Chapter 2

Alyssa's eyes fluttered; squinting against the fluorescent lighting before focusing on the blue-eyed, dirty-blonde sitting in front of her. She glanced around her; taking in the couch she was lying on, the table he sat on and the lockers and scattered luggage lining three walls, and the privacy glass of the Skybox overlooking the arena.

"We haven't been formally introduced. My name is Dean Ambrose. You're in mine and Rome's locker room." He answered her unspoken question in a low, raspy voice before giving her a smile. "How are you feeling?" He cocked his head; reaching out a hand to steady her when she slowly sat up.

"My head is pounding and my mouth is as dry as a desert." She pressed her fingers to her temples, massaging them for a moment. "Oh, thank you." She smiled appreciatively, taking the bottle of water he offered. "So where is the brute?" She asked, looking around them while she sipped the cool liquid. "I have to admit I'm surprised that I'm still clothed and not tied to his knot right now. Wait! How long was I out?" She glanced up at him with a look of panic.

"Not long enough to be knotted, darlin, and he wouldn't dare do you that way. No, he's feeling extremely domestic and ran off to get you food." Dean chuckled while digging around in his gym bag; pulling out a bottle of Tylenol and handed her two.

"Thank you again." She accepted them graciously and quickly washed them down. "So did the caveman actually carry me here or just drag me down the halls by my hair?"

"Oh you're going to be fun to be around!" He laughed; dimples popping out along with a peek of his tongue between his teeth. "Well you'll be fun for me but hell for Roman, I can tell already."

"What can I say? I wasn't expecting to come here and find my true mate. I especially don't get off on the Alpha posturing, chest-pounding, growly 'mine' bullshit." She sighed, leaning back to lie down again.

"Well you sure did a number on his mouth. His lip is so swollen he's been holding ice on it to get it down before you see him again. That Alpha posturing you mentioned demands he looks his best for you. I wouldn't be surprised if he pulled a Diva out of one of the makeup chairs." He grinned; chuckling when she began to laugh. "I know he came off kind of strong…" He glanced up through his eyelashes at her when she coughed. "Okay, he came off as a total knothead but he really isn't a bad guy. He's just been waiting for you for a long time."

"That might mean something to me if I was interested in a mate." Alyssa frowned, staring at the water bottle clutched in her hands.

"I can't say that I blame you there, darlin. I'm not the mating type either but then I've never had my true mate dropped into my lap. I hear it's impossible to ignore the scent or fight the pull but then it doesn't seem to be affecting you the same way as Rome." Dean stroked his scruffy chin, narrowing his eyes on her. "Do you know if that is a difference between Alphas and Omegas or is it just you?" He looked at her curiously when she just shrugged her shoulders.

"I have no idea, Dean. I don't know a lot of true mates. My parents aren't true mates. Neither are Shane and Marissa. They just settled when they fell in love. Hunter and Steph are the only ones I've actually seen the magic happen with." She turned on her side and curled up, smiling at him when he rested his elbows on his knees, propping his chin on his opened palms. He looked like a child awaiting a bedtime story. "It was a mutual thing with them. Paul was in full display mode, trying to prove his worth as a mate, and Steph melted every time she saw him flex a muscle. It was fucking disgusting." She shook her head with a chuckle; Dean joining her.

"It has to be extra hard to prove to you and Steph that they are good providers when you're richer than God. Talk about giving a man an inferiority complex." Dean smirked; narrowing his eyes when she scoffed at him.

"Displaying one's worth and proving they are a good provider has nothing to do with money, Dean. That impulse comes from your wolf and wealth means nothing to our ferals." She smiled at his curiosity. "Do you know nothing of our history?"

"Not really." He shrugged.

"I'll tell you some time. Anyways, Steph lived off the family money since birth but the instant I was old enough, I got a job at Corporate and lived off of my paycheck. I know it's the family business but doing the job and earning the wage was a big deal to me." She said proudly. "When Paul turned FCW into NXT, he approached me about co-running the thing with him since he spends a lot of time with your roster. I work my ass off for that paycheck too. You guys aren't easy to deal with on a daily basis, you know."

"Oh I believe you, darlin. If any of those kids are as bad as I was then you are definitely earning that check." He laughed; leaning his forearms on his thighs and clasping his hands between his knees. "I was a pain in the ass when I was at FCW. Seth was an overbearing prick that annoyed the bosses so much they almost fired him. His only saving grace was his talent. Now Rome was a model employee; professional, courteous and eager to learn."

