The wife he gave away

Untitled EpisodeChapter15

Questions I didn't like

Alpha Alaric rarely summoned people without a reason.

That was one of the first things every member of the pack learned about him. He wasn't the kind of Alpha who enjoyed wasting time. He didn't call meetings simply because he was bored. He didn't invite people into his office for casual discussions. Every conversation had a purpose. Every order served an objective. Every minute of his day was planned with a level of discipline that most people found intimidating.

That was why I felt slightly uneasy the moment his messenger arrived at my workplace.

The request itself wasn't unusual, but the timing was.

I had been reviewing inventory records for the patrol units when the warrior approached my desk and informed me that the Alpha required my assistance with a matter involving old border reports. The task sounded straightforward enough. In fact, it sounded so ordinary that I initially dismissed the strange feeling settling in my stomach.

Looking back, I should have paid more attention to that feeling. Not that it would have stopped me from appearing before Alpha Alaric. Nobody says no to him.

The packhouse stood as imposing as ever when I arrived. Warriors moved through the grounds with practiced efficiency while various officials entered and exited the main building carrying stacks of documents. The place practically breathed authority. It always had. Some Alphas ruled through fear. Others ruled through charisma. Alaric ruled through competence. Everything around him seemed to function with mechanical precision. Including the people.

A servant escorted me directly to the Alpha's office.

I knocked once.

A deep voice answered immediately.

"Enter."

The office looked exactly as I expected. Organized. Clean. Efficient. Not a single item seemed out of place. Large windows overlooked the training grounds while bookshelves lined one wall. Several reports occupied the massive desk near the center of the room.

And behind that desk sat Alpha Alaric. Even after all these years, his presence remained difficult to ignore.

He didn't need to raise his voice. He didn't need to growl. Didn't need to remind anyone who he was.

The authority simply existed, natural and unavoidable.

He looked up briefly as I entered. "Dominic."

I bowed respectfully. “Alpha."

Without wasting time, he slid several folders across the desk. "I need these reviewed."

He sounded simple and direct. Exactly what I expected.

For the next hour, we worked through old patrol records, supply reports, and territory assessments. The task itself wasn't particularly difficult. Mostly verification. Cross-checking dates. Confirming signatures. Identifying inconsistencies. The kind of work that required patience more than intelligence.

Throughout the entire process, Alpha Alaric remained focused. Professional. Silent.

Nothing unusual happened, which was probably why I relaxed.

By the time we finished, I was convinced my earlier concerns had been completely unnecessary. I gathered the completed documents and placed them neatly on his desk.

"Everything appears accurate, Alpha."

He glanced over the final page before nodding. "Good."

I stood. The meeting was clearly over.

Or so I thought.

I had almost reached the door when his voice stopped me.

"Dominic."

My hand paused on the handle. Immediately, a strange tension returned. Slowly, I turned around.

"Alpha?"

Alaric leaned back slightly in his chair. His expression remained unreadable, but there was something different about his posture now. Something less formal. Not relaxed exactly. Just... conversational.

Which somehow felt more dangerous.

"Sit."

The single word surprised me enough that I obeyed without thinking.

Several seconds passed, yet, the Alpha said nothing. Neither did I. The silence stretched longer than was comfortable.

Then, unexpectedly, he asked a question.

"How is your family?"

I blinked. For a moment, I genuinely wondered if I had heard him correctly.

My family?

Of all the topics I expected from Alpha Alaric, that one ranked near the bottom of the list. Still, questioning him wasn't an option.

I cleared my throat. "They're well."

The Alpha nodded thoughtfully. No immediate follow-up came. No explanation.

Just another silence.

Just when I thought he was satisfied with my response, and would let me go, he asked another question.

"Your son is doing well at the academy?"

I felt myself relax slightly. That question made more sense.

"Very well."

He nodded, smiling knowingly.

"I've heard he's intelligent."

Pride immediately surfaced despite my confusion.

"He is," I replied quickly.

The compliment pleased me more than I wanted to admit.

Kael had always been special. Bright. Curious. Quick to learn. Every parent thought their child was exceptional, but in Kael's case, I genuinely believed it.

The Alpha folded his hands together. "And your mate?"

The question caught me off guard again. This time, however, the surprise felt different. Sharper. More uncomfortable.

I forced myself to maintain a neutral expression. "Seraphina is fine."

Another pause. Another thoughtful look. The Alpha seemed to be studying me. Not openly. Not aggressively. But enough to make me aware of it.

"Fine?"

I nodded. "Yes."

His gaze remained steady. “That's good."

Something about the exchange bothered me. I couldn't explain why. The conversation itself remained harmless. Perfectly ordinary. Yet each question felt oddly specific… as though he wasn't actually interested in the answers… only my reactions.

The realization made me increasingly uncomfortable.

The Alpha looked toward the window briefly before speaking again. "She volunteers at the academy often."

It was not a question, but a statement.

I nodded carefully. "She enjoys helping children."

"Elias speaks highly of her."

That surprised me, but I tried not to show it.

The Alpha rarely discussed his son with anyone. The fact that he brought Elias into the conversation felt significant.

"She's always been good with children."

The statement sounded natural enough… true enough, because it was true.

Whatever problems existed between Seraphina and me, motherhood wasn't one of them. No one in the pack could honestly criticize her devotion to Kael, not even me.

The thought produced an unexpected stab of guilt, but I pushed it aside immediately.

The Alpha studied me for several moments. Then he asked another question.

"How long have you and Seraphina been together?"

I stared. The question wasn't inappropriate. It wasn't even particularly personal. nd yet, it immediately made my stomach tighten.

Something about this conversation had shifted. I could feel it.

"Almost eight years."

The Alpha nodded slowly. “That's a long time."

"Yes."

His fingers tapped lightly against the armrest. A small movement, barely noticeable. For some reason, it made me nervous.

"You must know her very well."

The statement sounded innocent, but I wasn't convinced it was. Still, I answered carefully.

"I'd like to think so."

The Alpha's expression remained impossible to read. Then he said something that surprised me more than everything else combined.

"She's stronger than people realize."

The observation came quietly, thoughtfully, almost as though he were speaking to himself.

I didn't know how to respond, because he was right.

Seraphina was strong, far stronger than most people gave her credit for. The realization made something uncomfortable twist inside my chest.

Before I could dwell on it, he stood. The movement immediately ended whatever strange atmosphere had settled over the room.

Finally, the conversation was over. Relief washed through me as I rose as well.

"Was there anything else, Alpha?"

For a moment, he simply looked at me. Then he walked toward a cabinet positioned near the far wall. After opening it, he retrieved a small box. Not large. Elegant. It was wrapped carefully.

My confusion returned immediately.

The Alpha closed the cabinet and turned back toward me.

"I need a favor."

I straightened instinctively. "Just say the word, alpha, and it shall be done."

His gaze settled on the box, then on me.

And finally, he spoke.

"Send for your wife."

I frowned slightly. The request made no sense. Not yet.

The Alpha noticed my confusion. If he found it amusing, he didn't show it. Instead, he held out the box.

"I have a gift for her."