The New Alpha Stole My Heart

“Who are you?”

Maggie and I glanced at each other as the one-eyed man stared daggers at us. We were currently at Grey Moon’s western border and planning to cross it when this tracker confronted us.

A part of me wanted to run away or fight this one-eyed tracker but I knew for a fact that this would not give us any good. We knew that revealing ourselves in the open like this was like inviting others to prey on us and yet, we still decided to continue. Our goal was to enter the Grey Moon territory and by that, we meant that we have to face the pack’s trackers and warriors.

“I said, who are you and what are you doing here out in the wild?!”

The tracker’s voice raised a little compared to his last query. His face was now flushing while giving us an intimidating stare. He also moved his head from side to side while his fingers slightly moving. Uh oh! The one-eyed tracker seemed to be ready to arrest or fight with us.

Beads of sweat began to form on my forehead. My heart was also banging inside my chest. We have to do something to pacify him or else we will be dead before we could see Uncle Stan. Not that we couldn’t fight this werewolf in front of us, we just didn’t want to attract unnecessary attention from others. Fighting one wolf is one thing and yet, fighting a group of skilled warriors was another level.

“We…We…”

“What’s going on here?”

The sound from another man took our attention. It was Oliver, inching himself towards us. The one-eyed tracker turned around and bowed his head. The gesture made me wonder. Could it be that Oliver was one of the high-ranking wolves in this new pack leadership?

“Sir, I found these two rogues walking around the area. I believe that they were spies who were—”

“They were not.”

“Sir?” His forehead creased after hearing his leader.

“You heard me, boy. They were not rogues and definitely not spies. In fact, these two she-wolves are my friends.” And then, he turned his gaze to us while wearing a friendly smile. “Hello, Aria and Maggie. It’s been a while since we last see each other.”

“H-Hi, Oliver,” I greeted back. Maggie didn’t say anything but waved his hand while smiling back. The one-eyed tracker was even more confused seeing our exchanges of greeting.

“I’ll take these two lovely ladies with me as I go back to the pack. Also, I will tell your team leader what you did and make sure that you will receive some reward. Keep on doing a great job! We need trackers as vigilant as you to keep our borders safe.”

The face of the tracker lit up after hearing it. “Thank you, Sir! I appreciate your kindness!” He even bowed his head, lower than the first one he did earlier, before gesturing his hand to go with Oliver. I took Maggie’s hand before stepping back to the land I avoided for a year.

We walked with Oliver as we continue to inch closer to the place I once called home. Eyes darted on us whenever we encounter a tracker post. But seeing we were walking nonchalantly with one of their own, they didn’t dare to confront us. This gave me peace of mind.

The trees became sparse indicating that we have reached the pack village. Oliver stopped his movements and spoke. “This is the farthest I could take you.”

I heaved a sigh before looking at him. Maggie did the same and said, “Thank you, Oliver.”

He caressed the back of his head. “I am just returning the favor you did for me back in the woods. If not for the both of you, I wouldn’t be here. So I guess we are even, hmm?”

Maggie and I chuckled. Oliver waved his goodbye before going back to his post. A few moments later, we are back on our own. We continued on our journey.

It wasn’t long before we saw the entrance of Uncle Stan’s house. Whatever led us to this situation was way out of the plan. We were supposed to live as rogues for the rest of our lives yet here we are. Fear took over my being as the reality of the whole situation struck me. I shuddered, worrying about how Uncle Stan would react to us coming home. But I can’t show that to Maggie. If she would see even a tiny bit of hesitation, she might end up running back to the woods.

I turned to Maggie. “Are you ready to enter the house now?”.

As if she had a choice, Maggie nodded in agreement. Only this time, I grabbed her hand. She looked at me for a moment indirectly asking what was going on. I smiled at her in return.

“We are in this together, Maggie.” I winked at her. “Do the honors, please.”

Maggie smiled before I saw her put her hand on her right temple. She narrowed her eyes a bit. I could sense that she was mind-linking Uncle Stan. My instinct was proven correct as I saw her father spring out from the entrance door.

Tears started to stream down our faces when we both see him. He looked thinner from what I remembered last time. He also had bags under his eyes, a clear indication of sleepless nights. Poor Uncle Stan! He must have been too worried about us.

“Maggie? Aria?”

