The Alpha's Redemption: Between Vengeance, Bond and Power

She couldn't help but gaze at him, disturbed by the depth that could be seen in his brown eyes but revolted by the anger and prejudice that could be seen there as well. With a single glimpse of his eyes, it seemed that he was making fun of her and making fun of her capacity to reign as Alpha. He was condemning her ability to rule. They reduced her to nothing. They made an effort to breach her defenses and see beyond the façade that she battled so hard to maintain in place. Because her own heart was attempting to tear it down, and was striving to allow him in—her mate—and break down the barrier between them. He sprang to his feet, and both of her beta and gamma seized hold of his arms at the same time. "No! I don't believe it," he stated in a threateningly low voice. "Are you sure that this is the Silver Phoenix pack?" "Yes," she said, protruding her chin. "Then where is the stern and powerful Alpha that I've heard so much about? Where is he? Show him to me!" He took a step forward, but her warriors held him back with their hands. "You are already in front of the Alpha you’re looking for. I've been the Alpha for five years," she stated with lethal accuracy, infuriated that he was underestimating her might. "So that means one thing… any whispers and rumors about the powerful Alpha that you have heard would have come from under my rule, my reign," she said. The moment his mouth contorted into a smirk, the notion of running into his arms evaporated completely. She just wished she could give him a nice, hard smack. Tyra, her head of guards, pointed her head towards him and said, "Alpha Alora, he's all yours." She then reminded her of how she generally dealt with trespassers—whether they were rogues or Alphas, it made no difference. "He's all yours," Tyra repeated. "Alpha Alora, is that it?" He took his time looking her over from head to toe, and the sensation of his stare caused goosebumps to rise on her skin. "Alpha?" Tyra gave her an annoyed look. ‘Tyra, I-I just can't do it! T-This man… he's my… he’s my mate...’ Alora communicated with her through mind link. ‘No way? You don’t possibly mean that, do you?’ Tyra made an effort to cover the look of surprise on her face. ‘Tyra, do I give the impression that I am joking? He really is!’ Alora answered as she remained her cool. "What are you waiting for, Alpha Alora? Go ahead, kill me," he responded with an arrogant expression on his face. "I don't care. That is exactly what you had in mind, right Alpha Alora?” "Don't even presume to believe that you know what I have in store for you. Even those under my charge are unaware of my goals." She was babbling as she said this, but she was aware that she was doing so. Her normally clear-cut cognitive processes were becoming clouded as a result of the man’s presence. She circled him and examined him thoroughly, just as he had done before with her. Jeans that were worn and tattered, a black shirt, and unkempt dark brown waves of hair that fell over his shoulders and framed a lovely face that she really wanted to… "Is that the reason you're taking your time? To put together some plans?" he asked, trying to annoy her. Alora let out an angry roar before shooting her palm out to his neck and grabbing it firmly. "Don't try to trick me in any way. I am able to say the same thing about you… the great and powerful Alpha of Black Trethello. Someone who have been dishonored, disavowed, and dismissed from your position by your very own father-" "Don't attempt to speak about things that you have no knowledge of!" He sneered and before he could even utter some words, Alora cut him off. "Oh, man! That's why you came here, isn't it?" She persisted with her question in spite of the pain and rage that could be seen in his eyes. "You want to murder me and steal my land for yourself? You really believed that you could simply go in here and easily defeat this Alpha, did you? But don’t worry, don’t be too excited. We have something coming for you, so you have to be patience and-” "Kill me then," he yelled at her, cutting her off this time, as the muscles in his neck tightened in response to her pressure. "No, you do your plan! Come on! Banish me now! I dare you to wring my neck as I know you have planned all along! Take my territory and my pack. Go, kill me!” she challenged him as she looked at him fearlessly. When the man raised his arm, Alora’s soldiers drew closer but remained at a distance, having realized that this display of force was essential to their Alpha's strategy. Alora is the one who establishes the parameters. He was able to comfortably put his huge hand around her neck. The sensation of his flesh brushing against hers caused her to let out a startled gasp, which she quickly smothered. He did not exert any force in any direction. Just looked directly into her eyes, nose to nose, with hardly an inch of space between their faces. She was able to feel his warm breath on her lips, as well as the quick pounding of his heart in the chest that was pressed up against hers. They were both bold, but neither of them was willing to make a move, regardless of whether they were going to win or lose. While she did so, Tyra was holding her breath and shifting her gaze rapidly from one side to the other. At long last, he pulled his hand away. "I would never intentionally harm you. You're my mate and you’re aware of that," he whispered to her. Her soldiers choked and sputtered in response to this, but all it took was one glance from her to stop them. "Take him to the Black Building," she ordered them. They responded with, "Yes, Alpha," and obeyed. "What about the Black Building?" As she made her way out of the conference room, Tyra automatically fell into step next to her. “Why not on the dungeon?" she added. Alora took a slow, deep breath to slow her rushing heart, and after a while she flashed a kind grin to her childhood best friend. She was appreciative of Tyra's compassion for her as well as the fact that she constantly looked out for her. On this point, though, she knows she was completely incorrect. "Didn't your father ever teach you to keep your friends close and your enemies closer?" ‘But I wonder if he’d still choose to be my enemy after realizing about our bond…’

In the dimly lit chamber of the castle, Alora stood before the ornate mirror, her lengthy hair cascading like molten gold down her back. With swift strokes, she brushed it through, preparing to weave an elaborate updo that befit her regal status as the Alpha of her pack. It was a departure from her usual straightforward braid, one she often donned during training with her troops. As she meticulously wound a golden band around the final strand, her reflection gazed back at her, a mix of determination and vulnerability in her eyes. Tonight, was no ordinary supper with her friends and command, as a peculiar guest awaited them in the depths of the basement dining room. A man who claimed to be her mate. Alora tried to push the thought to the back of her mind, reminding herself that she was not dressing up for anyone but herself. But a nagging feeling tugged at her heart, an unshakable intuition that destiny had something unexpected in store for her tonight. Her flowing blouse clung gracefully to her form, and her black leggings added a touch of fierceness to her appearance. She looked every bit of a powerful Alpha must possessed, yet within her, a mixture of emotions swirled, each vying for dominance. With a deep breath, she slipped into her go-to shoes, completing her ensemble. Before leaving, she gave herself one last critical look in the full-length mirror. She couldn't deny that she looked magnificent, but tonight's encounter held the promise of altering her fate forever. As she stepped out into the grand hallway, she could almost feel the weight of her responsibilities as Alpha, the pressure to lead and protect her pack. But beneath that, a yearning to explore the unknown stirred, pulling her towards the basement dining room where her mysterious guest awaited. In this moment of uncertainty and allure, Alora was about to embark on a journey of self-discovery, love, and the collision of two worlds. Fate had thrown an enigmatic challenge her way, and the castle's walls whispered with anticipation, eager to witness the unfolding of a tale that would forever change the course of her life. Alora let out a sigh as she caught herself and as she was about to take a step on the stairway, she ran into Tyra. "Alpha Alora, I was about to go and che—wow! You look amazing! You are so gorgeous!" "No, Tyra. I don't think so. I don't look any more extraordinary than anyone else," Alora answered hastily. "Oh really, sweetheart? Well, keep telling yourself that," Tyra said with an eyebrow arched and a grin on her face. "That's enough. What exactly did you want to discuss with me?" Alora inquired to shake off the gaze that Tyra was giving her. "Oh yeah, I almost forgot as I got mesmerized by your beauty. Well, everyone is all set for supper. And holy cow, what a jerk that man is!” “First, he doesn’t want to go to the Black Building because he said he wanted to be with you. Oh, poor him! There was no way that we were going to allow him come close to our Alpha.” “After that, he came close to punching Oliver for ordering him to get a grip on himself. but everything is okay now. Axel and Oliver took care of everything, and-" “Urgh!” Alora's throat suddenly let out a roar of its own accord, and at the same time, she tightened both of her fists. "Alora, are you alright?" Tyra asked. Alora inhaled deeply