ALPHA ARIK

The metallic stench of blood has become heavy over Alpha Haden's pack house nowadays. News of the kidnapping of the young wolves by the Rogue Queen on the west side-in a pack that was supposed to be a hardly secured neighbor-spikes the Alpha Haden's territory anxiety to a fever pitch.

I take another slow swallow of whiskey, the burn scraping down my throat before settling warmly in my stomach.

Alcohol hardly dents a wolf's systems, but the brutal sting of it still manages to quiet the noise in my mind, if only for a second.

Right now, a moment is enough.

The last thing I want is to let my temper get the best of me on another man's territory, triggering an international incident on top of the war already destroying us from the outside.

By all logic, I should be planning my route back home. The Rogue Queen is moving faster than any of our strategists anticipated. I need to get back to my own pack, to fortify our borders and prepare them for what is coming.

I know that.

Yet every time I think about leaving...

Something stops me.

Someone.

She has become a constant distraction neither my wolf nor I know how to silence.

I can't leave without her.

Kieran felt utterly crushed when we saw the sheer desperation in her eyes-the desperate urge to want absolutely nothing to do with us. I should just let it go.

A second chance mate.

The words still feel wrong.

Almost sinful.

After everything.

After my Luna.

I never thought another woman would occupy the spaces grief had claimed.

Yet somehow...

April has wandered into them anyway.

Standing close to her had felt like stepping too near an open flame. Heat I had no right craving wrapped itself around me.

Those warm brown eyes carried a quiet kind of loneliness, one that unsettled something ancient inside me. When she admitted she'd never fully shifted, I caught myself watching her far longer than I should have.

Her lips.

The hesitation woven through every word.

The questions hiding behind the ones she actually asked.

Also neither Kieran nor I can link with her wolf. It's a bizarre, jarring sensation to stand right next to a wolf and feel absolutely nothing-no scent, no aura, just blank space.

I want to ask her a thousand questions. If she'll let me.

I need to understand what is so profoundly special about her that my wolf practically thrashes at the mere mention of her name.

Why does hearing her name stir my wolf so deeply?

Kieran was never this restless.

Not even when...

I close my eyes. No.

That road only ends in ghosts.

The memory of my Luna still lives beneath my ribs, where grief carved itself a home long ago.

The weight of it all presses on my temples. I need to clear my head, to rest for just an hour before reaching out to her again and-

Something's wrong. Kieran's voice snaps in my mind, sharp and alerting. Adrenaline spikes through my veins when Reya's cries grabs attention.

I burst out of the room, my eyes instantly locking onto my daughter as she rushes down the grand staircase.

"Reya!" I call out, my voice booming through the heavy air of the foyer.
She doesn't even flinch or look back. Her tear-filled eyes are locked entirely on someone leaning heavily against the wall near the entrance.

April.

My breath hitches. Her skin is flushed an alarming shade of crimson, sweat glistening along her temples, and her unfocused eyes stare straight through the room as if she's struggling to stay conscious.

Even as her strength evaporates, she tries to smile. A weak, trembling smile

"April!" Reya cries, sprinting toward her.

"Reya!" I shout again, my heart leaping into my throat. Before the name can fully leave my lungs, April's knees buckle. Her body turns to dead weight, and she starts tilting toward the hard floor.

Panic paralyzes me for a split second before my instincts take over. I move faster than I ever have in my life. I catch her just inches before she impacts the ground, scooping her up into my arms.

The moment her body makes contact with mine, a jolt of pure electricity arcs through my veins. Kieran growls at the touch, sensing the discomfort of our mate.

Her body is too hot.

April groans softly, her head rolling against my shoulder. Instead of pulling away, she instinctively buries her face into the crook of my neck, inhaling sharply.

I feel a heavy shudder ripple through her small frame, and the tight, pained lines on her forehead smooth out just a fraction. She's seeking comfort from my scent. Even while unconscious or fading, her body knows I'm here.

