The Alpha Algorithm

Taking a Wife

~ Caleb ~

I jumped, my wolf instincts flaring before I recognized the scent.

It was none other than Lyra, my Prime Beta — steadfast, dependable, and ever-diligent, who had been my right hand for as long as memory served, expertly managing my legal affairs.

She was the blade I’d wielded, the shield I’d hidden behind... and currently, an unwelcomed stalker.

“Lyra,” I exhaled, flicking on the lights. “What are you doing here?”

My beta stood from the leather armchair, arms crossed. In the harsh fluorescent light, the bags under her eyes were more pronounced than ever.

“Waiting for you, obviously. Where the hell have you been?”

I ran a hand through my hair, buying time. How could I possibly explain what had happened?

That I’d abandoned our crucial project to chase after a woman whose scent had driven me half-mad with desire?

“I... got held up,” I managed lamely.

Lyra’s eyes narrowed.

“Don’t give me that, Caleb. If anything had happened to you, the entire Polaris pack all over the globe would be out for my blood. You can’t just disappear without backup!"

“I know, I know,” I conceded, holding up my hands in surrender. “But I’m fine. Really. Now, please tell me you have good news about the lawsuit.”

Lyra’s expression softened slightly, but I could still see the worry etched in the lines of her face.

“I’ve finished studying the case,” she said, her tone all business now. “The hearing is set for noon today. TechNova is pushing hard with their accusations.”

My stomach dropped. “Damn. What exactly are they claiming?”

“They’re alleging that Lunaris is involved in, and I quote, ‘X-Files level experimentation,’” Lyra explained, her voice tight. “They’re citing unexplained energy signatures from our facilities, unusual employee behavior, and our secretive nature as evidence. They’re demanding a full investigation and access to our research.”

I felt the blood drain from my face. “They can't possibly know about—”

“No,” Lyra interrupted, shaking her head. “I don’t think they know about the werewolves or Project Prometheus. But they're getting dangerously close. We need to be careful.”

I nodded, my mind already formulating strategies. “Alright. We’ll need to prepare a strong defense without revealing our true nature.”

Lyra tossed a file onto my desk. “That’s our defense. Go through it.”

She leaned in close, her voice dropping to a whisper. “Caleb, I think we might have a mole. You need to watch your every move. I’ve started keeping tabs on all our employees.”

I felt a chill run down my spine.

“Thank you, Lyra. I don't know what I'd do without you.”

She turned to leave, but then paused, her keen eyes catching the slight movement of my hand. “What's that?” she asked, nodding towards the business card I’d been absently fiddling with.

The silence stretched between us. I hesitated.

But no, not Lyra’s. She’s one hell of a snoopy b***h, her raised eyebrow told me she wasn’t going to let this go.

“Fine. I met someone tonight.”

“Someone?” Lyra echoed, her voice giving way to curiosity.

I fished the business card from my pocket, tossing it onto the desk between us.

“Elara Winters,” I said.

A slow smile spread across Lyra’s face.

“Winters? Don’t tell me our alpha is getting involved with another Winters?”

Another Winters? It just occurred to me.

“I don’t know. But I intend to find out.”

Lyra’s expression turned serious. “I can see where your distraction is coming from.”

Her tone was sarcastic.

“And, if this woman is such your huge distraction we need to run a background check... Atleast to make sure you’re safe.”

Without a word, Lyra strode to my computer, fingers flying over the keyboard. In seconds, information about Elara filled the screen.

“Elara Winters,” Lyra read aloud. “Daughter of Robert and Helen Winters, both declared mysteriously missing eight years ago.”

I froze. “Helen Winters? The same Helen who worked for Lunaris?”

Lyra nodded, her face grim.

“The very same.”

“But she never mentioned anything about having a child in her forms.” I tried to recount.

And of course, none I could remember.

“...and we got carried away by her expertise to have done a proper background check.” Lyra hinted.

I nodded, my mind racing as I processed Lyra's revelation. The name Winters echoes in my head, stirring up long-buried memories and half-forgotten conversations.

Helen Winters... one of our brightest researchers, and now her daughter has stumbled into my life.

Coincidence? I think not.

“There's more,” Lyra interrupted my thoughts. “Caleb, you need to see this.”

I leaned in, scanning the information on the screen. With each line, my chest tightened further. Elara’s medical records showed anomalies that couldn’t be explained by human genetics. Her eyes... god, her eyes...

“She's not entirely human,” I whispered.

Lyra’s gaze met mine, understanding dawning. “You felt it, didn’t you? When you met her?”

I nodded, unable to put into words the electric connection I’d experienced. “It was like... like finding a piece of myself I didn't know was missing.”

Lyra raises an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at her lips.

“Sounds like someone’s been bitten by the love bug.”

“It’s more than that,” I growl, frustrated by my inability to articulate the depth of what I felt.

“She’s... different. Her eyes, Lyra. They glowed.”

That gets her attention. Lyra’s head snaps up.

"Glowed?” Her expression, a mix of shock and disbelief.

“Like... one of us?”

I shake my head. “I don’t know. Maybe. But if she is, how could she not know? And if she’s not... what the hell is she?”

“Lyra,” I say, my voice low and urgent. “I need everything we have on the Winters family. And I mean everything - not just the official records, but any notes, memos, or personal observations from when Helen worked here.”

Lyra’s fingers fly across the keyboard, her brow furrowed in concentration. “On it, boss…”.

A chime from the computer pops. Lyra's eyes widen as she scans the screen. “Caleb, you need to see this.”

I lean over her shoulder, my breath catching as I read the file. Project Prometheus wasn’t just about creating hybrids - it was about awakening latent wolf genes in humans with the right genetic markers. And according to this, Helen Winters had been working on refining the process.

“Holy s**t,” I breathe. “Do you think...?”

Lyra nods slowly. “It’s possible. If Helen was experimenting on herself, or if she…”

“If she used it on her own daughter,” I finished, a chill running down my spine.

The implications are staggering. If Elara is carrying activated wolf genes, she could be in danger - from herself, from other wolves who might sense her difference, or from humans if her nature is discovered.

“Damn!” I muttered.

This wasn’t just about attraction anymore. She’s now become my topmost responsibility.

At least, if it’s the little I can do to honor the memory of her mom.

I straightened up, decision made. “Send out the announcement. But Lyra... make it clear, I am taking up a mate."

Or should I say... a wife? As the humans understand.

Lyra’s eyes widened slightly at my outright decision, but she nodded.

“Understood, Alpha.”

As she turned back to the computer, I pulled out my phone. It’s late - or early, depending on how you look at it - but I can’t wait. I needed to hear her voice, to make sure she’s safe.

I dialed the number from her business card, my heart pounding as it rings.

Once, twice...

No replies.

I dropped a text.

"We need to talk. - CS"