Chapter Three- Whispers & Heirs
582 Words
The packhouse meeting room buzzed with restless energy, but Melina barely noticed the crowd.
All she could focus on was the scent.
It curled around her again—oak wood, black leather, rain—so strong now it made her dizzy. She shifted in her seat for what felt like the tenth time in a minute, fingers digging into the edge of the bench as her wolf paced frantically inside her.
He’s here. He’s here.
“Mel,” Tara whispered, concern thick in her voice.
Melina didn’t answer. Instead, she slid closer and gripped Tara’s arm, grounding herself in the familiar presence of her oldest friend. Tara glanced down at Melina’s hand but didn’t pull away, lacing their fingers together in quiet support.
“Just breathe,” Tara murmured. “Whatever’s going on, you’re not alone.”
Melina nodded stiffly, inhaling slowly—only to catch the scent again.
Her wolf whimpered, needy and wild.
Alpha Karlus stood at the front of the room, his presence still powerful, but there was something different about him tonight. A finality. The warriors stood straighter, the elders watched more closely.
“My pack,” Alpha Karlus began, his voice steady. “Before we continue discussing the rogue threat, there is another matter that must be addressed.”
The room stilled.
Melina tightened her grip on Tara’s arm.
“As many of you know,” Karlus continued, “my son has been training overseas for years, learning from allied packs, preparing for leadership.”
A ripple of excitement swept through the unmated she-wolves like wildfire.
“He’s coming back,” someone whispered eagerly.
Melina’s stomach twisted—not from jealousy, but from the way her wolf snarled at the sudden surge of attention.
Titus, her wolf scoffed. Not him.
“Titus returns tonight,” Alpha Karlus said. “And with his return, I will be stepping down as Alpha.”
The room erupted.
Gasps. Excited chatter. Shocked murmurs.
Tara squeezed Melina’s hand. “Wow… I didn’t think he’d step down so soon.”
Alpha Karlus raised a hand, and silence fell once more. “Effective immediately, Titus will take over as Alpha of this pack.”
The unmated she-wolves practically vibrated in their seats.
“He’s strong.”
“He’s handsome.”
“He could be my mate.”
Melina heard it all—and felt none of it.
Across the room, Karlie flipped her long, over-extended lashes dramatically, glossy lips curling into a smug smile. Her makeup was heavy, her dress clinging, and she leaned forward just enough to make sure everyone noticed.
Karlie had been after Titus for years. Everyone knew it. She laughed a little too loud, whispered a little too close to anyone who would listen.
“She’s already planning the Luna title,” Tara muttered under her breath.
Melina huffed softly despite herself, but the scent hit her again—so intense this time her breath caught.
Her wolf surged forward, claws scraping against her ribs.
Not Titus, her wolf insisted, low and fierce. Ours is stronger.
Melina swallowed hard, eyes darting subtly across the room, searching for a face that matched the pull tearing through her soul.
Whoever her mate was… he wasn’t sitting beside her.
And as Alpha Karlus finished his announcement, as the pack welcomed their future Alpha with cheers and hopeful glances, Melina felt fate tightening its grip.
Because the mate her wolf sensed so desperately close—
Was not the one everyone else was waiting for.
- Writer