"Are you campaigning for your best friend now, Mr. Ambrose?" She arched one perfect eyebrow at him with a half smirk.

"I have to, sweetheart. It is part of the bro code and he's the best man I know." He gave her a toothy grin before glancing up when the door opened. "Speak of the devil and he shall appear." Dean clapped his hands down on his knees and rose to his feet.

"You were talking about me? That can't be good." Roman backed into the room, balancing a plate of food while dragging the rest of her luggage along. He left the bags next to the couch and set the plate on the table, pulling it closer so she could reach without getting up. "I brought you a little of everything to snack on. I uh, have the main event match against Sheamus. Hunter is going to come out and put a beating on me to write me out for a couple of weeks so that we can get your affairs settled and move you into my place in Tampa. The three of us can order room service when we get to the hotel." He glanced up at the grinning Dean with hopeful eyes, getting a nod in return before noticing the scowl on her face; her eyes darting from the mozzarella stick in his fingers to his gray eyes.

"If you try to hand-feed me, I guarantee you'll pull back some bloody stubs where those fingers used to be."

Dean had to bite his lips to keep from laughing when the big man swallowed heavily, nodded his head and carefully handed her the cheese stick. He couldn't help but wonder if Roman insisted on them still rooming together so that he could act as a buffer between them.

"Are you feeling better?" He went to tuck a lock of hair behind her ear while she nibbled on the cheese stick, and got his hand swatted away.

"I was until you walked in the door with this plan for my future all mapped out. I don't care how fast you said it; I still caught the part in the middle of that ramble about moving me into your house." She spoke dismissively while she dipped a celery stick in dressing. "What affairs are you referring to?" She asked with mock indifference.

"I know you're supposed to be with the main roster through Mania but we need to work out the details of your time spent at NXT. I need to find an Alpha to watch over you when you're working there; someone to keep an eye on my interests. When you're here with us, Dean is that Alpha." Roman cleared his throat, treading carefully so that he didn't set off his volatile mate. "If I'm not around, you need to be with either your family or Dean. Until we're mated and you wear my claiming mark, I don't trust anyone else with you."

"I'm honored, bro." Dean grinned smugly.

"You're honored to be my official babysitter? You are so losing your cool points in my eyes." Alyssa shook her head at the blonde, getting a dimpled chuckle in return.

"It is a matter of trust, Ally, especially since I'm an unmated Alpha. It says a lot about how much Roman trusts me when he asks me to look after his destined mate." He patted her feet, waiting until she tucked them in closer to make room for him on the end of the couch.

"Hmm, so you aren't all knotheads." She gave him a scrutinizing gaze while she nibbled on a carrot stick.

"Oh I'm a knothead but a knothead with scruples. Most people think I don't have any but they're there." He smiled; his blue eyes sparkling. "I wouldn't dare dishonor you or Roman by trying anything inappropriate with you. Roman is my family and; by extension, so are you. I'd kill to protect both of you."

Roman smiled fondly at his brother but cocked his head at his mate when she whispered "like a pack" in between bites.

"You can trust Finn to look after me when I'm with his roster." She added quietly a few minutes later. "He's a good man." She kept her eyes down; her tone neutral to not give away her hope that he'd see things her way.

"We will see. I'll talk to him when we visit NXT on Wednesday. I'm interested in seeing what you do there. You can also break the news to Baron that you won't be seeing him in any capacity other than his boss from now on." Roman kept his gaze trained on his clasped hands, waiting for the outburst from Alyssa. In a way it surprised him when all he sensed was her distress. Not that that was any better. This would be the second time today he upset his Omega and it broke his heart. "Alyssa…" He placed a hand on her back, trying to lend her comfort only to feel her tense and shy away from his touch.

It wasn't supposed to be this way. In his head, he imagined their eyes meeting for the first time and his true mate falling into his arms, head over heels in love with him like he was with her.

This was a nightmare for him. His destined mate was making him fight for her every step of the way. She didn't love him. She didn't want him. She had a boyfriend!

His unmated Omega was surrounded by unmated Alphas every day! The thought of them apart; her not bearing his claiming mark to show the world she was taken was unbearable.

