~ Alpha Nikolai ~

Amoux, my best friend and Beta was killed a week ago by my enemies; the enemies of my pack; the Dark Crystal Pack. His eighteen year old daughter, Judith Amoux has now become my responsibility. But the problem is, I can't trust myself enough to have her move into my mansion house. I'm trying to send her off to some college faraway.

Far away from my eyes.

I use to have a mate, but not anymore. My Luna was human and she died six years ago, leaving me to suffer the pain of her demise. Since then, I hadn't looked at any woman long enough to want to sleep with her.

Except for Judith.

Jesus, why does it have to be my best friend's adopted daughter?

Judith is a human, adopted by Amoux when she was just a newborn. Though she grew up in my pack, she does not have worries about going rogue since she doesn't even need a pack like other werewolves do. I'm very sure she will be able to cope and live a normal life wherever she goes.

"But Alpha, I don't think Judith likes the idea of going to college far away from here. She will prefer-" before Nikita finishes her sentence, I cut her off by giving her my feral glare. "S-sorry Alpha." She stutters and submits.

"Go look into the colleges I asked you to. No more questioning my order."

"Of course, Alpha. Apologies for my mistake." Nikita leaves.

I release a heavy sigh. What does she even know to dare think I'm being too harsh on Judith Amoux?

I'm doing all of this because I don't fucking have another choice do I?

I have to protect the girl from my dark desires. I don't see Judith as a kid like I'm supposed to. I see her as a woman and she's stuck in my mind. I want her so badly that it's hurts so much. It's driving me nuts.

There's a knock on my door in less than thirty minutes after Nikita has left. But even before I can give any response, my door is kicked open aggressively, Judith stomping her shoes into my office.

I curse under my breath. Shit. I know I'm in trouble again.

...

~ Judith ~

"Tell me it's not true!" I glare at Nikolai.

I don't care he's thirty eight and twenty years older neither do I give a fuck that he's the leader of this group of humongous shifters who call him Alpha. Alpha my foot. Older or not, he shouldn't fucking treat me like this when my Father was killed last week because of him!

Nikolai sent my Father on some stupid fucked up suicide mission which he never returned from.

I don't want college anymore.

I want revenge.

And Nikolai should better start preparing to back me up with everything he has to offer.

"Answer the damn question!" I snap again but this time, his jaws clenched hard and I'm able to see the annoyance written all over his face. Suddenly, he's standing up and in a flash, he's brutally twisting my hands behind my back.

I yelp. "What the fuck!"

"Apologize."

"For what? Why should I?"

"Damn it Judith. I said Apologize now." Again, he brutally twists my arm so painfully that I feel like crying. But no, I will not cry because of Nikolai. I know better than anyone what kind of a fucking nutjob psycho he is. He will actually enjoy my tears. Even lick them if he could.

"Ok fine, cool." I'm dropping my big girl pants to apologize but shit, this is really annoying. "I'm sorry. Now let me go."

He doesn't listen.

I wriggle and twist my body around but Nikolai doesn't flinch even for a second. Fuck! I hate that he's too tall, too muscular and much more stronger than I am in terms of physical strength. I'm usually the one who intimidates people so I really hate that Nikolai is the only man in this pack who makes me feel so weak.

Even my father does not make me feel this weak and powerless when I fight him. I mean, back in the day since he's no more alive.

"Nikolai let me go."

"Apologize properly. And I warn you not to call my name like that without my title." He seethes against my ear. His fingers accidentally brush my lower back in the process and I feel myself shiver despite the heat. Did he do that deliberately?

I guess I'll never know.

I swallow down a shaky breath and struggle to concentrate on getting myself out of his hold. "Ok please let me go Nikolai."

"Alpha!" He booms.

"Right. Alpha Nikolai, please let me go." I say through my clenched teeth. I bite back an urge to cuss him after his hands released me. "Are you seriously considering sending me to college like I heard from Nikita?"

Nikolai shakes his head in a 'yes' way. "I'm only helping you fulfill your dream of becoming a Lawyer. Isn't that what you've always wanted?"

"Fuck that dream Nikolai. Things have changed and I'm not going to college soon! What I want is to avenge the death of my Father. To make sure the Deranged Wolves Pack pay for what they did to him. Tooth for a tooth. Or maybe not because I swear I want to destroy every last one of them fucking wankers."

Nikolai's lips twitch which means he's stifling a smile or something as if he finds my words funny or amusing.

"You think I can't do that?"

"It's not that I think." His silver colored eyes pins me in one place. "The truth is you can't do it. You run your mouth but you're too weak and reckless when it comes to action. You lack focus, speed, and resilience. One twist to your arms got you giving in and apologizing to me." He shakes his head from side to side. "Which was disappointing."

"Oh?" I don't realize when I throw in a short, sarcastic laughter. "I see where you're coming from. But you know what Nikolai? Father died because of your fucking mission and the least I expect you to do is to take responsibility. If you think I'm that weak and incapable. . . And if you have even an ounce of respect for my father, then train me by yourself. Equip me with all I need. Give me just six months of training, help me do what I have to do and you can send me wherever you want after I'm done with my revenge."

"What makes you think you can get your revenge and still come back alive to go to college huh?"

"If I die there, so be it. You wouldn't have to spend any money on me. You have nothing to loose in this deal."

Nikolai dips his hands into his pockets, nods, thinks through everything I said and then he sighs heavily. "We have a deal." He says. "Six months, and no more. You will go to college whether you succeed with the plan or not." His lips twitch. "Unless you get yourself killed."

"I understand baby boy." I mutter under my breath and stifle a happy laughter but Nikolai heard my words and throw me a glare that makes me straighten my spine.

I cough, seeing how damn serious he's looking at me. I think he looks hot but his glare says 'repeat that phrase again and I will kill you.'

Well I guess I've pissed off the big bad Alpha more than I shouldn't. Alright. Maybe it's better to leave now before he changes his mind about the whole college thing.

But wait, the training. When do we start?

Certainly not now. I should talk to him about it tomorrow first thing in the morning when his head is cool.