Her Alpha’s Secret

NOVA Blood… It’s everywhere… splattered across the gravel ground, clinging to my fur, and dripping off the body of the naked man before me. Large gashes run across his chest as he falls to his knees. Still, he gives me a defiant look. He knows he can end this. With one simple phrase, even just a bow of the head, he can save not one but two lives. Yet he remains as prideful as ever. Everything around us fades away. I hear the distant scream of my mother pleading with me not to do this, and my sister crying hysterically, yelling my name. But everything else is a blur. My own heart feels like it stops beating for a few seconds before I lunge forward and rip out his throat. When I look up, I see myself in the large window of the packhouse beside me. My pale wolf is unrecognizable from the amount of blood on me. I shift, breathless and trembling, human once more, staring down at the mangled corpse of my father. *** My eyes snap open, my lungs burning as I gasp for air. I swivel my head when my bedroom door suddenly creaks. Leon steps inside and walks straight towards me. Sitting beside me on the bed, he pulls me into his chest. A large hand rubs soothing circles on my back as he waits for my breathing to steady. When the nightmares started at the age of twenty-one, not once did he question me. Three years of this, and he still doesn’t. He never judges, or pries. He just holds me close, grounding me as my storm settles. Calloused fingers brush through my sweaty curls when he silently pulls away and gives me a comforting kiss on top of my head. He disappears down the hall, and moments later, I hear the kettle filling with water. I drag myself to the bathroom, going to the basin to splash cold water on my face. Gripping the counter, I scan my reflection. Wild green eyes stare back at me, framed by unruly dark brown curls. A nose dusted with freckles is a stark contrast to my pale skin. A werewolf with freckles… Damn genetics. I scoff. If only we were as the legends portray us. Just imagine—perfect tanned skin, glossy hair, and our wolves, different entities, whispering wisdom in our heads. But no, we’re just animals with genetic imperfections, wild hair, and no extra voices guiding us. Just our own messed-up thoughts, emotions, and instincts. Things we have to fight to control. I step out of the bathroom when I hear Leon returning to my room. He places a warm mug of chamomile tea into my hands. ‘Thank you,’ I murmur telepathically, my voice echoing in his head, and I offer him a weak smile. “Anytime.” He whispers. His brown eyes are warm as a soft smile tugs at the corners of his mouth. He gives my shoulder a little squeeze. I cross to the window, staring down at the pack grounds, while Leon takes his leave. From the top floor of the packhouse, the grounds of the Arcane Pack are laid out in front of me like a map. The world is bathed in silver, the air electric with the moon goddess’s magic. Tonight, on the night of the full moon, is the only time werewolves can find their fated mates. I haven't found mine yet, but that's fine. He could be anywhere in the world, and I am in no rush. I think it’s fair to say, I’m a bit of a mess right now. I feel a flutter of nerves in my stomach when the sound of tires crunching over gravel snaps my attention downward. A sleek black limousine glides through the large pack gates, flanked by two Range Rovers. The Alpha family of the Oracle Pack has finally arrived. They park in front of the Arcane Alpha's hall. The car doors swing open, and the first to step out are the Alpha and Luna. I’m hit with a wave of nostalgia when I study their faces. They don’t look a day older than the last time I saw them. I smile as I remember standing in their mansion as a child, my sister Raven at my side. The two of us dragging mud across their pristine floors. Our parents were always travelling, avoiding their responsibilities, avoiding us, so Raven and I were left in the care of another Alpha’s family. Alex and Nate’s family. We were supposed to be guests, but really, they raised us. How many times had Luna Isla scolded us for sneaking sweets before dinner? How often had Alpha Charles given me a look that said, "Control yourself, Nova," when I got into yet another wrestling match with his sons? And the boys… I often wonder how they turned out. Those carefree boys who played at being warriors, who swore to always have my back. Nate was so bright and full of energy. Always dragging me into some ridiculous game or challenge. Alex, quieter but no less mischievous, rolling his eyes before inevitably joining in. Alex, who was beautiful even then. Now, as they step out of the car… Damn. Nate Weston still has that quiet charm. His blonde hair falls just past his shoulders, and his light blue eyes are warm. A smile plays on his lips. But Alex... Alex Weston is something else entirely. His golden-brown hair is tousled like he’s been running his hands through it. It’s short at the sides, with longer curls on top. A strong jaw, with a hint of stubble shadows his sharp cheekbones. And those steely blue eyes seem to glow beneath the full moon’s light. I watch him surveying the pack grounds like he owns them. And my body remembers him before my mind can catch up. The older boy who tackled me into mud puddles, smirking as he held me down just to hear me curse. The teenager who filled out with broad shoulders and muscle. His teasing turned heavier, and his gaze lingered just a little too long. His touch burned hotter. I bite my lip, thinking back at him. He had girls throwing themselves at him, but he always did focus his suggestive remarks on me. We were raised like siblings, which only made the attraction feel more forbidden. But he always made it clear that he doesn’t play by any rules, and damn, did that make me want him even more. I had a crush on him for years. A silly, desperate, all-consuming crush. Back then, I told myself it was just a phase. That when we were forced apart, I would forget. That time would dull the ache. But time did nothing. Because now he’s standing there and my body is reacting like it never forgot a single thing. Goddess. I’ve heard the stories. The Weston womanizer. The Alpha-Heir who doesn’t do relationships. Women cycle in and out of his life like seasons, but he never stays. He never commits. The man is the ultimate flirt. A heartbreaker. Alex takes what he wants and leaves before dawn. The way he leans in when Beta Talia speaks to him, the smirk that tugs at his lips—it's effortless. Like a game he’s mastered. As I keep watching him, like a damn stalker, my pulse suddenly skyrockets. My every nerve ignites, and my stomach tightens like someone punched me. My breath catches in my throat. No. No, it’s just an attraction, I tell myself. Just nostalgia. Nothing more. But his head snaps up, and his gaze locks onto mine. That sexy smirk fades. His chest rises in a sharp inhale. Then, for a split second, his fingers curl into fists at his sides. Shock flickers across his face. His eyes change into the glowing dark blue of his wolf's eyes. The ground tilts beneath me. No. No f*****g way. Mate. One of the warriors speaks to him, and he turns away. I shove away from the window, as my hands tremble. My heart pounds so loudly I swear the whole packhouse can hear it, but I don't care. I don't care about anything other than going to him. I take the stairs two at a time, rushing through the front door until I’m outside. The cold night air bites at my overheated skin, and my gaze flickers back to the Alpha’s Hall. He’s in there. So close. I take one step forward, then stop. Every instinct demands I run to him, to confirm what I already know. To feel his touch. My fingers twitch at my sides. But I can’t just storm in, desperately throwing myself at him like a lovesick pup. Hell no. We haven’t seen each other in years. He probably doesn’t even remember me that way. He might not even recognize me. Goddess, that would be humiliating. I force myself to turn away. Because if I go in there now, I won’t be able to stop myself from touching him. ‘No rules, little wolf… Keep pushing me, and I'll make you admit you want this just as much as I do.’ His seductive voice fills my head. His words from long ago once again cloud my thoughts. And goddess help me, I can't wait to come face to face with him. But first, I need to calm my thoughts. Turning on my heel, I sprint into the forest. Shifting mid-stride, I welcome the wind rushing past me, and through my fur. But no matter how fast I run, I can’t outrun that moment. The way everything inside me screamed to have him. Of all the wolves in the world... why did it have to be the one who could ruin me?