Her Return As An Alpha

Chapter 30 : Alpha Redhart Is A Woman

Drew Greyson sighed internally, his eyes fixed on the clouds in the distance. He had spent the last two days convincing the stubborn mortals that the recent rogue attack was due to a freak natural calamity, and not because the forest animals wanted to take over the world. He had spent time, effort, and money in publicizing and planting fake witnesses, yet some of them insisted that there was something supernatural at bay. They were right, but they shouldn't know that. He was used to doing such dealings before, but the other four Alphas who usually shared such duties were commanded to aid the investigation instead.

Not to mention the warm voice tattling unnecessary and undesired gossip on the side.

Drew was a minute away from throttling his Beta. Tarren Greene had taken over his father's role barely a year ago, and while the young Beta was excellent at his job—sharp, strategic, and dependable—he had one infuriating flaw: he wouldn’t stop talking.

Tarren loved to gossip, relishing in the scandals and tidbits of information that made their way through the pack and beyond. It was a habit that even his father, Marcus, had found tiresome. Despite retiring, Marcus still often reported to the Alpha, likely as much to escape his son's endless chatter as to offer guidance.

Tarren was currently on a particularly long-winded tangent about some scandal involving a neighboring pack’s Luna and an affair with a high-ranking official. His voice buzzed in Drew’s ear like an irritating mosquito that wouldn’t be swatted away.

“And can you believe it, Alpha? The Luna of the Ironclaw Pack—yes, that one—she was caught sneaking out of the Beta’s quarters in the middle of the night. Of course, the Beta’s mate found out, and now there’s this whole mess with the council. They say it could completely destabilize their alliance with—”

Drew barely registered the words. His mind was elsewhere, analysing the attacks of the rogues. They were getting more ruthless and rebellious, and despite knowing that they had the aid of dark magic which prevented them from getting caught, Drew raged within as his fingers momentarily elongated into claws. He had visited the destroyed regions to detect and seize all communication devices, but the plan backfired as he fumed silently.

As they passed through one of the decimated packs, the scent hit him like a punch to the gut. He froze mid-step, his wolf howling within him, straining against the confines of his control. It was impossible. He had convinced himself that he would never smell her again, that she was gone from his life for good. And yet here it was, faint but unmistakable—jasmine mixed with morning dew. It was a fragrance that had haunted his senses for months, one he used to crave more than anything in the world.

It had been so long since he’d been near her, yet the memory of it was as potent as ever. A scent that had once filled his dreams now invaded his waking hours, taunting him with what he had lost. The scent of his mate, the girl with jade-green eyes that had once stared up at him with such trust, and red hair that had cascaded down her back like a waterfall of flames.

Drew closed his eyes, letting the scent wash over him, memories flooding back. Her laughter, soft and shy, the way her cheeks flushed whenever he met her after they had found out that they were mates.

“Alpha?” Tarren’s voice cut through his reverie, jolting him back to the present. Drew blinked, his vision clearing to find Tarren watching him with a mix of curiosity and concern. “Are you alright? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

Drew shook his head, forcing himself to focus. “It’s nothing, Tarren. Just a… a scent in the air.”

Tarren’s eyebrows shot up. “A scent? Out here? You don’t think the rogues are still around, do you?”

Drew’s jaw tightened. Maybe sensing her presence here meant that she was one of the rogues who attacked the pack. He didn’t want to admit the truth, even to himself. The idea that Liana could be here, that she might have somehow been involved in the attacks, was a thought too painful to bear. Yet the alternative was no better—if she had been among the shifters in one of these packs, it meant she was dead. And if she was dead, then everything he had done, all the sacrifices he had made, had been for nothing.

“I’m not sure,” Drew said finally, his voice rough. “But we need to be careful. Double the patrols around the area. I want to make sure no one slips past us.”

Tarren nodded, his usual talkative nature subdued by the seriousness in Drew’s tone. “Right away, Alpha. I’ll get the men on it.”

As Tarren turned to relay the orders, Drew let out a slow breath, his headache pounding in time with his heartbeat. He couldn’t shake the image of Liana from his mind, the way she had looked the last time he had seen her, eyes wide with hurt and betrayal as he turned his back on her. He had told himself it was for the best, that she would be safer without him, but now…

Now he wasn’t so sure.

Drew ran a hand through his hair, frustration gnawing at him. “Damn it, Liana,” he muttered under his breath, his voice barely more than a whisper. “Where the hell are you?”

Tarren’s voice broke through his thoughts once more, though this time it was quieter, almost hesitant. “You know, Alpha… if you ever need to talk about anything, I’m here. I mean, I might talk a lot, but I’m a good listener too.”

Drew managed a faint, humorless smile. “Thanks, Tarren. I’ll keep that in mind.”

But as Tarren walked away, Drew couldn’t help but feel more alone than ever. The scent of jasmine lingered in the air, taunting him, and he wondered if he would ever be free of it—if he would ever be free of her.

Drew’s sharp gaze caught sight of an unfamiliar figure standing near the remnants of the Alpha's mansion, talking quietly with some of his men. The man was elderly, his posture slightly hunched but still dignified. He wore a long, weathered coat, the edges frayed, and a wide-brimmed hat that cast a shadow over his face. Something about him seemed out of place amidst the ruins, and Drew’s instincts flared with suspicion.