​I pull her tighter against my chest, lifting her effortlessly as I turn toward the corridor.

​"A-Arik?" she breathes, her eyelids fluttering open.

​Her eyes are beautifully wide, but they are unfocused, swimming in a daze of pain.

​"Yes, I'm here. Keep your eyes on me," I say softly, the protective urge stretching tight across my chest. I need her to stay awake. I need her to look at me.

​Her fingers twitch, weakly gripping the fabric of my shirt. She clings to me with whatever microscopic strength she has left. "Keep holding me," she mutters under her breath, her voice so faint I can barely catch it with my shifted hearing. "You're cold."

​My wolf whines at the sound of her suffering. I'm not cold-I'm burning alive with panic for her-but her fever must be making her delirious.

​"Dad, is she alright?"

​I look down to see Reya jogging to keep up with my long strides, clutching her doll to her chest, tears streaming down her cheeks. The sight of my daughter's distress breaks my heart, but I can't stop. I have to get April to a room.

"It's okay, sweetheart." I put on a smile. "She's fine."

​April mutters something under her breath, her lips moving without a sound.

​Before she can say anything else, the tiny spark of consciousness in her eyes completely snuffs out. Her hand slips from my shirt, her arm falling limp against her side as she goes completely dark in my embrace.

​"April? April!"

A female voice calls out for my mate, full of panic. I look up to see a girl rushing toward me from the corridor that leads to Alpha Haden's office. Her face isn't one I'm familiar with, but the terror in her wide eyes as she locks onto April tells me everything I need to know. They must be close.

"What happened to her?" she asks frantically, reaching out an arm, trying to touch my mate.

I keep my hold on her even more, stepping away from the stranger. The urge to hide April become strong, the more we stay in this kind of contact.

The girl must notice the silent warning in my posture because she instantly pulls her hand back, stepping out of my path.

"Who are you to her?"

"I'm Lori, she's my friend, we came here together. Please what's wrong with her? I heard someone shouting her name and now she's... she's like this?"

"Your friend?"

My mate's friend nods sharply. "Yes."

"Wait here."

Entering my room, Reya follows behind me, watching me with tears still on her eyes. With a gentle action, I lay April down on the mattress, pulling the sheets up to her chin. Hopefully my scent on the fabrics will keep her stable until I can figure out what the hell is happening to her.

"​Will you look after her, sweetheart?" I turn to Reya, dropping to one knee so we are at eye level. I gently brush the hot tears off my daughter's flushed cheeks.

She nods, her small hand still clutching her doll as she glances over at the bed. "But she's going to be fine, right, Daddy?"

"I believe so. Tell me something, Reya. How did you know something was wrong with her before I even called for you?"

"My angel smells like flowers." She whispers. "I had a feeling she was here, but then I felt something bad happening to her. I heard her heartbeat... it wasn't working right."

"You can sense her?"

Reya is only eight years old. It should be impossible for her to sense anyone's physical or emotional state like that, let alone a girl she barely knows. How is it possible that her wolf is already tuning into April?

Reya shifts uncomfortably, her lips trembling. "Did... did I do something wrong, Daddy?"

"The distress in her voice breaks my trance. "No, my precious." I lean forward and press a firm, loving kiss against her forehead. "You did absolutely nothing wrong. You did good. I'm so proud of you."

A small, relieved smile finally breaks through her tears.

"Okay. Go to your room, sweetie."

Reya doesn't protest.

She gives April one last worried glance before quietly walking out. The door remains slightly ajar after she leaves.

Deep down, I know she wants answers. She wants me to explain what's happening-to tell her why April is lying unconscious in my bed.

I wish I knew.

​Suddenly, a soft, pained muffle cuts through the quiet room. I instantly shift my attention back to the bed, my wolf pacing the edge of my mind as April stirs against the pillows.

Her eyes didn't open, but her brow furrowed into a tight, agonized knot. She thrashes weakly against the mattress, a low, breathless whimper escaping her lips that slices clean through my chest.

