eggs into his mouth.

I take a smug bite out of my apple. Evading the question when a disgruntled Francis walks in, scowling daggers at me.

"Rough night?" I ask him, raising a brow.

"Sammy had a rough night, which means I had a rough night." He says curtly.

I instantly feel bad.

"Is she ok?" I ask.

Francis sighs heavily, rubbing his hands over his face.

Wade Immediately stands up and walks over pulling his best friend into a big embrace.

"I am so sorry," Wade says, sounding full of guilt.

"Wade. This is not your fault." Francis says moving away. "This is Trudy and that a*****e who taught her how to poison this pack undetected. I want dibs on him. The dick who ruined my family." He points at Wade, who nods in agreement. "He is all yours," Wade says, walking over and clearing his plate. "Now, we have to stay on task today. We need to get everything ready for the committee and for Corbin."

"What's first on the list?" Francis says perking up at the drastic change in subject.

"Liam. We need his help with extra security around the border." I say.

Wade groans in annoyance.

"As much as I hate it, yes. Francis, would you mind talking with him?" Wade asks.

"Of course."

"Ali, I know you can't really leave me, but we may have to split up today to get everything covered."

"No," I answer. "I can not and will not leave my spot by your side."

"Ali, I understand your reservations."

"No, Alpha Wade. This is the only case in which I do not have to listen to your orders. I need to be within a certain distance of you at all times. And that is final." "What about Kane?" Francis asks.

"Kane tracking?"

Both men laugh.This is from NôvelDrama.Org.

"Ok, yeah bad choice." Francis agrees. "I have someone. I've been training her. She is excellent."

"Who?"

Francis smiles mischievously.

"Robin."

"What? My Robin?" I ask, shocked.

I get she isn't my Robin. And that I only see her when she is around the packhouse because I can't leave Wade's side, but we bonded. I view her as a sister? Friend? Someone I just want to protect.

"Issac took her for a walk to get to know her and mentioned she was very observant and because she doesn't have a wolf, her scent isn't alarming to wolves which means she can get closer without being attacked."

"But what if she does get attacked?" I ask, concerned. She almost died once, already. I'm not too keen on her or Mason getting hurt again.

"Issac always goes with her and keeps his distance so his scent can't be caught but close enough to aid her."

"Interesting concept Francis," Wade says, thinking. "Teaming up a warrior and a tracker who is an omega. It's genius."

"I know you like to treat all ranks equally, so I just tried to see what worked best," Francis says humbly.

"Wait! Was it Robin who tracked me?"

Francis smiles brightly.

"Yep."

"Son of a gun," I mutter to myself. "That traitor."

"Huh, I feel the opposite," Wade says, sounding amused.

"The doctor did the 3D ultrasound yesterday, and I missed it. I guess he is very weak. They believe his wolf died, but there is no way to tell until he is born." He says, his eyes glistening with unshed tears.