Locked With The Alpha

Chapter 3

Jade was already standing with her parents, their figures silhouetted against the soft glow of the rising sun. The air was crisp, carrying the scent of pine and damp earth, the familiar comfort of home. But home was exactly what she would be leaving behind.

Her mother reached out, her calloused hands cupping Jade’s face with a tenderness that belied the strength in her grip. “Now, you know you must be careful with every word, every action,” she murmured, her voice thick with worry. “That place is not our land, not our rules. You must tread lightly, even when you feel sure of your footing.” Her thumbs brushed gently over Jade’s cheekbones, as if memorizing the shape of her daughter’s face. “It will be lonely here without you. Too quiet.”

Jade swallowed hard, her throat tight. She had faced down rogue wolves, hunted monsters in the darkest corners of the forest, and stood her ground against warriors twice her size. But the thought of leaving her parents, of stepping into the den of the Blossom Blood Pack, sent a shiver down her spine.

Her father stepped forward, his broad frame blocking out the rising sun. His voice was gruff, but his pride in Jade was unmistakable. “She was raised by two warriors,” he said, his tone leaving no room for doubt. “She knows how to read a battlefield, how to weigh her choices. She won’t falter.” His eyes, sharp and knowing, locked onto Jade’s. “Trust your instincts. And remember—you are a daughter of the Sky Crystal Pack. Act with honor, but never forget that your first loyalty is to your own survival.”

Jade nodded, her fingers flexing at her sides. She had been trained for this, prepared for moments where the line between ally and enemy blurred into something dangerous. But her father’s words settled over her like armor, a reminder of the strength she carried within her.

Her mother turned away for a moment, rummaging through a small, worn satchel before pressing it into Jade’s hands. “Take these,” she said, her voice dropping to a whisper. “I know your heat has never come, but…” She hesitated, her gaze flickering with concern. “I’d rather you be prepared. Just in case.” Jade opened the pouch, her eyebrows lifting slightly as she took in the contents. Basic necessities—herbs, salves, the tools of a warrior’s trade—sat alongside a small, unmarked vial. She didn’t need to ask what it was. The scent of the suppressants was unmistakable, bitter and sharp. Her mother’s meaning was clear: Push it back. Stay in control. Do not let yourself be vulnerable there.

Jade’s fingers closed around the vial, her grip tightening. “I don’t know how long we’ll be gone,” she admitted, her voice barely above a murmur. “Alpha Grey didn’t say. It could be days. It could be longer.” The uncertainty gnawed at her, but she pushed it down. She couldn’t afford to dwell on it now. “But I’ll be careful. I promise.”

Her mother pulled her into a tight embrace, her arms wrapping around Jade like a shield. “Come back to us,” she whispered fiercely. “No matter what, you come back.”

Jade stood in the warm glow of her childhood home, the scent of pine and hearth smoke wrapping around her like a second skin. Her parents stood before her, their faces etched with the kind of love that only comes from a lifetime of devotion. She was their only child, the sole heir to their legacy, the living embodiment of their hopes, their fears, and their unyielding pride. The weight of that love settled deep in her chest, a quiet fire that burned away any lingering doubt. She would not fail them. She could not.

Her mother’s hands cupped her face, thumbs brushing gently over her cheekbones, as if memorizing the shape of her daughter one last time. Her father stood just behind, his presence a steady, unshakable force, his arms crossed but his eyes soft with affection. Jade swallowed hard, her throat tight. “I know,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. “I will be back soon.” The words were more than a promise—they were a vow, carved into the air between them. She would return. She had to. Only her parents were ever the ones who could make her shed a tear.

The morning sun spilled over the pack’s territory as Jade stepped out of the house, her parents walking beside her like silent sentinels. The path to the main entrance stretched before them, lined with the familiar sights and sounds of home—the rustle of leaves, the distant murmur of pack members stirring, the scent of earth and pine filling the air. But today, every step felt heavier, every breath more deliberate. Today, she was leaving—just for a while is what went through her head.

Alpha Grey and Eamon were already waiting at the entrance, their figures stark against the golden light of dawn. Grey stood with his arms crossed, his expression unreadable, though his stance radiated the quiet authority of a leader sending his warriors into the unknown. Eamon, however, was a study in disinterest. He didn’t so much as glance in Jade’s direction, his gaze fixed somewhere in the distance, his jaw set in a sulky line. It was clear he considered this trip little more than an inconvenience, a waste of his time. His boredom was practically a living thing, radiating off him in waves.

Jade’s fingers flexed at her sides, her instincts screaming at her to shake some sense into him. But she held back. She had long since learned that Eamon’s defiance was a wall he built around himself, one that no amount of scolding or reasoning could easily dismantle. Instead, she focused on the path ahead, on the weight of her parents’ love still lingering on her skin like a blessing.

The elders of the pack had gathered, their voices low as they murmured their goodbyes to their own children, their blessings and warnings weaving through the air like threads of an unseen tapestry. Jade could feel their eyes on her, the weight of their expectations pressing down on her shoulders. She was not just a warrior today. She was a representative of the Sky Crystal Pack, a symbol of their strength, their honor, and their future. Far more than what Eamon has ever shown in the pack.

Grey stepped forward as they approached, his gaze flicking between Jade and Eamon. “You know what’s at stake,” he said, his voice low but carrying the weight of a command. “Do not forget it.” There was no need for further words. The message was clear, etched into the silence that followed.

With a final nod from Grey, the two of them were dismissed. A jeep had been prepared for the journey, its dark exterior gleaming under the morning sun. There was no need to waste their strength shifting into their wolf forms, not when the road ahead was long and the stakes were high. Jade didn’t hesitate. She moved toward the driver’s side with the natural confidence of someone who had long since decided that Eamon was not to be trusted with anything as important as a vehicle.

The door creaked as she pulled it open, the scent of leather and oil filling her nostrils. She slid into the seat, her fingers wrapping around the steering wheel as if it were an extension of herself. Eamon followed, flopping into the passenger seat with all the enthusiasm of a wolf being led to a vet. He didn’t even bother to buckle his seatbelt, his arms crossing over his chest as he slouched down, his gaze already fixed out the window.

Jade turned the key in the ignition, the engine roaring to life beneath them. The vibration hummed through her fingers, grounding her. She took a deep breath, her eyes flicking to Eamon for just a moment. “So,” she said, her voice cool, her tone carrying the weight of a thousand unspoken lectures. “Will you behave when we get there?” She didn’t bother to hide the edge in her voice, the one that said, “I’m not your mother, but I will treat you like a misbehaving pup if I have to.”

Eamon scoffed, the sound sharp and dismissive. He didn’t even look at her. Instead, he turned his face further toward the window, his expression a mask of boredom and irritation. “Whatever,” he muttered, though the word was barely audible over the rumble of the engine.

Jade did not bother once more, she had grown up dealing with his attitude. They had a long while before they reached the Blossom Blood Pack.