​I press my palm against her forehead, and the scorching heat throws me off. Is my scent not strong enough for her?

​"Arik?" Alpha Haden steps into my room, his gaze immediately landing on April. Concern flashes across his face. "What's going on here? Is she alright?"

​"I don't know." Her breathing relaxes the moment my hand cups her cheek. The restless thrashing stops almost instantly, and she instinctively leans into my touch, her head turning into the warmth of my palm as though searching for comfort.

​I reach out into the mind-link, desperate to find her wolf, to demand answers. Back at her place, her shield hadn't been this tight; I had actually been able to tell her I wasn't going to reject her.

​But right now? Nothing.

​I can't sense a single thing from her. I know she's hurting, but her wolf isn't tethered to mine in any form. This is entirely unchartered territory in the mysteries of our kind. I don't understand what's happening.

​Haden frowns, glancing back at the hallway. "Come in."

​Lori slowly steps inside, hesitating near the entrance. Her eyes are glassy, already filling with worry the second they fall on April's unconscious form

​"Do you know what's wrong with her?" Haden asks, facing her, his tone turning deadly serious.

​She shakes her head quickly. "No, Alpha. I've... I've never seen her like this." She swallows hard. "Should I call my father?"

​"Will he have time?" Alpha Haden asks. "Half the pack is still recovering from today's training."

​"Isn't there anyone else who can help?" My voice comes out rough, more Kieran's desperation than my own. Helplessness and confusion have always been our greatest weaknesses, and right now they're threatening to consume us both.

​"What about the Luna?" Lori suggests, "She might be able to help."

​Alpha Haden nods slowly, hesitation flickering in his gaze. "She might be able to help, but April isn't like other wolves. I'm not so sure-"

​"Call the Luna," I interrupt, firmly."Let her be the one to decide."

Alpha Haden's expression doesn't move me, not even when realization slowly dawns across his face as he witnesses my protectiveness toward April.

His eyes linger on the way my hand refuses to leave hers, how my thumb unconsciously strokes the back of her fingers as though afraid she'll disappear the moment I let go.

​So, I'm not surprised when the moment Lori leaves the room to fetch Luna Zorya, Haden gets straight to the point.

​"Is she...?" He pauses, biting off the last words as though the reality of them is completely impossible to comprehend. A heavy hint of disbelief colors his tone.

​I nod just once. "Yes. She's my mate."

The confession hangs heavily in the room. Even saying it aloud still feels unreal.

"Arik, that can't be possible." He takes a few steps toward the bed, but my stare locks onto his immediately. The warning is enough to make him stop. A low growl vibrates in my chest, silent enough that only I can hear it.

​He sighs, rubbing his forehead as he contemplates his next move. "For Goddess' sake, Arik... are you telling me that my Beta's daughter is your second mate?"

​He says the word 'Second mate' like it's a sin. In a way, I suppose it is. But I still don't like his tone.

​"Who else knows about this?" he demands.
​
"Her entire family."

​His eyes shoot up. "What?"

​"Oh, and Jacob."

​"That doesn't make it any better, Arik," Haden snaps. "This must be why she's like this."

​Before I can ask him what the hell he means by that, the door clicks open. Luna Zorya enters the room, Lori trailing anxiously by her side.

​Rumor has it that Luna Zorya was raised by witches. Witches do exist alongside wolves, of course, though they prefer to stay hidden, blending in with humans far better than the creatures of the night ever could. But the stories about Zorya have always been treated as mere gossip-whispers attributed to her incredible healing abilities and her reputation as a seer.

Looking at her now, with her silver-streaked hair and eyes that seem to read the room's history in a single glance, I've never been surer about the seer part.

​Until now.

​Luna Zorya immediately frowns the moment her gaze lands on April's sweating, thrashing form. Then, she turns those piercing eyes to me. "Why aren't you laying next to her?"

