7
The grand hall was abuzz with hushed whispers as Ivan gathered his subjects. Allen stood beside Collins, his expression a mask of surprise and pleasure. Valle discreetly pulled him aside, his voice barely audible.
"It's done. I've spoken to the royals and subjects. They know I'm leaving on a journey and you're in charge."
Allen's eyes narrowed, his concern feigned. "Out of our territory? That's dangerous."
Ivan's expression was resolute. "I'll find Alexa and our child. We need to break this curse."
Allen watched his brother, intrigued by Valle's unwavering determination. Ivan, meanwhile, was consumed by self-blame. If only he'd known Alexa was his fated mate sooner...
As Valle departed, Allen's stoic expression remained fixed. Collins approached him, a sly smile spreading across his face.
"So, my Alpha, where do we begin?"
*****
Valle trudged through the snow, his feet sinking into the drifts as he scanned the horizon for any sign of Alexa. The wind whipped through his cloak, biting at his skin, but he pressed on, undeterred. Hours of searching had yielded nothing, but he refused to give up.
As the sun began to set, casting a pale light over the landscape, Valle spotted something unusual - a trail of blood-stained tracks in the snow. His heart quickened as he followed the trail, his eyes locked on the prints. But as he walked, he realized that the tracks didn't match Alexa's scent. It was a trap, set by rogues to throw him off her trail.
Valle's jaw clenched in frustration, but he didn't let it deter him. He took a deep breath, letting the cold air fill his lungs, and continued his search. His training allowed him to adapt to the harsh conditions, and he pressed on, undaunted.
As night began to fall, Valle settled into a makeshift shelter, his eyes scanning the surrounding area for any sign of movement. His alpha senses were on high alert, and he detected the presence of rogues closing in on him. A small smile played on his lips as he waited, his muscles tensed and ready.
The rogues approached, their eyes gleaming in the dark, but Valle remained calm and collected. He knew he had the upper hand, and he was ready to take them down. The wait was over, and Valle was prepared to face whatever came next.
The rogues emerged from the shadows, their eyes gleaming with malice. Lancelot, the Alpha King, stood tall, his senses on high alert. He had walked into their trap knowingly, leaving his pack behind to confront Alexa alone.
The leader of the rogues sneered, his voice laced with mockery. "Not so mighty now, are you, Alpha King?"
Lancelot's smile was a thin line, his eyes glinting with a fierce inner light. He sauntered away from the rogues, his movements deliberate and calm.
The rogues attacked, their claws swiping wildly. Valle dodged and weaved, his own claws extended in swift, precise strikes. He fought with a calculated ferocity, his eyes burning with determination.
The rogue leader snarled, his teeth bared. "For a man who believes only in himself, you've made a lot of enemies."
Lancelot's response was a swift kick, his boot connecting with the rogue's stomach. He fought on, his movements a blur of claw and tooth, his focus solely on taking down his attackers.
Lancelot's growl rumbled deep in his throat as he faced the rogue leader. A momentary lapse in focus allowed the rogues to strike, and a searing pain shot through his side. But he refused to yield.
With a swift transformation, Valle took on his wolf form, his eyes turning a piercing black. The rogues froze, taken aback by his majestic appearance. Valle charged, targeting the rogue leader's throat. A swift swipe of his claws ended the leader's life.
Without hesitation, Valle took down the remaining rogues, his movements ruthless and efficient. Returning to his human form, he approached the last rogue standing, his eyes blazing with a mix of triumph and bitterness.
The two men clashed, their fight intense and brutal. Valle stumbled, clutching his abdomen in pain, but quickly recovered and launched a counter-attack. With a swift strike, he sent the rogue leader crashing to the ground.
Valle pounced, his eyes burning with vengeance. He gripped the rogue leader's neck, slamming him against a tree. The sound of snapping bones filled the air as the rogue's life ended.
Breathless, Valle stood amidst the fallen bodies, a bittersweet smile on his bloodied face. He glanced down at his wounded side, reassuring himself that it would heal. After cleaning up and changing into fresh clothes, Valle stood at the forest's edge, ready to face Alexa and their daughter.
A mix of emotions swirled within him - pride, sorrow, and determination. He knew he had to rebuild what he had lost, and he was ready to face the challenges ahead.
*******
Leonard stood outside Alexa's room, observing the tender moment between her and their baby. He felt a surge of responsibility, knowing his salary alone wouldn't be enough to support them. He wanted to provide a stable future for his family.
As he entered the room, Alexa looked up, startled, and greeted him with a warm smile. "Hi," she said softly, her voice filled with gratitude.
Leonard returned her smile, but his eyes betrayed his concern. He noticed the sadness in Alexa's eyes, a weight that seemed to bear down on her. He hesitated, unsure how to approach the subject.
"I was thinking," he began, choosing his words carefully, "it might be helpful if you started looking for a job. It could provide some financial stability for you and the baby."
Alexa nodded, her eyes reflecting the effort she had already put into finding employment. She didn't want to burden Leonard further, grateful for his support.
Leonard was impressed by Alexa's proactive approach to finding a job, despite her recent arrival. He admired her resilience and determination, and his respect for her grew.
"I might be able to help," Leonard offered, wanting to alleviate her concerns. He knew of a friend seeking a secretary, and although Alexa lacked formal qualifications, he believed she had potential.
Alexa's face fell as she considered her limitations. Without proper credentials, she doubted her chances. However, she appreciated Daniel's support and nodded slowly.
"Thank you, Leonard," she whispered, touched by his kindness.
Leonard smiled sincerely, feeling satisfied with being able to assist Alexa. As he left, Alexa pondered her situation. Her lack of qualifications seemed like a significant obstacle, but she remained hopeful, grateful for Leonard's help. With determination and luck, she might be able to create a better future for herself and her daughter.