“A. alpha?” Derek wheezed as Hayden lifted him off the ground with a hand wrapped around his neck till his feet were off the ground. Derek tried to struggle out of Hayden’s hold, but Hayden growled in warning. Derek realised that Hayden’s wolf was very close to the surface, and the wolf interpreted his attempt to free himself as a challenge. He knew he would never win against Hayden despite how strong he was, so he stopped struggling and stayed still.
“Why were you in her room?” Hayden growled and loosened his hold on Derek’s neck a little so he could talk.
“W. we were j. just p. playing games. She won our bet and…”
“Of all the places to play, why her room? And why were you there till this time?” Hayden asked.
Derek was confused. He could feel the level of rage radiating from Hayden, and he didn’t understand why. They were allowed to move around anytime they liked, no one had a curfew in the pack house.
“She picked the location, n. not m. me.”
“The next time I see you in that room, Derek…” Hayden leaned in so close that Derek felt his warm breath on his cheeks.
“I will sever your head from your body, is that understood?”
“Yes, Alpha.” Derek immediately said and Hayden let him go.
“Now, get out of here.” Hayden growled.
Derek didn’t need to be told twice, he moved immediately. He didn’t know why he was told to stay away from Silver’s room, but he decided that he would avoid her completely as well so as to avoid any more trouble for himself.
**
DAYS LATER
**
Silver was confused as Derek made yet another excuse when she asked if he wanted to hang out with her for a while. He was either too busy with pack duties nowadays, or was on an errand, or doing something else that she considered irrelevant. She noticed him looking around like he was making sure he wasn’t seen with her, but she didn’t really think about it. She just assumed he was looking around to make sure he wasn’t caught chatting while he was on duty. But another time when she caught him looking in Hayden’s direction while they spoke, and the fear in his eyes when he realized that Hayden was there another time, roused her suspicion. She asked Mara, but Mara said there was nothing wrong.
“Derek.” She called out to him when she saw him while she was taking an evening stroll. He turned and started walking away like he hadn’t heard her.
“Oh no you don’t, I won’t let you avoid me this time.” Silver mumbled under her breath and ran after Derek.
Her suspicions were confirmed when Derek began to run too when he sensed her running.
“Wait up you asshole.” Silver yelled and picked up speed.
Derek was fast, but Silver was faster. She jumped on him from behind and tackled him to the ground.
“What is your problem?” Silver asked as she straddled him on the ground.
“Please get off me, Silver.” he said as his eyes darted left and right.
“Who are you looking for, Hayden? Is he the reason you’re avoiding me?” she asked with a frown.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Silver.” he said as he got out from underneath her and they both stood.
“Oh please! I wasn’t born yesterday. If you don’t want someone to know that you’ve been avoiding being seen in the same breathing space as them for days, maybe don’t run away when they call your name.”
“I told you, I don’t know what you’re talking about. I just remembered that I had something to do, that’s why I was running so I could meet up. You know I’ve been busy nowadays.”
“Oh really? You were going to do something? Okay then, what were you going to do?” she asked.
“It’s pack stuff, and with all due respect, you’re an outsider.” He replied to her.
She frowned and folded her arms.
“So that’s how it is now? I guess it’s not your fault, and you’re technically right about the fact that I’m not a part of your precious pack. I’m trying my best to get accustomed to living here, to be accepted, to be acquainted with everyone. And the few friends I have here, He still tries to ruin it.”
“He? Who’s he?” Derek asked with scrunched up brows.
“Your damn Alpha.” She said as she started walking.
“I’m very sure he told you to stop talking to me for whatever twisted reason. And I’m going to let him know what I think about his stupid shenanigans.”
Derek’s eyes widened as he realized that her destination was Hayden’s office. He would be so screwed if Alpha Hayden thought that he had reported the incident that had happened on the stairs that night to Silver.
“Silver, wait!” He said and held her hand.
“Don’t go, please.”
“No, I don’t understand why he’s trying to ruin my life more than he already has.”
“I don’t know what that is about but I’m sure that he isn’t trying to ruin your life, Silver. And this isn’t his fault so there’s no need to go to him. I promise to make it up to you however you want me to.” he said and she folded her arms again.
“What’s the point? You’ll just go back to ignoring me again. I’d rather stay around people that actually want me around them. You can continue following your Alpha’s orders or whatever it is you say is the reason for avoiding me. I’m used to being alone anyway.” she shrugged and started walking away but he held her back again.
“I’m really sorry, Silver. Don’t just walk away. We can hang out. Alpha Hayden didn’t tell me that I can’t hang out with you.”
She knew he was telling the truth because she couldn’t smell a lie on him. Wolves with really good senses, usually Alphas could smell an emotion on another wolf, or if they were being honest. But just because he was telling the truth didn’t mean that Hayden wasn’t involved. She decided that she would find out what exactly Hayden had told Derek, and when she did, Hayden better be ready to face the music.