before making a feeble effort at smiling. She had no clue where that emotion had originated, but the discussion of her mate getting hurt prompted her to respond. "I'm alright, Tyra. Okay, so it means he's a jerk. Because of this, getting rid of him will be a lot less difficult.” "What are you going to do?" Tyra asked as she turned her head to the side to gaze at her. Alora confided to her closest buddy, "Well, to be honest... Tyra, I have no idea," as she pushed through the doors into the dining room of the house. ….. The amount of conversation was sparse, and the atmosphere was tense to the point that Oliver's attempts to lighten the mood were unsuccessful. The third in command under Tyra had a habit of cracking jokes about everything, from the manner in which his soldiers practiced their craft to the hue of the potato mash that was served to them. Tonight, though, the laughter seemed a little forced. Everyone couldn't help but keep their eyes on the newcomer who carried himself as like he owned the establishment. They all secretly hoped that he was down in the dungeon festering to death, but Alora had made it plain that she wanted him here for dinner so that they could get to know him and discover out what evil schemes he had up his sleeve. And speaking of sleeves, Alora couldn't keep her eyes off the muscles that were visible through the borrowed button up shirt he was wearing in spite of the fact that he was wearing it with the sleeves rolled up. Because neither her beta, Axel, nor her gamma, Oliver, were quite as large as him, the shirt was draped tightly around a very wide chest and biceps that bulged every time he put his fork to his mouth. Alora now had the mental picture of raking her fingernails over his flesh with her fingers. ‘What the fuck was that, Alora?’ She thought behind her clouded mind. “Uhm!” Alora was startled back into the present by a loud throat clearing. Alora blinked and mentally shook the lustful ideas out of her head as she caught sight of Tyra's stare directed in her direction. "So, man, tell us your name?" Oliver questioned the man while chewing on a piece of steak. "What, you don't already know?" Alora was the target of his inquiry, and he asked her with one eyebrow arched. Alora took a deep breath in and glanced away, chastising herself for her failure to recall the information when she had heard it a few years before. It was not something that should have been remembered at the time. He was nothing more than an ambitious and power-hungry Alpha. Alora was shocked by his deep voice when the man spoke and said his name. "It's Howland," and his brown eyes were mesmerizing as he continued to stare at Alora. ‘Alpha Howland! Wow, his name was as hot as he is!’ Tyra mindlinked her out of nowhere. Alora moved her foot around beneath the table before kicking it out to reach Tyra. After which, Axel followed to ask him a question. "And why did you leave your pack?" Axel was Alora's beta in addition to being Tyra’s mate. His leadership had grown more like a family to her, and they assisted Alora in ruling and protecting the rest of the pack. Alora suddenly became aware that they were now conducting a cross-examination of the man on her behalf, despite the fact that they knew very little about him. She attempted to smile, but it immediately vanished when she saw that the man was frowning. "My father..." He started but then paused for a while. "He didn't believe I was qualified to lead. He drove me away, and that is all I have to say about it at this point.” ‘Oh! A guy who keeps secrets... He’s quite mysterio-’ Tyra talked to Alora again through mindlink and Alora kicked her foot again towards her. There was a little period of silence at the table, and when Howlan's eyes finally refocused on hers, she saw a fleeting pang of agony passing through them. A part of her heart ached wishing she could reach out and comprehend that suffering he had in order to help alleviate some of it. She had a sufficient understanding of it to be able to recognize it. "How long have you been acting rogue?" Oliver asked him once more with a stern look. "Rogue? Well, I wouldn't call it rogue," he said as his gaze once again grabbed onto hers. "However, to answer your query, I think about a quarter of a year." "Quarter of a year, you say? Then I'm going to assume that you've lied, stolen, and killed your way to survival?" One of Alora’s warriors, an elderly guy with enormous arms as thick as her thighs, questioned the man with contempt. He was one of her most intimidating opponents. “You see, when it comes to the punishments our Alpha hands out for lawbreakers, she is quite stringent,” he added. As Howland stared at Alora intently, the corners of his lips turned up into a smirk and he said, "Yeah, I see that. I'm sure she is." Alora had a peculiar feeling in her gut, one that was a combination of anxiousness and displeasure. She came to the conclusion that she'd had enough. "So…" she started hastily as she regarded the food on her plate. She asked the guy sitting across from her, whose clean-shaven jaw line was moving slowly as he chewed, pulling her thoughts away once again. "Tell us then, where will you be heading tomorrow?" she glanced up at the man. "Nothing, Alpha Alora. I will not be leaving tomorrow. I intend to remain in this house," he remarked with a confident smile. Alora almost coughed up some of the peas that she had just ate. She quickly cast her gaze in his direction. His eyes shone brightly and smiled merrily at something that she did not find humorous. Before Alora could answer back, he spoke once again. "Well, I want to get to know my mate more, my Luna, my future wife." He spat these words in a very serious tone. This time, Tyra was unable to clear her throat and spat crimson liquid all over the table. She was well aware of how much Alora would despise hearing anything like that.

Alora stood up from the table and said, "No way! To enlighten you, I do not want a mate! And there's no way in hell that I'm going to be someone’s Luna and be content to take second place behind a dominant Alpha. Not with you or anyone else!" "Okay, here it goes. I saw that coming," Tyra mumbled as she set her fork down and watched what was happening. Axel made a face at her and frowned. "Why? What was that for? Am I wrong?" Tyra gave a shrug of her shoulders in response. Alora spoke softly while clenching her fingers over the edge of the table as she said, "Five years ago, I made a vow to lead my pack. To preside over this domain and to never cede authority to another person. Not to anyone else! That includes a mate, a partner, a husband. And most certainly not with an Alpha!" Howlan's jaw jerked, and the muscles in his arms flexed as he as well got to his feet. She was able to see that he was trying to control himself. Perhaps she had exerted too much pressure on him. After all, he might very well lose control at any moment and go on a murderous rampage for all she knew. ‘Isn't that what his father earned a reputation for in the werewolf community?’ Alora thought as she meet his gaze. "Right! So, you don’t want to be someone’s Luna, is that it?” He moved around the table, and now, he was standing next to her and continued speaking, "But that is a woman's rightful place! To be someone’s mate, someone’s wife, someone’s Luna!" "No way! I will never be your Luna! I am an Alpha! And no man will tell me what I can or cannot be," she snarled at him as her rage began to boil over. "Hey, hey," Oliver admonished the group. “You believe I'll be able to convince ourselves that we can't be together, do you? That is not going to work. It's all predetermined. And when we work together, we can-" Howland stated and Alora cut her off. "Shut up! I said no! Nothing can be accomplished if we’re together or so. I had no interest in having a partner nor a mate! That’s absurd!” Alora poked a finger at his chest as she said the following words. "That thing was far too complicated. And I am not going to allow anything to get in the way of me and my pack!" "Hmm, wow! These mashed potatoes have such a rich creaminess to them, don’t you think?" Oliver suddenly exclaimed. But the two didn’t even gave him a glance. "Really, Alora? So, what was your plan, then? You're going to ignore me and act as if we've never met or spoken, are you serious? What, you don't think I'm real?” Howland sneered at her. “Yes, and I will lead this pack and my territory with everything I have no matter what anyone tries to do so," stating her intention to use all of her resources. "I have sworn to myself that I will never, ever share that with a mate, a partner. Not with you!" She flashed an angry stare in his direction and then took a big breath, which caused her nostrils to flare. She found herself face to face with a guy for the second time today, and although she was curious about him and wanted to learn all she could about him, she was also so angry with him that she wanted him gone and no more contact with him. Her mind and her emotions were at odds over whether she should punch him or kiss him in response to his advances. And what's the worst of it was… She wasn't sure which camp she wanted to prevail in the competition. "Fine. But I'll tell you what I think, if you're interested." Howland met her stare with his own. "I believe that you are an obstinate and conceited woman who is playing dress up and attempting to fill her daddy's shoes-" "Young man, watch what you say!" Tyra sprang up from the table, which resulted in the spilling of her whole drink. "Tyra! Don’t interfere!” But before she could bring Howland to the