Her Christmas Redemption

7: The Rightful Alpha

Draven's POV

It's been awhile since I last came here— but I hadn't missed anything, not even a single thing here held fond memories.

The cold wind brushed against my face, carrying the faint scent of pine and the tang of winter.

I hated pine!

The courtyard was alive with the hum of tension. Snowflakes swirled under the packhouse lights, their soft glow contrasting with the sharp glares aimed in my direction.

Varin stepped forward, his broad shoulders stiff with anger. His gray eyes locked on mine, the challenge clear in his gaze.

He was still the dickhead I remembered him to to be always fretting at the sight of the littlest challenge.

“Cousin” he snapped, “You have some nerve, cousin,” he spat, his voice sharp. “Walking in here like the scaredy cat you are after all these years, claiming something that doesn’t belong to you.”

I didn’t flinch. Instead, I let a smirk tug at the corner of my lips. “Funny,” I said, folding my arms. “Last I checked, the Alpha title was mine by right. Unless something’s changed that I’m not aware of?”

Varin’s jaw clenched, his hands curling into fists. Behind him, Lyrian—my uncle, the man who had done everything to ensure I never returned—stood with his usual icy glare. He didn’t speak yet, but I could feel his disapproval radiating from where he stood.

The murmurs of the gathered pack grew louder, their voices a mix of curiosity and frustration. Christmas decorations lined the packhouse behind them—twinkling lights, wreaths dusted with snow, and a towering tree visible through the windows. It all seemed out of place against the storm brewing outside.

“Enough of this nonsense,” Lyrian finally said, his deep voice cutting through the noise. “Draven, you’ve been gone for years. The pack has moved on. Varin is the rightful successor, and the pack supports him.”

“Do they?” I countered, leaning casually against the wall behind me, not breaking eye contact with him “Or have you just told them what to think?”

I could see the fury in his eyes, his wolf almost at the surface, wanting to devoure me whole. But I couldn't care less.

I was used to him standing up for his son. I mean, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, right.

The growing crowd murmured among themselves. I could see the fear in Varin's eyes and well, I was enjoying this— putting my little cousin at unease. “The pack doesn’t need someone like you,” he said, stepping closer. “You were nothing but trouble before you left, and you’re still trouble now.”

I felt my wolf stir, his growl vibrating in the back of my mind. I kept him in check, meeting Varin’s glare with ease. “You talk a lot for someone who’s scared,” I said.

“Scared?” Varin scoffed, his laugh bitter. “Of you? Don’t make me laugh. You’re nothing but a spoiled brat who ran away when things got tough.”

The crowd murmured louder now, their whispers blending with the faint echo of Christmas music coming from inside the packhouse. The scent of spiced cider and pine lingered in the air, a stark contrast to the hatred around us.

Before Varin could continue his clownery, Elder Marik’s cane struck the ground with a sharp thud. The crowd fell silent as he stepped forward, his face had wrinkles, his eyebrows gray.

“That’s enough,” Marik said, his voice steady. “Draven has a right to be here. The agreement made years ago is clear—he is the rightful Alpha.”

Uncle ly— f**k, he didn't deserve to be addressed as uncle. Lyrian’s lips pressed into a thin line, his displeasure obvious. “Marik, you can’t seriously—”

“I can,” Marik interrupted, his tone brooking no argument. “And I will. The elders made that agreement, Lyrian. It is binding.”

Varin’s face darkened. “He abandoned us,” he said, his voice rising. “He hasn’t been part of this pack for years. How can someone like him lead us?”

Marik’s gaze didn’t waver. “The pack will decide,” he said simply.

Lyrian stepped forward, his expression hard. “You expect us to hand over leadership without question? That’s absurd.”

Marik nodded slowly. “Then we’ll let them earn it. A series of trials. Strength, strategy, and leadership. Whoever wins will claim the Alpha title.”

The crowd was thrown into an uproar. Varin turned to the pack, his expression one of righteous indignation.

“You all know what he was like,” Varin said, addressing the crowd. “Reckless. Selfish. He left us when we needed him most. And now he thinks he can waltz back in and take over? Are we really going to allow that?”

I stepped forward, my smirk replaced with a serious expression. “You’re right,” I said, my voice carrying over the crowd. “I wasn’t the person this pack needed back then. But I’m not the same man I was.”

My eyes scanned, taking in the faces I once knew. The smell of snow and damp earth filled the air, mingling with the faint scent of wood smoke from the packhouse fireplace.

“If you doubt me, I’ll prove myself,” I continued. “Let the trials decide. I’m ready.”

Varin’s gray eyes narrowed, his lips curling into a sneer. “You won’t win,” he said, his voice low.

I met his glare, unflinching. “We’ll see.”

Marik raised his cane again, silencing the murmurs. “It’s decided,” he said. “The trials will begin in three days. Until then, both candidates will prepare.”

Varin turned to Lyrian, his voice sharp. “This is ridiculous. You know I’m the better choice.”

Lyrian’s gaze flickered to me, cold and calculating. “You are,” he said quietly. “But we’ll play their game. And we’ll win.”

I ignored them, my attention shifting to the packhouse. The warm glow of Christmas lights felt almost mocking now, their cheer at odds with the tension hanging in the air.

As the crowd of people began to leave. That's all they ever came for— the tea. I caught a glimpse of ‘her’ again. I had noticed her when I first arrived but I thought my eyes were deceiving me and I had been too busy with Varin. She stood near the edge of the group. Her blue eyes met mine briefly, and for a moment, everything else faded. Memories of that night came rushing back as I stared at her.

‘Mate,’ my wolf wouldn't stop shouting in my head.

It was her. How is she here? She had disappeared four years ago.

Zeraphine!

Important Notice::

Hello Everyone! I hope you enjoyed the first few chapters. I will be updating daily starting from the first day of December. Please I would really appreciate if you could comment your thoughts on each chapter. I had stopped writing before because I felt I was lacking in several aspects so I decided to take classes on writing and I would really love to get your opinions on my writing now and also on the characters. I wouldn't mind getting suggestions from my audience, I feel it would help alot. I hope you enjoy this story. Thank you.