The Begging Alpha

Seen

(Bradley)

Bradley barely noticed the lobby at first.

The event center was exactly what he expected from the briefing reports Dylan had sent over earlier that morning—modern, expensive, secure enough for most gatherings but not enough for what next month’s event was about to become. Large glass windows overlooked the city streets outside while staff moved through the building carrying decorations, tables, floral arrangements, and sound equipment. Workers were already preparing sections of the ballroom despite the event still being weeks away.

Brittany walked beside him, tablet in hand while the owner of the center enthusiastically explained future accommodations.

“And over here,” the owner continued, gesturing toward the ballroom entrance, “is where Miss Hale wants the main presentation setup for Freya Silk’s return event.”

Bradley’s steps slowed automatically at the name and as his eyes shifted to the banner.

WELCOME BACK FREYA SILK

The banner stretched elegantly across the ballroom entrance in silver lettering against black fabric. Something in Bradley’s chest tightened painfully. Loss. Because the words looked right. Freya belonged somewhere vibrant like this. Somewhere alive. Somewhere people celebrated her instead of quietly expecting her to shrink herself into silence.

Brittany noticed immediately, without saying a word, she shifted subtly to his left, just enough to partially block the banner from his direct line of sight while continuing the conversation naturally. Bradley appreciated the gesture more than he could explain. He looked away first.

Controlled. Just like he’d been taught.

The owner thankfully moved on from the subject quickly. “Now, Alpha Bradley, I truly appreciate you coming personally for this. Most people in your position would’ve delegated security oversight.”

Bradley straightened slightly. “This event involves children.”

The owner blinked once before nodding quickly. “Right. Of course. And with the recent confirmations…” He motioned toward the security layouts spread across a nearby table. “We have more than enough in-house security for standard operations,” the man explained carefully, “but with two guests in particular attending, I thought additional coordination might be wise.”

Bradley glanced over the papers calmly. “The Queen and Princess Rayla.”

“Yes.”

That changed everything. Not politically. Practically. Royal attendance immediately elevated risk levels. Public attention. Media presence. Crowd density. Potential threats. Especially because Princess Rayla was still only six.

Bradley studied the building layouts silently for several moments. “Royal Guard will likely supplement your existing personnel,” he said at last. “I’ll coordinate directly with both building security and the Royal detail to ensure coverage doesn’t interfere with event flow.”

The owner visibly relaxed. “That would be wonderful.”

Bradley nodded once. “I don’t want anything going wrong during the event.” And he meant that. Not because of publicity, not because of Red Eye’s image, because children would be there, because Princess Rayla would be there, because if anything happened under his watch—No. It wouldn’t.

“Especially with a high-profile guest attending,” the owner added nervously. “This event is likely going national once media hears the Queen herself is appearing.”

Bradley gave a slight nod. “Then we prepare accordingly.”

The owner smiled immediately and extended a hand. “Thank you again for your time, Alpha Bradley.”

Bradley shook it firmly. “Of course.”

He turned to leave—And froze. Freya. His entire body locked the instant his eyes found hers across the lobby and everything else disappeared. Noise dulled, movement blurred, there was only her. Only Freya. Her red hair catching the afternoon light through the windows. Green eyes wide with the exact same shock currently ripping through him. She stood beside Jasmine several yards away near the entrance corridor, completely still.

Goddess...

His wolf surged so hard beneath his skin it nearly hurt.

Bradley’s breath caught. “Freya,” he whispered. It wasn't loud and it was barely audible, but hers eyes widened slightly anyway as if she’d heard it perfectly. For one suspended moment neither of them moved.

Then almost simultaneously—Brittany stepped directly into Bradley’s line of sight. And Jasmine stepped protectively in front of Freya. The spell shattered instantly.

Bradley blinked hard, trying to see around Brittany just as she turned slightly toward him.

“Breathe,” she muttered quietly.

Across the lobby, Jasmine was already moving Freya backward toward the exit. Bradley stepped sideways instinctively—Too late. By the time Brittany moved aside enough for him to see again, Freya had already turned away. Her back faced him now. Red hair flowing down behind her as Jasmine guided her toward the doors and she never looked back.

Bradley stood motionless for several seconds after she disappeared outside. The ache in his chest settled into something quieter. He frowned slightly. Not because she’d left. Because for a second...she hadn’t wanted to. He didn't want her to.

Brittany exhaled beside him. “Well,” she said dryly. “That could’ve gone worse.” Bradley didn’t answer at all as his eyes remained fixed on the doors Freya had vanished through. Then finally he straightened his jacket slightly and walked toward the exit without another word.

Outside, one of the black SUVs already waited at the curb.

Dylan looked up from the driver’s seat as Bradley approached. “Everything go alright?”

Bradley paused beside the vehicle briefly before climbing in. “No,” he said honestly.

Dylan blinked once, a confused look across his face and he shot a look at Brittany like 'What the hell happened?'

Brittany mouthed 'Freya' at his expression and Dylan nodded without a word and started the engine.

Bradley stared silently out the tinted window as the SUV pulled away from the curb, because seeing Freya again hadn’t hurt the way he expected. It had been far worse than he expected.

However...seeing her had felt right. It calmed a war within his heart he hadn't known was waging.