ground with a takedown tackle, Axel grabbed her hand and jerked her back, saying, "Sit down." Alora fixed a hard gaze on his face and said with conviction, "Listen up, Howland Gossom. I will not tolerate your disrespect in my home. If you haven't left by the end of the day tomorrow, then I will accompany you to the boarder myself!” Howland's face broke into a smug smile as he said, "Okay. You’re giving me some hints, milady. Does that mean… I have until then to win your heart?" Howland's words were followed by a smug grin. "Fuck off, Gossom!” Alora flung her hands in the air and stormed out of the room after throwing a fit. More like she had just disappeared without a trace. The only sound that could be heard in the otherwise tense and quiet environment was the echo of her heels. Howland released his breath as he realized he had been holding it while watching her storm out of the room. When he heard the sound of her heels clicking on the tiles, his gaze travelled up to her calves and continued through the curve of her thighs when all of a sudden, he felt something hit the back of his head. "Tss! Are you happy? Look at what you've done now, you idiot!" Tyra shrieked at him, her ebony eyes sparkling, and she glared at him. Howland had a fleeting moment of concern that she might get a knife and try to stab him in the face, but she quickly retreated in the direction of her Alpha. "Great. It was great," Axel gave Howland a gloomy look, shook his head, and then followed the extremely expressive head guard, who was his mate. Because the others did not want to get further engaged in the earlier dispute, they wrapped off their business as swiftly as possible and then departed. All except one of them. Oliver, the gamma. Oliver sat back in his chair, causing it to make a squeaking sound, and crossed his arms. "Hmm, what now? They left, huh? Looks like it's just you and me, bro," he said. He grinned cheekily and remarked, "And between the two of us, I'd say you most definitely won. I’ll compliment you for that!” Howland just made a frowning face. He turned around and stared at the door that was already shut before running a hand over his wavy hair. "I think I need to go ahead and rest." "Yes, sure, if you find yourself lost, I'll walk you through the directions.” Oliver pushed himself up from his chair and patted Howland on the shoulder as he said, "This place is sure confusing the first time you see it, but you’ll get used to it soon, bro!" Oliver took Howland on a tour of the enormous pack's house and explained that the building had once served as a castle that was inhabited by royals a few centuries ago. He made a few observations and comments as they made our way to Howland's room. "In the past, this space served as a council chamber. However, it is today used as a game room. This is where we get to enjoy ourselves when we have leisure time.” “It took a great deal of begging with Alpha before she agreed to let us convert it, but she did so in the end. Of course, she never actually participates in the games with us....” Oliver showed Howland another room that had a large mahogany table in the center surrounded by contemporary executive chairs. "And this is where we have all of our important meetings." "And the party hall, which, to repeat, we don't make nearly enough use of..." Howland took in the sight of the vast hall, which was decorated to resemble a ballroom and included elaborate chandeliers hanging from the ceiling as well as a grand piano situated in one of the rooms. The silver moonlight that illuminated the area from the numerous windows that lined the eastern side cast an otherworldly shine across the whole space. It was almost as if he could see couples dancing on the mosaic floor, a string quartet playing on the stage, and Alora in his arms with her head softly resting against his chest. ‘That must be nice.’ Howland had a vivid imagination. "And this is my room, yours is just down the next corridor and across the courtyard in the next wing, remember?" Oliver stated. Howland’s mind had just caught up to Oliver's torrent of useful information, and he fumbled over his words as he tried to respond. "Ahh… oh, yes… sure, sure," Howland said and then added, "And what about Alora’s?" "Oh, I'm sorry, dude. That information is off limits to me. She made it quite apparent that she wants to maintain her privacy,” Oliver explained. Howland tightened his grip on his fists. In spite of his dissatisfaction, though, he had no choice but to acknowledge the guy's loyalty to his Alpha. In spite of this, he felt an odd need to learn more about her. It was going to be far more difficult to win Alora's favor than it would be to strangle an Alpha. He came to the conclusion that being the leader of a group would take some time. The fact that Alora was unlike any other woman he had ever encountered was something hewas still trying to decide how he felt about. He had explained to her that there was no way she could dispute that they were mates and that it was predetermined that she would be a Luna and he would be her Alpha. But was it really what he intended to happen? Was he interested in finding a mate, or was he as hesitant about the prospect as Alora was? She did not seem to be afraid at any point. He had his doubts that she would ever be terrified of anything. She didn't fear him per such, but she was furious with him for his brazen behavior and obstinate. Undoubtedly, his mate was a stubborn person. "All right, the Golden Building was just beyond this door.” Oliver unlocked a massive double door for him and then led him along a dark hallway while cautioning him to be cautious of the door handle since it was little used and was likely rusty. "Okay, well noted. In the west wing… well, let me guess. Is there a mysterious chamber that I am not permitted to access, and it contains a unique rose?” Howland pondered things out loud. "Dude, this aren’t the princesses’ world you have heard about!" Oliver exclaim in surprise and then let out a laugh. "I suddenly remember the old times because of what you’ve said. Back then, Alora used to like hearing such princess’s tales. She would constantly be seen walking about with a book in her hand and sing some song at the top of her lungs,” Oliver stated. Howland couldn't help but crack a goofy grin as he imagined the austere lady immersed in a book of enchanting fairytales. He was curious as to whether or not she still sang. He asked Oliver out of nowhere, "What do you mean that she used to?" "What?" The latter asked him back. “You said that she used to like hearing such tales. She doesn't do it any longer?” Oliver furrowed his brows deeply in concentration. "Do you really have to ask about that? As you can see… she’s now our Alpha. She is the leader of the pack. She just does not have the time to read those tales anymore." Howland did little more than nod and thought, ‘Well, atleast that made sense.’ Oliver walked in and said, "Okay, we’re here! This is your room," before opening the door. "I'm really happy that you made it her, dude.” He continued to congratulate Howland by patting him on the back before saying, "Like seriously, it's going to be so much fun seeing you and Alpha get along." Oliver’s eyes glimmer with happiness. "Sooner or later, at some point, you're going to produce puppies, and you're going to contribute to the vitality of this pack.” Oliver ended with a silly smile and added, "Alpha Alora is constantly droning on and on about strengthening the pack." Howland only laughed, feeling an overwhelming sense of unease at the prospect of having puppies. Finding a partner was not something that he had anticipated doing at any point. It was just a pack that he desired. However, as luck would have it, it appeared that in only one day he had acquired both of them. A mate and a solid pack. A very lovely mate with long, lustrous hair and sultry legs- "So, I need to go to my room now. You are already aware of the location of my bedroom in case that you require anything, okay?" Oliver stated. "Yes, sure. Thank you very much for your help, Oliver!” Howland gave a tap on his shoulder. Indeed, everything had worked out well in the end. And it was time to show his father that he was mistaken. ‘I’ll make you regret, dad.’