He didn't realize he had taken his feet and began to pace while his thoughts ran rampant. He didn't realize his lungs heaved out panted breaths while his fists clenched in frustration. He didn't realize he was about to make a colossal mistake that would set him back even further with his future mate because he just wasn't thinking.

His actions were driven by all instincts and desperation.

"What are you doing?" She sat up, turning to look at the floor where he dumped the contents of her purse. "Get out of my things!"

"I'm just looking for your suppressants. You can stay on the birth control – for now." He set one bottle down and rose to his feet with the other clutched in his hand, headed towards the bathroom.

"Rome, I don't think this is a good idea. Holy shit! Darlin, get off of him before you hurt – him." Dean ran his hands through his hair before attempting to pull Alyssa off of Roman's back. "Fucking hell! She's like a boa constrictor!" He groaned, trying to pry the slight woman from his friend.

"Roman, give me my pills back! Dean, let me go!" She struggled against his hold when he managed to pull her loose.

"I know it is up to you when we mate but you know we have to mate eventually; it is my right, and when we do, I want to share my rut with you." He told her in an even tone while he poured the suppressants into the toilet, pulled his bottle from his pocket and dumped them too, and flushed.

"Rome, what the fuck?" Dean shook his head; disappointment in his eyes while he kept his arms wrapped around the strangely still Omega.

"You know exactly what he's doing, Dean. He flushes my suppressants and waits for my heat to hit; thinking I'll be so far gone with the fever I'll just jump on his dick and beg for his knot. He's the best man you know? Really?" Alyssa turned tear-filled eyes to Dean before glancing back at the sorrow-filled Roman.

"You just made the biggest mistake of your life, brute. You see, I've suffered through heats before. They aren't comfortable but I made it through just fine for years. We have to go through at least one a year or risk messing up our ability to reproduce. All you've done here is push me further away and set yourself up for a painful rut all alone." She shook off Dean's arms and went back to her scattered things.

"Goddamn it, Roman! I know it isn't considered a forced mating since she's your true mate but; in my eyes, that is the shadiest shit I've ever seen! I can't believe you did that, man." Dean hissed at his brother; shaking his head before following Alyssa back to her spilled possessions.

"Alyssa…" Roman took a deep breath, stalking out into the locker room and crouched down beside her to run a hand along the back of her hair. "I'm sorry. I did it because we're going to be separated and you'll be without my claiming mark. I just can't risk anyone taking you from me."

"Don't fucking touch me." She sniffled; putting her things back into her bag with Dean's help.

"Roman, ten minutes!" Hunter knocked on the door and shouted the time he had to get in position for his match. He paused; glancing between the three silent occupants in the room. "What happened?"

"Nothing, Paul." Alyssa shook her head, keeping her focus on her things.

"I need to go get my ass kicked by your brother-in-law now." He spoke softly in a somber tone. "I'll be back and we can head to the hotel." He rose from his crouch beside her, leaning down to place a kiss on the top of her head and hurried out the door.

Hunter sensed the pain coming from his sister-in-law and turned inquisitive eyes on Dean. The blonde picked up the empty pill bottle from where Roman left it on the floor and tossed it at his boss. Hunter sighed before narrowing his eyes and stormed out of the room.

"Are you okay, darlin?" Dean placed a hand on her knee when she took a deep breath to settle her nerves. "Outwardly, you appear to be keeping it together pretty well but Alphas can sense when you're upset or hurting, and you're broadcasting it on all channels."

"I can't believe he did that. I mean, I can but didn't think he would considering how highly you and Paul talk about him." She took his extended hand and let him help her back to the couch.

"I'm sorry, sweetheart. I didn't think he'd ever stoop to this level. I just think he's scared of losing you and it doesn't help that we work in an Alpha populated business." He squeezed her shoulder, lending what support he could.

"I know it has to happen; our mating, even though every fiber of my being is fighting it but the thought of hurting Baron is tearing me apart." Her brown eyes welled with tears, worrying her hands in her lap. "He was closed off for so long; unwilling to trust anyone or let anyone into his heart. He won't take this well at all."

"I can only imagine how difficult it will be on both of you, darlin, and I don't mean to downplay it at all but I have to tell you." Dean scooted to the edge of his seat and took one of her hands between his. "Roman was all of those things you just described Baron as…until he sensed you. He had no interest in messing around or getting to know anyone. He hasn't shared his rut yet. He was waiting for you; saving it for you."

