The Alpha’s Fated Choice (Alpha's Fated Encounter Trilogy #1)

“Because of Julia,” Alex replies grimly. “Remember the female shifter you fought last time you were in the ring?”

“Your people were watching?”

“They were. And that fighter was Julia. She noticed my interest in the Wily Vixen and decided she was a threat. Her plan was probably to kill the Wily Vixen in the ring that night, but luckily, you were too good for that. Julia has been acting rather secretive lately, avoiding us. I knew she was up to something, but I didn’t realize what till it was too late.”

“How did you know Julia was going to be here tonight?” I ask, looking over his shoulder at the three black wolves who still have their backs to us. Now it feels like they’re simply giving us privacy for this conversation.

“Nathan. He’s been keeping an eye on Julia. When she left the motel tonight, he and I followed her, but we couldn’t enter through the back of the building because of the pack security guys prowling around. So, we came in the front door as spectators. I don’t think Julia knows the Wily Vixen’s identity; she would’ve simply revealed it to the security team. I think her plan was to get you captured and out of her way.”

I’m starting to see where he is headed with this story. Julia was the female shifter I fought? I knew that opponent was crazy!

Alex keeps going. “When the Wily Vixen entered the ring, I immediately knew it wasn’t you. It was just the way she walked. And then, when she started attacking her opponent so viciously, I knew something was up. I contacted the others just in case and told them to keep an eye on the back door to the arena. I didn’t know if Julia had sent word to your pack’s security team, but I had a feeling there was going to be some sort of raid tonight, and I wasn’t about to leave you in there by yourself.”

He runs his fingers through his hair, looking agitated. “Of course, I didn’t know exactly what she had planned. Just as she was about to kill that other fighter, the Beaver, she looked at someone in the crowd: the owner of the boxing gym. I’d figured out who he was the last time I was there. Anyway, that’s when I knew something was up. I’m just glad we got you out of there.”

All the air leaves my body as Alex confirms what I’ve been guessing. I sink down on the log next to me. Staring blankly at the ground, I bury my head in my hands. “So, that was Mathew’s plan.”

All these years, I fought for him. I thought we were close. I thought I could trust him. Maybe Elsa was right; I really am naïve when it comes to people. Stabbing me in the back like this is something I never imagined Mathew doing. Of all people, I never thought it would be him. He risked his cage fighting ring business to do this to me. Now, even the human authorities will be looking into what happened.

“He knows my identity,” I breathe. “He knows who I am and where I live. He’s going to hold that information hostage.”

“What do you mean?” When I don’t answer, Alex crouches at my side, grabbing my chin and forcing me to look at him. “What are you talking about, Sophia?”

“Mathew. The only reason I was taking part in the cage matches was to make money. I want to buy my freedom from the South Alliance. You know there’s no other way to escape, aside from buying my way out. I was saving up for it. But fighting was becoming very dangerous in more ways than one: my identity could have been leaked, and my body was suffering. Plus, I was tired of it. Always having to get kicked and punched; I just didn’t want to do it anymore. When you guys kept sniffing around, I was constantly scared that I would be discovered. I don’t want to live like that anymore.”

Wearily, I push Alex’s hand aside.

“Mathew wanted me to sign a new contract, and that’s when I told him I didn’t want to stay on for more than another year. I hoped I would have enough saved by then, and if not, I would make the rest of the money by cutting costs and working odd jobs. And then…” I recall Mathew’s behavior when I went to see him the other day. “He was acting very off. He wouldn’t let me read the contract. Today, he told me I could sign the new one he’d drafted, but not until after the fight. He sent me back to my dressing room, telling me not to enter the arena until he came to get me. He must’ve given Julia a mask and clothes just like mine.”

I run my hands over my face, resigning myself to the situation. “He’s going to tell the pack security who I am, Alex. I’m done for. This isn’t something that can be overlooked. Shifters fighting humans is not allowed. I break pack law every time, and he knows it.” Anxiety is building up within me now. “What do I do? How do I escape? They’re going to be looking for me soon enough.”

“You said he might hold the information hostage, though,” Alex probes. “Why would he do that?”

“Because I make him a lot of money,” I hiss. “If he holds the threat of disclosing my identity over my head, he can force me to fight for him. Not as the Wily Vixen anymore, of course. Not after what ‘she’ did tonight. But Mathew knows the risks I face if my identity is leaked to the pack security. He could even stop paying me. It doesn’t matter to him how much my body suffers. He makes far too much money off of it to care. I’ve seen his books; he doesn’t pay me a fraction of what I bring in.” My hands grab hold of my head above each temple. “I’m screwed whether Mathew outs me or not.”

“It’s going to be fine,” Alex tells me. “Nothing is going to happen to you.”

“You don’t understand!” I give him an aggrieved look as my hands drop to my lap. “You are going to be gone soon! You have no idea what my situation is like—”

“I’m telling you, nothing is going to happen to you!” Alex says firmly, grasping my shoulder. “I will deal with this.”

I push away his hand once again. “I don’t want you to deal with anything. I don’t want you trying to fix my problems. You have your own problems to deal with. I—I have to figure this out myself.”

Alex growls as I get to my feet, grabbing my hand when I try to walk away. “Is it that hard to accept help from me?”

“Yes!” I whirl around and glare at him. “It is hard. It’s hard because you’re making me dependent on you, and that’s the last thing I need.”

My words rock him. I can see it in his face. Dammit! I keep messing things up.

“Thank you for saving me, Alex. For helping.”

I try to breathe through the panic and find some semblance of calm. I am so sick and tired of hurting Alex with my words. I just need to do one thing right. Everything else is collapsing around me.

“Thank you, but I cannot lean on you. I have to take care of myself. I’m not a complete lost cause; I will figure something out. There has to be a way out.”

I’m rambling now, but I’m mostly just trying to convince myself. I decide that I have to get out of here right now; I can’t be near Alex. He’s good to me, but I’ll say something else, and then he’s going to have that hurt look in his eyes again. I don’t want to keep doing the same song and dance.

I turn around to leave when I see Nathan walking past the black wolves.