The Alpha Begs for Second Chance

Conrad had a younger brother named Caleb. They were two years apart. And though their father and the elders wanted to train Caleb as well, his brother wasn’t interested. He’s a good fighter, though. He trained hard as a pack warrior.

Their mother was sweet, gentle, and kind. She had a very nurturing nature and was helpful to everyone. She rarely raised her voice. Her boys wanted to have mates as wonderful as their mother. Of course, she taught them that, too. As pack leaders, their mates should understand the responsibility as well.

Conrad’s confidence and hope waned every year that passed by. He hoped to meet his mate before he turned thirty. His Luna. He had already visited the majority of the packs in the country. The scope of his search was getting smaller each month.

Who knew that it was her who would stumble into their territory?

The premise wasn’t good, though. A group of rogues had stepped into their grounds while being pursued by hostile wolves. The report came to his father, and Conrad joined in checking the situation.

He perked up when his senses caught her scent. It smelled like fresh apples. He lightly growled. There was fear in the air, and he heard a woman scream. He ran faster. He hoped that scream didn’t originate from his mate. She’s finally here! He’s finally gonna see her!

His father did sense the change in him and asked him through the mind link. He merely replied with one word, ‘Mate!’

As the next Alpha of the pack, his mate was considered someone just as important. Carlos ordered everyone in his command to protect the newcomers, especially the women.

‘Your future Luna may be one of them,’ he directly informed them of the reason. That would make them take it seriously. Given that those wolves were rogues, it’s common to view them with suspicion and hate. There’s no genuine desire to help them.

That wouldn’t be the case today, though.

Alice rarely transformed into her wolf. She’d only done it twice before. While everyone was already fighting in that form, she remained in her human one. She gripped in her hands two daggers that her mother gifted her on her eighteenth birthday. They’re sharp, and she’s used to using them to protect herself. Against huge wolves, though . . . it didn’t seem much. They hoped this pack that they encroached upon would help them, but her hopes weren’t that high.

Alice only met this group a couple of months ago. Everyone had been running for quite some time. Her? She’d been on the run for almost a year now. Someone took pity on her early on and gave her a potion that masked her scent. It ran out a couple of days ago.

She didn’t fight well. The way she defended herself was haphazard. When Conrad approached her, she almost sliced through him.

“Hey, there . . . easy.” It wasn’t the time to admire her, Conrad reminded himself, but he could really spend days just looking at her.

Alice looked at him, confused. He’s in his human form, and though he’s taller than her, she immediately noticed the way he protected her. Only then did she realize the newcomers? Were they safe now? She wanted to sob. Her legs gave in from a combination of hunger and fear.

“Are you okay?” His voice . . . that’s when the scent hit her, and her eyes constricted. ‘Mate! No!’

He had one arm around her waist, having held her when she slumped down. He was reluctant to leave her but knew he must.

“Stay here.” His voice was soothing the fear in her heart, and she watched him transform into the whitest wolf she’d ever seen. Her body trembled. Was he . . .? Was he her mate? She took a deep breath, and his scent was mixed in it. It was calming her nerves. It must have been from exhaustion, but she felt her body weaken, and she couldn’t keep her eyes open. Softly, she slumped on the ground, covered in a thick layer of grass.

Their pack warriors drove most of the hostile werewolves away. Some were killed. They were tough and put up quite a fight. The rogues who encroached on their territory were rounded up and taken to a hall. As for his mate, he didn’t allow anyone else to touch her. He carried her in his arms.

His mother and a few other pack members checked the wounded.

“Do you want to bring her to the infirmary, or are you taking her to your room?”

There was that teasing tone from his mother, and he knew his father had told her.

“She’s beautiful. What’s her name?”

He appreciated her compliment, but he had no answer to her question.

“I don’t know yet.”

“She doesn’t have any fresh wounds on her, just scratches here and there. You can take her to your room if you want,” his mother instructed, and he obeyed. He needed to go and check on the group she came with. ‘Rogues, huh? She doesn’t have a pack?’

After tucking her into his bed, he pressed a kiss on her forehead. A smile slowly appeared on his face. Mate. He finally found her. As he gazed at her face, he couldn’t be more thankful.

He only left her alone when his father mindlinked him and asked for his presence in the conference hall. He wouldn’t be gone too long anyway.

When he arrived at the hall, he counted eleven rogues in total. Her mate would make that a dozen. Three were currently being treated for serious injuries.

“Have you interrogated them already, Father?” he asked as he stood next to the Alpha.

Before his old man could reply, a middleaged woman directed a question at them.

“Where’s Alice? What have you done to her?”

His father turned to him, allowing him to answer.

“Is that her name?” he asked, repeating the name in his head. It’s as beautiful as her.

“Where is she?” There was a concern and worry in her voice. Conrad didn’t think she was a threat.

“She’s safe, sleeping soundly in my room. You don’t need to worry about her.”

“In your room?” Now, there’s a hint of anger in her tone. Her eyes were glaring daggers at him.

Conrad sighed, but his father decided to answer on his behalf.

“She happens to be my son’s mate. She will not be harmed if that is your concern. Now, tell us how you stumbled upon our territory and who was after you earlier. Which hostile pack are they from?”

The allied packs had yet to make any decision on attacking them. In a way, Silver Crescent was the biggest pack in the northern territory. It would take many resources to attack it and ensure a win. Coordination between the allied packs was the biggest challenge. If they didn't act like a unified pack, they couldn't triumph over Silver Crescent.

What madness ruined that pack? It remains unanswered to this day. Only insiders knew the story. There were several theories; the latest one was that the Alpha's mate was unfaithful. That's why he killed her. It was only a theory but the most plausible out of everything from the vine.

"How did you piss off Silver Crescent? Are you from there?" the Beta asked.

Most of them shook their head in response.

"It was the girl they were after. Alice." The man sighed deeply.

The middleaged woman threw him a dirty look. But, of course, she understood his sentiments. They probably wouldn't be haunted if Alice weren't with them.

"She has this bottle of potion to hide her scent. It ran out a few days ago, and they found us quickly." He was tempted to blame her, but the woman wouldn't let Alice go alone.

Conrad looked at his father and talked to him through the mind link. It turned out it was his mate that caused them trouble.

"Do you know why they were after her?"

"She's the one which originated from their pack. She said she escaped death and has been on the run for months. You haven't talked to the gal yet?" The same man replied. Why were they the ones answering questions about her? Wouldn't speaking with the class and getting direct answers to be more convenient?

