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

As the sun began its descent, casting a warm golden hue over the training grounds, Alora's frustration reached its peak.

She couldn't shake off the feeling of irritation that had been building up all day. Tyra's attempt at mediation had only served to agitate her further.

"Why? What exactly is wrong with them getting along with each other? You're not being a very nice friend to Howland, that is for sure. So, you must give him some space to enjoy someone's company, alright?"

Tyra's words echoed in Alora's mind, but they provided little solace. Tyra's attempts to calm her down backfired, and she ended up agitating her even more.

"Oh, okay. I must need to apologize. I'm simply going to quit talking right now, sorry?”

Alora didn’t utter any word making Tyra more confused. Both of them stood there and observed as the two guys as they piled the wood next to the burgeoning fire.

Howland had a joyful time interacting with the other male members of the pack who were constructing the fire.

"Alora, why don't you just give him a chance?" Tyra said in a low voice. "It's Nuit de feu, come on," she prompted her by tugging on her arm. "Come on, Alora. Loosen up a little, will you?"

“Alright, fine!” Alora said as she finally gave in and slipped her arm through Tyra’s.

She was incapable of being angry for an extended period of time or of refusing Tyra's huge brown puppy dog eyes.

"Okie, dookie! That’s more like it! Tonight is going to be a lot of fun! For sure!” Tyra broke out into singing. Axel arrived at her side at that moment.

"Axel, were you involved in any way with this situation? Are you both trying to get me out of here?” Alora inquired in a commanding tone while retaining a trace of a grin.

"No, Ma'am," Axel responded in a hasty manner, while shaking his head. As he said this, he started wrapping his arm over Tyra’s neck and ruffling her hair.

"Honestly, I thought Tyra was going to bite poor Matteo's head off!"

"Almost, almost! Well, you see, he did challenge my position, didn't he?" Tyra whimpered and smoothed her hair as she touched her head. "He said I wasn't good enough. That fucker!" she complained.

“Tyra…” Alora comforted her, "You'll always be my head guard as long as you're capable of taking down a big tough Alpha, so don’t feel bad about it. It’s too petty.”

In the future, Alora would need to have a discussion about it with Matteo. She would under no circumstances put up with this level of disobedience and disregard for her authority.

"And how long is it going to take?” Axel joked, "I bet even if you competed against our Alpha, you wouldn't be able to win."

“Haha! Are you challenging me now?” She chuckled and said, "You don't know me very well."

"Of course, I do! I know you better than you know yourself, Tyra baby," he smirked, and she jabbed him in the ribs.

However, he grabbed on tighter and smushed her into his chest, and then, they kissed. After they had finished kissing one other, Alora stepped forward to allow her pals some space to themselves.

They couldn't have been more different from one another, yet they worked so well together after they got over their differences.

Alora made her way over to the gathering around the fire that was just starting to take form. Even when it had already risen a height of six feet, the men continued to pile twigs and wood upon it.

Families were arriving from all different locations, with women and mothers bringing food for supper, and little children running and playing tag with one other, as well as others kicking a ball in an impromptu game of soccer.

That was one of the things that Alora appreciated about these evenings. At least once a month, everyone would put aside their disagreements and problems, as well as the regular sources of tension among the pack, and simply have fun.

Around the crackling fire, they’d have a dinner together, sing a few songs, and trade tales of terror with one another; and of course, toast some marshmallows.

Alora arrived to the gathering as they were gathered around the fire, and as she did so, she gazed at the kindling and pondered whether or not it would ignite properly.

“Hey!” When she heard the booming voice, she got a bit taken aback.

"Oh, hi," she gazed up into his warm brown eyes and a sincere smile. She couldn't help but return his smile. There is no way to get around him.

"It should be a fun night. Well, it seems to be," Howland uttered, as he dusted the twigs off of his hands.

"Of course, it usually is," she said with a nod. Suddenly, she found herself unable to speak, and she fumbled about, trying to think of anything clever or humorous to say. She could not understand why, but all of a sudden, she felt uneasy when she was near this person.

Every previous time, all she had done was dispute with him, and in comparison, to this situation, it seemed rather simple.

Oliver came to her rescue just in time to prevent her from either yelling at him or stammering to him.

"Alpha Alora! Howland should have informed you about our upcoming camping trip, right?" Oliver inquired all of a sudden.

Her gaze flitted across to Howland for a moment before it settled on Oliver. She stated it with ice in her voice while placing her fists on her hips.

"Yes, I did hear something about an unauthorized trip through my territory," she stated.

Oliver immediately lost all of his excitement and stroked the back of his neck after coming to the conclusion that he was in serious danger. "Uhm, ah, well…" he said, stuttering.

Alora, for some inexplicable reason, recalled Tyra's advice to give the person a chance and to have pleasure in the evening.

She sent one more glance in Howland's direction before hurriedly remarking, "But well, don't worry about it. Simply let me know the next time, all right?”

"Yes, we will do that next time!" Oliver grinned with pride.

"Alright, you should’ve seen the..." his voice trailed off as a throng gathered around to listen to some weird tale as Alora turned to the voice at her elbow.

"Alpha Alora, here… this is your favorite dessert—an apple pie!"

"Oh, wow, thanks Arlene," as she beamed a grin at the kind lady and her mate Tomy, who had approached her and placed his hand on her waist.

“I'm looking forward to it!" She said as she rubbed her tummy. Alora grinned as they walked to set it on the dessert table, and she followed after them smiling.

"Greenstein, that's my absolute favorite spot," Howland suddenly uttered.

"Hey, that's my favorite, too," Alora exclaimed happily. After making a loud exclamation, Alora glanced up, and her sight immediately met that of Howland.

Her seemingly unexpected participation in the discussion caused him to show a moment of astonishment, but then his expression relaxed into a grin.

As the heat raced to her cheeks, she instinctively bowed her head, instantly conscious of what he had said and how she had reacted to it.

She had sworn she wouldn't have anything in common with this guy, yet here he was, admiring her favorite area on her turf. She could sense that his eyes were still on her, so she moved to look at something else in an effort to divert her focus.

Tyra could be seen around twelve yards distant, holding hands with at least three kids as they all attempted to drag her down to the ground.

Tyra took great joy in playing with the younger children, and the sound of their giggling could be heard all around them.

After picking up one of the kids and blowing on his stomach, which caused him to scream and giggle, Tyra slung him over her shoulder and began to run about the other pups like a demented kiddy monster. It was a hit with the youngsters.