Her Return As An Alpha

Chapter 14 : The Golden Arc Pack

Liana’s eyes widened as she entered the streets of the Golden Arc pack’s territory. The layout was familiar yet strikingly different from what she’d known. The houses here were crafted from thick, polished wood, their surfaces gleaming in the fading sunlight. Unlike the Silver Star pack’s brick structures, these homes exuded a natural elegance, each one a testament to the pack’s affinity for the ancient and majestic.

Torches flared at regular intervals along the streets, casting a warm, flickering glow that danced across the intricate wooden carvings. The streets were adorned with colorful jewels and gemstones embedded in the woodwork, sparkling brilliantly in the torchlight. The whole area was a blend of medieval mystery and festive celebration, creating an atmosphere of grandeur and reverence.

"Is it always like this?" Liana whispered in awe. "I feel like I've stepped back a few centuries. It's beautiful."

Lucian walked beside Liana, his hand gently resting on her back as they made their way through the bustling streets. “This is a special time,” he said, his voice soothing. “The seer had a vision of your return, so the pack is preparing for a grand celebration.”

"The pack has a seer? I thought shifters avoided entanglements with witches due to their penchant towards tricks and deceit?"

"Maybe in other packs, but not ours." Lucian smiled sadly, his eyes far away. "Our Luna had witch blood running through her bloodstream. She was a great warrior among the shifters, but she was better at being a potion mistress. She united every white witch in the continent. Those who decided to stay with us for our welfare became the pack coven."

"Oh," Liana nodded, dread coating her skin. She observed how he referred to the previous Luna in past tense. And if Liana wasn't wrong, the same Luna was probably her mother.

"But this- this is too magnificent. It's almost as if the pack do not use technology." Liana gazed at the cozy pack houses with wonder and longing.

"We don't use communicative electronics. The signals interfere with our magic. The rest of our devices are modern and upgraded, but we've retained our old style of decor. It adds refinery, and our pack is unique in that sense."

Liana glanced around, her gaze drifting over the smiling faces of the pack members who greeted her with increasing excitement. It was almost dawn, yet it seemed that none of the people had slept all night. The air was rich with the scent of morning dew, jasmine, and the fresh aroma of turned soil after rain—a scent that was unmistakably tied to her, and to the memory of the previous Alpha.

As they continued, Liana felt the weight of the pack’s gaze upon her. One by one, shifters turned their heads, their eyes wide with awe and recognition. A wave of murmurs and whispers of “Alpha” began to ripple through the crowd. Some bowed their heads in reverence, while others knelt before her, their expressions filled with joy and respect, and a bit of nostalgia too.

"They look at me like they've known me forever," Liana whispered.

Lucian stared into her eyes for a long while. She frowned when he stayed silent. When he finally turned away, his words surprised her. "Of course they would. You are the splitting image of your mother."

Liana’s heart raced with a mix of nervousness and dread. She tried to hide behind the warriors who flanked her, her cheeks flushed with the intensity of the attention. Lucian noticed her discomfort and gently pulled her closer, his touch warm and reassuring.

“You don’t need to be afraid,” Lucian murmured, his voice soft and steady. “They’re your people now. They recognize you as their Alpha.”

Liana glanced up at him, her spine tingling from his touch. His eyes, darkened with a depth of emotion, met hers. The kindness in his gaze was almost overwhelming. She nodded shakily, trying to muster a smile as she relaxed slightly.

As they approached the Alpha’s mansion, the wooden structure loomed ahead, its grandeur evident even from a distance. The mansion was a masterpiece of design, with the third floor completely made of glass, offering an unobstructed view of the sky. The convergence of modern glass against the traditional wood created a striking visual effect.

The manor was built within a vast garden filled with plants, every single one of them complimenting each other and unexpectedly enhancing the vibrancy of the mansion. Flowering shrubs and vines twirled around the gates and pergolas, all the way to the large wooden door, with a path of pale cobblestones.