"She hasn't told us everything she knows. She's timid, just following us around. She doesn't talk much. We only heard limited information from her." Someone else added.

"She's still young. Only nineteen. To be hunted so young . . . a few times, she offered to leave the group and go on her own. We met her a couple of months ago. That poor child," the woman defended her.

Conrad was now getting a better picture of his mate. Her situation seemed dangerous.

'We will protect her, right?' He couldn't help asking his father through the link.

'Of course. It is your fate to have her as a mate. This must be your trial. Protect her, and you will be more able to protect the pack. With her experience, she should be able to stand next to you as a Luna.'

'That's a good way of putting it. But aren't we going to endanger the pack if we keep her with us? ' Conrad replied. Those mad wolves could return with more numbers and wreak havoc. He's not feeling too good about it. They hadn't had any severe problems in the last few years. It had been peaceful, with only the occasional minor disturbances from rogues. No attacks. Today was the first in a long time.

The Alpha replied to his question. 'Then, it must be time you prove yourself. Are you saying you would turn her away to ensure the pack's safety?'

"No!" The moment his father asked that question, he replied loudly. He wouldn't do that. Never. He'd been searching for his mate for so long. Nothing would take her away from him. The Alpha's right. This had to be a trial for him. How would he keep his mate safe while also protecting the pack?

The others in the room stared at his outburst. He calmed himself quickly.

"I will let you speak with her, but I must emphasize the importance of getting as much information as possible to understand the situation better. The soonest you can. As for the others, I'll let Marco ask about their particular situation." The Alpha also gave his instructions to the others, and everyone reacted accordingly.

Conrad would check with the Beta later.

"Understood, Father." He nodded before leaving the room. The others soon followed, leaving only the Beta's team in the room.

"Let's make ourselves comfortable, shall we?" He frowned as he turned to one of his men.

"Where's the food I asked earlier?"

"The kitchen is still preparing them. It coincided with their dinner preparation," someone answered.

"What nonsense? It's only a dozen more meals. Quickly get the food and some warm drinks." Marco wasn't the type to intimidate weakened rogues. His approach was more rational than most. He's not entirely trusting of the newcomers, but his way lowers their guard. It allowed them to talk more freely, seeing he was acting approachable and friendly.

He asked them the usual. Their names, where they're from, why they have left their packs, how long have they been wandering around, what are their plans . . .? Those kinds of things. The next day, he planned to talk to them individually. They might not have been willing to talk about some things with others listening in.

As for Conrad, he dropped by the kitchen to get food for two. Afterward, he returned to his room. He breathed in relief seeing her still sleeping soundly in his bed. He had her scent etched into his mind now. He sat on the bed for quite some time, staring at her. When his stomach rumbled, he moved to the table to eat his share of the meal.

At this point, she moved, her sleep turned restless, and she was almost thrashing on the bed. Conrad went over to check on her, concerned. Her face showed an expression of worry and fear.

He reached out to touch her face. The moment his fingers touched her cheek, her eyes flew open. She gasped upon waking and stared at what was before her in confusion.

Realizing it was a man, she scrambled backward on the bed. She quickly looked around the room and eyed the door.

Conrad was reminded of a scampering rat by how she moved so quickly.

"Did I startle you? I'm sorry. My name is Conrad." Slowly, he sat on the edge of the bed, letting her accept his presence.

"Where . . . where are the others?" She grimaced as it hurt her to speak. Her throat was dry.

"They're having a chat with our Beta. Do you want some water?" Conrad ensured his movements wouldn't scare her as he went to the table to get a glass of water.

When he turned to face her again, she looked around, seemingly searching for something. She pulled the blanket off the bed and whimpered in frustration.

When their eyes met, she asked weakly, "Where are my daggers?"

She couldn't lose them. They were a gift from her mother. The only possession that she had since she ran away from her pack.

"What daggers?" His question made her heart sink lower. Did she lose them?

Seeing her defeated expression, he remembered how she almost sliced through his flesh in their earlier encounter.

"Ah, those daggers?" He searched his mind for the memory of it. She was holding them, but he didn't notice them when he carried her.

"They're probably in the woods. I'll have someone get them."

Hearing that, she calmed down a little. Only a little. She removed herself from the bed and straightened her clothes. She dashed towards the door and looked at him expectantly.

Conrad frowned. "Where are you going?"

"The woods," she answered, worry still etched.

He sighed. "For the daggers? It's dark outside, and searching for it now would be not easy. Let's wait until morning."

Her eyes moved, and she stared at a lamp in a corner. Couldn't she mean...

Alice never wanted to lose those daggers. She couldn’t lose them. She pleaded to the man with a look.

Conrad took a moment to sigh. “Why don’t you drink first?” He gave her the glass of water, and she carefully took it. She’s really thirsty. After finishing the glass, she realized there was food on the table. She stared at them almost longingly.

“I don’t think bringing a lamp would help much. Let’s wait for morning to come. Are you hungry? You should eat first.”

When he gestured for her to move towards the table, she was slightly taken aback. The food . . . she could eat them? It’s been so long since she had a proper meal. On a table. With utensils. But her daggers . . . she hesitated to move.

“I promise we’ll get your daggers back tomorrow.” His voice seemed to be pleading.

When she stared at him, he had this calming effect on her. She frowned for a few seconds before gasping again. This man . . . his scent . . . was he her mate?

Seeing the changes in her expression, Conrad could only guess what went on in her mind.

“What’s your name?” Although he already knew, he wanted to hear it from her.

She hesitated a moment before giving him her name. “Alice. My name is Alice.”

His was Conrad, right? Was he really her mate?

He moved back and gestured for her to sit by the table. As she did so, Alice frowned. She couldn’t help staring at him some more. He was doing the same as he sat on the edge of the bed.

“Eat.” With this prompt from him, she picked up the utensils and started eating everything on a loaded plate. As she chewed, she would glance at him and stare. Her desire to see him overrode the shyness she was feeling at being stared at.

“My mother told me . . . about mates,” she spoke up, and she wondered what made her do it. She didn’t normally speak to others, especially to strangers.

“So, are you feeling the mate pull?” he asked with a small smile and leaned back on the bed.

“Aren’t you?” she asked back with a hint of worry.

“I do.” There was silence after that.

Alice continued eating and finished everything in ten minutes. It was a very delicious meal.

“Thank you for the food. Everything tasted delicious.”

“Glad you liked it.”