"You're a good friend." She grumbled after a few minutes of reflection. "It's very annoying."

"It can be and here's another thing you'll probably find annoying." He waited until those doe-like eyes focused on him before giving her a sad smile. "I think this thing with the pills hit you hard because you were willing to give him the benefit of the doubt and he betrayed that slim chance with that knothead move."

"Dean!" Cesaro cut off in mid-sentence when he walked in to find an unknown woman on the couch. "I didn't realize you have company. I just came in to ask what Roman did to piss off Hunter?" He pointed at the window.

"Uh, it could have something to do with him claiming Hunter's sister-in-law, and acting like a huge fucking asshole. Look, man, I really have to ask you to leave. I appreciate you warning me but if Roman smells you around her, he'll have a fit." Dean hustled Antonio out the door before joining Alyssa at the window. "Fuck, Paul's going off script." He ran a hand through his hair when he saw Roman's face repeatedly bashed off of the announcer's table. "Can this night get anymore fucked up?"

"Oh my God, he's bleeding badly." Alyssa gasped, covering her mouth with a shaky hand. She mentally cringed at the surge of protectiveness that coursed through her; seeing her Alpha under attack. "Dean?" She pulled her hand from her face and turned her bloody fingers towards him.

"Well that answers my question." He took her head between his palms and tilted it back before they both glanced at Roman's nose gushing blood. "This cannot be good."

"Get me to the trainer's room now!" She growled; the emerald ring circling her brown irises again while her temper grew to epic proportions.

"Yeah, come on, darlin." He took her hand and led her out of their locker room; the two of them running the halls.

They arrived in the room that changed Alyssa's life just a little over an hour ago while it was still empty. She didn't complete one rotation of pacing the room before Chris and a referee helped Roman in and on to the very table where his claim was confirmed.

"What happened to you?" Roman furrowed his brow when he saw her toss a crimson soaked tissue into the trash.

"Is this how you planned to help me?" She turned hard eyes towards the door and bellowed at Paul when he rushed in; ignoring the Samoan's question. "Look at his face, you douche!" She stood beside the exam table Roman lay on while Chris worked to staunch the blood flow from his nose.

"You're bleeding." Roman mumbled through the gauze packing, reaching a hand up to wipe at the small rivulet beneath her nose. "Are you okay? What happened?"

"I'm fine. Lay back down." She placed a hand in the center of his chest, pushing him back down on the bed.

"You were supposed to watch her. Why is she bleeding? What happened to her?" Roman darted his watering eyes to Dean and back to Alyssa, holding her hand to his chest.

"I think you happened." Dean spoke up from behind her. "She began to bleed when you did."

"Roman, I didn't mean to take it that far." Paul closed in on the Samoan's bed; a look of guilt on his face.

"Get out!" Alyssa pivoted to stand between Paul and Roman; in effect, shielding her soon-to-be mate from further harm. 'Fuck, I hate this feral shit!' She growled when her nails lengthened and the taste for blood filled her senses. "Get out now before I hurt you." Her words came out in a low, rolling growl while her claws sharpened to fine points. "Please…"

"Alright, Allycat." Paul raised his hands, backing out of the room. "Call me when you get to Florida and give me an update on Roman and anything else you want to talk about." He continued to ramble until she finally slammed the door in his face.

"I just threatened to harm someone I love over someone nature has forced on me. Fuck my life." Alyssa panted through her anger; forehead resting against the door, until it eventually bled out of her. "Is he going to be okay?" She turned to Chris while glancing at Roman from the corner of her eye.

"He will need surgery."

"Set it up in Tampa around noon. We'll head out first thing in the morning on the company jet when the pilot can file a flight plan." She took in his nod before looking down at Roman. "You stay here. Dean and I will go grab our shit, I'll call the pilot and steal the family's ride, and we can head out to the hotel. Get him in a shower and cleaned up before I get back. I'll bring him clothes to change into." She spun on her heel, grabbed Dean's arm and made for the door.

"She seems to be coming around." Chris smiled at Roman while he worked on him.

"It is just fucking biology! Don't work a knot up over it unless you plan to shove it up your own ass!" Alyssa startled both men by leaning her head back in the door, narrowing her gaze on the Samoan before a laughing Dean tugged her down the hall.

