The Alpha's Past
541 Words
The warmth of the fire pit flickered against January’s skin as she watched the Forsaken interact.
It was strange.
She had spent her whole life in a pack that treated strength as a birthright, where rank determined worth, and omegas were little more than background noise.
But here?
Here, the lines between dominance and submission weren’t as rigid. Wolves of all ranks spoke freely, laughed, and challenged each other. There was still an underlying hierarchy. Lucian was clearly in charge but it was different.
"You’re staring again."
January turned to find Renna dropping onto the log beside her, a slab of roasted meat in hand.
"I wasn’t staring," January muttered, though she had been.
Renna smirked. "You just have that lost look in your eyes, like a pack wolf who doesn’t know how to function without orders."
January tensed. "I don’t need orders."
"Good. Then eat."
Renna tossed her a piece of meat, still hot from the flames. January hesitated for half a second before taking it. Her stomach clenched, a painful reminder that she hadn’t eaten properly in days.
She took a bite. The smoky, tender flavor melted against her tongue.
"You’re too skinny," Renna observed, biting into her own meal. "You need food if you’re going to survive training."
January swallowed, arching a brow. "Are you always this blunt?"
Renna grinned. "Better get used to it, exile."
January wasn’t sure why, but she didn’t mind Renna’s presence. The woman was rough around the edges, but she was direct and honest. A welcome change from the manipulation and lies she had left behind.
"So," Renna continued, her gaze sharp. "What’s your story?"
January hesitated. She couldn’t tell the truth. Not yet.
"I left my pack," she said vaguely.
Renna hummed. "That’s the polite way of saying ‘I was thrown out.’"
January clenched her jaw.
"Relax," Renna said, waving a hand. "We’ve all been outcasts at some point. That’s why we’re here. Lucian doesn’t take in just anyone, though. So whatever your secret is, he’ll figure it out."
January exhaled slowly. That was what she was afraid of.
Later that night, as the fire dimmed, January sat at the edge of the camp, listening.
Lucian stood near a group of wolves, speaking in a low, unreadable tone. The words were too quiet for her to hear, but his body language was different.
Not the smug, confident Alpha she had seen before.
This was a leader carrying weight. A man with unfinished business.
She didn’t realize she had been watching too long until one of the wolves, Talon, a large warrior, sighed.
"You’re curious about him."
January turned. "No."
Talon snorted. "Liar."
January pursed her lips but said nothing.
"We all wondered the same thing when we came here," Talon continued, crossing his arms. "Why a rogue Alpha would take in outcasts and fight against pack Alphas instead of becoming one himself."
That was the question, wasn’t it?
"And?" January asked.
Talon smirked. "You’ll have to earn that story."
January exhaled. Of course. Nothing came freely here.
But she would find out the truth.
Because something told her Lucian wasn’t just a rogue.
And if she was going to survive here, she needed to understand exactly who she was dealing with.
- Writer