Alice fidgeted in her seat. What was she supposed to do now? She looked around and saw a smaller door near a corner.

“Is that the bathroom?” she asked while pointing at it.

“Yes,” Conrad replied before getting up. He asked his mother to bring clothes and supplies for her. He looked through his closet and found nothing.

He turned and walked to the bathroom. He saw a pile of clothes and a small bag on the counter. He looked at her, who had been following his movements.

“My mom brought you a change of clothes and some supplies. It’s inside. You can use them.”

Alice was glad to hear that. She was relieved and moved towards it. Conrad quickly made way for her.

She frowned, thinking his actions were akin to avoiding her proximity. Her mom said mates normally stick together, especially in the beginning. Mates were intimate and loving towards one another. They couldn’t bear to be away from each other. She had no experience with being intimate with anyone except her mother. And those were only hugs and kisses.

Alice stared at him for a moment before getting inside the bathroom and closing the door. She picked up the small bag and found toiletries. She sighed in relief. From what? She was not sure. She brushed her teeth and washed her face. Seeing a mirror available, she quickly checked how she looked now. She’s probably thinner. She was a little chubby when she celebrated her eighteenth birthday. Her cheeks were plump back then.

They made her so happy she was crying happy tears. She smiled while looking at the beautiful dresses. She quickly turned on the shower and removed the rags she was wearing. She didn’t feel bad throwing them in the waste basket. As for the dirty shoes, she set them aside under the sink. She looked for slippers but didn’t see a pair. She shrugged and decided to go barefoot. The place should be cleaner than the forest.

She spent quite some time under the warm water. She scrubbed herself clean, using the body wash and shampoo about three times. When she was satisfied, she dried herself and wore the dress she liked the most. The hem of it touched her knees. It wasn’t a tight fit, and she liked that. She’s able to breathe properly.

Conrad cleaned up while she was gone. He asked someone to bring more clothes for her.

When she got out, though, and he saw her bare feet stepping on the floor . . . he sighed. He looked through his shoe cabinet for fluffy slippers. He was sure there were a couple of pairs somewhere in there.

Alice curiously watched him as he rummaged through something in a corner. Then, she looked surprised at seeing what was in his hands. He walked over to her and bent down to set the slippers by her feet.

“Thank you.” She quickly wore them. They were soft to the touch, making her smile. Such comfort . . .

She looked at him again. He was scratching the back of his neck as he stood a few feet away from her. This made her frown again. She didn’t smell bad now, did she? And the new clothes were clean. She was disheartened by his distance, and she decidedly looked down at her feet.

“You look beautiful.” His words made her look at him. He was smiling at her, and she returned it.

“Thank you.” She looked uncomfortable as she didn’t know how to proceed.

“Aren’t you tired? Why don’t you sit down? Or do you want to sleep already?”

The prospect of sleeping . . . in his room . . . she assumed this was his room. She walked towards a chair and sat while facing him.

“Where are we? What’s this place?”

“Our pack is called Snow Mountain. One side of the territory is protected by a mountainous area. It gets covered in snow during winter.”

“Your wolf is white . . . as white as snow?” Alice couldn’t remember seeing white wolves before. He was the first she’d seen. Of course, she’d seen others earlier. He seemed the whitest, though.

“That, too.” Conrad grinned.

“You have a very nice room. You must have a rank.”

Conrad was proud of his rank, so he promptly answered, “My father is the Alpha.”

Her expression showed surprise. She wasn’t expecting him to be of the Alpha’s family. But then again . . .

“I see . . .”

Silence ensued after that. He didn’t like how she seemed unimpressed.

“Why . . . why are you distancing yourself from me?” She’s curious about this.

Conrad frowned at her question. “I thought you would feel uncomfortable. I’m giving you space and time to get used to my presence. I don’t want to startle you.”

“I see.”

His explanation satisfied her, and they stared at each other again. Conrad was finding it more and more difficult to stay put with each passing minute, maybe even seconds.

As minutes went by, Conrad watched as her expression darkened.

Alice couldn’t believe her luck. Her mate came from the family of the Alpha. But would he want her as a mate? She knew mates could be rejected. All she would bring to this pack was trouble. They might want to avoid that. She dashed her own hope. No way would they want her here. She was glad for this brief reprieve, though. It was nice to feel comfortable once in a while after so many months of discomfort.

“What’s wrong?” he finally asked, not liking how her face paled. It was rosy when she got out of the shower, and he liked seeing her with color. He could almost feel how soft her cheeks would be. The dress also looked good on her.

She gave him a sad smile, “You’re going to reject me, aren’t you?”

His heart skipped a beat at hearing her question.

“What made you think that?” His expression showed agitation. That would never happen.

“You’re avoiding me.”

He frowned at her answer. “I already told you. I don’t want to startle you. If you weren’t jumpy, I would have touched you already.”

Her eyes turned round at his admission. So, he did want to get close to her.

But . . . she didn’t want to cause them trouble. If she didn’t leave soon, those haunting her would probably attack this place. Remembering this was a pack, and maybe they had supplies? Maybe she could ask for some before she left?

“Do you . . . does your pack have potions? One that can conceal a wolf’s scent?”

Her question made him remember her situation. She was running away from her pack, a hostile pack at that.

“The borders alone can conceal your scent. They won’t be able to tell if you’re here or not.”

“But they already know I’m here. Just to be safe, I should also use potions.”

“I’ll check with the doctor tomorrow. They have a lot of potions in their storage, all kinds of them.”

This made her relieved. One problem is solved.

“You’re worried about masking your scent? How long have you been running?”

Alice knew what he was actually asking. “It’s been a few months.”

“How long have you been on your own? How did you survive?”

She didn’t want to be reminded of her nightmares but thought it would be rude not to answer his questions.

“A few months. Potions helped me a lot.”

Conrad could make out the trembling of her hands and her lips. He should stop asking these questions that reminded her of her terrifying ordeal. He should comfort her at this point.

Conrad stood up and walked near her.

“Are you afraid? Don’t be. I’ll protect you.” He kneeled in front of her so he could see her face. His hands were itching to touch her. He couldn’t move his gaze away from her eyes and her lips.

Alice heard his soft voice, and it soothed her heart. Suddenly, as if on impulse, her body moved. She was thrown into his arms, and he stumbled backward. Hearing him grunt in pain and the position they were in, she quickly apologized to him.

Her wolf purred in contentment.