​"I don't understand," I say, my brow furrowing.

​She smiles warmly, a knowing look in her eyes. "It seems the Moon Goddess has answered the two of you."

​Confusion hits me hard. The fact that she already knows we're paired shocks me, but the shock quickly morphs into a spike of protective anger at her next sentence.

​"There's nothing wrong with her."

"Nothing wrong?" I repeat, unable to keep the anger from my voice. "She's burning with fever. She won't wake up."

​"Because her wolf isn't letting her," Luna Zorya states calmly. "This has happened before."

​"It has?" Alpha Haden asks, sounding just as surprised as I am.

​His Luna nods. "Yes. Though it's been decades. My mother witnessed cases like this herself." She moves beside April, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. "A second-chance mate is a rare sight in this day and age, but once upon a time, it was nothing new."

​A million questions cross my mind, but right now, only one matters. "How do I help her?"

Luna Zorya studies me for a long moment."From what I can sense, she's been trying to reject the bond. Am I right?"

I swallow. "How do you know?

"Her wolf refuses to let her," Luna continues, ignoring my question. "The conflict between her heart and her wolf is what's causing this. "Fortunately, April hasn't fully bonded with her wolf yet. If she had...this would be far more violent."

​"You mean she'd be in a worse state?"

​"Much worse. So, for now, you need to let her wolf know you're present."

​"And I do that by...?" I ask, glancing around the room at the others before locking eyes back on Luna Zorya.

Luna Zorya smiles as though the answer should be obvious.

​"Arik, I know you're smarter than this, Trust your gut," she chides softly. She offers a more reassuring smile, then turns to her mate, taking his hand.

"We should get going." She looks over at Lori. "Don't worry, Lori. April is fine. She just needs to spend enough time with her mate."

​"Mate?" Lori echoes. Disbelief fills her eyes as she looks between April and me.

​"Yes, my child. Her mate," Luna Zorya confirms gently. "Let them be." She gestures for Haden and Lori to leave. But just before closing the door, the Luna peeks back into the room.

​"Lest I forget... make sure to always be around her. It's more critical than I'm explaining. If you choose to reject her, the consequences will be far worse for both of your wolves. The bond is already fragile. For now, stay as close to her as possible-even if she wakes up and disagrees."

She looks April and frowns deeply.

"She needs it more than you think, young Alpha."

​The door clicks shut, leaving me in the silence of the room. The only sound left is April's ragged, feverish breathing. I look down at her flushed face, my hand hovering over her trembling shoulder.

​How am I supposed to do that?

April will say no. She might even lock herself inside her house until I completely disappear from her pack's territory. Spending even a short amount of time with her was enough to show me just how much she doesn't want me. I honestly don't know whether it's a good thing that she finds me so undesirable, or the absolute opposite.

​Now, everyone has gone. April's body temperature hasn't dropped back to normal; she still feels freezing cold against the sheets. Remembering Luna Zorya's words, I know I have to stay close.

I stand up, peeling my shirt off and tossing it onto the nightstand drawer before climbing onto the mattress beside her. It should feel awkward, being in this position with a woman who isn't my first mate, but there is no resistance or anger in my blood.

Instead, it feels calm. Peaceful. It's as though being in this bed is saving me more than I care to admit.

Groaning under my breath, I count to three in my head before finally relaxing against the pillows, my heart hammering a frantic rhythm against my ribs. As if she can instinctively feel what I'm doing, April shifts closer. My entire body freezes.

​"Warm..." she mutters, snuggling deeper into my side until her nose rests right against the crook of my neck.

The motion sends a sharp shiver straight down my spine. When her hand sprawls across my bare chest, I try to shift back, but she grips me tighter, refusing to let go.

​"April-"

​"Please stay." Her breath hitches against my skin, making my head spin.

I haven't had physical contact with any woman since Reya's mother passed. After eight long years, having this woman touch me like I'm the only anchor keeping her grounded is doing things to me-and to Kieran-that I've never experienced before.

