Battle of Wills

Aidan

I was relieved when Kiarra accepted me back.

The connection we shared was something I had always wanted, and I felt a sense of fulfillment wash over me. But as the days passed, it became apparent that our bond wasn’t the only thing at stake.

The pack, especially Jack, was becoming increasingly agitated by the presence of the Kendricks in our territory.

Something had to give, and it had to start with severing ties with the Kendricks; they’d caused enough trouble.

Even though I had taken her, Kiarra’s eyes were still red and swollen from crying, and my heart ached for her.

I needed to be close to her, to feel that intimate connection that had been long overdue. But deep down, I knew that our connection wasn’t going to solve our problems.

I just wasn’t sure she could see that right now.

The silence between us had turned thick. I picked a shitty time to be the man of the hour. I knew that, but I had to make my point.

“Listen, Kitten,” I said a little gentler this time, “there’s no way I’m letting you go! You can kick and scream and whatever the fuck you want.”

She didn’t look up at me. She said nothing.

It was unnerving.

My mind took me back to the conversation we’d had in the kitchen. I hated that she overheard the shit talk about the Kendricks and the growing tension within the pack.

The pack members still loved her as I did. It wasn’t that.

We were forced to balance the safety of the territory and the best interest of one wolf. It was a shitty situation to be stuck in.

“I need you to understand the gravity of the situation,” I continued, hoping she’d meet at least halfway. “I need you to try to grasp the responsibilities of being an alpha, Kiarra. It’s something you know nothing about.”

“I’m not stupid, Aidan,” she snapped back, and I winced. “I know there was more at risk than just our relationship.”

“So why are you being so goddamn stubborn?!” I was yelling again. My patience was thin.

“I am not letting you or that jackass James Kendrick and his creepy-ass wife tell me what to do, or how to live my fucking life, Aidan!”

“Kiarra,” I began, but she exploded before I could continue.

“We are supposed to be in this together, right?”

“Right,” I replied, avoiding her eyes.

“So can you tell me what the hell that was I walked into, Aidan? All of a sudden the four of you decided to have a secret conference about me?”

“Kiarra! Fuck’s sakes! It wasn’t all about you!”

“Oh no?”

She caught me. It sort of was.

“Okay, fuck. Yes, it was. But also, I’m trying to keep you safe, Kitten!”

“Safe? Or suffocated, Aidan? There’s a difference!”

We argued back and forth, her words cutting deeper with each exchange.

“You don’t own me! I have the right to figure this out for myself.”

“You’re right, I don’t own you and neither do they. But I do love you and they fucking don’t!”

It became clear that Kiarra wasn't going to let this go. Her determination and stubbornness pushed me to the brink, but it also served as a reminder that we were on the same team.

“We need to find common ground here, Aidan, I need more from you!”

“More?” I replied, nodding my head but still not looking at her. I would’ve been lying if I said I didn’t want to take her again.

And again, until she started to see things from my viewpoint. But, instead, I was forced into making a point that was falling on deaf ears.

“I have a sister out there, do you know what that means?”

I looked up this time. I could hear the pain in her voice.

“I know, Kitten.”

“No! You don’t! Maybe I don’t know about being an alpha. Okay, I‘ll give you that, but you don’t know what it’s like to be alone in the world.”

Her words cut deep. I didn’t know.

“I know you want her in your life, but think about the chaos that’s already happened so far. Do you think it will get better?” I asked, hoping to take advantage of her calmness.

I couldn’t see her being alone with them, away from the pack.

I couldn’t let this happen.

“Aidan,” she sighed and moved in front of me, “I need to know, good or bad, where I came from.”

If this had been a normal scenario, her request might not be so dramatic.

But I thought about the lies and threats the Kendricks already posed. I couldn't accept her request, not with everything at stake.

I pulled her into my arms, “I want to do this for you, Kitten. I do. But what if this is just the beginning?”

“Beginning of what?” She shook her head.

“What if this is their ‘in’? What if this wedge between us is exactly what they want?” At that moment, I was swiftly reminded of my duty as an alpha.

I needed to protect my pack, our territory, and our future. But more importantly, I needed to protect my mate. She was my world.

The Kendricks had to go, but I had to put Kiarra in her place.

I was the alpha for a reason, and I needed to make the tough decisions, even if it meant causing more strain in our relationship.

“Come here.”

She hesitated.

“Now!”

I pulled her to me, so now we were face to face.

“I love you, Kiarra.”

I could see it. She thought she was going to get her way. I hated to do it like this, but I felt like I was running out of choices.

“You’re mine. You belong here. You’re not going.”

Doesn’t she see that her pain is mine?

“Adian, get over yourself!” she pushed back, not willing to buy this latest rejection.

I felt the blood boil in my veins. My thoughts collided inside my brain.

I was losing my shit.

“I’M THE FUCKING ALPHA OF THIS PACK! DO YOU HEAR ME, KIARRA? I MAKE THESE DECISIONS!”