“It was my wolf . . .” She weakly explained. She didn’t know how she’d get up without squashing him further. She put one hand on his shoulder so she could push herself up. Before she could do so, his hand wrapped around her waist and trapped her in his embrace. His breathing slowed down as her scent invaded his senses.

“You smell like apples.” They both said at the same time.

Their eyes widened slightly at this coincidence. Conrad moved closer to her and sniffed near her shoulder. She visibly shivered.

“What are you doing?” Despite asking, she was actually tempted to do the same. She quietly inhaled his scent. She inched closer and closer. The wonderful scent made her close her eyes. She was startled when the tip of her nose touched something. Her face heated up at realizing what she’d done. The warmth from his body enveloped her, and she didn’t want to move.

Conrad was barely controlling himself. She was such a temptress. His own wolf howled inside his head. Her body, cradled in his, felt light. He needed to take this slow. She was only nineteen if what the middleaged woman said was true. She was too young compared to his twentyeight years.

He adjusted his position on the floor before getting up and carrying her. The movement did startle her, and she moved her head away, looking at him.

“Can I kiss you?” His muscles tightened in anticipation. This was only their first day. They didn’t know each other yet. He sat on the bed and maintained her position in his lap.

He explored every inch of her mouth and only tasted sweetness. Hearing her moan spurred him on, and soon, he was hard for her. He couldn’t touch her tonight, though. He wanted her to trust him first, to get close, to understand each other, to rely on him, and to love him.

Soon, she mimicked his actions, and her tongue slowly met his. Good. She was a fast learner. Alice could feel something hard and large beneath her. She was sure it wasn’t there earlier.

Conrad knew he should stop while he was still in control. He didn’t want to scare her off. Who knew how long they’d been engaged in kissing each other? Her taste was now etched in his memory. As sweet as apples. With much difficulty, he pressed a hard kiss on her lips before moving back . . . only to find her following him and seeking his lips once again. ‘Damn.’ He groaned in frustration. He knew she was not ready. She didn’t even know how to kiss just a while ago.

He tried pushing her off very lightly, and he saw her expression of desire and haze.

“Alice, we should stop,” he whispered as he caressed her cheek, and yes, her skin was as soft as he imagined. Her face was flushed, and her chest was heaving. Still, there was an ache below her navel that hadn’t gone away.

“You should rest. Lie on the bed and sleep.” He pressed a kiss on her nose. He waited for her to move, but she didn’t. They simply stared into each other’s eyes. When he smiled, she shyly returned it.

“If you don’t move, we’ll continue kissing. I don’t know if I could still stop myself.” He nuzzled her neck, making her shiver. She gently pushed against his shoulder and plopped over the bed.

‘She was really obedient,’ Conrad thought. But then, his eyes were attracted by something else. With her legs up, he could see her bare legs and her undies. Her skin was clearly fair and smooth. He was blessed with a beautiful mate, that’s for sure.

He reached for her knees and pushed them down, her legs now lying flat on the bed. Leaning over her body, he grabbed the blanket and unfolded it for her.

“You should sleep first.”

“How about you?” Alice noted that he didn’t seem to have the intention of sleeping next to her.

“I still need to speak with my father.”

“Will you tell me what happened to the others? The ones who were with me? Are they safe?”

“They’re fine. I’ll speak with the Beta. He’s getting information from them. If he finds them faultless, they will be treated well.”

Alice stared at him as he tucked her in.

“My daggers . . .” she wanted to remind him.

“We’ll find them tomorrow,” he promised her.

Alice closed her eyes as he kissed the tip of her nose again. As he stepped away, she watched him go. At the door, he smiled at her before closing it.

There was a fluttering of wings in her stomach again. Conrad seemed strong. He had the build of a warrior. A fighter. Would he really protect her?

As he made his way to the conference hall, he was reminded of his father’s task. Well, he hadn’t been able to get any significant information from her. Maybe tomorrow, she would be willing to talk. He could tell her that it would help them prepare against those wolves. Well, it was the truth anyway. He simply needed her to open up.

He reported to his father. Then, the Beta shared his findings.

“Except for two young men who are clearly hiding something, the rest are good. They don’t seem to be in collusion, though. They’re hiding different things. I’ve isolated them for now. I’ll speak with them again, see if they’re willing to be more truthful.”

The Alpha stood up and turned to his oldest son. “Well, it would seem we’ll be waiting for you, boy. I expect answers by tomorrow.”

“Yes, Father.” It shouldn’t be difficult, right?

He went to see her mother before going back to his room. She prepared more things for his mate. Her name is Selena, but she’s fondly called Selene. Most of the pack members simply refer to her as Luna.

“Are you treating her well?” Her expression was stern. She didn’t like it when male wolves acted like jerks toward their mates, imposing their wants and not listening to the women. As Luna, she was educating the younger generation on this subject. She couldn’t have her own sons disregarding her lessons.

“Yes, Mother. We’re doing good. She’s now comfortable with my presence.”

“Good. Up you go, then. I expect to see her during breakfast.”

“Yes. Good night, Mother.”

On his way up, he saw his younger brother, Caleb.

“Happy for you, man.” They exchanged a grin.

“You’ll meet yours soon enough,” he assured him.

His brother patted his back before entering his own room. Conrad continued walking towards his. He set on the table everything his mother had prepared for Alice. Then, he simply stood next to the bed, watching her face. She was not having a peaceful sleep, that’s for sure. Her face would scrunch up from time to time. After he calmed himself, he moved to lie next to her. His movements were awkward. He was not sure where he was supposed to touch her.

He had one arm on top of her stomach, his hand touching her waist. He cuddled closer to her and pressed a kiss on top of her head. She seemed so small next to him. With her scent surrounding him, he fell asleep in satisfaction.

When Alice woke up early in the morning, she was momentarily startled by his proximity. But somehow, it felt right to her. His presence was calming, a source of comfort to her troubled thoughts. After staring at him for a few minutes, she reached out to embrace his body and sidled closer to him. His scent alone was bliss. Add his warmth to the equation, and she was in heaven.

She felt him move, and then his leg was on top of hers, locking her in place. Such a tangle of limbs, but it was not uncomfortable. On the contrary, it made her feel safe. Protected.

When sunlight began to bathe the room, Conrad stirred in his sleep. He rolled on his back before taking a deep breath. He got a lungful of her scent, and he quickly looked to his side. Her eyes fluttered open, and she yawned. Catching his gaze, she quickly covered her mouth and blushed. It made him grin.

“Good morning, Alice.”

“Good morning,” she mumbled her reply. She quickly got up and went to use the bathroom.