​"I'm here," I manage to strain out, finally adjusting our positions.

​I wrap my arm securely around her waist. She shifts her face down to my chest, and in a strange, intoxicating way, I find myself enjoying the feel of her breathing against my skin.

​"You feel so warm," she moans in delight. Her eyes remain shut, but a satisfied, peaceful expression spreads across her face.

A sudden instinct kicks in. I move my hand from her waist, letting my fingers thread through her hair. It's incredibly soft, smelling of soap and something distinctly fruity. Her actual wolf scent isn't strong yet, but with this proximity, I can finally detect a subtle hint of sweet vanilla.

Basking in the overwhelming peace and comfort surrounding us, I open the mind-link to Jacob.

​'Where are you?'

​'At the training field,' Jacob replies instantly, his mental voice laced with adrenaline. 'What's wrong?'

​I sigh, listening to the tiny, quiet snores vibrating from April's lips. For a split second, I actually think the sound is cute, before I forcefully snap myself out of it.

​'We need to prepare to head back to our pack. Alerting my people of what's happening here is of utmost importance.'

​'No kidding,' Jacob grunts. 'The wolves here are fighting like demons on the training grounds. It's purely uncanny.'

​I smirk softly.'We are vicious as well, Jacob. They are only trying to protect their loved ones.'

​'I understand. Okay, should we leave this evening? Preparations might take some tim-

​'Not tonight.' I look down at April. Her hand is still fisted tightly against my chest, her lips parted slightly as heavy, regular breaths escape her. 'She needs time to pack.'

​There is a long pause on the other end of the link. 'Reya?'

​'Not her.'

'Don't tell me...' Jacob trails off, his mental voice suddenly dropping in sheer panic. 'Oh, shit. Are you bringing her back to the pack? Forgive me, Alpha, but the people might not-'

​'Accept her?' I cut him off, my thoughts turning icy. 'I know that.'

​'Then don't bring her.'

​'I can't do that.'

​The more I think about it, the more I realize Kieran hasn't spoken a single word since I climbed into this bed. My wolf is completely silent, utterly relishing the skin-to-skin contact, practically breathing her in.

Even the splitting headache that had been hammering behind my eyes all morning has vanished, completely neutralized by the subtle hint of her scent.

​'But Alpha-'

​'Jacob. You have no say in this. I'm only giving you a heads-up because you're my Beta... and my closest friend.' That shuts him up instantly. 'I won't tell the pack who she really is until the time is right, and I trust you'll keep it hidden.'

​A heavy beat of silence passes before Jacob sighs through the link. 'I won't tell a soul, Arik. You have my word.'

​A quiet sigh of relief slips past my lips. But the relief catches in my throat when April subconsciously shifts, draping her leg over mine. A part of me can already vividly picture her explosive reaction when she wakes up and realizes how tangled together we are.

​'Then it's settled,' I tell him, locking the decision in stone. 'In two days, she's coming with us to the Bloodveil Pack.'

​I shut off the mind-link, cutting the connection before Jacob can protest any further.

​Now, I just have to pray to the Goddess that she actually agrees to come. Because if she doesn't... I might actually have to steal her away from this pack myself.

​'I wouldn't object to that,' Kieran finally rumbles, speaking up from the depths of my mind. I can practically feel him baring his teeth in a dark, feral smirk.

​I let out a low, silent laugh through our internal bond. Kidnapping her is an excellent second option.

​But option number one? Convincing her that it's a brilliant idea to pack her bags, follow me to my pack.

The moon godness must have a purpose for our union and I must find out what.

Starting with how my mate hasn't yet turned and finding out a way to help her.

Because as much as I hate to admit it.

We need each other.

​I...

I need her.

[ Sorry for the late reply, I've been sick and started work on Monday. No time for editing which sucks. Anyways, the plot is coming together!!! Hope you loved it like I did❤️]

[See you in the next one.]