In the midst of the moonlit night, Alora found herself imprisoned in the relentless dance between shadows and restlessness. The gentle swaying of the trees outside her window seemed to taunt her, mocking the elusiveness of slumber. Exhaustion gripped her body, begging for respite, yet her mind remained a battlefield of thoughts, refusing to surrender to sleep's embrace. As the moon cast its ethereal glow upon her, she wrestled with questions that seemed to have no answers. Why did her mind resist the call of rest when her body craved it so desperately? Was there some elusive piece of information her consciousness was trying to shield her from? Her mate lay mere yards away, drifting off into dreams, but Alora's mind waged a relentless war, denying her the same luxury. In the quiet of the night, her internal struggle unfolded, and even her loyal companion, her wolf, could sense the turmoil within her. Unable to find comfort, she tossed and turned, longing for the solace that seemed just out of reach. “Ahhh!” Her wolf simply couldn't get comfortable, but it seemed that every time Alora was getting close to falling asleep, her wolf would poke her in the eyes and remind her how foolish she was being. Her wolf just wouldn't calm down. ‘Come on! Just be quiet and leave me alone to get some rest!’ She let out a yell in her head. After ten minutes, she moved onto her stomach and buried her head in the pillow before continuing to sleep. “What the fuck!” She couldn't shake the image of a certain pair of brown eyes that kept popping into her thoughts. They continued to dance before her eyes, teasing her, challenging her, and smiling as if they were in on a secret that she was unaware of. “Urgh!” She yelled into the mattress and thrashed her legs like a spoiled little girl as she rolled about on the bed. This strange feeling was driving her crazy, and she had no idea how to deal with it. Alora finally got out of bed and started walking about the carpet, conscious that the clock next to her bed read two in the morning. Her steps brought her to the door, but she swiftly turned around just as her hand was about to grab the handle on the door. Alora hastened to the window in order to reprimand herself, and she did so there. She attempted to come up with a strategy while gazing out the window at the gently falling snowflakes. How could a single guy have such an impact on her? Causing her mind to be muddled and leaving her so perplexed? She had a pretty good idea what the answer was, but she refused to acknowledge it. ‘Mate...’ Alora clenched her eyes tight before turning around to face the woods, which had always helped her relax in the past. She would go for a run in the woods and pound out her pent-up emotions whenever she had an important pack choice to make, whenever she was stressed out, or if she was furious with her guards. Whenever she had an important pack decision to make, she would go for a run. She suddenly pondered what it would be like to jog alongside with her mate and questioned whether or not he would be able to keep up with her… “Argh! Shut it, Alora! Shut it!” She couldn't stop thinking about him. She shuffled her way to the front door and slowly opened it as her shoulders sagged in a display of capitulation. Just to be sure he was well and that he was able to locate his room without any problems, she would check on him. “Yes, that’s it.” She reasoned with herself as if there was something in this area that could pose a threat to a large, strong Alpha male. “Or, it's possible that he was chilly. And maybe in need of an additional blanket?” Whatever it was, she couldn't shake the feeling that she needed to be near him, and she knew that she wouldn't be able to go asleep until she'd at least checked on him. As she rounded the last corner, she saw that his door was slightly ajar, so she crept up to it on tiptoes. She peered through the crack and saw his cluttered bed, but he was nowhere to be seen. ‘Where the fuck did he go?’ Alora was able to detect his odor, which was a combination of the scent of newly cut grass, earthy tones, and maybe a tinge of pine needles. ‘Alora, get yourself together!’ She chuckled to herself at the absurdity of her own behavior and shook her head. As she entered the room, she saw him standing at the window with his back to her, gazing outside. He was staring out the window. His back was exposed. She noticed the moonlight dance on his toned chest as he moved his head slightly to the side. She couldn't suppress the gasp that came out of her mouth as she saw his well-toned abdominal muscles. He turned his head and peered in her direction just in time to catch her as she staggered out of the room, the color rising in her cheeks. When she was about halfway down the corridor, when he called her name, almost a whisper. "Alora?" She made an embarrassed grimace for a moment before turning around, at which point her expression reverted to one of cool steely indifference. "Yes? I-I was literally just... "You came here to see me?" He said as he inched his way closer to her. "Not really. Well, I couldn't sleep and just wanted to make sure you were okay... that's all," she said. Howland displayed a smile that was only half-formed. Alora couldn't think of a man who was more attractive than him, even when his features were highlighted by the dim light that was falling from the skylights above. To throw that out of the window, she must admit that he had an alluring body, and that's all there was to it. The fact that he was just wearing boxers wasn't doing much to improve the situation. A shining metal arrow pendant was suspended in the center of a chain that was wrapped around his neck, and it rested on his chest. The cord was made of black leather. Alora got back to her senses and raised her eyes in order to get a better look at his face. "Neither could I sleep," he said, raking a hand through his unkempt head of jet-black hair as his arm muscles puffed out in response to the activity. No matter how hard she tried, she was unable to pull her gaze away from what she saw. "Is that it? I mean… why? Are you all right?” She made a fool of herself by stuttering. "Is the bed not comfortable enough for you-" "Alora, I think you already know the reason why both of us couldn’t sleep." As he continued to approach, she found it more difficult to maintain even breathing and to think clearly. Howland put out his hand and ran his fingers from her shoulder to her elbow. When she realized what was happening and what was supposed to happen, she stepped back. "No, stop!" "No? Stop? What again?" He asked and he had a bewildered expression on his face, and his eyes were still fixed on hers. “No, simple as that! Just don’t do anything stupid, Howland. I know what you're trying to do, and sorry to burst your bubbles but it won't work." She said as she turned to go. "Alora, please! We both know that you can't fight it any more than I can!" he pleaded with her. "You’ve underestimated me. Because yes, I am able to. I didn't get to be a powerful Alpha for no reason. I will not allow you to fool around with me in any way,” she stated. “Huh? Wait… What do you mean by that? It's only that-" He was about to explain but Alora cut her off. "I can tell you're attempting to entice me sexually and lead me to bed. Then, after we've mated, you're going to legitimately assume leadership of my pack!” Alora shouted at him. "What the hell? Of course not, I can't say that I did-" "Stop the nonsense! Don't tell me any lies. I am aware of your motives. You just want this pack, but I will never hand it over to you. Never!” Yes, she did at long last regain her sense of logic. Her thoughts were racing around in circles as she tried to decipher him, and she was successful. "Even if you’re my mate as you say so, no. You’ll never have this pack!" She snarled the final phrase to emphasize her point. "Then tell me, Alora. What exactly is it that makes your pack so essential?" He put his hand on her arm. She struggled to get free and turned on her heel while yelling, "Get your hands off of me. Don't touch me." "Please, Alora. Listen up, if you could just please..." Howland was still talking but she didn't pick up on what he said. She returned to her quarters with such haste that she didn't even notice until she was standing at the entrance that she was donning her nightgown with the thinnest straps. What kind of an idiot could she be? She hurried into the bedroom, threw herself into the bed, and pulled the covers up to her chin. ‘It seemed like we were in for a very long night.’ “Argh!” ….. The brisk air of the morning did wonders for Alora’s splitting headache, and the way the snow crunched under her running shoes always managed to settle her down when she was feeling anxious. Alora rushed through the forest along her favorite path, making a U-turn at the enormous oak tree and then tracing her path up the ridge that ran between two hills. The view was absolutely breathtaking, as it extended all the way to the mountain range in the north. She was able to stare out over the snowy tops of the pine trees for a short distance before the branches again blocked her view. Then she was back at it, zigzagging between the trees and the trunks that had fallen, all the while juggling the complicated ideas that kept racing through her throbbing head. She was shivering, so she decided to change positions, despite the fact that the activity was making her hot. It was usually easier for her to retain her balance in the winter when in wolf form anyhow, and after having twisted her ankle once before a few seasons ago, she definitely didn't want to repeat that. Therefore, she decided to stay in wolf form for the winter. Especially not with a menacing Alpha sitting back at the mansion, just waiting to point out any gap in her ironclad command structure that may appear. Her wolf deftly navigated her way through the brown foliage and up a massive rock without any difficulty. Her soft fur, which was flecked with various colors of brown, was illuminated by the sliver of sunshine that made its way down through the canopy of trees. Her mother had always told her that she resembled a gooey caramel treat, but Alora continued to see the color of her wolf as being similar to that of burned toast. Alora heaved a sigh and then sat down on the rock, momentarily shutting her eyes as she did so amid the peacefulness of the woods. As she did so, the image of her mother's kind face floated softly over her mind. “Mama…” Even though it still hurt, she was able to recall her mother and her father without sobbing as time went by. It was a gradual and steady process. Would they feel proud of her accomplishments? Would they be able to witness how she had transformed their pack from one that was weak and injured to one that was strong and thriving? Would they respect her unwavering drive and will to ensure that nothing ever comes between the pack and its happiness again?

