Santiago's Pov
Alpha's Hated Mate
Santiago's POV
This morning instead of workouts, I went out for a run along with Adrian, who decided to turn it into an official pack run. Previously, we never did pack runs, they were optional, but then when Adrian returned from Crix's lane, he wanted every chance he could get to be busy and the pack, with the kids was exactly just that.
Adrian has had us running fast, at his rate, he seems particularly happy this morning, and I have a feeling it has to do with the fact that Camilla hasn't left since Arieya asked for a sleepover four days ago. Belle left with the kids the next morning, and the next day, Kingston brought Arieya and Karla back. I don't want to tell Adrian this, but I see why Camilla's brothers prefer Kingston to him, I would too if I wasn't aware of just how much he loves her.
“Take five,” I halt in my tracks, heeding to the people's complaints. “You can stretch, and we'll go back home.” I announce and they cheer. These are the laziest trainees' I've had to deal with in all my years of being Beta, and normally, Adrian would be against them resting when they haven't done much but today, he doesn't seem to mind. Instead he stops, proceeding to where I stand.
“What happened to you, did you win the lottery?” I tease.
“Something like that, I spent the night with a fascinating and I do mean incredible lady.”
“And what was so special about it this time?”
“We talked, shared views and opinions on running a pack, you know, the conversation I have with you but with her. Wrapped in my arms, with her chest beating against mine,” he grins.
“Good for you man,” I tap his shoulder. “It sounds like you're back together.”
“I don't think so, Sheryl's words scared me. Do I want to see a worse version of the devil I created when I hurt her? Umm, of course not.” he answers his question.
“You won't hurt her again,” I laugh.
“I will, I always hurt her without even trying to, who is to say it won't happen again?”
“There is no Angel...” I trail off, trying to search for a more valid and logical reason when he speaks again.
“There might not be an Angel, or another woman in my bed, but I'm still scared of hurting her, I don't want Arieya to see us at our worst, you've seen how we argue back and forth.” he sighs, “Everything is passionate with us, we fuck with so much passion, and argue with even more of it. Camilla and I,” he pauses, ruffling his hair.
“We are toxic for each other, there is no one more amazing in my opinion but that's just it, I'll forever live in fear of what we'll become the next day.”
“Adrian, you love her.” I tell him. “That's what important, love. You can work the rest out.” I press, much to his dismay.
“You know I've had my share of women but nobody tops Camilla, not in the bedroom, not outside of it. But I can't do this, I can't force her to stay with her just so I can screw up, time and time again.”
I sigh, watching his timid expression, he already looks miserable just thinking about leaving Camilla. They can't be apart, they love each other, they're just as good as they think they are bad for each other, and a few years ago, when Adrian lay in his deathbed, I promised him I would reunite him with Camilla if he pulled through for her, which he did. With the phenomenal aid of a vast miracle.
“I need to cash my infinite card,” I let out, running out of options here. Our friendship cash in infinite cards that we give each other once a year, put the other party at an obligation to oblige to the request of the other, no argument. They are as good as a wish, we only do use them once, and I can't think of anything else I would rather have than my two best friends happiness.
Adrian chuckles, “You can't use your card to make me hurt Camilla.”
“You used your card to make me call Annalise over yesterday, and besides, I am not asking you to hurt her.”
“Me being with her will end in her getting hurt again, we all saw what happened last time.”
I shake my head, I have never seen Adrian scared of anything but I can see it in his eyes right now, he fears hurting Camilla as much as he fears losing her again. I blame Tiana, Sheryl, Hades, Kingston, and everyone else that has been warning him against hurting Camilla whenever they see him, Mirabelle the most.
Adrian blows his whistle, clapping his hands loud and hard. “Everyone back now, and if I catch anyone walking instead of running, you're not going to like the consequences.”
Everyone gets to their feet and we start running back, I put a pin on mine and Adrian's unfinished conversation, leaving it for when we both have something strong in a glass. As I run, I hear someone calling my name, the voice familiar, highly unmistakable.
Adrian grins, nudging me with his elbow, “Your biggest fan.” he smirks, picking up the pace of his run.
I halt, turning around to meet Annalise, who greets me with a smile, an unusual way she's developed lately. “Annalise, what are you doing here?” I implore, trying not to glance at her, I always look at her in ways that make her uncomfortable and I don't want that anymore. It took a while for me to understand that pursuing her was hurting her but then, I stopped, because I want her happiness more than anything in this world, I can't bear being the reason she's sad. Perhaps this is how Adrian feels, I should butt out of it, but no, he loves her, she loves him, nothing could go wrong there, they're both more mature now.
“I came running with Bestie, and she was talking to someone from your pack.”
“I didn't know you ran, and Anastasia is back?” I coo, trying to bore her out of the conversation.
“Yes, she came back yesterday. So, what are you doing this evening?”
Taken aback, I nearly choke. “Annalise,” I breathe. “I'm going to ask you a question and I need..”
“Why do you call me Annalise?” she snaps, cutting me short.
“Umm, is that not your name?”
“Yes,” she rolls her eyes. “It is my name, but why are you calling me Annalise? You never once called me Annalise, not even when you first met me.”
I don't understand why she's mad, Annalise has always hated it when I called her by her pet names but now she's mad I'm calling her by what she's demanded I call her countless times? Yikes, I will never understand women.
“Ugh,” she stomps her foot. “I don't even know why I let Anastasia convince me to come running, In the forest, in this skimpy little outfit that keeps riding up my vagina when you're just going to be you and call me Annalise while I make myself a fool.”
I grin, the flush of red on her face looks so hot on her, maybe because she is angry. I love how her eyes instantly darken when she's annoyed and tries to mask it but they give her away, if not, the flushed cheeks do. I watch her lips move without actually listening to a word she says. Fuck this, I don't care if she's about to use me just so she can get away from her parents, I'm willing to play her game, on her fucking rules.
“Anastasia gives bullshit for advice, and I take it anyway, why are you so damn stupid Annalise?” she smacks her head on her hand. “I wonder how you made it to college because you're one stupid ass...”
It's my hand curling around her waist, pulling her closer to me that has her quiet. I lean into her, waiting a second in case she pushes me away, but she doesn't, and so, I kiss her, the familiar taste of mango sending me over the moon.
Pulling away from our kiss, I sigh. “Hmm, you never shut up, do you, Babylove?”
In response, she smiles, shyly tucking in strands of her hair behind her ear. “You mean it, what you just said?”
“Yes Annalise,” I laugh. “I mean it, you never shut up.”
Rolling her eyes she frees herself from my embrace, twisting her mouth.
“What? You want me to keep calling you babylove?”I pause, watching her reaction. “Okay, babylove, I'll never call you by your name ever again, but only because I'm curious as to how far back you can roll those eyes.” I let out, watching her frown turn upside down, wider this time.
“Actually, I could show you right now.” She teases, peering at me through those soft long natural lashes, her hand scrapping over my sweats.
“Don't tease me,” I grunt. “You won't be able to walk once I'm done with you.”
“Well, I could crawl.” she winks.
“How about we go back to the pack house and have a chat? I'm a little confused here. Will you accompany me back?”
“Accompany me back, who?” she raises an eyebrow, arms crossed over her chest, pushing those perfect tits up.
“My little wildflower,” I grin, jerking my gaze back to her face.
“I never knew how much I liked my pet names until you stopped calling me by them,” she sighs. “Never stop.”
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