“My mom prepared those things for you. See if there’s anything helpful.” He called after her, and she stopped by the bathroom door. She looked at where he was pointing. After seeing it, there was a smile on her face as she walked toward it. More clothes. Comfortable ones. Shirts and pants. Shorts, too. And, of course, undies. She chose a set and took them with her.

She liked the warm shower, so she spent ten minutes enjoying it. She was not sure when she’d have the chance to use these amenities again, so she’d use them as often as she could while she was still here. The thought of leaving hadn’t left her mind. Though she found her mate here, she was not sure if she wanted to stay. She didn’t want to involve him in her problems.

Conrad went to the room next door and took a shower as well. He promised that they’d look for her daggers, and he meant to do that first thing this morning.

He was ready to go when she came out of the bathroom. She was wearing a white shirt and blue pants. Ah, he forgot the shoes again.

“Wait here for a moment. I’ll get you some shoes.”

He quickly went out, and while he was away, Alice looked around his room. She was not able to do so yesterday. When he left her to sleep, she truly fell asleep.

He returned with a pair of white rubber shoes. He took her hand and guided her through the pack house. There was that undeniable spark when they touched.

“Are we going to the woods?” She’s still anxious about losing her daggers.

“Not yet. Let’s have breakfast first. My mother wants to meet you.”

In the kitchen, her mother was already there. She was usually early at work, overseeing the pack house management.

She approached when they entered the dining hall.

“Hello. You must be Alice. I’m Selena, Conrad’s mom. You can just call me Selene.” Her warm smile and friendly tone lowered Alice’s guard. She was actually reminded of her own mother. She was just as sweet and caring.

Selene gave her a brief hug before directing them to a table. The three of them sat down as someone brought out three plates. They were early, as breakfast didn’t begin until thirty minutes later. Alice felt comfortable with the scarce number of people around them. She would most likely freak out if there were too many people. One reason he brought her here before the others poured in.

His mother chatted with her, mostly asking if she was feeling comfortable or if she needed anything in particular.

“We’ll go and look for her daggers in the forest,” Conrad explained what their next activity was.

“Daggers? You use them?” Selene was intrigued. The young woman in front of her had a small frame. Though, of course, it was also possible that she knew how to fight. Every wolf had that tendency to learn to protect oneself.

“Yes,” Alice replied simply.

“We have daggers in the storeroom, don’t we?” She turned to her son.

Conrad looked at Alice before answering, “Yes, we do.”

“Why don’t you just get new ones? The forest is vast.” Selene suggested kindly. It made Alice uncomfortable.

“My mom gave them to me.” Her voice was small and sad as she kept looking down.

“We’ll find them,” Conrad promised her. Wait, he already promised her last night, didn’t he? Why did he forget about it so soon? He was losing points for trust. She might have thought he was unreliable.

“I see. Of course, you should look for them. Take all the time you need. Do you want me to pack lunches for you?”

“It’s fine. I can find them quickly. I’m sure I have my scent on them,” Alice assured them that it wouldn’t be a timeconsuming task.

“Even so, you don’t need to rush,” Selene insisted, then turned to her son.

“Why don’t you show her around the territory? Have a picnic. I’ll prepare the food.” She smiled at them before returning to the kitchen.

Conrad stared at Alice’s figure.

“Look at me. Keep your head up,” he told her. When she didn’t budge, he reached out and touched her chin with a finger.

“What’s wrong?” He became concerned because of her expression.

“I need potions to conceal my scent, too. You said your pack has them?”

“Yes. We’ll drop by the storehouse. I told you, the borders already conceal everyone’s scent. You don’t have to worry about it.”

“I just want to be doubly sure. I don’t want to risk it.” She bravely looked directly into his eyes. She liked that he was concerned about her.

He smiled at her before lightly caressing her cheek. Her skin was too soft and fair. He decided that he’d ask her questions after they found her daggers. She seemed jittery because of her lost daggers. She didn’t mention last night how important it was to her, but he did think it had that kind of significance.

“You said the daggers were given by your mom? Where is she?” Or maybe he shouldn’t have asked.

Her expression became dark and sorrowful.

“I’m sorry.” He pulled her into a loose hug and caressed her back.

Alice couldn’t stop herself from crying. Her mother’s death was horrifying and terrible. The memory alone could make her tremble from fear. Even now, she was wondering how she managed to run away from that nightmare.

But in a way, she understood it was because her mom protected her. Clung to her killer so he couldn’t go after her immediately. That was enough time for her to leave and run endlessly.

Selene returned with a packed basket to witness this scene.

“What did you do?” She was ready to reprimand her son. You don’t make a lady cry! Even more so when it was your mate!

Conrad winced at his mother’s tone. He silently mouthed the words “her mom” to her.

“Oh . . .” She correctly assumed that her mom was already dead. Death was always going to be the worst experience one could have. No one truly knew how to deal with it. It was different for everyone.

With her presence, though, Alice stopped herself from crying and wiped her face with her hands.

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to cry.”

“It’s okay to cry,” Conrad softly replied by her ear. She shivered a little.

Selene breathed in relief. It was good that she could pull herself together quickly. “Here’s your lunch. Don’t let her go hungry. Also, be careful when you’re on the training grounds.”

“Yes, mom.”

“Does your father already know? Or should I tell him you’ll be away from your duties today?”

“I already informed him.”

“Good. I’ll see you both for dinner.”

“Thanks, mom.”

“Hmm . . .”

“Thank you,” Alice didn’t forget to express her gratitude and stood. They should go now, right?

Selene smiled at her.

“I hope you’ll feel at home here. I would like to welcome you into the pack in advance.” She gave Alice a warm but brief hug.

“Another one?” Selene gladly embraced her again when she saw how she looked disappointed at their parting.

Alice was glad, too. She missed her mom so much.

Conrad kept close to her as they made their way toward the forest. He’s got this prickly feeling in his chest whenever he caught another guy looking at his mate. It was an irritating feeling, but he knew he needed to keep it under control.

Alice noticed his closeness, but it did make her feel safe in this unfamiliar territory. At one point, he grabbed her wrist and held it as they walked. Then, he started telling her the areas in the pack that they’d come across. She looked around and felt a certain level of calm in her heart. This place seemed to have that effect on her. It looked peaceful. It was simple and neat, but that was its beauty.

He tugged her towards the woods they were in yesterday, and she simply followed while staring at him.