Alora put the questions to the side before they could devour her, and she sprinted as rapidly as she could the rest of the way home, transforming before entering the territory of the pack. She was in awe at the way the gloomy spires on the roof showed out starkly against the clear blue sky, as well as the sturdy turrets that kept watch over the castle at all times. She always felt secure returning home to this spot, as if it could defend her from a multitude of invisible foes or the forces in her own mind that frequently collapsed like an old, deteriorating wood shed. She went to the kitchen and took off her racing jacket once she got there. Her tank top and shorts were both drenched, and she couldn't wait to have a refreshing shower so that she could get the day started. She downed a large glass of orange juice before searching the kitchen cabinets for a bowl and some breakfast cereal. After hastily preparing some food for breakfast, she went to the sink to fill her glass with water and set it down. After every strenuous run, she made it a point to drink a lot of water to rehydrate. "Hello there, gorgeous." Alora was startled when she felt two warm hands on her hips at the same moment that his voice tickled her ear. She hastily spun around and pulled away from him as fast as she could. The contents of her glass flew all over Howland and landed in various locations. The early morning light sent a glimmer on his naked chest. He seemed to be in a state of disbelief as he stood there, and she couldn't help but let out a chuckle. Nevertheless, as soon as his eyes caught hers, she quickly straightened her face. "Woah! Look what you’ve done. You drenched me to the bone!" Howland exclaimed. "Serves you right! What did you expect when you put your dirty paws all over me? Do you expect me to give you a kiss on the cheek for the morning?" she said in an irritated manner. "Wouldn’t it be? I mean, after last night, I thought we..." he sputtered as he wiped water from his stubbled chin. His chin is really impressive in both strength and beauty. "You thought what?" she inquired, shifting her gaze to the wall behind him in an effort to keep her thoughts under control. "I thought we had an understanding already?" his voice rose at the end as if he was pleading for her approval, and he shyly touched the back of his neck. "Wait, what? Was that some kind of funny joke? As that has got to be one of the funniest things I've ever heard! Well, here's another moment to add to your box of happy memories!” She spatted as she threw the remaining water in his face with a sarcastic smirk on her lips. After which, she bolted out from the kitchen, her cheeks blazing with some emotion or sensation that she was unable to place. Over the course of her life, she had experienced a wide range of emotions, but never this one, “Damn that guy!” Not the way that her pulse raced every time he came near her, or the way that he gazed at her intently with those chocolate brown eyes of his, or the way that his lips raised slightly in a grin as if he knew a secret and would only tell her about it if she begged him to. None of those things mattered to her. Never. If she wanted to maintain her authority over her pack, it was imperative that she regain command of her emotional state. Her pack. Alora vowed to her dying parents that she would never breach the promise she had made to them, and she would never give up, or let go of all that they had taught her. “He’ll never shake me off!” ….. It wasn't until Alora was standing in the shower with ice-cold water dripping down her back that she suddenly recalled a crucial detail. "Grr, I forgot my breakfast!" She muttered under her breath, as she pounded her fist on the icy tiles. After getting out of the shower and drying off, she violently washed her hair, almost ripping it all out in the process. After going to her wardrobe, she selected a pair of her most comfortable and baggiest sweatpants as well as a blouse with a loose fit. There was no way that she was going to put on a costume for anybody or anything today. She managed to go to her office without knocking into anybody by carefully tiptoeing across the room on her way there. She sat down at her desk and glanced at the pile of papers that, no matter how many times she went through and organized, somehow always seemed to become higher. Alora thought to herself as she put on her glasses and turned on her laptop that breakfast was a waste of time since she wasn't really hungry in the first place. She took a few moments to herself to gather her composure before focusing entirely on the task at hand, which was packing. To be able to bear all of the stresses that Alphas are subjected to, the mind must be trained and disciplined, and Alora had always taken great pleasure in her superior mental capacity. She was not going to let a particular guy spoil her track record at this point. Alora was astonished when someone knocked on her door a few hours later. ‘Hi there, it's me!’ Tyra mindlinked her. "Come on in." She yelled out. “So? Do you have something to tell me or discuss with me?" Tyra inquired as she entered the room and afterwards sat down on the sofa. When Alora didn’t responded, Tyra spat another question, "Have you found solutions to every issue in the world yet? You've been in this room for far longer than necessary." "Let’s get straight to the point, shall we? What exactly are you trying to say with that?" Alora muttered out a bit loudly in a quite hostile manner. Normally, she didn't mind when her friend interrupted her, but right now she was in a mood where she didn't feel like being kind. “Uhm, there's nothing about that. Well, I’m just concerned. It's only that you skipped breakfast as well as lunch, and the warriors told me that you were going to practice with them later on today. But right now, I can see and say that you have a lot on your plate?” Tyra stated with a confused look. "Yeah, you have that completely correct. Please let them know that we will need to postpone the training. They can go on without me for the time being,” Alora stated. "Fine!” Tyra stated as she crossed her arms. "And how are things with everything else? Have the fresh construction supplies been delivered to the carpenters?” She inquired without even looking at Tyra. "Yes, it was already done. The shipment was delivered first thing this morning. The construction of the new homes is scheduled to begin the following day.” "Good. What about the school?” "About that, well… only half of the children were present. I think the fact that this is the last week of classes before the vacation doesn't help much," Tyra regarded her Alpha with a sly grin spread over her black eyes as they interacted. “What about Axel? How are things progressing with my beta?" Tyra did not respond, although she did smile a little bit. "What?" Alora asked once more. "Would it be possible for you to ask the question that you and I both know you want to ask?" Tyra retorted. "I have no idea what you're talking about," Alora responded before hurling an eraser in the direction of her buddy. Alora took a blow to the head as a result of Tyra's catch and subsequent throw of the object. "Of course, you are." She leaned back on the sofa, sluggishly draping her legs over the edge, and tucking her arms behind her head to form a fetal position. “He'll be fine. Oliver is now guiding him through the pack.” Alora paid no attention to her and that’s when Tyra asked another question. "Are you not going to go to the boarder with him and personally escort him?" Alora pretended not to know by asking, "Hmm, you mean who?" "Howland Gossom! Your mate? Who else?" “He’s already too old for that. He can do it and find it himself," Alora said as she busied herself with rearranging papers that were already in order. "Oh, really?" Tyra asked being astonished. Her eyebrows moved slightly as she laughed. "I don't believe that he wants to leave the pack. Neither do you, by the way-" "Would you just keep your mouth shut! Do you not see that I am attempting to work here?” Alora yelled, but her tone became softer almost instantly as she noticed Alora frowning. "Please forgive me, I was just... I'm sorry, but I don't want to speak about Howland right now, is that okay?" "Hmm, sure." Tyra gave a sly grin before pressing her lips together. She watched as Alora crumpled up a piece of paper and then threw it away in the garbage can. "What the heck was that?" "Oh, just another rejection from Alpha Gab regarding the land," Alora said. "But... we are in desperate need of that land!" Tyra exclaimed. "Yes, I am aware. I know that,” Alora said as she ran her fingers over her hair, "Let’s just add it to the long list of issues that cannot be resolved.” "Is there anything that I can do to help?" Tyra expressed her question with sincere concern. Because they were such good friends, Alora was aware that she always had her best interests in mind and would go to any lengths for her. "Nothing… not unless you and Axel want to invade his territory and demand the land," Alora explained. "You know we’re on it! That would be something entertaining to do! I have been advising you for a very long time-" Tyra was cut off when Alora spoke. "I already said no about that, Tyra. No, and no, once again! I've been trying to explain to you that it is not the approach that is used when dealing with issues in our community.” "I understand, you don’t have to be worried." Tyra stood up and began walking towards the exit while saying, "Well, I'll let you know when dinner is ready. Alora, you really need to have a break at some point." Alora gave Tyra a kind grin before rubbing the bridge of her nose after the noise level in her office had returned to normal. "Thanks, Tyra." What was her plan to make this situation better?