Frowning, Drew strode over, his footsteps crunching over the debris that littered the ground. His men noticed his approach and stepped back respectfully, leaving the stranger to face the Alpha alone. The elderly man turned toward Drew, his expression calm, but there was a knowing gleam in his eyes that put Drew on edge.

“Who are you, and what business do you have here?” Drew demanded, his tone cold and authoritative.

The man offered a slight bow, a gesture of respect. “My name is Seamus, Alpha Greyson. I’m here on behalf of Alpha Redhart.”

Drew’s eyes narrowed. “Redhart? What does that upstart want with this place?”

Seamus didn’t flinch at the insult, his face remaining impassive. “Alpha Redhart sent me to collect a few items, mainly some of the treasures that the late Alphas of these destroyed packs cherished.”

Drew’s jaw tightened. “Treasures? You mean to tell me that Redhart sent you here to loot the dead? After everything that’s happened?”

Seamus met Drew’s gaze evenly, unphased by the accusation. “It’s not looting, Alpha Greyson. It’s preservation. These items hold great value, not just in gold or jewels, but in what they represent to the packs that have been lost. Alpha Redhart believes that they should be protected. Besides, she has to take inventory. We are yet to deduce the reason why these packs were attacked.”

Drew crossed his arms, his expression hard. “Or maybe Redhart just wants to add to her collection. What’s to stop her from keeping these so-called treasures for herself?”

Seamus sighed, as if he had expected this reaction. “I understand your skepticism, Alpha, but I must warn you—this isn’t just about material wealth. There are darker forces at play here. Alpha Redhart has reason to believe that the Alphas of these packs didn’t simply die in battle or were taken hostage. There’s a possibility that they fell victim to dark magic.”

Drew’s scornful snort echoed through the broken remains of the mansion. “Dark magic? You’re saying the Alphas were killed by some witchcraft? That sounds like a convenient excuse for Redhart to swoop in and take whatever she pleases.”

But Seamus didn’t back down. His expression grew serious, almost grave. “Alpha Greyson, you must be careful. I’m not here to argue or defend Redhart’s actions. I’m here to pass on a warning. If there is dark magic involved, it could mean that these items are cursed, or worse, that they’re being used as beacons for something far more sinister.”

Drew felt a chill creep down his spine despite his best efforts to maintain his composure. “And why should I believe anything you say? What proof do you have?”

Seamus shook his head slowly. “I have no proof, not yet. This is all just a theory, a suspicion that Alpha Redhart has shared with a few other Alphas. But consider this—why else would the Alphas of these packs disappear without a trace? Why would there be no signs of a struggle where they were last seen, no indication of where they might have been taken? It’s as if they simply vanished.”

Drew was silent for a moment, processing the information. He wanted to dismiss it as nonsense, as just another ploy by Redhart to gain more power or wealth. But there was a nagging feeling in his gut, a sense that there might be some truth to Seamus’s words.

“And these treasures,” Drew said slowly, “you’re saying they could be tainted?”

Seamus nodded. “The more valuable the item, the more risk there is. That’s why I’m here, to take them somewhere safe, where they can be examined and, if necessary, purified. Alpha Redhart believes it’s better to be cautious than to leave these items here, where they might fall into the wrong hands.”

Drew’s eyes narrowed as he considered Seamus’s words. “And where exactly is this ‘somewhere safe’?”

Seamus offered a small, enigmatic smile. “That’s not something I can disclose, Alpha. But rest assured, these items will be in good hands.”

Before Drew could press further, Seamus glanced up at the sky, noting the position of the sun. “I’m afraid I must take my leave now. I’ve already stayed longer than I intended.”

Drew watched as Seamus took a step back, his form shifting in the blink of an eye. The elderly man was gone, replaced by a sleek, gray wolf with sharp eyes and a wiry frame. With a final nod to Drew, Seamus darted into the woods, disappearing into the underbrush with a speed that belied his age.

For a moment, Drew stood there, his thoughts racing. Dark magic? Cursed treasures? It all sounded too fantastical, too absurd to be true. And yet, there was something in Seamus’s demeanor, something in the way he spoke, that made Drew uneasy.

As he turned back toward the mansion, another thought struck him like a bolt of lightning. “Alpha Redhart… is a woman?”

The realization left him momentarily stunned. He had always assumed that Alpha Redhart, known for her cunning and ruthlessness, was a man. But Seamus had spoken of her with a respect that suggested otherwise. Drew’s mind raced with questions, but before he could dwell on them further, the implications of Seamus’s warning came crashing back.

If there was any truth to what Seamus had said, then the threat they were facing was far greater than he had imagined. Dark magic wasn’t something to be taken lightly, and if it was involved, then every pack, including his own, could be in grave danger.

Drew clenched his fists, determination hardening in his chest. He needed answers, and he needed them fast. But first, he would make sure his pack was safe. Whatever was coming, he would face it head-on, just as he always had. And if Alpha Redhart was involved in any way, he would make sure she didn’t get away with whatever game she was playing.