She actually found her mate, but what should she do now? Last night, she hadn’t been able to make a decision. It’s a good thing that she didn’t want to let go, but her conscience couldn’t let them suffer because of her. She had to go.

Sensing her feelings, Conrad squeezed her hand and stopped walking. She bumped into him, a clear indication that she was spacing out.

“I’m sorry.” She looked around, unsure why they stopped walking. This wasn’t the place.

“You look sad.” He carefully touched her cheek, and she savored the feeling.

Alice bit her lip. Yeah, she was. She stared directly at him. She would commit his appearance to her memory. She was happy to have simply met him, so she smiled.

Sighing, Conrad asked, “Can you tell me what your situation is? Your companions couldn’t tell us much. All they know is that you’re being hunted. Who’s after you and why are they hunting you down?”

This was the task his father gave him, but he was equally curious. Why would anyone want to hurt his mate? An indescribable anger surged from within him, and she felt it. Her eyes widened, and she tried to pull her hand away.

Conrad closed his eyes and took deep breaths, but he didn’t let her go.

“Sorry. I just . . . I’m angry because there are people who want to hurt you. I won’t let them hurt you. I’ll protect you.”

His words were sweet, but she couldn’t . . .

After she retrieved the daggers, she would ask them for supplies. Then, she would be off. Just like that, she had made her decision. Her heart ached, but it was what she must do.

“Alice?”

“I have to leave. I can’t stay here.”

Her words alarmed him.

“No. You have to stay. This is your home now.” There was urgency in his voice, and he gripped her hand tighter.

Home. That sounded nice.

“I can’t . . .” she told him again.

“Why can’t you?” he pressed for an answer.

Alice shook her head. “I don’t want to cause you trouble. They would attack your pack if I stay here.”

Just thinking about it made her feel so much guilt. Her mother died protecting her.

“We know that part already. And as my mate, do you really think I would simply let you go? I’m going to protect you. My father agreed it’s the right thing to do.”

“It’s too risky . . .” she continued. “Members of your pack could die if they attack.”

“We’ll be prepared for that. We’re not exactly weak.”

Seeing the doubt on her face, Conrad knew he must convince her.

“It’s the Silver Crescent, right? They’re notorious for their strength and brutality, sure, but I can assure you that we can take them on. Won’t you trust me?”

Okay, it might have been too early to ask that from her. They didn’t know each other yet, but here he was, asking her to trust him.

“Alice, you’re my mate. That means you’re going to be this pack’s Luna later on. There are no coincidences to the moon goddess, is there? You’re meant to be here.”

Alice very much wanted to believe his words and rely on him. But could she really?

“Why don’t you tell me the situation first? That way we would be more prepared. We need to know what you know to do that. You can tell me anything, Alice.” He liked saying her name. It still felt surreal to him that he found her after so many years. It was a good thing that he waited until now. The elders had already advised him to choose a mate instead. Thankfully, he didn’t listen.

“I ran away from my pack,” she began after a few minutes of silence as they stared at each other.

He nodded and encouraged her to continue.

“Alpha Walter wants me dead,” she admitted.

Conrad frowned at this. “Why?” Why would that vicious wolf want her dead?

“He . . . he killed my mother. He kkilled his mate. He’s my ffather.” Her voice trembled as she told him the truth.

Conrad inhaled deeply as she finally gave him some answers. So, some of the rumors were true. The guy actually killed his own mate. But that begged the question, why?

The rumors . . . somehow, he couldn’t bring himself to ask her. ‘Are you sure he’s your father? Why would he want you dead if he is?’

The implication would be . . . her mother was truly unfaithful. Then, who was her father?

Alice watched his expression closely.

“They’re saying he may or may not be my father, aren’t they?” she asked in a low voice, her expression turned serious. She considered it, and it could be possible. Otherwise, the man who showed her love for many years wouldn’t just . . . kill his own flesh and blood.

“Your mother didn’t tell you anything?” Since she brought it up, Conrad simply wanted to make sure.

Alice shook her head. Her mother didn’t say anything. She couldn’t even understand how her father could possibly know what the truth was. He came home one night with the intent to murder them. It was horrifying. Remembering that night made her cry, and Conrad was alarmed to see her tears.

“I’m sorry. I promise he won’t be able to come near you. I’ll protect you.” He enclosed her in his arms, and she finally let herself grieve. It had been so long, and she’d been enduring so much.

She cried for a while, and Conrad tried his best to comfort her. He felt helpless with his words. He knew he would truly protect her and keep her safe, but she couldn’t seem to accept it. He could tell she was having thoughts of leaving.

Alice found comfort in his arms. She grudgingly admitted to herself that she liked the feeling. To have someone to lean on . . . but she really didn’t want to trouble them.

She wiped her tears and stepped away from him.

“I’m sorry.”

“You have nothing to be sorry about,” Conrad replied, itching to touch her again.

She turned away from him and asked, “Should we move on? I really want to retrieve my daggers.”

Conrad checked their position and gestured towards a certain direction, “This way.”

As soon as they neared the place, Alice sniffed the air. The daggers definitely had her scent. They were very dear to her, and she slept at night holding them. Conrad picked up the scent as well, but he let her find it. It wasn’t difficult at all. She adorably ran towards the left and slumped on the ground, heaving a sigh of relief.

She’s glad, but her eyes pooled with tears again. She couldn’t bear losing them: her mother’s last gift to her.

“Glad you found them.” Conrad sat next to her, and they stayed like that for a few minutes.

After a while, he extended an arm and put it around her shoulders. He’s glad she didn’t stiffen or anything to indicate she didn’t want his touch. He was even more pleased when she leaned on him.

They enjoyed the companionable silence. Having her this close, he was tempted to kiss her again. It was as if she could hear his thoughts. She looked up at him, and they stared into each other’s eyes. Clearly, there was a pull. He gave in to it and kissed her. He was just about to deepen it when someone called him. He almost growled his annoyance.

“Hey, Conrad. Why are you sitting there?”

He recognized the voice as Wayne’s. He glared when he turned to face them.

“Oh, sorry.” It was then that the newcomers saw the woman next to him.

“We’re on our way for our shift. Guard duty. This isn’t a good place for a picnic, is it?” Wayne noticed the food basket next to Conrad.

The man sighed, tempted to yell at the disturbance. That wouldn’t leave a good impression on her, though.

“We retrieved something she left here last night. We’ll be going near the lake later. Why am I even explaining to you?” The last bit was grumbled out, making Wayne and the others chuckle.

