Rejected and Claimed by his Best Friend, Book 1

Chapter 28: Tensions Rising (Alice's POV)

The day had passed slowly, the minutes stretching like elastic as I found myself lost in the newness of my surroundings. I could hear the laughter and chatter from the pack house outside, but I couldn’t bring myself to join them just yet. There was a heaviness in my chest—a weight that had nothing to do with the physical bruises but everything to do with the way I felt about my old life and the unfamiliarity of the one I was building here in Crescent Moon.

I was safe. That was the only thing that kept looping in my head. Remi and the pack had ensured I was safe. But I couldn’t shake the feeling of not belonging. Not yet.

I glanced at the book I’d borrowed earlier. It was an old fantasy novel—one that reminded me of the stories I’d read as a child, before life had gotten so complicated. A small flicker of joy ignited in my chest as I opened the pages, but the moment quickly passed when I heard someone approaching.

Remi.

His scent—earthy, with a hint of pine—washed over me even before I saw him. He walked into the room, his broad frame filling the doorway. I couldn’t help but stare at him, the way he moved, the way he carried himself. His eyes always seemed to look right through me, as though he could see every fear and secret I had, and still, he never made me feel small.

I swallowed and tried to keep my voice steady.

“Hi,” I said, closing the book, even though I had barely read a page.

“Hey,” he replied with that slow, almost lazy smile of his. The kind that made my heart flutter despite my efforts to stay calm.

“How are you?” he asked, leaning against the doorframe, his arms crossed over his chest.

I hesitated. "I’m okay," I said, though the words felt like they didn’t quite match the chaos inside me. "I just... I’m not used to this. To being... well, safe."

He c****d his head to the side, his eyes softening.

“Safe,” he repeated, as if tasting the word. “You are. But you’re also more than just safe here, Alice. You’re going to find your place in this pack. I promise you that.”

I nodded, though a small part of me wasn’t entirely convinced. I didn’t even know if I wanted to find a place here. There was still too much of me that felt tethered to the Silvermoon pack, even though I knew deep down it was never really my home.

“I want to be strong,” I said, my voice a little more fragile than I intended. “Stronger than I’ve ever been.”

Remi’s expression softened, and he pushed off the doorframe, stepping closer to me. His presence was like a quiet storm, powerful and calming at the same time.

“You will be,” he said, his voice so steady that I believed him, even though I wasn’t sure how. “Winter’s strength is in you. And so is your own.”

I shifted in my seat, not sure how to respond. The name Winter still felt foreign on my tongue, even though it was now a part of me. My wolf. My mate’s wolf.

I could still feel the connection, faint but undeniable, like a whisper against my skin. It was there, but it wasn’t fully mine yet. The bond was fragile—too fragile—and it made my chest ache in ways I couldn’t describe.

Remi seemed to sense my unease. He crouched down beside me, his knee brushing against mine. The warmth from his body felt like a comforting blanket, and I didn’t pull away. I didn’t want to. Not from him.

“You’re not alone, Alice,” he said, voice low. “You’ve never been alone since the moment you walked into this pack.”

I looked up at him, my heart pounding a little faster. He wasn’t just talking about today. He was talking about everything—everything I had been through, everything I still carried with me. I knew he was offering more than just protection. He was offering trust. Hope.

“Remi,” I whispered, unsure of what to say. I wanted to tell him everything, but the words caught in my throat.

He raised a hand, brushing a lock of hair out of my face, his touch gentle. “You don’t need to say anything. Not yet. You can take your time. I’ll be here, always.”

I wanted to believe him. I wanted to believe that everything was going to be okay, but deep down, I knew the war between packs wasn’t over. I had a part to play in that war now, and I wasn’t sure I was ready for it.

A knock at the door interrupted the moment, and I felt the shift in Remi’s posture, his muscles tensing, a protective aura suddenly surrounding us.

“Come in,” Remi called out, his voice still steady, though I noticed the slight edge to it now.

Theo, one of Remi’s patrol leaders, stepped inside with a grim expression. My stomach dropped at the sight of him. The last time I had seen him, he was delivering the news from Alpha Malcolm.

“We’ve got trouble,” Theo said, his gaze flicking briefly to me before locking with Remi’s. “Silvermoon’s Alpha has made his move.”

I felt a cold knot settle in my stomach at the mention of my father. Alpha Malcolm.

“What’s happened?” Remi’s voice was calm, but I could hear the undertone of tension.

“They’ve sent a few enforcers to patrol the border. They’re testing our defenses,” Theo replied, his voice clipped.

Remi’s jaw tightened. “Are they alone?”

“No. They’ve brought in some lycans.”

I stiffened. Lycan enforcers. That was bad.

Remi stood up, his expression unreadable. “I’ll handle it. Alice,” he looked at me then, his eyes softening just for a moment. “Stay here. Don’t go outside.”

I nodded quickly, but my heart was already racing.

“Be careful,” I said softly, though I knew he didn’t need my warning. Remi was the Alpha of Crescent Moon for a reason. He didn’t need to be told to be careful.

“I will,” he said, his voice quiet but intense. “Always.”

Theo stepped forward, ready to leave, but I caught his arm before he could go.

“You’ll protect him, won’t you?” I asked, my voice steady but filled with an unspoken fear.

Theo’s eyes softened, and he placed a hand over mine, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “We all will. You’re part of this pack now, Alice. No one hurts you, or Remi. Not as long as I’m breathing.”

I nodded, a sense of calm washing over me. For the first time, I felt like maybe... maybe I wasn’t just a stray. Maybe I could belong here, with them. With Remi.

“Go,” I urged, giving his hand a final squeeze before letting go. “And be safe.”

Remi nodded, his eyes lingering on me for just a moment longer before he turned to Theo.

“Let’s go,” he ordered, voice low and commanding.

As they walked out, the door closing behind them, I sat there in silence, my heart pounding with a mix of emotions I couldn’t quite name.

Silvermoon was coming. And they weren’t coming to talk.

But neither was Crescent Moon.

This war was just beginning.

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