As the sun began its ascent, casting a soft golden glow over the waking world, the routine of Alora's days remained unchanged. Like a well-choreographed dance, each day seemed to mirror the last, leaving her caught in a repetitive rhythm that offered no respite from the turmoil within. The mornings found her seeking solace in the quiet embrace of dawn, her brisk walks serving as a desperate attempt to shed the tensions that lingered from the previous evening. With every step, she tried to outrun the thoughts that threatened to consume her, thoughts that always seemed to lead back to him. With his enigmatic charm and those haunting brown eyes, had become a constant presence in her thoughts. His smile, like a teasing echo, followed her everywhere, challenging her resolve and stirring emotions she was not ready to confront. And so, she found herself moving like a shadow through her own home, tiptoeing through the silence to evade any unwanted encounters. The kitchen became her refuge, a place where she could steal moments of peace before the rest of the world stirred awake. After that, she would go to her office, where she would immerse herself in her job in order to effectively avoid anything else that may agitate her or put her patience to the test. She didn't seem to have much of that these days, particularly in regard to that man who persisted on smiling at her whenever they occurred to cross paths. Howland would always sit at the opposite head of the table to her when they had supper with her command and the leaders of the organization, and he would toss looks and perplexing smiles at her. While she ate in quiet, Oliver and the other warriors would engage in a spirited discussion with him. Alora, on the other hand, would simply eat. Which was just how she liked it. It was pointless to argue as they did on the first night and make everyone else uncomfortable throughout their supper. ‘Alpha, you have got to come see this.’ One busy day, her beta connected to her through mindlink as she was working in her office. ‘Is there a critical situation?’ Alora inquired. ‘Yes, somehow. We would like to request for your presence on to the training grounds as soon as possible, Alpha.’ Instead of speaking in panic tone, Axel, ever the most gentleman, used a lot of fancy phrases and provided very little information. ‘Copy, I'm already on the way.’ She removed her glasses, closed the lid of her laptop, and grabbed her leather jacket on the way out of the office before putting them in her bag. Alora quickly ran downstairs and out into the courtyard, where she stopped to inhale deeply of the clean air. She detested the fact that she had been confined to her house for the whole week, as well as the manner in which Howland had made her feel like a prisoner. She freely stated that the whole thing was just in her own imagination. Why did she give him the opportunity to treat her like this? "Yay! Here, here. Flower… for you, Alpha," she heard a sweet voice that caused her train of thinking to be interrupted. A small pup, a girl with brown pigtails, rushed up to her and presented her with a violet flower. "For you," she smiled with a wry expression between her two gapped front teeth. "No, I don't like flowers," Alora muttered under her breath, as she hurried by her without so much as a glance down. She did not see the girl's face as it sank into defeat and wished she had. "Madi! Madeline, please return to this spot!” A woman's voice could be heard calling. She immediately apologized to Alpha and took up the little kid. "Sorry, Alpha.” A guy who was also one of Alora's warriors joined Alora and walked beside her as they headed in the direction of the practice field. "She's got a mind of her own, our little one," the man said. "Always running off," he grinned at his young kid as he waved at her. “You probably don’t mind about this, but my mate and I are expecting another member of our family!" "Oh, really? That's good," Alora exclaimed, while displaying a very tiny frown. "Our group will become more powerful." "Yeah, I know. But why don't you sound happy?" As he saw Alora's displeased expression, his excitement began to wane. She confronted him with the question, "Grecko, how many more pups are on the way?" "Hmm, wait… let me see," he said with a wrinkled brow as he thought about it. "My wife have mentioned something about a dozen more women becoming pregnant before the end of spring.” "Okay then, as I expected," Alora said with a pout while nodding. "That means we are going to need more land." "Yes, Alpha. And the lumberjacks are working in accordance with your orders to clear a portion of the east woods." "I am aware of this, but I do not enjoy clearing the land. It is my intention to broaden the frontiers," Alora stated. "Yes, Alpha. We know that.” If she ever opened up and expressed some of the challenges that she was facing, her warriors would understand they should simply listen without giving too many thoughts or comments. Only those in her direct commanding ranks participated in the planning and meetings for the operation. As they made their way down the forested path, they eventually got a glimpse of the practice grounds. Warrior fans were gathered in a circle around the action taking place in the arena's center. "Alpha, she won't pay attention to what I have to say.” Axel raced up to her and sneered at her as he jerked his head towards the battle. "You've got to talk some sense into her," Axel begged to her. Alora was able to confirm that the woman engaged in the furious conflict was Tyra, who was engaged with one of the soldiers. She had no idea who was triumphing, but she was certain that Tyra could hold her own against the majority of the warriors. Because of this, she was promoted to become the Head Guard. She yelled above the applause and jeers directed at Tyra, "Tyra, what's going on?" "Ha! This one! He told me that I wasn't good for anything, and that I shouldn't be the head guard! Ahhhh!" Tyra let out a scream as she was striking her opponent with punches and kicks and attempting to choke him. “Fight back!” The man was visibly fuming mad, as seen by the several bruises that were already beginning to develop on his face. “That is due to the fact that you are a female! And everyone... knows... that… I… I-I'm the greatest warrior here!" he cried as he slung Tyra over his shoulder. "No, damn you! You are not!" Alora muttered under her breath, before leaping to her feet and bringing him to the ground once again. “I am!” The man retorted. "No! If I said no, then no!" she said as her hands flew into his face, sending her black hair flying in the process. "Enough! Put an end to this nonsense right now!” Alora hurried towards them and made an attempt to pull Tyra away from the helpless man. However, Tyra was not yet finished. She sprang up onto the shoulders of the warrior and immediately began pulling on his hair. "I said enough!" After much effort, Alora was eventually able to get them to part ways when she took a stumble backward and Tyra landed on top of her. As they tumbled, she was hit in the face with an elbow, which made her eye hurt, “Ouch!” "Goodness! Alora, my goodness, I'm so sorry! I’m really sorry," Tyra freed herself from the knot and assisted her Alpha in standing. "What in the world was that all about?" Alora demanded once she had picked herself up, pinned them both with her Alpha stare, and brushed off her clothes. "This freak here, he was questioning my position!" Tyra glared at the man and said, as she pointed her finger in his direction. "She started it! She belittled me by claiming that I fought like an elderly man!" The warrior, whose name was Matteo, crisscrossed his incredibly muscular arms across his similarly ripped chest. "How petty! You couldn't just talk it out like grownups like you should have? You have to argue over it like you were in grade school?" Alora inquired, her temper on the verge of exploding. Why did they bring her all the way out to this location for this? Tyra's attitude of folding her arms, smirking, and rolling her eyes was one that she had honed over the years and used most often on Axel. "Well, I had to get you out of your stupid office somehow," she said, folding her arms. "Seriously? In the name of everything that is holy! How petty!” Alora groaned as she ran a hand over her cheeks and then rubbed her eyes. Alora kept her hands on her hips as she scanned the room, looking everyone in the eye. "Alright, let's go back to the workout. Everyone of you must join the training!” Her temper flared up. "Sure, and that goes for everyone, including the Alpha." "Tyra..." she started, but then she leapt on the lady and tackled her to the ground. They had been sparring and training for a quarter of an hour when all of a sudden, Alora halted them. During that time, they had been circling each other, pouncing, targeting kicks, and blocking blows. She was huffing and puffing as she bent forward with her hands on her knees. “I didn’t see Oliver here, where is he?” It was her mandate that all of the rated guards and warriors needs to practice once a week to maintain their strength and prepare for the possibility of an assault occurring in the future. "That kiddo! Well, he's out at the campground for a camping," Tyra answered after she gulped her water. "A Camping? What the hell goes in his mind this time?" Alora inquired as looked at Tyra as if she hadn't heard her answer correctly and continued to gaze at her. "Yes, he went on a camping, together with his new buddy, Howland. You see, Oliver was eager to demonstrate the layout of the pack's area, so they chose to go camping for the next several days,” Tyra explained. "Howland?" "Yeah, you know-your mate," Tyra said with a smug grin. Her line of thought was disrupted when all of a sudden, that guy managed to force his way back into her thoughts, just as she had finally managed to put him out of her head. ‘This has got to be some kind of joke.’ “But they should be returning soon, and they should have a lot of wood with them. To get her black tank ready for the Nuit de feu,” Tyra cleaned the grass off of it. “You don't happen to have forgotten that it's tonight, do you? I mean, with the new moon and everything else?” Alora was staring out into the horizon as her thoughts went completely crazy. No, she did not recall doing it. She should have made it a priority, but other things appeared to need her attention more at the time. And now that moronic mate of hers was being treated to a tour fit for a king and queen of her domains. ‘How thick-faced Oliver was?’ Alora was suddenly startled when she saw him and Howland step out of the woods and begin down the hill with their arms full of firewood and bags on their backs. It was as if they had been called by her thoughts. They were giggling and having a good time as the air from the setting sun carried their deep voices. Alora balled her hands into fists. “These morons! They’re getting into my nerves!”

