Her Return As An Alpha

Chapter 10 : The Moon Goddess Never Errs

That evening, Drew found himself back in the woods, unable to stay away from the place where he had last seen Liana. The moon was full again, casting its silver light over the forest. He walked slowly, the memories flooding back with each step.

He reached the clearing and stood there, staring at the spot where they had stood together. The night was quiet, save for the distant sounds of the forest. Drew’s heart ached with the memory of her tears, the pain he had caused.

From the shadows, Marcus appeared again, as if sensing Drew’s turmoil.

“You’re here again,” he remarked, his voice gentle.

“I can’t stop thinking about her,” Drew admitted. “I see her everywhere, in everything I do.”

Marcus nodded, understanding. “It’s natural to feel that way. She was your mate.”

Drew clenched his fists, the frustration boiling over. “I should have found a way to protect her, to keep her safe without pushing her away.”

“You did what you thought was best,” Marcus reminded him. “You saved her life by letting her leave.”

"Did I, though?" Drew snapped. "None of the other packs have reported the arrival of a young girl with red hair! Is she even alive? Since I rejected the bond, and I'm an Alpha, I do not feel any pain through the bond. What if she's hurt, Marcus? What if-what if the rogues took her?"

"Young one," Marcus's voice hardened. "Do you wish to repeat the incident where your mother died and your father almost did too after witnessing it?"

"Marcus," Drew glared at him. "Remember your place."

"Would you rather see your beloved mate due while producing you with an heir, rather than let her thrive away from the curse that has befallen us?" Marcus growled. "I do not take pleasure in your misery, but I was young when you were born, and newly mated too. I do not wish for you to experience the fears I felt when I saw a man break at the sight of his burning wife."

“But what if I was wrong?” Drew’s voice broke. “What if I let my fears dictate my actions?”

Marcus placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. “You’re a good leader, Drew. You care about your pack and your mate. That’s what makes you strong. But you can’t change the past. I am doing my best to find an answer to our curse. All you have to do is to be patient. If there is a way out, we will find her again."

Drew nodded, though the pain didn’t lessen. “I just want to know she’s safe. That she’s happy.”

“She’s stronger than you think,” Marcus said. “The Moon Goddess never errs. And wherever Liana is, she’s finding her own path.”

With that, Marcus left Drew alone in the clearing. The night stretched on, and Drew stood there, feeling the weight of his choices. He knew he had to move forward, to focus on his responsibilities, but the ache in his heart remained.

As he made his way back to the mansion, he whispered one last promise into the night. “I’ll find you, Liana. Somehow, I’ll make this right.”

The mansion loomed ahead, its silhouette stark against the night sky. Drew's thoughts were a tempest of regret and longing. He needed to find a way to ensure Liana’s safety, even if he couldn’t be with her. As he crossed the threshold into his room, an idea took root in his mind.

He walked over to his desk and opened a drawer, revealing an old, ornate locket that had once belonged to his mother. It was made of silver, with intricate designs that shimmered in the moonlight. Inside the locket was a small, dried leaf, a keepsake from the ancient tree where his mother had made a pact with a dryad.

Drew had never called upon the dryad before, but he remembered his mother’s stories of its power and loyalty. She had told him that the dryad could only be summoned in times of great need, and Drew felt this was one of those times. He held the locket tightly and closed his eyes, concentrating on the memory of his mother and the bond she had shared with the spirit.

“Dryad of the ancient woods,” he whispered, his voice barely audible. “By the bond of my mother and this token, I call upon you. I need your help.”

A soft rustling filled the room, like leaves brushing against each other in a gentle breeze. Drew opened his eyes to see a figure materializing before him. The dryad was ethereal, her form shimmering like the moonlight on water. Her hair was a cascade of leaves and flowers, her eyes a deep, ancient green.

“Greetings, Drew Greyson,” the dryad said, her voice melodic and soothing. “I sensed your need.”

Drew bowed his head respectfully. “Thank you for answering my call. I need your help to find someone important to me. Her name is Liana Dane, and she’s in danger. I need to know she’s safe.”

The dryad’s eyes softened. “I remember your mother well. She was kind and strong. I will honor her memory by helping you.”

“Please, find Liana and protect her,” Drew pleaded. “She means everything to me.”

The dryad nodded, her form beginning to shimmer and fade. “I will find her, Drew. Rest assured, she will be safe under my watch.”

With that, the dryad dissolved into a flurry of leaves that danced briefly in the air before disappearing. Drew felt a weight lift from his shoulders, a small measure of hope taking root in his heart. He had done what he could to protect Liana, and now he had to trust that the dryad would keep her safe.

As he lay down to sleep, Drew’s thoughts remained with Liana, but there was a newfound determination within him. He would continue to lead his pack and fulfill his duties, but he would also find a way to make things right. The moon cast its silvery light through his window, and for the first time in months, Drew felt a sense of peace.

“I’ll find you, Liana,” he whispered again, just before sleep claimed him. “And I’ll make things right.”

With that final promise, Drew drifted off into a restless, yet hopeful sleep, his dreams filled with images of Liana and the hope of a future where they could be together again.

In a room just a few villages away, Liana stirred in her sleep, her dreams a swirling mix of past and present. The wind rustled through the trees outside, slipping through the slightly open window and billowing the curtains of her cozy apartment. The moon, full and luminous, cast its gentle light across the room, bathing everything in a serene, silver glow.

The moonlight fell softly on Liana's face, highlighting her delicate features, her red hair spread out like a fiery halo against the pillow. It then moved downward, illuminating her collarbone. There, where a Luna’s crescent moon mark should have been, a different mark appeared under the moonlight's touch—a crown.

The crown mark shimmered faintly, its intricate lines and curves unmistakable, signifying her true destiny. This mark was the symbol of an alpha, not a Luna. It was a revelation that no one had known, not even Liana herself.

The winds outside seemed to whisper secrets as they passed through the trees, and the moonlight, as if aware of its revelation, lingered on Liana’s mark, emphasizing the truth it held. The realization, even in her slumber, stirred something deep within her. Liana’s brow furrowed slightly as if her subconscious was wrestling with this newfound information.

Images from her past flashed through her dreams—the relentless bullying, the harsh words of her parents, Drew’s rejection, and her own pain and struggle. But then, her dreams shifted. She saw herself standing tall, commanding respect, her true strength and power finally recognized.

Yet, as the scenes in her dreams evolved, an undercurrent of anticipation took hold. The winds outside seemed to whisper of change, the rustling leaves carrying a promise of trials and triumphs yet to come. Her destiny was weaving a complex tapestry, one that would not allow her to settle into the easy routine she had hoped for.

As she slept, embraced by the moonlight and the wind’s gentle caress, destiny held its breath, ready to reveal the next chapter of her journey.