Alpha’s Redemption

Dorian’s Discovery

The satisfying click of my heels echoed through the hall as I made my way out of the packhouse, a smug grin tugging at my lips. My second visit to Rafe’s office had gone better than I could have anticipated. Though the Alpha was guarded, I could feel the simmering tension between us, his sharp gaze tracking my every move like a predator studying its prey.

I hadn’t pushed him too far this time. The last thing I wanted was to give him a reason to shut me out. No, I needed to play this carefully, biding my time while keeping his attention firmly fixed on me.

My wolf purred in satisfaction. This is working. Dorian will see. He’ll suffer.

The thought sent a wave of pleasure through me, but it was quickly tempered by the sting of the past. Dorian and Isla. My sister. My mate. The betrayal still burned like a fresh wound, but now there was something else beneath it—something sharper, fiercer.

Revenge.

I rounded the corner toward my quarters, my thoughts swirling, when I nearly ran straight into Dorian.

“Lena,” he said, his voice clipped.

I froze, startled by his sudden appearance. His dark hair was dishevelled, and his golden eyes—eyes that had once made my heart race—were narrowed with suspicion. He looked like his father in some ways. They both had the same dark hair, but Dorian's eyes were hesitant and belonged to a boy. Rafe's eyes were hard, and his gaze was that of a man's. Rafe didn't need to ask for respect, Dorian always tried to command it. But if you had to ask for it, it wasn't yours to begin with.

“Dorian,” I replied coolly, brushing past him without a second glance.

“Wait,” he said, grabbing my arm.

The touch sent a ripple of revulsion through me, and I yanked my arm free, spinning around to glare at him.

“What do you want?” I demanded, my voice sharp.

“I want to know what the hell you’ve been doing,” he said, his tone low but heated. “You’ve been sneaking around, meeting with my father. Do you really think I wouldn’t notice?”

His words struck a nerve, but I masked my reaction with a smirk. “What I do is none of your concern.”

“Like hell it isn’t,” he growled, stepping closer. “You’re up to something, Lena. I can feel it.”

I tilted my head, feigning innocence. “Feel it? Is that your mate bond talking, Dorian? Oh, wait—you broke that, didn’t you? Hard to feel anything when you’re too busy screwing my sister.”

His jaw tightened, and for a moment, he looked almost ashamed. But the flicker of guilt was gone as quickly as it appeared, replaced by anger.

“This isn’t about Isla,” he snapped. “This is about you sneaking around with my father.”

I laughed, the sound cold and biting. “Sneaking around? Please. I’m not the one who keeps their affairs hidden in the dark.”

“Lena,” he growled, his hands clenching into fists. “You don't know what you are doing. My father is dangerous.”

“Maybe I like that,” I shot back, crossing my arms.

His gaze darkened, and I could see the frustration simmering beneath the surface. It was a small victory, one that sent a thrill of satisfaction through me.

“What do you want, Lena?” he demanded, his voice low. “What’s your endgame here?”

I leaned in slightly, letting my lips curve into a taunting smile. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”

He stared at me, his eyes searching mine as if he could unravel the secrets I was so carefully keeping. But he couldn’t. He wouldn’t.

“You’re making a mistake,” he said finally, his voice hard.

“Funny,” I replied, turning on my heel. “That’s exactly what I thought when I walked in on you and Isla.”

I didn’t wait for his response. I strode away, my heart pounding as adrenaline coursed through me.

Behind me, I heard him curse under his breath, his frustration palpable.

Good. Let him stew. Let him wonder. This was only the beginning.

Dorian’s POV

I watched her go, my fists clenching at my sides. She was different now—colder, sharper. The Lena I knew was gone, replaced by someone I barely recognized.

And yet, I couldn’t look away.

Her words cut deep, each one a reminder of the betrayal I couldn’t take back. I’d made a mistake. I knew that. But this... this wasn’t about revenge anymore. It was something more dangerous, more calculated.

She was up to something, and it involved my father.

The thought made my wolf snarl in the back of my mind. Rafe was untouchable, the kind of man who could crush someone like Lena without a second thought. Whatever she was planning, it wouldn’t end well for her.

I needed to stop her before it was too late.

Turning on my heel, I headed straight for my quarters. If Lena thought she could play this game without consequences, she was wrong.

She wasn’t the only one who could scheme.