ALPHA ZEHRAN'S REDEMPTION

CHAPTER ONE

IYRA'S POV

My heart pounded in my chest as I raced through the forest, chasing after the cunning fox. The crisp autumn air filled my lungs as I urged my legs to keep up. It was not getting away from me this time! With a grin, I picked up my pace determined not to let it out of sight.

The forest appeared to have come to live as every creature seemed to have paused to watch our race unfold. Birds chirped, their calls ringing out like a chorus of encouragement. Squirrels scurried from branch to branch, their tails flickering back and forth as they tracked our progress. Monkeys swung from tree to tree with ease. Even the trees seemed to lean in as if watching a spectacle.

Just as I thought I might catch up, the fox makes a sharp turn, disappearing deeper into the forest. I skidded to a halt, clutching my chest, hands on my knees, heaving as I tried to catch my breath. I scanned around for any sign of movement, but my eyes barely caught a flash of fur and playful eyes, and within a second, it was gone.

“I'll catch you next time!” I yelled after the mischievous creature, for like the thousandth time. It let out a squeak sounding almost like mocking laughter.

“Jerk.” I mutter, as I collapse to the ground still trying to catch my breath. A bird chirps loudly as if scolding me for stopping. I turn a sharp glare to Zephyr, a name I had given to the feathered creature. Its eyes gleam with a knowing glint as it continues chirping away.

“You know you can really help if you want to, right?” I called after it as it vanished into the sky, as if bored just to be in my presence.

As the rush of adrenaline slowly faded away, I was left to confront my reality again. We were really moving back to our old pack, the Nightfall pack. The pack that casted us away leaving us packless and isolated. I shuddered at the thought, as painful memories of the shameful move flooded my memory. I mean there wasn't much I could remember. I was just three after all. But I do remember the struggle of trying to create a new life all over without any support, finding our place in an unfamiliar territory. It did help that we were later able to merge with other rogues and create a little pack of our own, I was even able to make a friend of my own that wasn't an animal. The forest and our little pack is all I have.

Just a few days ago, I was doing the usual swinging from trees, hunting with Ethan and discovering new things about my abilities when my parents summoned me to tell me that the tenure of our banishment was over. They had received word that we were welcome to return if we chose. I remember the way my heart sank as they delivered the news. Just the mention of the pack had me furious.

The circumstances behind the banishment were still a shock to me. Apparently, a document had been found linking my father conniving with the rival pack, the Bloodmoons, to attack the pack. My father had been both horrified and speechless and, despite his willingness to do anything to prove his innocence, we were still exiled, for fifteen years, the alpha had declared.

And now, after all these years, I was being forced to return to that place - to face a pack that had rejected me and my family. My stomach churned with dread and unease. What would they say? Would they still see me as an outcast? Would we ever be able to find acceptance there? Does my cousin even know I exist?

As I rose to my feet, Zephyr swooped down to perch on my shoulder, letting out a soft comforting chirp. I reached up to gently stroke his feathers, drawing energy from his familiar presence. Zephyr has been with me since I was a pup. I had found him very sick and had rushed him back to the pack and nursed him to health. From that day on, he would take flight but would always return.

“I don't know what's going to happen, Zephyr,” I murmured. “But I hope we don't regret it.”

He tilts his head, as if understanding my anxiety. With a gentle flap of his wings, he lifts off my shoulder and circles around me, his eyes gleaming. Suddenly, the air seemed to sparkle and tremble; his feathers began to glow with an ethereal light and a strange energy began to build up around us.

I watched in awe as he landed back on my shoulder, the light enveloping me in a warm, tingling embrace. Closing my eyes, I felt a surge of power coursing through my veins. I felt like I could run for miles and miles without stopping and just as I felt like something deep within me was awakening, it was gone.

I opened my eyes feeling revived and energized. Zephyr let out an excited chirp, as if sensing the newfound strength within me.

“What was that?” I asked in wonder, reaching up to stroke his soft feathers. The bird simply gazed at me with his piercing eyes as if questioning what I was talking about, and with one last excited chirp, it took flight.

Classic Zephyr

With a deep breath, I turned, shaking my head as I began the long trek back to our makeshift pack space, feeling lighter with every step I took.

The closer I got, the more signs of our impending departure became very real, piles of supplies and our belongings were stacked neatly, ready for the journey. My mum was busy fussing over all the stuff we had to give away while my dad was making final touches on the wagon he would likely use to transport us.

“We are really doing this, aren't we?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. They both turn to me, their expression unsure. “What if they see us as outcasts, as unwanted?”

They exchanged a weighted look, their eyes brimming with uncertainty. “We don't know what awaits us.” My mother admitted. “But we have to at least try. This is our chance to reclaim our home, to rebuild the life we once had.”

I wanted to scream no and stomp my feet. A part of me had hoped we would never have to go back, that we would continue building our lives here. The thought of leaving all we had created behind, Ethan especially filled me with dread, but I could see the desperation in their eyes, the longing to return to the familiarity and security of the pack.

Sensing my reluctance, my father places a gentle hand on my shoulder. I look up at him as he smiled with a bittersweet expression.

“I know it's not easy, my dear, but this is an opportunity we can't ignore. Who knows how long this offer will stand? And we can't really get answers to what really happened here, can we?” He asks, a sly glint in his eyes.

He had me with that one, and he knew it, and I knew deep down he was right. As much as I wanted to resist, clearing our names could only be done by returning to the pack.

With a heavy sigh, I nodded in resignation. “Alright, I'll go with you guys, but I can't promise that I'll be happy about it.”

With that, a wide smile spread on their faces and I could see the relief in their eyes. They knew it was a difficult decision for me and they would have respected my decision. With the air cleared, they practically crushed me in their arms.

“Can't br-eath” I managed to let out as they laughed, releasing me from the koala hug.

We began to make preparations for the journey ahead, with other rogues stopping by to have a mini-feast as our send-off. Ethan was grumpier than usual, but despite his gruff exterior, I knew he was going to miss me.

Later, as the night wore on and the others slowly departed, he finally approached me.

“You're really leaving, huh?” he asks with a rare softness in his eyes, his voice low and gruff. I nodded, and he sighed, looking away.

“Promise you'll visit and won't forget me.” he said finally, his eyes locking onto mine with a fierce intensity. I smiled, feeling a pang of affection for the grump. “I promise, and you'll be the first person I'll visit.” He nodded, seeming to accept this, and then his expression turned serious. “And promise me you'll use what I taught you if the situation demands it.” He said, his eyes narrowing. “You're not helpless, you know. You're strong and capable, and I wouldn't have anyone thinking otherwise.” I smirked. “You know you don't really have to worry about that." I winked, horribly, might I add.

His tough expression cracks as he breaks into a laugh that was both infectious and irresistible. Then, in a rare display of affection, he reaches out and braids a section of my wild hair and ties it with a green thread, a ritual I realized we had done as kids.

“For luck.” He explains, with a hint of a smile. “And so I can keep track of you even from afar.”

We stood there, basking in the little time we had together. Then, without a word, he gave me one of his scarce hugs and walks away. And as I stood there, watching his form fade into the distance, I couldn't shake the feeling that something big was coming.