Theda POV My heart raced, and I instinctively tried to pull away from Yerida's grasp but I wasn't able to. "Let go of her, Yerida!" Alpha Norton's commanding voice filled the room. I noticed a flicker of fear in Yerida's eyes before she finally released her grip. Yerida, now seemingly amazed by Alpha Norton's refusal to comply, faltered for a moment. "You're refusing my request, Norton?" she questioned, her voice tinged with disbelief. Alpha Norton stood tall, unwavering in his decision. "I am," he replied firmly, his tone leaving no room for negotiation. "You won't tell me what to do, Yerida. I'm the Alpha here." My confusion deepened as Yerida let out a chuckle and rolled her eyes, seemingly amused by the situation. Yerida's demeanor, folding her hands in a way that made her appear superior, only added to my bewilderment. I watched intently as Yerida took a step forward, her tone dripping with veiled threats. "Alright, Norton. Be a good Alpha, but believe me when I s
Norton POV I observed the fear in Theda's eyes, a fear I hadn't intended to instill. Realizing my tight grip on her, I immediately loosened it, allowing her some relief. I closed the door behind me, stepping out of my room. My initial urgency had been due to a sense that someone was outside, and now I was surprised to discover it was Theda."Theda...?" I spoke her name with a mix of curiosity and concern."I am sorry, I was eavesdropping," she blurted out, her voice filled with urgency, deliberately avoiding my gaze."It's..." I began searching for the right words."Bad manners, I know," She interrupted, her words rushed and remorseful."Yeah, though..." I tried to interject, but she continued, not allowing me to speak."I won't do that again. Pardon me," She concluded, her tone filled with sincerity and regret. I stood there, stunned by her unexpected confession, caught off guard by her genuine remorse. Her eyes finally met my gaze but I found myself unable to speak as she ave
Norton POV I took a deep breath, my eyes locked on Theda's. I was intrigued by her words and the intensity behind them. With a raised eyebrow, I asked, "What do you mean?" She hesitated for a moment, her eyes searching my face before she spoke. "I... I did not mean to insult you, Alpha Norton, but..." Her voice wavered slightly, but she quickly gathered herself, her expression hardening. "I don't think this is you. You've changed in the last few days. The Alpha Norton who saved me wasn't someone who would allow himself to be ridden by his problems." My curiosity deepened, my gaze unwavering. I wanted to understand her perspective, to grasp the essence of what she was trying to convey. I urged her to continue, silently prompting her to reveal more. "And…?" She took a moment to steady herself, gathering her thoughts before she continued. "And he is strong, both from the outside and inside," she said, her voice gaining conviction. I was impressed she had a good perspective abo
Theda POV As Alpha Norton flashed a genuine smile at me, I couldn't help but feel a bit unsettled. A rush of warmth spread across my cheeks, causing me to flush with a mix of surprise and embarrassment. Not wanting to make the situation awkward, I quickly turned away, attempting to hide my cringe. With a silent nod to myself, I left the room, closing the door behind me. Stepping out into the hallway, I let out a sigh of relief, my emotions still slightly unsettled. I took a few steps forward, trying to regain my composure and collect my thoughts. However, my moment of solitude was interrupted as Norton's mother appeared from the path leading to another hallway. She approached me with a concerned expression and fixed her gaze on the covered plate on the serving board I held onto. I noticed the worry etched on the woman's face, evident in her contemplative expression. It was clear that she was wondering whether her son had eaten the meal. Not wanting to see her get more worrie
Theda POV Breaking the silence, Alpha Norton said, "Theda, have dinner with us." I, taken aback by his persistence and his mother's warm invitation, still hesitated for a moment. I searched for the right words, my mind still wrestling with the implications of accepting the invitation. Finally, I spoke, my voice tinged with a mix of gratitude and hesitation."Thank you for the generous offer, Aloha Norton," I began, "but I've already prepared my dinner in the kitchen. Besides, I don't think it would be appropriate for me to dine with esteemed individuals like you and your mother, being someone who isn't even a part of the pack." I felt a touch of self-doubt. I was aware that there was nothing inherently wrong with accepting the invitation, but the potential judgment and gossip from other pack members weighed on my mind. I didn't want it to seem as if I was taking advantage of their kindness or overstepping my boundaries. My eyes briefly flickered with a mix of longing and uncert
Theda POV I was still caught up in my own nervousness when I spoke without fully considering my words. "Alpha, let's take a stroll in the garden and enjoy the serenity of the night," I blurted out, my voice betraying a hint of uncertainty. To my surprise, he chuckled softly in response. It was a gentle, reassuring sound that made me question whether he had sensed my nervousness all along. His next words confirmed my suspicions."You shouldn't be afraid of what others might think of you, Theda," Alpha Norton said, his tone filled with understanding. He took a deep breath before continuing, "You should think about yourself first. I hope you understand what I mean by that?" I stared at him, momentarily rendered speechless. His words struck a chord within me, reminding me of the importance of self-care and following my own desires. It also made me remember my father again. He used to always advise me to put myself first. I realized that my apprehension had been driven by a fear of ju