“I’m surprised you’re not roaring at any unmated male that looks at your mate.”

At the mention of this, Conrad’s eyes constricted, and he sharply looked at the others behind Wayne. Aside from him, the others are unmated trainees.

His action made the others tense, and they quickly looked elsewhere. Anywhere but the woman. Wayne was the only one chuckling, but his expression turned serious when Conrad growled at him.

He huffed, “What? I’m already mated. Ah, fine. We’re leaving now. Shift starts in five minutes. Good luck with your date.”

Wayne led the others away, and Conrad turned to see her red face.

“Why are you embarrassed? It’s not as if they know nothing about mates.” His tone was teasing.

Well, he was not wrong. Even she was aware of what having mates meant. The pull between them was not easily ignored. Unless you truly hated the other person, you were most likely to succumb to it.

She didn’t hate him. In fact, she would love to have him as her mate. But she was afraid, and her conscience couldn’t let him and his pack be in danger.

“Should we go to the lake? I guarantee you would like it.” He picked up the basket and took her hand as he stood. She followed quite willingly.

Conrad glanced at her. She was too quiet. What could they talk about?

“Have you seen a lake before?” he asked, unable to think of anything else.

Her lips curved upwards, “Yes, I have.” It was not as if lakes were rare.

“Do you enjoy going on a run?”

Okay, he might have phrased it badly. She’d been on the run for months now. Her step faltered, and he felt it when he had to tug her hand forward as they walked.

“I’m sorry. I meant taking a run in your wolf form,” he quickly amended.

Alice took a deep breath before walking again. “I do. What kind of wolf doesn’t?”

Conrad was glad to see a small smile on her face again.

“Do you want to go on a run? There’s enough space around the lake. It’s a small lake, actually.”

Alice couldn’t help blushing. She had never transformed into her wolf in front of another person, except her mother.

Seeing her this way, Conrad stated, “Don’t worry. There’s a cottage where you can change your clothes.”

Near the lake was a favorite running spot in their pack, so his father allowed the building of a few cottages near it to accommodate the ladies and to serve as a shelter during sudden rains. Not that most wolves minded rains, but some do.

She was relieved to hear this. “Okay.”

They walked for quite a while, and he only managed to ask simple questions.

“What food do you like? I’ll make sure the kitchen prepares them.”

“Please don’t bother them. I can eat anything,” she replied.

“But there must be something you enjoy the most. Does your mother cook?” He kept his tone gentle, not wanting to trigger her. He thought talking about her dead mother was what she needed.

“Yes, all her dishes are delicious. That’s why I can’t choose just one.”

He observed her expression closely, making sure she was fine talking about it.

“I see. My mom’s a good cook, too. But there are a few dishes she can’t do.”

“Is that so?” Well, she herself couldn’t cook much, so . . .

“Yes. Why don’t you tell me the things that makes you happy? You’re in a safe place now. By any chance, do you enjoy cooking?”

The first part of his statement was quite serious, but she chuckled upon hearing his last question. She shook her head.

“I can barely cook, so, no. I don’t enjoy cooking. I like chatting with my mother, though, while she works in the kitchen.”

“Is that right? I’m sure mom would love chatting with you. She’s usually in the kitchen before meal times, helping the others prepare the food.”

“Your mom is nice.” Alice recalled the warm hug she received from the older woman.

“She likes you.”

“I’m thankful.”

“She would love to have you in the pack, as do I.” Here, he made his position clear. He wanted her to stay.

She couldn’t help feeling touched by his words.

“How about you? Do you want me here? Won’t you despise me if someone else gets hurt? Won’t you blame me if they ruin your pack?” There was both despair and hope in her eyes.

It broke his heart to see such an expression on her.

“I’ll surely blame myself if you get hurt. And yes, I want you here. I want you to accept me as your mate.”

She stared into his eyes, wanting to see the depth of his sincerity. He’d shown her nothing but kindness. But still, they’d only met yesterday.

She took a deep breath before shyly looking away. She didn’t know what to say to that.

Conrad decided to give her more time. He understood it wouldn’t be easy for her to trust him when she spent the last few months only relying on herself and others she’d been with.

When they neared the lake, he heard her soft gasp.

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” He was proud of this scenery. It was one of the best places in their territory. Also, it was calming.

The surface of the lake was calm and reflected the mountains beyond. The colors were clear, perfectly simulating a mirror.

Her pace became faster, and she almost skipped toward it, going ahead of him.

He chuckled at her reaction. He was glad she liked it.

Alice also noticed the cute cottages that were situated near the lake. There were several of them. Her gaze focused on the lake and its water surface. She breathed in the fresh air, too. His scent of apples tickled her nostrils. It made her shiver. ‘Mate, huh?’

Still . . . she was embarrassed by the thought of letting him see her naked body. Since she only shifted into her wolf a year ago and she didn’t have much experience doing it, she was not comfortable flinging her clothes away. She knew most men were very comfortable parading their nudity. It was second nature to them. For women, it was completely different, though there were definitely some that were very comfortable with it, too. She was not one of them.

“I think there are extra clothes inside the cottages. But you won’t need them unless you ruin your clothes.” Conrad stood next to her before escorting her inside.

“Are you going to run with me?” She was suddenly nervous. Would he shift with her?

“Do you not want to? I can just watch you from here if you’re more comfortable with that.”

Alice hesitated. She’d be more comfortable, yes. But . . . she was curious about his wolf.

“I think running together would be better, right?”

The way he brightened up was cute. Right, he was definitely much older than her.

“How old are you?” Her eyebrows furrowed. It must have been a rude question, so she quickly covered her mouth.

“I mean . . .” How should she apologize for her slip of the tongue?

“I’m twentyeight. Does that bother you?” He ran a hand through his hair, a little concerned. They had a nineyear gap between them.

“No. I’m just curious. You still look young. Just older than me.”

He was relieved to hear her mumblings.

“Ready to shift? I’ll wait for you outside.”

“Oh, okay.” Why did she even assume that he’d shift with her inside the house? Stupid her, she scolded herself.

The thing was, she was not used to shifting. It took her more time than others. She still felt the pain, but it was now bearable compared to the first few times she did it.

When she was fully transformed, she made her way toward the door and pushed it open. Huh, didn’t she push it as well coming in? It was a nice door.

She found a larger wolf waiting for her. His fur was pure white. She would definitely ask him about it later. Most wolves had black fur or darker shades. White . . . that’s unique.