Lucian guided Liana inside, through the wooden door into the expansive foyer. Warm lights hung from vintage lamps. A large chandelier glittered majestically at the top of the grand circular staircase, although Liana could see that the wax candles had been replaced with electric bulbs. Thick carpets covered the floor along the corridors, their boots sinking into soft fibre as they made their way to the stairs.

The interior of the rooms was just as impressive, with royally minimal themes. Liana was given a quick view of two guest rooms since the other rooms were under the process of cleaning, before she was ushered to the top floor. And her mouth slacked.

The third floor was a marvel of modern design. The glass walls provided a panoramic view of the surroundings, while the wooden floor and furniture added a touch of warmth. Various rooms were visible through the glass partitions: three elegant bedrooms, a luxurious jacuzzi, a pristine swimming pool, two bathrooms with one-way glass, a well-equipped gym, and a trophy room that displayed artifacts and honors of the pack.

They dragged her to the conference room, or the 'war room' as they referred to it. The room was a massive, open area with a stunning view of the pack territory through the glass walls. Below, the pack’s activities seemed almost like a distant, bustling city.

Once they reached the war room, Liana’s exhaustion overtook her. She sank onto the wooden conference table, her body heavy with fatigue.

As Liana slumped onto the table, the shifters moved about casually, attending to their own tasks and conversations. Soft lamps lit along the walls, hidden from sight but providing a cozy glow. Lucian settled into a recliner beside her, his posture relaxed but attentive.

“Take your time,” he said, his voice gentle. “You’ve been through a lot. We’re here to support you.”

Liana looked up at him, her eyes heavy with weariness. “Thank you, Lucian,” she said softly. “I’m not sure how to handle all this. It’s overwhelming.”

Lucian smiled reassuringly. “You’re doing just fine. The pack is eager to welcome you, and we’re all here to help you transition. The warriors respect you deeply, and they’re excited to have you back.”

"But I don't understand why," Liana snorted mockingly. "I am pretty useless."

"You are not," Lucian glared at her. "Don't you know the basic requirements of a pureblood's lineage?"

"I...don't?"

Lucian sighed. "The offsprings of a pack's Alpha, Beta and Gamma need to grow and mature in their pack lands. Their wolves grasp the energy of the pack members and become stronger. Neither were you raised here, nor did you mature into your wolf here. Even worse, you turned eighteen in that blasted Silver Star pack's territory. You need some time to detoxify your body and soul of all that negativity that they've given you. Physically, mentality and spiritually."

Liana was stunned. Was that why her wolf had always been weak?

A soft knock on the door interrupted their conversation, and a tall, elderly shifter with a kind face entered. “Alpha Lucian,” he said with a nod. “Everything is prepared for the celebration tomorrow. The pack is ready to honor their new leader.”

Lucian stood and motioned for Liana to join him. “Let’s get you settled in. We’ll discuss everything you need to know once you get a few hours of sleep and ensure you’re comfortable.”

As they moved through the glass-walled corridors, Liana felt a mix of anticipation and apprehension. The modern yet cozy ambiance of the mansion was a stark contrast to her previous experiences. The combination of wood and glass, along with the pack’s welcoming atmosphere, began to ease her nerves.

Lucian continued to be her anchor, leading her back to the lower levels. He guided her through the intricacies of the mansion, explaining the purpose of each room and how the pack operated. She carefully memorised the routes, avoiding her parents' rooms. She would face them on a sunnier day, but she wasn't ready right then. Lucian's calm demeanor and supportive presence helped Liana start to feel at ease.

“You’re not alone in this,” Lucian said quietly as they stood by the panoramic windows overlooking the territory. “We’ll face everything together. You have a strong team behind you.”

Liana looked out at the vast pack territory, her heart swelling with a mix of gratitude and determination. “Thank you, Lucian. I want to make sure I do right by everyone here.”

Lucian’s smile was warm and reassuring. “And you will. We believe in you, Alpha.”

As the sun began to rise and the greenery around them moved to life, the anticipation of the celebration filled the air. Liana took a deep breath, ready to embrace her new role and the journey ahead. With Lucian by her side and the support of the Golden Arc pack, she felt a renewed sense of purpose and hope.