Lucas
As I observe him walking away, my smile broadens with a deep sense of satisfaction. There's a thrill in getting under Gabriel's skin. Even though I loathe him, our verbal jousts and physical clashes have become the highlights of my day.
We may be sworn enemies, but my encounter with Gabriel last night was driven by desire, not intoxication.
Gabriel is an undeniably attractive man – I recognize it, he knows it, and every other girl in our pack and beyond is well aware of it.
My own attraction has always been towards men. Yet, my wolf side seems confused about its preferences. The reality is that, as the Alpha of my pack, I must put aside these feelings and focus on what's best for my people. To carry on our legacy with pride, I have the duty to provide an heir.
Observing Gabriel's retreating figure stirs a whirlwind of emotions within me – hatred, longing, and the burden of my responsibilities as an Alpha. I grapple with these conflicting desires while trying to focus on my duties as a leader. It's a delicate balance.
In moments of weakness like last night, I find myself giving in to these hidden desires. Our chemistry was undeniable and irresistible – a passionate bond that defied all logic.
And yet, I am now plagued by shame as I realize that allowing my personal yearnings to interfere with my leadership can jeopardize the future of the entire pack.
As they all depart from the retreat and the atmosphere of enjoyment dissipates along with them, I understand why I had come here. My intention had been to make life difficult for Gabriel – as pathetic as that may sound – because that is how it has always made me feel alive. Seeing the rage in his eyes and observing his struggle for self-control fed this insatiable need within me.
Struggling to maintain composure, he attempts to hide his vulnerability from the world.
I can't shake the feeling that Gabriel recognizes our twisted bond. He has always been so calm and collected, but I can see it in his eyes when we confront one another. Hidden beneath the surface is a raging inferno, mirroring my own forbidden desires.
Yet, it's all futile. We are foes, and that's how things must remain. My pack would never accept me if they knew the truth, if they learned about the inner turmoil of my desires. And even if I gave in to these temptations, where would that lead us? It would only make things more difficult and potentially shatter the delicate peace we've managed to uphold.
I return to the main house where all the Alphas are having breakfast with the elders. I take a seat next to Alpha Damien from the Midnight Shadow Pack. "Your father couldn't make it...why?" he queries with a friendly smile.
My relationship with my father is nothing short of complex. At times, I feel like he truly cares for me, though he rarely displays it. After an accident left my father legless, I took on the role of Alpha. A wolf incapable of running ceases to be a wolf - at least that's what our pack's elders believe.
My father's spirit shattered when rogue wolves attacked him. To this day, he insists they were sent by the Crescent Moon Pack to cripple him and weaken our pack. This accusation has only served to intensify the animosity between our packs.
While I'm unsure about what really transpired, I've never been able to question my father on it. His presence still commands an intimidating aura, reducing me to feeling like a mere pup.
"He had urgent pack matters to attend to," I answer Damien, maintaining a neutral tone. Unveiling my complicated relationship with my father and its emotional repercussions is not on my agenda.
Damien, sensing there's more to the story, chooses not to pry further. Instead, he steers the conversation toward general pack matters – recent events and our future plans.
As breakfast ends, my enthusiasm for this gathering wanes. Gabriel's departure diminishes my interest.
I can't help but feel that teasing him and making him squirm was my primary objective for attending in the first place.
"What have the trackers discovered about the attack?" I ask my Beta, Marcus Kane, as we exit the house. The sun overhead bathes our surroundings in a warm glow. The question serves as a reminder of the recent assault that rattled our pack.
Marcus looks at me with a mix of resolve and worry. "They've been working non-stop, Lucas. We've gathered some intel, but it's still unclear who instigated the attack. The evidence suggests rogue wolves were involved, but their motives and loyalties remain a mystery."
I'm aware that Gabriel suspects my pack is behind the ambush, but I too am lost as to why and who would take such actions. Despite being enclosed within separate borders and fences from the Crescent Moon Pack, we are situated so close together it begs the question: why aren't we allies?
As a young pup, I used to sneak into their territory despite my father's disapproval. I explored their land with a sense of fascination - their customs and way of life.
During these forbidden visits, I formed a bond with another boy who shaped me into who I am today. He played a pivotal role in my self-discovery, and although our relationship was destined to falter in this life, I couldn't help but cherish him.
Once upon a time, long ago, I couldn't even tell you who he was or where he might be. Not since that fateful night when he failed to appear. The enigma of him not knowing me only fueled my curiosity.
We were once two carefree boys, lost in our own little world. But alas, the sands of time demanded that we must grow up.
Refocusing on Marcus, I urgently seek details about the attack. I must be prepared for any threat that comes our way. With rapt attention, I tune in to Marcus's words, hearing the resolve and dedication in his voice. The mystery behind the attack gnaws at me, fueling my thirst for answers and intensifying my instinct to safeguard my pack.
"Marcus, we have to discover who is responsible for this," I declare resolutely, my eyes locked on him and my voice brimming with determination. "We can't afford to be taken by surprise again. Get our finest trackers on it, and make sure nothing is overlooked. I want every piece of intel on these rogue wolves and their plans."
Marcus nods, his unwavering loyalty shining through. "I'll get a team together right away. We'll do whatever it takes to guarantee our pack remains secure."
As he departs, my mind drifts back to my days as a curious pup in the Crescent Moon pack's territory. Memories of that child, whose presence left an everlasting imprint on my heart, resurface. Shaking off those thoughts, I remind myself that the past is history and that I must concentrate on the present and forthcoming challenges.
Still, a small part of me wonders... What if he had appeared that night?
Would anything have changed?