“Dad!” Maggie ran toward him, stretching her arms in the process. She wrapped her arms around her old man as tightly as she could. Both father and daughter were bawling as they fell slowly to the ground.

“I’m sorry, Dad! I was a fool for leaving you. What I did was unforgivable. I’m sorry! I’m so sorry!”

Uncle Stan continued to pacify his long-lost daughter. He constantly stroked her back while giving her tiny kisses on the head.

“Hush now, child. Daddy is here. Daddy is here.”

It took them a little while to stay in that position. The sight melted my heart. The two of them had suffered long enough so they deserve every ounce of this tearful reunion. After a while, Uncle Stan stretched one of his hands and turned to me.

“What are you doing there, Aria? Come over here and give your Uncle Stan a hug!”

And I did. Aria scooted over and together with Uncle Stan, they wrapped me in their arms. The long wait was over.

Finally, Maggie and I were home.

*****

The sound of my heels echoed along the footsteps of my family. We were going to the pack house where the inauguration of the new alpha would commence. This was so different from when I went to the pack gathering ages ago. I heard Uncle Stan and Maggie’s chatters as we kept walking to the venue. Meanwhile, I silently observed all the changes that took place in the pack.

There were still cabins made of woods, tall trees, and gardens for every house, and I could see some pups clad in their adorable proper attire. I also caught some stares directed at us with curiosity. I could see that they couldn't recognize me at first glance, but every time they saw Dad and Maggie behind me, recognition flashed to their faces.

It’s been three days since Maggie and I went home. We told Uncle Stan our reasons on how we saw each other in the woods and why we ended up running away. Maggie was still emotional thinking about how her mate deserted her. But to his Uncle Stan’s words, it was never her fault. He also added that maybe, the moon goddess would still shower her grace upon her and would give her another chance at love.

As for me, he often wondered why I didn’t mindlink him when the alpha tried to assault me. I told him that he took me to the pack borders, a place where our mindlinking abilities would not work.

Also, I was too scared to even think straight. Before I remembered to link into his mind, I already crossed the other side and was too far to make a connection.

“Aria, what is my gorgeous cousin thinking? Are you enjoying their attention?” Maggie interpreted my thoughts and casually glanced at the other side, pointing her stares to a group of men curiously staring at us. All of them were good-looking but weren’t enough to keep my attention.

“No, Maggie. I live as a rogue for a year. As if I was interested in any of their attention.”I scoffed. Maggie shook her head and continued walking. Uncle Stan told us today was the Ritual Day, on which the new Alpha would be officially announced and acknowledged in the ball. Everyone in the pack should attend, if not, they would be regarded as disrespectful and not acknowledging him.

“Aria, we are almost there. I can see the ball from here. Are you okay? Are you decided that we'll stay in this pack?” Maggie asked. Then she whispered, “We could still run away from all of this and we could bring dad with us. What do you think?”

I shook my head and breathed a deep sigh. “No, Maggie. We will stay here in the pack. We will acknowledge this new alpha and will give him a chance. Don't worry about me. I will be fine.” Maggie nodded in agreement as we stepped closer to the venue. A few minutes later, we reached the ball.

Attending social gatherings was never my thing. I’d rather stay inside my room and read my books. Unlike Maggie, I didn’t have friends. So when we stepped into the crowd and saw some familiar faces, it was easy for her to blend with them and catch up. Uncle stand did the same to his friends.

Feeling bored, I leaned on Uncle Stan’s ears. “Uncle Stan, when will this ball officially start? I thought we were in a hurry?”

“We are still waiting for the Alpha. He'll be around at exactly nine in the evening.”

“I see,” I answered. Can I stroll around first? I'll be back by then.”

“Alright, just make sure you’ll be back on time.” He gestured for me to go away before Maggie could see me. I shook my head and smiled. Uncle Stan really knows when to give me my privacy whenever I need it.

I found peace in the backyard of the pack house, which was now occupied by the new alpha. I silently walked towards a log that caught my attention and quietly appreciated my solace. However, my newfound peace didn't last when I saw a half-naked man casually walking toward the house. He wore rugged pants. His hair was messy and his toned chest was sparkling with sweat. I retracted my gaze when his deep set of eyes landed on me. I gasped.

Oh, shit! He is drop-dead gorgeous!