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

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?