As the sun began its descent, casting a warm golden hue over the training grounds, Alora's frustration reached its peak. She couldn't shake off the feeling of irritation that had been building up all day. Tyra's attempt at mediation had only served to agitate her further. "Why? What exactly is wrong with them getting along with each other? You're not being a very nice friend to Howland, that is for sure. So, you must give him some space to enjoy someone's company, alright?" Tyra's words echoed in Alora's mind, but they provided little solace. Tyra's attempts to calm her down backfired, and she ended up agitating her even more. "Oh, okay. I must need to apologize. I'm simply going to quit talking right now, sorry?” Alora didn’t utter any word making Tyra more confused. Both of them stood there and observed as the two guys as they piled the wood next to the burgeoning fire. Howland had a joyful time interacting with the other male members of the pack who were constructing the fire. "Alora, why don't you just give him a chance?" Tyra said in a low voice. "It's Nuit de feu, come on," she prompted her by tugging on her arm. "Come on, Alora. Loosen up a little, will you?" “Alright, fine!” Alora said as she finally gave in and slipped her arm through Tyra’s. She was incapable of being angry for an extended period of time or of refusing Tyra's huge brown puppy dog eyes. "Okie, dookie! That’s more like it! Tonight is going to be a lot of fun! For sure!” Tyra broke out into singing. Axel arrived at her side at that moment. "Axel, were you involved in any way with this situation? Are you both trying to get me out of here?” Alora inquired in a commanding tone while retaining a trace of a grin. "No, Ma'am," Axel responded in a hasty manner, while shaking his head. As he said this, he started wrapping his arm over Tyra’s neck and ruffling her hair. "Honestly, I thought Tyra was going to bite poor Matteo's head off!" "Almost, almost! Well, you see, he did challenge my position, didn't he?" Tyra whimpered and smoothed her hair as she touched her head. "He said I wasn't good enough. That fucker!" she complained. “Tyra…” Alora comforted her, "You'll always be my head guard as long as you're capable of taking down a big tough Alpha, so don’t feel bad about it. It’s too petty.” In the future, Alora would need to have a discussion about it with Matteo. She would under no circumstances put up with this level of disobedience and disregard for her authority. "And how long is it going to take?” Axel joked, "I bet even if you competed against our Alpha, you wouldn't be able to win." “Haha! Are you challenging me now?” She chuckled and said, "You don't know me very well." "Of course, I do! I know you better than you know yourself, Tyra baby," he smirked, and she jabbed him in the ribs. However, he grabbed on tighter and smushed her into his chest, and then, they kissed. After they had finished kissing one other, Alora stepped forward to allow her pals some space to themselves. They couldn't have been more different from one another, yet they worked so well together after they got over their differences. Alora made her way over to the gathering around the fire that was just starting to take form. Even when it had already risen a height of six feet, the men continued to pile twigs and wood upon it. Families were arriving from all different locations, with women and mothers bringing food for supper, and little children running and playing tag with one other, as well as others kicking a ball in an impromptu game of soccer. That was one of the things that Alora appreciated about these evenings. At least once a month, everyone would put aside their disagreements and problems, as well as the regular sources of tension among the pack, and simply have fun. Around the crackling fire, they’d have a dinner together, sing a few songs, and trade tales of terror with one another; and of course, toast some marshmallows. Alora arrived to the gathering as they were gathered around the fire, and as she did so, she gazed at the kindling and pondered whether or not it would ignite properly. “Hey!” When she heard the booming voice, she got a bit taken aback. "Oh, hi," she gazed up into his warm brown eyes and a sincere smile. She couldn't help but return his smile. There is no way to get around him. "It should be a fun night. Well, it seems to be," Howland uttered, as he dusted the twigs off of his hands. "Of course, it usually is," she said with a nod. Suddenly, she found herself unable to speak, and she fumbled about, trying to think of anything clever or humorous to say. She could not understand why, but all of a sudden, she felt uneasy when she was near this person. Every previous time, all she had done was dispute with him, and in comparison, to this situation, it seemed rather simple. Oliver came to her rescue just in time to prevent her from either yelling at him or stammering to him. "Alpha Alora! Howland should have informed you about our upcoming camping trip, right?" Oliver inquired all of a sudden. Her gaze flitted across to Howland for a moment before it settled on Oliver. She stated it with ice in her voice while placing her fists on her hips. "Yes, I did hear something about an unauthorized trip through my territory," she stated. Oliver immediately lost all of his excitement and stroked the back of his neck after coming to the conclusion that he was in serious danger. "Uhm, ah, well…" he said, stuttering. Alora, for some inexplicable reason, recalled Tyra's advice to give the person a chance and to have pleasure in the evening. She sent one more glance in Howland's direction before hurriedly remarking, "But well, don't worry about it. Simply let me know the next time, all right?” "Yes, we will do that next time!" Oliver grinned with pride. "Alright, you should’ve seen the..." his voice trailed off as a throng gathered around to listen to some weird tale as Alora turned to the voice at her elbow. "Alpha Alora, here… this is your favorite dessert—an apple pie!" "Oh, wow, thanks Arlene," as she beamed a grin at the kind lady and her mate Tomy, who had approached her and placed his hand on her waist. “I'm looking forward to it!" She said as she rubbed her tummy. Alora grinned as they walked to set it on the dessert table, and she followed after them smiling. "Greenstein, that's my absolute favorite spot," Howland suddenly uttered. "Hey, that's my favorite, too," Alora exclaimed happily. After making a loud exclamation, Alora glanced up, and her sight immediately met that of Howland. Her seemingly unexpected participation in the discussion caused him to show a moment of astonishment, but then his expression relaxed into a grin. As the heat raced to her cheeks, she instinctively bowed her head, instantly conscious of what he had said and how she had reacted to it. She had sworn she wouldn't have anything in common with this guy, yet here he was, admiring her favorite area on her turf. She could sense that his eyes were still on her, so she moved to look at something else in an effort to divert her focus. Tyra could be seen around twelve yards distant, holding hands with at least three kids as they all attempted to drag her down to the ground. Tyra took great joy in playing with the younger children, and the sound of their giggling could be heard all around them. After picking up one of the kids and blowing on his stomach, which caused him to scream and giggle, Tyra slung him over her shoulder and began to run about the other pups like a demented kiddy monster. It was a hit with the youngsters.

Tyra regarded it highly. When it came to getting people enthused, she was a natural born leader. When a little girl came running up to her with a violet flower in her hand, she bent down and smiled at the woman. The kid had a round, plump face that was framed by black pigtails that swayed and spun on her little shoulders. "Tyra! A flower for you!" she chuckled to herself. “Oh my goodness, Madi! It's such a wonderful gift! This is pretty! Thank you so much, sweetie." Tyra gave the little girl a bear hug and smelled the flower before accepting it in her own hand. The little child glowed and clung to Alora's leg with all her might. Alora furrowed her brow and bit on the bottom part of her lip. It wasn't that she was a mean Alpha; she simply didn't have the same amount of time to spend with the kids as some of the other pack members did. In all candor, she was not a fan of floral arrangements. She wondered with a distressed expression on her face that maybe it wasn't the core issue of her predicament. "Alpha, it's time. We can now start,” A guy went up and offered a rock to her, telling her that she has the honors to start lighting the fire. Flint and rock would be used to start the fire, as had been customary in the past. Alora smiled and thanked the man for the fire starters before moving on to lighting the wood. When she knelt down by the fire, she could feel Howland standing close behind her, observing. She took a deep breath, hit the flint, and then hoped that it would light on the first try. She had spent many years to be perfect with her technique, and now she was certain that she understood how to start a fire in this manner. Lighting a fire in this manner was an art form. The spark first fell on the pieces of waste paper, then it moved on to the smaller twigs and kindling, and finally the audience shouted as the larger logs and sticks began to roar to life as they caught fire. “Yay!” Her pack. Her existence. This was the point that needed to be considered. Soon after, people began passing around food as music rang out throughout the countryside. Sparks lit up the night sky as they danced their way skyward. Alora dragged her plate of food over to one of the several log benches and wedged herself in between Tyra and Axel. "Would it be okay if I join you guys?" "Of course! We can't say no to our Alpha," Tyra exclaimed and she gave her a little push. Axel moaned, stood up, and moved to the other side of Tyra, where she greeted him with a peck on the cheek as a token of her appreciation. "Do you have sufficient salad there?" Tyra questioned with an eyebrow lifted as she looked at Alora's plate, which was completely full. "Well, I'd still like to give this food a shot," Alora explained. "Girl, I'm kidding," Tyra said with a raised eyebrow before bursting into laughter. It was well knowledge that Alora enjoyed salads. "Wow! I must say that this steak is so good," When Alora heard the familiar deep voice say, she jumped just a little bit. "And the roast pork was cooked to perfection!" ‘Him, again? Who the hell invited him to come over here? Oh, no, they didn't do that!’ Howland sat himself down next to Alora, and Alora, in turn, squirmed her way even closer to Tyra. "I don't know how they do it," he said as he pointed to the guys who were roasting a giant piece of beef on a spit over the fire. "But, it’s so good! It's great. You really need to try some of it," he abruptly turned to Alora and scrutinized the food on her plate. She came dangerously close to stuffing it in his face out of frustration. She responded quickly by saying, "No, I'm fine. Thanks, but I don't eat meat." "For real? What was it called then?" Howland turned to face her as he reached out to touch her with his arm. "Well, our Alpha, she’s vegetarian," Tyra bent over and spoke slowly like she would to a five-year child. "But I doubt you know what that big, intelligent-sounding word means, you dumb idiot," and she pulled Alora over, causing her to brush into him. Alora was aware that Tyra was just defending her or making the tension bit at ease, yet she still rolled her eyes at the situation. She didn't want to specifically explore this topic with Howland since there weren't that many wolves who didn't consume meat. On top of everything else, he would consider her to be strange in his mind. "Ah, I do. I know about that thing. My mother was a vegetarian all her life." "Really?" Alora just stood there and gazed at him, completely dumbfounded by what he had just said. "Uhm, yeah. I believe that she would have really liked you, especially with the whole tough Alpha thing," Howland said. His dark brown eyes gazed into hers, and the firelight caught the depths of his eyes and made them glitter. They seemed to entice her in such a way that it was as if a mystery narrative had been created only for her. "Really?" She was so stupid that she kept repeating herself, and she wanted to give herself a smack on her forehead. Then, despite her confused state, a logical relationship presented itself to her. "You indicated that she would have, and were. Where is your mother, exactly?” "My mother… she passed away while I was only a little child. However, based on what I recall of her, she was a fierce competitor.” Alora's pulse pounded harder and faster as she realized that she shared yet another thing in common with the guy who she did not want as her mate. Howland's warm gaze held hers, and the rest of the pack seemed to drift out of consciousness. But this time, she understood, and she even desired, to experience this relationship that was so painful. “It's been five years since my parents passed away, too.” She said to herself in a low voice, "I know what it's like to miss them and wish that they were still here." His fingertips lightly touched the top of her knee, and that one gesture conveyed more meaning than anybody else could have ever understood or dared to imagine of expressing. It was as if a bit of his damaged heart stretched out to hers, and hers to his, helping to partially complete each other's hearts in a manner that was both perplexing and entirely natural at the same time. "Alright, it's time for a story telling!" Alora was jolted out of her trance by Tyra's sudden movement, and the interruption made her desire that she could either hit or smack her. Because when she turned around to look at Howland, his typical arrogant and smug expression was on his lovely face, and Alora had no clue why she could ever sense a connection between the two of them. ‘This is getting too complicated!’

