The White Wolf

Turmoil

“The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new.”

- Socrates

COLE

I felt my heart shatter as I rejected Rose, and yet, it was a decision I believed I had to make. She wasn’t strong enough, and I couldn’t have a weak Luna by my side. The light in her eyes faded, and her smile faltered as the words left my lips. A pang of regret tugged at my chest, but I quickly pushed it aside. She accepted the rejection, surprising me. Maybe I had made the right choice, I convinced myself. She couldn’t offer anything to me or the pack. That’s what I told myself.

But my wolf, Thunder, howled in agony, mourning the broken bond with his mate. He pleaded with me, reminding me that I needed a Luna to become the Alpha. I shrugged off his words, dismissing them. “I can always mark Sophie or another she-wolf if needed. No one needs to know Rose was ever my mate. She wouldn’t have been good for us anyway. Weakness is not what I desire in a mate,” I declared, trying to convince myself of my decision.

“We could have trained her, helped her become strong and an amazing Luna,” Thunder growled, persistently challenging my choice. His words echoed in my mind, but I pushed him away, cutting off the connection. I didn’t want to hear his reasoning. I ran a frustrated hand through my hair, torn between the doubt and the need to stand by my decision.

Weeks passed, and sleep became elusive. My wolf’s cries for his mate drove me to the edge of sanity. I couldn’t bear it any longer. To drown out the pain, I immersed myself in alpha duties, seeking solace in fleeting encounters with women and drowning my thoughts in alcohol. It was a futile attempt to numb the ache inside.

I was startled awake by loud noises, nearly toppling over in my chair. I must have fallen asleep in the office again, caught in the relentless cycle of exhaustion. The sounds of things breaking filled the air, and I couldn’t ignore the commotion. Frustration and curiosity compelled me to investigate. Something wasn’t right.

As I approached the source of the commotion, an Omega barged into my office. Irritated, I snapped at her without thinking, immediately regretting my harsh words. She flinched, and I quickly apologized, recognizing my mistake. She seemed unconvinced but proceeded to stumble through her words, her nervousness evident.

Impatiently, I urged her to get to the point, demanding answers. She finally managed to explain that my Beta, James, was furious and wreaking havoc, shouting and breaking things. Confusion washed over me. What could have triggered his unusual behavior? I commanded everyone’s attention and inquired once more, seeking clarity.

The sight before me was chaotic. Picture frames lay shattered, furniture reduced to pieces, and James stood in the midst of the wreckage, consumed by anger. It was unlike him, as he was typically composed and level-headed. I needed to understand what had driven him to this state. Silence enveloped the room, and I raised an eyebrow, demanding an explanation.

“Well?” I prompted, my tone authoritative. Jared struggled against his brothers’ restraining grip, growling and hissing in frustration. It was clear he wanted to be free to unleash his fury. I pressed for answers, desperate to comprehend the situation unfolding before me.

As Jared’s outbursts subsided, one of his brothers released his hold and produced a folded paper from his pocket. I looked at it curiously, asking them to explain its significance. They urged me to open it, and with a heavy heart, I unfolded the paper and read the words written upon it. The impact was immediate, crushing my soul.

Speechless, I couldn’t allow them to see my inner turmoil. They could never know what had truly transpired.

Regaining control of my emotions, I handed the note back to them, feigning indifference. The others stared at me, astonished by my lack of response and concern. I met their gaze, feigning nonchalance. “What?” I said dismissively, trying to mask the turmoil churning within me. “My sister ran away,” James growled, his pain palpable.

Knowing I had to salvage the situation, I spoke with forced conviction, attempting to ease his distress. “We’ll search for her first thing tomorrow morning,” I declared, casting a sweeping glance around the room cluttered with destruction. “But first, clean up this mess,” I added, swiftly leaving the scene.

Outside, I leaned against the wall, running a weary hand through my hair. I was in deep trouble. “That you are,” Thunder chimed in, his voice echoing in my mind. Weary and burdened by the weight of my choices, I made my way back to the office, dreading the challenges that lay ahead. What had I gotten myself into?