Alicia's Fate

Winning Back Olivia

Crescent Moon Pack

The Crescent Moon Pack was a ghost town of whispers and tension, suffocating beneath the humiliation of the botched ceremony. James, having violently beaten his father into submission, was now drowning in the immediate political and financial wreckage of his self-inflicted disaster.

​His once radiant and proud wolf, Bose, was already too profoundly ashamed by everything that had transpired, the rejection of their true mate, the cowardice before the rival Alpha, and the vicious attack on his own blood. Bose had completely retreated, refusing to interfere much with his human.

​James’s arrogance only made things worse. After James had snapped at him on multiple occasions, blaming the wolf for not being strong enough to challenge Ethan, and for reminding him of Alicia, Bose finally gave up.

​I wish I had a different human, Bose thought with bitter, painful clarity. One that wouldn't be ashamed to accept their true position, no matter how small, instead of reaching far higher than he could possibly attain.

​Bose knew they were not a True Alpha, and James's desperate, frantic scramble for status was only tearing their very soul apart. The wolf sank into a deep, internal silence, leaving James alone to manage the political fallout with his raw, unchecked, human rage.

James's first priority was securing his politically vital chosen mate, Olivia. Losing her meant losing his only chance at respect and external defense.

​He had been trying to contact her for some time, but she had been too hurt, humiliated, and infuriated to reconcile. Olivia wasn't just a preferred partner; she was the linchpin of his future power. Her pack, The Red Ridges Pack, was one of the biggest and most influential in the region, known for its strategic alliances and vast territorial holdings. Losing Olivia meant losing his only chance at respect and external defense.

​Desperate, James did the only thing he could: he drove straight to the Red Ridges Pack territory. ​He arrived at the imposing gates, not as a proud Alpha, but as a supplicant. He was immediately escorted to the office of Alpha Kirk Nolan, Olivia's father was a massive, stern man whose political sharpness was legendary.

​Alpha Kirk sat behind his desk, looking like an unmoving granite monument, his expression coolly contemptuous. Olivia was seated nearby, her arms crossed, her eyes red and puffy, refusing to even look at James.

​"Father-in-law....er..er..Alpha," James began, forcing humility into his voice, which felt like scraping rust from his throat. He bowed low, a deep gesture of respect he hadn't afforded anyone in years. "I came here to apologize for the disaster I caused at my Alpha Ceremony."

​Alpha kirk merely steepled his fingers, staring down the pathetic figure of the young Alpha.

​"My actions were unacceptable," James continued, rushing his words. "The intrusion of the Blood Moon Alpha, Ethan, was unexpected. I was stressed, and I allowed my temper to ruin the day. I admit that I handled the situation with my first mate, Alicia, poorly. I never should have let the situation escalate."

​He looked pleadingly at Olivia. "Olivia, I love you. You are the Luna I chose, the Luna I need. I was distracted by the politics of the rejection, but my heart is only with you. I came here to formally ask for your hand in marriage, and to beg for a date for the official bonding ceremony."

​Alpha Kirk’s voice, when he finally spoke, was a low, dangerous rumble. "The Blood Moon Alpha did not ruin your ceremony, James. You ruined your own claim. You displayed three fatal weaknesses: poor judgment, lack of control, and incompetence in handling your own pack's affairs."

​He leaned forward, his eyes boring into James. "You insulted my daughter publicly, confirmed your inability to protect your own property, and failed to neutralize a rival Alpha who brought only three men to your territory. Why, precisely, should I entrust the Red Ridges' political support to a man who couldn't even manage his own transfer of power?"

​James swallowed hard, the humiliation burning in his throat. He knew Kirk wasn't challenging him personally; he was challenging the weakness Ethan had exposed. He had to pivot from weakness to potential.

​"Alpha Kirk, with all due respect, the Red Ridges Pack has always been the strongest ally of the Crescent Moon," James argued, trying to sound statesmanlike. "That alliance, spanning generations, is worth more than any single, embarrassing incident. Furthermore, the Blood Moon Alpha's aggression is precisely why you need me strong. I am now Alpha; I can levy the full resources of my pack. We have rich timber reserves and the largest iron mines in the eastern region." He gestured toward Olivia. "Marrying Olivia isn't just a union of hearts; it's a strategic necessity to unify the region against outsiders like Ethan."

​Alpha Kirk tapped his desk slowly. "The timber and iron reserves, yes. They are valuable. But your inability to defend them is also noted."

​Olivia finally stirred, her voice raw with hurt and anger. "Stop talking about alliances and timber!" She pushed herself to her feet, her own Alpha blood rising. "You disgraced me, James! You stood there, in front of every major regional Alpha, and allowed that pathetic wretch to be paraded as a prize! You didn't even fight him! You let him walk away with everything he wanted, and then you beat your own father!"

​James rushed to her side, pleading. "It was the rage! The shock! I love you, Olivia! I was defending your honor by not dragging your name into a messy brawl! If you marry me, we can immediately plan a show of force, a counter-alliance meeting. We can make the Blood Moon Pack pay for this insult!"

​Alpha Kirk held up a hand, silencing them both. His gaze was cold and calculating. "The truth is, James, your stock has fallen to zero. My daughter's honor is paramount, and my pack's security is non-negotiable."

​He leaned back in his chair, making his decision clear. "I will allow Olivia to marry you, but only under my terms. You need to demonstrate stability, control, and competence. And you need to prove you can handle the resources you claim to command."

​Olivia looked surprised, but not relieved. She clearly didn't trust James, but the political opportunity was too great for her father to pass up.

​"What are your terms, Alpha Kirk?" James asked, masking the desperation of his relief.

​"First, the marriage will be delayed by six months. This will give you time to stabilize your pack. Second, the Crescent Moon Pack will transfer temporary operational control of thirty percent of its timber operations to the Red Ridges Pack. This will assure me that the assets are managed competently and secure the immediate alliance. And third..." Alpha Kirk paused, his eyes narrowing to slits. "...you will issue an official, public apology to my daughter. Not for the chaos, but for the rejection of your prior mate, acknowledging that such instability reflects poorly on her future position."

​James balked. "Apologize for the rejection? But that's standard!"

​"Standard behavior for a True Alpha," Alpha Kirk corrected him sternly. "You are proving you are anything but. You will do it, or you will leave here without my daughter and without my support."