Chapter 1

Third Person Pov

"Alpha, there seems to be a breach," Beta Tobias announced, barging into Alpha Gregory's office, his face etched with concern.

The heavy oak door slammed against the wall, sending a reverberating thud through the room.

Gregory didn't look up from his paperwork, his brow furrowing as he continued to write. "How serious is the threat?" he asked, his voice calm but edged with an unmistakable authority. The flicker of a candlelight illuminated his chiseled features, highlighting the tension in his jaw.

"It's an omega, Alpha." Tobias's voice carried a trace of frustration, as if the words alone should have been enough to convey the gravity of the situation.

"An omega?" Gregory says, finally looking up, his eyes meeting Tobias’s with a mix of disbelief and irritation. "Are you telling me that you, my Beta, can't handle a simple omega?" He leaned back in his chair, the leather creaking under his weight. Tobias had been his closest friend since childhood, someone who understood the nuances of his temper and still stood by him.

"No, Alpha," Tobias replied, trying to keep his tone steady. "But this omega has crossed the border and might be hiding somewhere within the pack's territory. Its scent is elusive, and the Beta warriors are struggling to identify it. We have no clue about its intentions, which is why I came directly to you."

Gregory’s eyes narrowed into slits. "So, you're telling me the rogue is already within the pack, and I’m just hearing about it now?"

Tobias took a deep breath. "I’ve been trying to mind-link you, but you shut us all out. We need your help to handle this situation."

Gregory exhaled sharply, his temper barely restrained. "Alright. I’ll mind-link the entire pack to assemble at the pack house, particularly the women and children. I'll take on the task of searching for this rogue myself. Tobias, I want you to guard the pack house gate. No one leaves until we locate this intruder. Is that understood?"

"Yes, Alpha. I will make sure of it," Tobias replied, nodding firmly before turning on his heel and heading out of the office.

Gregory knew he could be harsh, but he trusted Tobias more than anyone. His friend’s loyalty and ability to endure his outbursts were unmatched.

Once Tobias left, Gregory closed his eyes to center himself, feeling the weight of responsibility settling on his shoulders. When he opened them again, his deep gold-brown eyes had shifted to a fierce, glowing red. He walked to the window, the chill of the night air brushing against his face as he let out three powerful howls. The sounds echoed through the forest, a call to all pack members to gather at the pack house immediately.

With the signal sent, Gregory strode purposefully out of his office, down the grand staircase, and outside towards the pack members who had already begun to assemble.

"Alpha," they greeted him in unison, their voices tinged with a mixture of respect and concern. He acknowledged them with a curt nod, his gaze scanning their faces.

"Are you heading out now, Alpha?" Tobias asked, stepping forward with a concerned expression.

Gregory nodded in response. "Yes."

"Please, take care of yourself. The pack relies on you," Tobias said earnestly, placing a hand on Gregory’s shoulder.

Gregory met Tobias’s gaze, a rare smile crossing his face. He returned the gesture with a reassuring pat on the back. "I will, Tobias. Keep the pack safe. I’ll deal with this intruder."

With a final nod, Gregory dashed out of the gate, shifting seamlessly into a powerful brown wolf. The transformation was swift and smooth, his muscles rippling beneath his fur. As he ran, the night air was filled with the sounds of the pack members hurrying to the pack house. A few tried to halt him, but he ignored their calls, knowing he would make amends once the rogue was dealt with.

Upon reaching the pack border, Gregory’s heightened senses were overwhelmed by a strange and intoxicating blend of floral and strawberry scents. The aroma was both alluring and unsettling, invoking a deep, unfamiliar longing within him.

"Alpha, we’ve pinpointed the area where the intruder might be hiding," one of the pack warriors said, breaking into his thoughts.

Gregory's ears perked up, focusing on the warrior’s words. "Lead the way. I need to resolve this swiftly." His mind raced with questions. What kind of omega would dare to trespass on his land? He was determined to show this intruder why his pack was the most feared in the region.

"This is the location, Alpha," Eve, the leader of the pack warriors, said, gesturing towards an old, dilapidated cottage nestled in the trees. The structure seemed to blend into the night, its windows darkened and walls covered in creeping ivy. "With your permission, we will proceed."

"No, Eve. I will handle this personally," Gregory said, stepping forward and shifting back into his human form. He stood naked in the moonlight, his muscular frame illuminated by the soft glow. It was a common sight for the warriors, who were accustomed to seeing their Alpha in this state.

"Alpha you shouldn't..." Eve began, trying to interject, but Gregory cut her off with a low, menacing growl.

"Are you questioning my authority, Eve? You know better than to try and stop me," he growled in his Alpha voice, causing all pack members, including Eve, to drop to the floor in submission. The intensity of his voice echoed through the clearing, reinforcing his dominance.

"I'm sorry, Alpha. That was not my intention," Eve said, her voice trembling as she lowered her head in respect.

Ignoring her, Gregory’s attention was fixed on the cottage entrance, where the intoxicating scent was strongest. It had stirred emotions in him that he had never experienced in his twenty-two years as Alpha. His determination to find the rogue was fueled by an unsettling combination of curiosity and frustration.

He pushed open the creaky door and stepped inside. The scent of flowers and strawberries, mingled with an undercurrent of fear, nearly overwhelmed him. The interior was shrouded in darkness, with dust motes dancing in the faint moonlight that filtered through the grimy windows.

"Whoever you are, step out now and accept mercy," Gregory’s voice resonated through the room, laced with a dangerous edge. "If I have to find you myself, I will not hesitate to tear you apart."

As he moved through the cottage, the scent grew stronger, leading him to a door at the back. He stopped and issued a final warning. "Come out now, or face the consequences."

The intruder remained hidden, and Gregory’s patience finally snapped. With a powerful kick, he burst open the door and stepped into a cluttered room. His eyes swept the room, taking in the scattered furniture and the thick layer of dust that coated everything.

He approached the wardrobe, his anger boiling over. With a swift motion, he yanked the doors open, revealing a figure huddled inside. The pale skin of the omega stood out starkly against the darkness. The sight of the omega’s deep blue eyes, wide with fear, sent a jolt through Gregory.

And his wolf growled in recognition. "Mate," it howled as Gregory sank to his knees, overwhelmed by a wave of unexpected emotions.