The Alpha Addiction

hed everything in a warm glow. I wasn't alone this time; my friends and I had spent the b

undle of firewood on his shoulder. He was always the loudest of the

d, smirking as he adjusted the strap of his water bottle. "G

ct like you two haven't been the reas

I had grown up together in this quiet part of the countryside. For as lo

t some mystery girl," James tea

ping this chore," I shot back,

changed. It was subtle at first-a faint ten

hat?" I asked, stop

looking aroun

't know. Quiet

Don't tell me you're scared of the forest no

rd it-a rustling sound, faint but disti

ar that?" I

olu froze, their playful banter

hat?" James

ward, my pulse quickening. Som

e approached, and then, th

rk hair tangled around her face, her knees pulled up to her c

asked, his voice bar

ng a cautious step closer. "

our eyes met. Hers were strikingly blue, wide

g my hands to show I wasn't

herself back against the tree, like she

hould just go," To

thing about her drew me in, li

?" I asked, keepi

, her voice so soft

et away. "These are my friends, James and T

ense like a coiled spring. "I... I don

her. "Come with us. We'll hel

n I offered her my hand, she to

ioning looks, but I ignored them. My focus was on Mia and the

aiting on the porch. Her knitting needles paused

tone sharper than I'd e

the steps. "She was lost in the fore

into a thin line. "You

e gut. Before I could argue, Gra

said. "But no longer.

Mia stepped inside, I caught the way Grandma l

as spinning with questions, and every t

in the forest had changed everything.

hen counter, listening to the sound of sizzling eggs. Grandma's way of copin

i

dining table, her small frame dwarfed by Grandpa's old wooden chairs. Her hands fidgeted with the corner of the

meet mine, and for a moment, I forgot what I was about to say. There was somethin

was soft, barely

How, uh... how are you

k. Your grandparents have been really kind. I

in the forest a few days ago with no memory of how she got there or where she came from.

nything at all?" I as

nd... a voice, I think. Someone calling my name. But when I woke up, it w

out from behind that tree, pale and trembling, her eyes wide with s

us," I said before I

to a small, hesita

eggs and toast in front of Mia. "Eat, dear. You nee

tching her. There was something about her presence that unsettled me. Not i

have fallen in love