Tyra's voice resonated through the crowd, capturing their attention. The pups eagerly approached her and gathered in a circle near the fire. She began to tell them about a formidable border guard who patrolled the woods in their Alpha's territory. The guard was extremely dedicated to her duty. She gazed at the pups with a sincere expression, and they listened attentively to her every word. Her main focus was on ensuring the safety of the territory by eliminating any potential threats, including rogue wolves and particularly aggressive Alphas. "Ohhh," the children whispered with enthusiasm. Alora could sense the direction this was heading. One evening, the guard patrolled the forest, attentively observing, keenly sensing, and vigilantly monitoring for any signs of unusual activity. The moonlight was faint, making it difficult to perceive. There was a distant rumble of thunder, and the leaves whispered secrets that only the most skilled tracker could decipher," she spoke softly, creating the desired atmosphere. "The vigilant border guard remained undeterred." As she was about to engage in combat, a surprise attack occurred. She swiftly seized one of the young wolves, but then a massive wolf leaped at her, forcefully bringing her down! The pups let out terrified cries, right on time. Alora chuckled. "They tumbled and rolled, with the wolf attempting to attack the guard's throat. However, our beloved border guard emerged victorious, successfully restraining the wolf on the ground!" The pups giggled and applauded gleefully. "And that's when the guard figured out the true identity of the wolf!" An Alpha that is fierce, formidable, and commands respect, existing solely in your imagination! However, did the guard experience fear? Was she in a hurry to find cover and take shelter behind a tree? The children all exclaimed, "No!" and Tyra nodded in agreement. "Absolutely not!" She had no fear of any dominant figure! With a piercing stare, she coldly asked him, 'Do you have anything else to say?' just like any dutiful guard would. The imposing leader succumbed to her unwavering stare, sinking to the ground and humbly folding his hands together. 'Please, I kindly request your assistance!' Please spare my life! Please have mercy on me! Oh, please have mercy! Tyra portrayed the humor with her impressive acting abilities, and the pups were laughing uncontrollably. Alora detected a faint growl emanating from the man next to her, whom Tyra was clearly imitating. She had a contented smile on her face. "So, do you have any idea what the guard did?" She glanced at the children as they began responding. "She brought him to the underground chamber!" She bound him to a tree! "She handed him over to our Alpha for a thorough thrashing!" "She hit him on the head with a stick!" "Did she instruct him to behave and then send him back home?" "She violently attacked him, gouging his eyes and shoving his thumbs into his nostrils." These pups had incredibly creative minds. "No, no, no, but all good ideas," Tyra smiled and nodded, hands on hips as she prepared for the climax of her story. "She gazed into his imploring eyes and... swiftly ended his life, protecting our Alpha from a multitude of complications!" Alora's throat emitted a low growl as she quickly stood up from her seat. Everyone's attention shifted towards her, and she suddenly noticed that her hands were tightly closed. "Oh no!" Some of the children appeared frightened as they exclaimed, "What?" "Actually, you're correct. The guard didn't harm the aggressive leader," Tyra promptly responded, giving Alora a confident grin. She came to the realization that he was, in fact, the mate of our Alpha! She was aware that Alpha desired and favored her mate, so she cleverly presented him to Alpha with a grand gesture. The children erupted in applause and rose from their seats. "Alpha desires her partner!" Alpha expressed her desire for a mate, and those around her applauded. Tyra quickly caught on to the chant, and the children joined together, linking arms and joyfully dancing around the fire, reminiscent of the young Native Americans in Peter Pan. "Alpha desires her mate, Alpha desires her mate!" Alora dared to steal a quick look at Howland. Alora felt a surge of anger as she noticed a slight grin forming on one side of his mouth. She shot one more intense look at Tyra, who playfully blew her a kiss, before striding away from the fire. She felt overwhelmed by the intense emotions inside her and the conflicting thoughts in her mind, and she struggled to find a way to manage them. She had experienced a moment of confusion in the past, where her emotions of anger and rage overwhelmed her. However, she was able to confront and control those emotions. Leading her pack with a calm and focused mind was the only approach she had taken. Why was it suddenly difficult for her to manage her emotions? "Hey!" she heard the person she was thinking about calling from behind, but she ignored them and quickened her pace, running up the hill towards the pack house. Her sanctuary, a place of solace. Axel located her shortly thereafter. Of course he did, only he was aware of the secluded spot she would retreat to whenever life became too much to handle. This was a sanctuary where she could freely express her emotions, whether it be through tears or screams, without anyone else witnessing the deep pain within their Alpha's heart. This location where she had conquered her personal struggles and emerged stronger, determined to protect everything she cherished. The wall that separates the two spires on the castle's rooftop battlement. She gazed at the stars, her feet hanging over the ledge. The bonfire's glow and the distant sounds of singing and laughter from her companions below went unnoticed as she immersed herself in the peaceful night. "Alpha..." She looked towards her beta's voice and gently motioned for them to sit beside her on the rock wall. "I won't apologize for Tyra; we both understand her occasional behavior," he sat down next to her. "Lacking empathy, harsh, indifferent, lacking knowledge on the subject." "I get it, but is it really necessary to be so harsh?" "Apologies, Axel, that wasn't my intention. However, there are moments when I hope she could become more in touch with her emotions." "I could spend time explaining the positive aspects of my friend's personality, but I'm actually here to talk about you." She let out a deep breath and cast her gaze downward. Axel was the sole person she was willing to listen to and learn from. He had developed a close bond with her, akin to that of an older sibling. A beta that is kind, knowledgeable, empathetic, and fair. Although he could be a bit strict at times, he had assisted her in reconstructing and molding this pack into its current state. She would have preferred no one else but him by her side as her second. "I'm unsure of what to make of it, Axel. Should I be more relaxed? Feeling afraid? Is it really necessary to be so unwelcoming towards a total stranger who wants to join our pack, just because they're not my mate? "No, not quite. It's important to exercise caution, but—" "He has the potential to be anyone and engage in any activity, as far as our knowledge goes. It's evident that he has ambitions to seize control of the pack and was willing to resort to violence, as he made his intentions quite clear. Why haven't I imprisoned him in the dungeons? Why can't I handle him in the same way I handle any challenges to my authority? "Since he is your friend, regardless of your personal feelings, your response to this situation has already been predetermined. The connection will become even stronger and more difficult to ignore the more you try to oppose it. "Thanks for the support," she muttered with a hint of bitterness. "Alora, it wasn't my decision. Please refrain from directing your anger towards me...or Tyra, for that matter. "Apologies, Axel. Indeed, I am," she expressed frustration, admitting her struggle to control her intense emotions. She tilted her head back and let out a deep sigh, gazing up at the sky. "Can you see my perspective? Why can't I simply embrace Howland as my mate, my Alpha, and entrust him with leadership of our pack? Considering all that we have experienced together..." "I understand." "You were present, Axel. You witnessed the devastation." "I was. We all were." "Actually, you were present alongside me. She embraced me while my parents—" her voice cracked, and she sniffled, the memories once again rushing through her mind. The rain was unable to extinguish the intense blaze. There was an overwhelming amount of screaming, even the loud cracks of thunder couldn't overpower it. The pain was overwhelming, impossible to escape. Axel embraced her and drew his Alpha nearer. "I will always be by your side, Alora. Regardless of the choice you make, I'll be there to support and assist you every step of the way. I will always support you and be there for you as your beta. "Thank you," she whispered gently. "In the event of a disagreement, I will express my viewpoints to assist you in making informed decisions." "I'm confident that you will." She smiled at him and wiped her eyes, acknowledging his consistent support. After inhaling deeply, they both stood up, and Axel accompanied her to her room. "I'll see you tomorrow," she said, getting ready for bed, her mind filled with nostalgic memories and various thoughts about what lies ahead. Her life had never been simpler, but perhaps with the natural resilience inherited from her parents, she would make choices that aligned with her own needs and the needs of her pack. That's all she could hope for as she drifted off to sleep.