The Alpha Begs for Second Chance

"It was the Silver Crescent Pack," a man among the group replied. He was the oldest and acted as leader. His answer didn't need any additional explanation. Silver Crescent was notorious for its bad reputation. They were cruel, vicious, and unreasonable. It hadn't been that way from the beginning. It started about five years ago. Their leader turned evil and inflicted pain on anyone who went against him. Several good men tried to beat him, but none succeeded. He was ruthless. Just last year, a piece of news said he killed his mate. It was terrible. The Alpha's name was Walter, and everyone had been wary of him and his attacks on neighboring packs.

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 middle-aged 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...