He gestured with his head and started walking towards the side of the lake. She quickly followed. When she caught up with him, he started a light run. And then, they were playing who ran faster. It was immensely fun.

She knew he was just accommodating her. There was no way she could outrun someone like him. She enjoyed their time playing near the lake very much. It must have been over an hour before they got tired. Well, she was more tired than him. They shifted back, and she wore her clothes again, grabbing her daggers.

There was a built plank, some sort of walkway, near the lake, and Conrad was setting up the picnic there. Alice took a deep breath as she made her way toward him. He didn’t look tired at all.

Conrad glanced at her and smiled. It’d been a while since he had a fun run, and he was happy to have done it with her. Normally, he was preoccupied with his duties and responsibilities in the pack. When he ran with the others, it was for training.

Her wolf was like any other. Dark brown fur. Brown eyes, just like the one he was staring at right now.

She raised an eyebrow when she noticed the different way he was looking at her.

In response, he simply smiled again. He may not have seen anything out of ordinary, something that would make her special or better than any other wolf, but he knew he would treasure her as his mate. He only needed her to exist.

“Are you hungry? Let’s see what mom packed for us.” He assisted her in sitting on the edge of the plank, her feet almost touching the water below.

Alice couldn’t help returning his smile. He did make her feel safe. If only it could last . . .

“I don’t get hungry when I’m tired,” she honestly told him how she was feeling.

“I see. Here, drink this then.” He gave her a tumbler filled with lemonade.

She already drank half of it before realizing there seemed to be only one tumbler. Though she still wanted to drink, she stopped and offered it to him. If he was not thirsty, she would think he was a monster.

“You looked as if you could drink more.” He chuckled and pushed it back to her.

“How about you?” she was bewildered.

“I’m fine. I’m used to running.”

“Still, drink some. You must be thirsty,” Alice insisted.

He stared at her for a while before relenting, “Alright.”

He took a couple of sips, then returned it to her.

Both of them observed the lake. In their wolf form, they could definitely drink directly from its surface. They both chuckled.

He shook his head, wondering why he didn’t check the contents of the basket earlier. Why would his mom put only one tumbler? In a way, it made him see that Alice was not selfish. She was considerate. She did care for others. She would be a kind Luna.

The more he looked at her, the more he wanted her. But he kept himself under control. They ate everything his mother prepared, which wasn’t much. Apparently.

After a few hours of light conversation, in which he told her things about the pack, the sun had gotten very hot against their skin. It must have been lunchtime already.

“Do you want to head back? Or stay a while longer?” Conrad asked her, and she contemplated.

“Can we come back here?” She liked this place.

“Of course. Any time you want. It’s not restricted. I can come with you if I’m not busy.”

Alice nodded. “Let’s go back, then.”

She helped in packing the basket, and they walked back.

“Do you want me to show you around?” Though he told her what she would find in the pack, it was not the same as seeing them.

Alice hesitated. “Can I rest for a while?”

He noticed the way she seemed to wince while asking. “Of course. I should’ve known you would be tired. How long has it been since you last had a fun run?”

“Almost a year?”

“Back in your pack?”

“Yes.”

He didn’t like her answer. It made him think of her situation. Could he probe now? They needed information from her, after all.

“Haven’t had the chance to run since you left?”

She shook her head as she pursed her lips.

“You managed to survive for months, though. That’s something. How did you do it?”

Alice sighed. She knew they would ask her these questions, but still . . .

“Do you want to rest first? I’m sorry if I’m making you remember those unpleasant memories.”

“It’s fine. I know you have to ask.”

Conrad remained silent as they continued to walk.

Conrad could feel her pain. He went to take her into his arms as she cried again. Alice found comfort, something she hadn’t felt in a long while. It was nice to be near him. To be with him. To be in this place. But could she really stay?

“I’m sorry about what you had to go through.” Conrad didn’t have the words. He tried to comfort her the way he knew, pressing kisses on her hair and rubbing her back.

Alice wanted to continue telling him what happened. There was an odd sense of relief that came from letting it all out. She clung to his arms as she told him the rest.

Conrad switched to caressing her hair, not interrupting her.

“Later, when I came across other wolves, they said they heard about what happened in our pack. The Luna was murdered by the Alpha. He changed. He has tendencies to be unreasonable, but when it comes to my mother, he would usually listen to her. She was the one who . . . she . . .” Alice couldn’t find the right words, and Conrad patiently waited.

“If it wasn’t for her, he would’ve abused the whole pack already. I knew he could be arrogant and merciless, but . . . with my mother around, he was never like that in front of us. With her gone, I knew the pack would only get worse. What I heard from others, it was as much as I could imagine. He’s really . . . I won’t ever forgive him.”

Conrad had been in a few battles before, but he hadn’t experienced losing someone very close to him. Pack members that his father was currently responsible for, sure. But he hadn’t felt much from their deaths. He understood it would be different when deaths arose from his own decisions. It was something he would have to go through eventually, but he was not sure if he was already prepared for it.

“You’re here now. I would protect you. You would be safe here.” How many times had he told her this since yesterday? It was starting to sound empty, even to his own ears. How was he going to convince her to stay?

“Alice . . .” He pushed her back a little so they could look at each other in the eyes.

“I know we just met, but we have this bond between us. I hope you can trust me. You’ve experienced a betrayal, I understand that. But I hope you would give me a chance. Give us a chance to be together. You already have my heart. I waited for you for a long time. Now that you’re here, I wouldn’t be able to bear letting you go. So, please . . . please stay.”

Alice stared at him. She could sense his feelings. He was nervous. She could feel his sincerity. His words touched her deeply. She badly wanted to believe him, yes.

But this morning, didn’t she tell herself that she would leave?

Conrad didn’t press her for a reply. He kissed her forehead and they walked back to the house. There were people on the way, but she seemed distracted and not ready to meet anyone, so he excused themselves as he escorted her to his room. Well, their room.

He left her there after a while, telling her to think about what he said. He needed to see his father. What he learned wasn’t much, things they could’ve speculated based on the rumors going around.

His father was starting to gather more factual information about Alpha Walter of the Silver Crescent Pack. His past wasn’t good. There was a period of time when he seemed tame, but now he’s uncontrollable.

“We’re going to keep Alice here, right?” Conrad wanted a direct answer from his father and alpha.

“Of course. You’ll be in charge of her.” The situation they were in wasn’t pleasant, but they couldn’t turn the girl away. His son waited nine years for his mate. He refused to choose one of his own. He wanted the one the goddess had chosen for him.