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

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.’