Reclaiming My Beloved Alpha

Edeline 

I closed my eyes, letting the gentle breeze wrap around me. It was a calming embrace from nature, a quiet moment of peace.

I pictured his face in my mind, every detail vivid. Even from a young age, there'd always been this connection between us, a bond I couldn't ignore.

The conversation I'd just had with Percival left me feeling overwhelmed. My mind was a whirlwind of questions, and the weight of my own destiny felt almost too heavy to bear. With that in mind, I figured it was time for my second shift ever.

My wolf was getting pretty antsy in the back of my mind, just dying to let loose all that built-up energy. When I saw Tatiana and heard her harsh words, it really got to me. She couldn't get enough of hunting down that pregnant she-wolf and getting back at us, just like before. But I wasn't going to let that happen. It was challenging, but I managed to control my wolf and give her some space to let loose and relax.

Percival's words, though, offered a sliver of hope.

"I won't bother to mark her."

A statement that might make any woman smile, but I shouldn't even be in this position. By now, I should have his mark. 

There was hope, sure, but it was tangled with frustration. I was angry at him for expecting me to wait, as if I should just sit by and watch another woman's belly grow. He's one of us, and I wanted him. It wasn't just about waiting; it was about eliminating the competition. Percival's suggestion to sit back and see how things unfold only made me more frustrated. Who did he think I was? I wasn't about to let my wolf confront Tatiana, but I also wasn't willing to settle for being someone's second choice.

I understood he couldn't control what happened between them, but that didn't stop the anger from bubbling up inside me.

I was furious with the she-wolf who had unwittingly ensnared my male.

I didn't have to dwell on my emotions anymore, always pretending to be strong while hiding behind my chestnut hair. There was no need to feel embarrassed.

It wasn't something to be ashamed of.

It belonged to him.

It belonged to her.

I couldn't keep hiding forever. Eventually, I'd have to face my family and friends.

During the two weeks I'd locked myself away, my parents had been coming to my room regularly. I knew they were aware of my presence, but I couldn't bring myself to face them. I didn't want their sympathy.

My dad, the Alpha's Beta, was well-respected within the pack. But instead of celebrating, he was grappling with deep hurt, especially because of how the Alpha's son had treated his mate-my mother. I couldn't bear to see the sadness in their eyes or deal with their sympathy.

I remember clutching a pillow over my face, trying to muffle my sobs as my parents gently coaxed me to come out. "Edeline, please, just talk to us," my mom's voice was filled with concern. "We're here for you."

"Just give me some time," I whispered into the pillow, my voice choked with emotion. 

They eventually backed off, realizing I needed space. "We're here whenever you're ready," my dad's voice was heavy with sadness. I hadn't seen anyone in the last couple of weeks, except for Darius and now Percival.

I was struggling to cope with the intense heartache and the growing resentment towards the she-wolf and her family. My friend didn't avoid me; he was actually interested in me, though it seemed like he was being nudged to do the right thing. After all, it was his pup, and naturally, he wanted to be involved. The puppy would be a blend of both their Alpha bloodlines, promising a powerful lineage.

Wolves just have this natural instinct when it comes to their pups. I couldn't really blame Percival for wanting to be involved. I thought to myself, Well, he's gonna be a parent and an Alpha. He definitely wouldn't just give up on a puppy.

I couldn't fault him for wanting me, either. We were good friends. He never knew I was meant for him, nor did he sense Tatiana's presence. "There's more to this situation than I first realized," I admitted, struggling with the complexity of it all. I couldn't go around pointing fingers at everyone.

Well, I could definitely blame Tatiana for a lot.

"She ruined any chance I had for happiness," I thought bitterly. I wasn't going to wait around and see if she had a miscarriage. "I refuse to be a desperate, scorned woman. I'm not about to sit back and watch him have a puppy with someone else while I wait in the shadows. No way."

But my heart still yearned for him. Urgently.

My thoughts and emotions were at odds, and my inner strength was being pushed to its limits.

The weight of it all made me feel utterly drained. It was just too much, more than I could possibly unravel on my own. "This kind of heartbreak is too much for someone my age," I thought, the sadness wrapping around me like a heavy blanket. I was supposed to be with him, to share a life together. Instead, he ended up with someone else, even having a child with them. The thought pierced through me, leaving a dull ache. "He helped make it happen, so now he has to face the consequences," I muttered to myself, trying to push the bitterness aside but feeling it cling to me nonetheless.

Maybe anger was my only savior, Tatiana.

It would keep my heart from withering and my soul from disintegrating.

I didn't want to feel so vulnerable, so exposed, avoiding the scrutiny of others.

It wasn't my fault. I was just an innocent bystander in this mess.

As I watched sunlight filter through the trees, reflecting off the water and rocks, a cool breeze gently dried my tears. No more tears today.

I let my dress slip from my shoulders, the fabric whispering against my skin as it cascaded to the ground, pooling softly around my feet. The cool evening air brushed against my bare skin, sending a shiver down my spine. I closed my eyes, drawing in a deep breath, letting the scent of wildflowers and the salty breeze from the nearby cliffs fill my lungs. Standing there, naked and exposed in the heart of my secret field, I felt a sense of liberation wash over me. I turned my focus inward, feeling the subtle hum of energy within me. It pulsed gently, like the rhythm of the ocean waves below. I let it flow through every part of me, grounding myself in the moment, keeping my mind calm and centered.

I felt a powerful surge of thoughts flooding my mind. My inner wolf was stirring, eager to take control. I let out a loud cry, and as my bones cracked and shifted, I could feel the transformation happening. "It's happening," I murmured to myself, trying to steady my breath. She bounded toward me, joy radiating from her, her tongue hanging out as she reveled in her newfound freedom. Her excitement was palpable, and I felt her exhilaration as she celebrated being released from her cage.