Saving her broken alpha

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REDMOON PACK

TAMLIN

The last thing Tamlin expected was for the Red Moon Pack to send a car and driver for her.

After packing her final suitcase, she went to her leader, Beta Williams, to return her dorm keys and formally sever the pack mind link. For the first time since she’d met him, he had tears in his eyes as he wished her well. Then came the tearful, joke-filled goodbyes with her colleagues, their laughter a bittersweet balm to her heart.

With her luggage in hand, she stepped out of the tracer base. Her gaze swept the area, landing on a sleek red Lexus and a beaming red-haired Omega in a crisp uniform. The stamp on the right side of her chest indicated she was a first-degree driver. Heart beating faster, Tamlin approached.

"Leader Tamlin. I'm Noëlla, your new driver," the redhead said, outstretching her hand.

"Nice to meet you, Noëlla," Tamlin replied, shaking it.

"I've heard so much about you, but they forgot to mention how beautiful you are," Noëlla whispered, collecting her luggage.

Tamlin offered a faint smile. "Thank you. I could have come by myself, you know."

"The Alpha would never allow that," Noëlla said as she loaded the luggage. "He seems quite protective of you. I heard you grew up together? It must have been fun to see the side of the Alpha that others couldn't?" she asked curiously.

Tamlin's heart skipped a beat, her hands clenching. If only you knew what that bastard is really like.

"Yeah," she said, her voice tight. "I'm more like his sister."

Noëlla, sensing the shift in mood, fell silent.

Throughout the drive, Tamlin's mind raced. Why force me back? Why the royal treatment?

"Maybe he had a change of heart," her wolf whispered hopefully.

"If only," Tamlin replied inwardly. But she knew better. Men like Helion didn't change. They valued status above all, even their own mates.

An hour later, they arrived. If not the whole pack, at least eighty percent had gathered for her arrival. The pack's flags and welcome signs warmed her heart. Gamma and beta howls erupted as her car came into view. She barely registered Noëlla telling her they were home.

The door was flung open, and she was swept into her father's arms, then her mother's and brother's. She couldn't help but notice how mature Kallias had become. The familiar, homely scent brought a wave of nostalgia. Then came her best friends, their congratulations and gifts overwhelming her. She understood their pride; being a scent tracer was a dangerous, rare path for a woman, and her success was a victory for them all.

Finally, the crowd parted for her new leader, Anders, First in Command of Scent Tracers in the Red Moon Pack. Known for his discipline, she braced herself. Would he be welcoming like Beta Williams, or would he be the no-nonsense leader she feared?

Stepping forward, he placed his hand on his chest in the customary tracer greeting. Tamlin mirrored him, bowing slightly to acknowledge her new leader.

He took a pendant from a dressed blond Beta behind him and turned back to her with a small smile. "You have made this pack proud, and we have decided to reward you." He paused, his gaze briefly scanning the crowd before focusing back on her. "When the Alpha called a meeting and showed us your academic results, we couldn't help but acknowledge that you are exceptional at what you do. For that reason, you will begin as a Level Grade Two Tracer in this pack."

Tamlin's jaw nearly dropped. A Grade Two position required five years of field experience. As her family and friends erupted in cheers, he placed the blue tracer pendant around her neck. The weight of it was both an honor and a chain. It glittered in the light: it was official. She was a servant of the Redmoon Pack.

"Thanks for your support and love, everyone!" she yelled, matching their excitement, yet a knot of unease tightened in her stomach.

Her gaze scanned the crowd. He wasn't there. Not a trace of his scent. Anger flared. How dare he not show his face after forcing me back?

"I'm sure the Beta can't wait to have you back home," her new leader said, sparking a chorus of laughter. "We'll leave you for now. Meet your colleagues tomorrow and decide when to begin."

As the crowd dispersed, Tamlin joined her family, and they headed for the car, joking and teasing each other on the way.

"You're glowing, Mom," she said, smiling.

"Of course I am, darling. But you! All those care packages of roasted chicken, and you're still so thin!"

"Mom!" she yelled, realizing her attempt to divert attention had failed. She reddened as her father's laughter echoed around them.

As her parents settled into the car, she noticed a blond Omega running their way. Wearing a navy blue suit, her hair held in a ponytail, and black moccasins, her badge identified her as Omega Daniella, a five-year veteran of the pack house. It was clear who had sent her.

So, he finally decides to show himself.

"Leader," the flustered Omega said with a slight bow. "The Alpha requests your presence."

After a long, tense silence, Tamlin nodded for her to lead the way.

Curious gazes followed her entry into the pack house. Gone was the bungalow she remembered, replaced by a luxurious triplex. Everything—from the marble floors to the glass walls—screamed money. He was clearly doing well, and the pack members seemed content. Some people said he was going to be a much greater Alpha than his father. She was so absorbed in the changes she barely noticed their arrival at his study.

The Omega knocked twice, bowed, and vanished.

"Come in." The voice was the same, yet different—deeper, devoid of its former warmth.

She grabbed the golden handle, pushed the heavy wooden door open, and stopped dead.

The boy she knew was gone. In his place was a fully matured, dominating man. His shoulders were broader, his frame taller and more intimidating. A light beard shaded his jaw, and his signature braids cascaded over his shoulders. Dressed in warrior's joggers, he was more handsome than she remembered, and it infuriated her.

"Come in," he repeated, his face an unreadable mask. But in his eyes, she saw a flicker of something. Pain? Regret?

Stepping inside, she sat opposite him, their eyes locking.

"Welcome back, Tamlin." He dropped the bombshell as if it were the easiest thing in the world. "I hope you haven't forgotten our agreement."

Her heart stalled. Any fleeting hope of his remorse evaporated.

"The bastard," her wolf snarled, struggling to come to the surface.

"Of course not," she spat, her teeth gritted. "How could I forget what an asshole you are? Which brings me to my question: if you want our bond to remain a secret, why am I here in the Redmoon Pack? It's not like I want to see your face."

Helion's brow furrowed, as if surprised by her defiance. Had he expected her to break? Or wail? Too bad; she was determined to make him regret forcing her back.

"I don't trust you," he replied coolly, his gaze unwavering. "I need you here where I can observe you and ensure you respect our agreement."

Tamlin scoffed. "Well, sweat all you want. But stay out of my way and don't interfere with my job, or I won't hesitate to hurt you." She stood, heading for the door without a backward glance to see his reaction.

His voice stopped her just as her fingers brushed the golden handle. "Remember. One word, and your brother is done for."

Still with her back to him, she replied, "You don't need to remind me how wicked and senseless you can be. I'll respect our agreement, but stay out of my way, Helion."

"Is that a threat?" he wondered, and for the first time, she could hear the bewilderment in his voice.

She turned, her gaze a storm of fury meeting his icy calm. "No. It's a warning, Alpha."

With that, she turned on her heel and left, slamming the door so hard the frame shuddered.

Who the hell did he think he was?

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