The Alpha Return

ONE: The Bond That Won't Die

"The bond didn't break so much as it learned to bleed differently, a phantom limb that still ached on nights when Valerie forgot she was supposed to be a widow."

FLASHBACK

Five Years Ago

ALPHA KNOX VALOR’S POV

“Settle down and line up!” I yelled at my warriors as we prepared to face a rogue coalition at the Battle of Blood Moon Pass.

A group of rogue wolves had been causing trouble in the Moonfang territory, stealing food and killing weaker wolves.

Deep within the forest, a massive black oak tree stretched endlessly toward the sky, its thick branches forming a sort of protection from the night flies.

Soon, a scream split the night like a blade. Before the alarms could be raised, I was already moving.

My warriors ran against the muddy floors of the Blood Moon forest as the wind howled with every step they took.

My mind sharpened instantly, I could hear every sound and my wolf could smell every scent. We had trained tirelessly for this day and the only thing that kept me going was my mate, Valerie.

Dozens of wolves poured from the shadows. They were very thin, and their eyes glowed yellow with mad rage.

My warriors, gripping their weapons and mercenaries, were ready to strike.

“Alpha, do we strike?” my beta asked through the mind link.

I didn't answer immediately, I was studying them, their movements, and weaknesses. They looked really strong.

“No, we wait for them to strike first” I replied, unwavering.

I could feel Valerie’s anxiety through our bond and I just wanted to assure her that I would return.

The first rogue struck, and Amidus, my wolf, gave me speed, strength, and power. I drove my fists into the rogue’s skull and his body dropped lifelessly to the ground. Soon, they all came.

My blade sliced through them with vicious rage. Every strike, movement, blow was measured. I moved with precision.

“ALPHA!”

A warrior emerged from the battlefield, his face was covered with blood.

“They're breaking through the northern ridge.”

The northern ridge protected the route back to the kingdom, and if it fell, everyone back home would be vulnerable.

“Gather the third division. Everyone fall out.”

The warrior nodded.

Soon, a masked rogue who appeared stronger and bigger than the rest drove his blade through my shoulder.

Pain surged through me and my body burned with pure fury.

“I’m sure you've heard of me, Alpha Knox Valor. I've been looking for you.” He laughed grimly.

Could this be the masked rogue leader, “The warden”, that has been said to end Kingdoms?

“You’re the warden” I said.

“Correct and I need you for a special mission” he said.

“A special mission? You're nothing but a filthy rogue”

Power surged through me and I shattered his left arm with a brutal kick. I grabbed my sword ready to kill him but then he raised one hand and dark energy exploded instantly.

The force struck me and pain erupted through my body.

“ARRGH” I screamed as my bone cracked and blood filled my mouth.

I could hear my soldiers shouting.

“Protect the Alpha!”

“Fall back!”

My head spun and the world titled sideways.

“I’m sorry, Valerie.”

Six months later

VALERIE'S POV

Six months of searching.

Six months of leading patrols to the Bloodmoon Pass, scouring the forests beyond, interrogating captured rogues. Six months of me waking each dawn and reaching across the bond, finding only that same frozen silence.

I stopped sleeping in our bed after the third month. The scent of him—pine and storm and something that was just Knox had begun to feel like t*****e. I curled instead on the floor of his study, surrounded by his war maps, his half-finished correspondence, the dagger he'd left on his desk because he always forgot to put it away.

The pack mourned under the full moon. Grey clouds hung low and heavy as if the moon Goddess was aware of the weight of the loss. The memorial ceremony of my mate, Alpha Knox Valor, was indeed very sorrowful. I stood with tears flowing freely from my eyes. I had barely slept or eaten for six months.

My fists clenched as I tried to fight the pain I felt. I had to be strong for my pack.

Knox's body was never found but I felt it through our bond that he was still alive.

It was my turn to speak.

I moved to the podium where the moon flowers burned softly and pyres were arranged in a ring form as a form of reverence to Knox.

The pack was filled with sorrow and grief.

“My mate was a very courageous warrior.” I began, my voice shaking. “He always protected the pack with everything in him. He was selfless, a great leader, and the best mate I could ever ask for.”

I could hear cries from the crowd.

“I love him so much and I know he's somewhere watching us right now. He will forever be loved and remembered. As the Luna of this pack, I promise to do everything within my power to bring my husband's killers to justice and protect this pack.”

There was silence.

As I stepped down from the podium, I suddenly realized I couldn't feel anything through the bond. I collapsed to my knees, gasping, while the pack rushed to catch me.

"Valerie? Valerie!"

Then darkness hit me and I collapsed.