The roster and crew gave Dean and the near feral Omega a wide berth while they traversed the halls. The smile never left Dean's face even after they arrived in their locker room and began to gather their things. He couldn't help but notice how focused the young woman was on packing all of Roman's clothes and gear; leaving out a pair of sweats and a tank for him to change into, while she made the call to arrange their flight.

"Dean, will you do me a favor and grab the nearest crew members outside to help with the bags? I have a feeling Roman won't be in the mood to carry much." She slipped her phone into her back pocket and lined up hers and Roman's luggage. "If they give you any shit, say it came from me."

"Sure thing, darlin." Dean returned her smirk, opened the door and flagged down some help. It didn't take him any time at all to find some backstage hands but one kept hedging towards how busy he was; trying to get out of it. "Maybe you should talk to her then and explain how you don't have time to help us with our bags when her mate, Roman has just been injured."

"Did I hear this right? You are too busy to do something one of the top superstars asked you to do?" Alyssa appeared at Dean's shoulder; her anger spiked again, and she stretched her arm across Dean, gouging her still extended claws into the paint on the metal door.

"Shit." Dean grabbed her hand; staring in shock at her nails. "Darlin?" He began to ask but she shook her head.

"I'm sorry, Ms McMahon, if I'd known it was for you…"

"I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that. You shouldn't jump just because my last name is McMahon. Mr. Ambrose asked you to do something for him and Mr. Reigns. That should be enough to get you moving. Now take our fucking bags to the limo while he and I go collect Roman from the trainers." She snapped before storming out of the room with a laughing Dean on her heels.

"I'm glad you're enjoying my sister's company, Dean." Stephanie McMahon approached them from ahead; a smile tugging at her mouth when she took in her little sister's condition. "I'm so happy that you found your true mate, Ally. I know it might not seem like it right now but this is a wonderful thing."

"Steph, this isn't what I want."

"I know you might think that, little sis. You've always been so independent but if you just let him in. Stop thinking and just feel for a change." Steph took her teary-eyed sibling in her arms, giving her a comforting embrace. "Paul told me your wolf started to emerge when you saw him injure Roman. I can't help but notice your claws are still out now. Maybe you are feeling the pull a bit?"

"You're making a big deal out of biology, sis." Alyssa sniffled, pulling back to lower her eyes to the floor; fingers clawing and nails elongated.

"Ally, you're the only person I know that shifts. It might freak out a lot of people here if they saw you walking around on four legs if you don't get your temper under control."

"Wait! You let your wolf out?" Dean looked at Alyssa with a look of awe on his face.

"She runs regularly. Dad never approved but there isn't much he could do to stop her." Stephanie informed the stunned superstar before returning her attention to her sister. "I always wondered if you spending so much time in wolf form had something to do with your aversion to mating. There are no case studies on it but it is a thought considering you're far more in touch with your feral side."

"I can't believe you let your wolf out, darlin."

"Stop looking at me like I'm a damn unicorn. It is what we are, Dean. I think the war between the Alphas and Omegas took place because we lost sight of what we are." She explained while the three of them kept walking.

"What do you mean?" He cocked his head at her.

"Oh boy! Here comes a conversation I don't have time to listen to since I have to make travel arrangements for the family. It seems my little sister stole our plane." Steph grinned at her sister.

"And the limo."

"You are horrible. I'll see you soon, Ally. And try not to give your mate too difficult of a time." Steph whispered in her ear while she hugged her goodbye.

"I make no promises. See you soon, sis." She grinned as she waved her claws.

"So why do you think the war took place just because we stopped shifting?" Dean continued their conversation once Stephanie vanished around the corner.

"I think it happened because Alphas forgot what an Omega's purpose was in a pack. When the wolves were in control, an Omega not only bore her mate's pups but she protected them, her mate and the pack right alongside of him. Alphas consulted their mates on pack law. They protected them, loved them but they also respected them." She glanced at Dean's thoughtful expression and shrugged her shoulders. "Everything went to shit when we let human thinking enter the equation."

"There might be some truth to Steph's theory about you after all, little wolf. Come on, let's get your mate and head to the hotel." He ruffled her hair before opening the door to the trainer's office and let her precede him in.

Next chapter: Clash of the Titans – or – Roman and Alyssa butt heads.

A/N: I tip my hat at the amount of followers the first chapter picked up. Would have been nice to hear your thoughts but I'll take it for now. :P