The Alpha Who Engineered My Murder

Chapter Four: The Falcon’s Flight

I tossed my bags into the trunk, slipped into the leather backseat of the sleek sedan, and pulled the seatbelt across my chest. Before I could even catch my breath, a familiar impulse took over; I scrambled over the center console and threw my arms around the driver’s neck.

A deep, rumbling laugh vibrated against my cheek. “Easy there, passarinha.”

“Uncle Thiago!” I buried my face in his jacket, tears instantly prickling behind my eyelids. “I’ve missed you so damn much.” I clambered into the front passenger seat, breathless. “What are you even doing here?”

Thiago was my father’s Beta—not by blood, but he had been a fixture in my life for as long as I could remember. “You think I was going to let my favorite niece cross state lines alone? Not on your life.”

“Did Dad send you?” I laughed, wiping a stray tear.

“Your father is a chronic worrier, Lisandra. As soon as your mother called him, he handed me the keys to the private airstrip.”

“He didn't have to go to all that trouble,” I muttered, buckling up properly.

“Of course he did. He never sees you enough as it is, and now you’re retreating to our territory for the whole summer? Something is deeply wrong. Talk to me.” He glanced over, his sharp gaze searching my face as he navigated toward the highway.

“I just needed to get away.”

“Why?”

I stared down at my hands, nervously twisting my fingers together. “I’m terrified that my fated mate is waiting for me back home, and... I refuse to be right. I figured if I ran far enough, I could outrun destiny.”

Thiago blinked, accelerating down the slip road. “Since when do you fear a true mate? Every young wolf dreams of that bond.”

“I’ll tell both you and Dad, but not yet. Not while my head is still spinning.”

He sighed, keeping his eyes on the asphalt. “Fine. But I expect the full story.”

“You’ll get it, I swear.” I snapped my head toward the windshield as a sudden swerve threw us toward the shoulder. “Focus on the road, Thiago! You’re going to get us killed!” I lunged over and grabbed the steering wheel, yanking us back into our lane.

“Merda!” Thiago cursed, wrenching the wheel back. He blew out a long breath. “I just worry about you, pup.”

I let out a wet, genuine laugh. Even though wolves stopped aging at twenty-five, making Thiago look barely older than me, he still treated me like a fragile child. “I know you do.”

I settled back against the headrest, staring out at the blurring landscape. “I promise you, what happened... what almost happened... isn't going to make sense right away.” I wiped my face with the back of my hand. “I don't even know why Mom sent me here specifically, other than saying Dad could help me protect myself.”

“Well, let’s hurry up and get airborne so we can figure out what you need, princesa.” Thiago slammed his foot down on the gas, and within minutes, the private airfield loomed ahead.

We loaded my luggage onto the tarmac and boarded the sleek private jet. The cabin was quiet and smelled of leather and ozone.

“Close your eyes, Lisandra. You look like you haven't slept in a week, and we have a four-hour flight ahead of us.” Thiago tossed a plush wool blanket across my lap before settling into the seat opposite me with his laptop.

“Working?”

“Always,” he murmured, fingers already flying across the keyboard.

“Hey, Thiago?” I hesitated, pulling the blanket up to my chin. “This summer... can you teach me pack governance and finance? Really teach me?” A meticulous plan was solidifying in my mind—not just a strategy to evade Matheus permanently, but a blueprint to build independent wealth and power.

Thiago looked up, a warm, proud smile touching his lips. “Of course, passarinha. You know your father would teach you everything if you asked.”

“I asked Mom to let me move here permanently.”

The rhythmic clicking of Thiago’s keyboard ceased instantly. He froze, his amber eyes flashing with sudden, feral intensity. “What did you just say?”

“I’ll explain everything later. Just... please promise me you’ll try to listen without judging me.”

“Always, Lisandra.” He softened, returning his attention to the screen. “Now, get some sleep.”

“Will do.” I turned toward the window, pulling the blanket tight, and exhaustion pulled me under almost instantly.

I woke up to gentle shaking. “We’re on descent, princesa. Wake up.”

I stretched, letting out a massive yawn and popping my jaw before rubbing the sleep from my eyes. “Thanks, Thiago.”

As we stepped off the plane, a flight attendant smiled politely. “Welcome home, Lisandra.” I realized belatedly she was a member of our pack.

“You don't have to call me princesa,” I muttered self-consciously.

“You carry the Alpha’s bloodline,” she replied with a respectful dip of her head before turning away.

“Come on, your father has linked me three times since our wheels touched the runway,” Thiago chuckled, steering me toward a waiting SUV.

Within thirty minutes, the familiar, pine-scented gates of our pack lands loomed ahead.

“Your dad would grant your transfer in a heartbeat if you wanted to stay,” Thiago noted softly as we pulled up to the main lodge.

“I know. But Alpha Dan of my mother’s pack won't just let me walk away forever...” I exhaled a shaky breath. “I suspect he senses I’m running from something crucial, and he won't let me sever ties easily.”

“Are you going to tell us everything now?”

I hesitated, my hand hovering over the door handle. Before I could answer, the heavy wooden door of the packhouse was ripped open. Strong, familiar arms wrapped around me, pulling me into a chest wrapped in a rich, earthy scent that instantly quieted the remaining terror in my bones.

“Dad.”

“Hey there, my little wolf,” his deep, resonant voice rumbled against my hair. Tears pricked my eyes again. “I’ve missed you so much.”

“I missed you too,” I sniffled as he pulled back just enough to inspect my face, his hands steady and warm.

“We have a mountain of things to discuss.” Before I could utter another word, he scooped me up bridal-style and bolted up the steps toward the entrance, leaving Thiago trailing behind.

“Slow down, you lunatic! Some of us aren't blessed with prime Alpha speed!” Thiago barked, huffing as he jogged after us.

My ringing laughter echoed off the timber walls of the grand foyer. We settled into my father’s sprawling private office, where a thoroughly winded and scowling Thiago dropped into an armchair.

God, I missed these two.

“Alright, pup,” my father said, setting me down in front of his desk. “Tell me what broke your world.”

I looked between them, my throat tightening as the memories threatened to choke me. My father reached out, catching my chin in his hand and forcing me to meet his unwavering gaze.

“Nothing you tell me could ever make me love you less, pup. And I will believe every word, no matter how impossible it sounds.”

“Agreed, passarinha,” Thiago added, leaning forward with absolute conviction in his eyes.

The final wall around my heart crumbled. Here, surrounded by unconditional loyalty, I didn't have to defend my sanity. I didn't have to second-guess myself.

Drawing a deep, steadying breath, I finally told them everything.