Theda POV As the silence became unbearable for me, I anxiously asked, "Alpha Tyler, was my advice ...bad?" With a nod, he said, "Yes, it was." The following silence seemed to amplify my disappointment, making me doubt my own judgment. With a nervous gulp, I turned my gaze away, unsure of how to interpret his reaction. However, my thoughts were interrupted as he unexpectedly burst into laughter. His laughter filled the air, drawing my attention back to him. Confusion mixed with relief washed over me as I tried to make sense of his amusement."Was it that bad and funny, and that's why you're laughing, Alpha...?" I asked, my voice laced with a hint of curiosity. But he waved dismissively, still chuckling. "No, Theda," he replied, shaking his head. "Your advice was great. It left me momentarily speechless. I was just pulling your leg. Your expression got me, and I couldn't suppress my laughter any longer." Relief flooded my being, and a smile tugged at the corners of my lips. I
Norton POV Some days later, my expression grew even more serious as I prepared to meet with the elders of the pack. The fact that they requested a meeting had me on edge, wondering what important matters they would bring before me. I couldn't help but feel a sense of apprehension as I wrapped up my remaining tasks for the morning. When the wall clock struck 1 p.m., I knew it was time to face the elders. Rising from my desk, I straightened my posture and composed myself for the meeting ahead. Just as I was about to leave my office, my Beta, Duke, entered the room. Duke respectfully bowed, a sign of deference and acknowledgment of my authority."The elders are waiting for you at your chamber," he informed me, my tone reflecting the importance of the meeting. I nodded, acknowledging Duke's message. "Thank you, Duke. Please inform them that I'll be there shortly." He nodded in response before exiting the room, leaving me to gather my thoughts. As I made my way towards the chambe
Theda POV My heart swelled with affection as my son beckoned for me, and without hesitation, I ran up to Tyler, enveloping him in a tight embrace. Tears welled up in my eyes, mingling with the overwhelming emotions that surged through me. "I am sorry, Theda. I am sorry," Tyler whispered, his voice filled with remorse and sincerity. "I won't ever do that again. I will never doubt you. Never." I pulled back slightly from the hug, looking into his eyes, my heart touched by his words. With a gentle smile, I reassured him, "It is fine, Alpha Tyler." Turning to face Alpha Norton, I bowed respectfully, gratitude shining in my eyes. "Thank you, Alpha Norton. I won't forget what you've done for me today. Your kindness and understanding mean a great deal." Alpha Norton returned my smile, though I could see the flicker of sadness in his eyes. He fought back his tears, his pride evident in his composed demeanor. "You can go, Theda," he said, waving his hand in a bittersweet farewell. He th
Tyler POV Another week had gone by, and I couldn't shake off the persistent thoughts of venturing to the Wildwood pack to retrieve Theda. In the meantime, Jasmine had made herself at home in the packhouse, living with Blake, and their blossoming relationship was evident to all. I genuinely felt joy for them, seeing their happiness. However, the longing in my heart became unbearable, and I reached a breaking point. Determined to confront my feelings head-on, I decided to embark on a journey to the Wildwood pack alone. Ignoring the potential consequences, I made my way to the territory, driven by an unyielding desire to see Theda once more and take her with me this time. As I arrived at the Wildwood pack, tensions rose. The pack guards, sensing my intrusion, moved to confront me, their aggression apparent. A fight seemed imminent, tensions escalating between me and the guards who sought to remove me forcefully. Yet, just as the situation reached its boiling point, a commanding
Blake POV After I left the office, I stepped out of the packhouse and happened to spot Jasmine walking by. A warm smile formed on my lips as I called out to her."Hey, Jasmine." She stopped in her tracks, turning to face me with a smile that mirrored my own. As I approached her, our eyes met, sparking a sense of familiarity and comfort."Beta Blake, greetings," Jasmine replied, offering a courteous bow. Her eyes shimmered with a glint of joy, clearly delighted by the unexpected encounter. My curiosity got the better of me as I inquired about her plans. "Hm, where are you off to?"She shrugged lightly, a playful expression adorning her features. "Just walking around since I'm permitted to do so for a little while today." A mischievous grin spread across my face as I made a spontaneous decision. "I'll keep you company." She chuckled, seemingly taken aback by my offer. Her surprise quickly transformed into a peal of infectious laughter. "What about work?""I'm free for now, Jassy,
Tyler POV I felt a deep sense of uncertainty gripping my heart ever since the day I met Theda and we shared that fateful kiss. The moment our lips touched, a whirlwind of emotions had surged through me, and I had been unable to shake off the lingering effects since then. After that reoccurring life-altering encounter, I had mustered the courage to ask Theda to come back with me, to be a part of my life and my pack again. However, much to my dismay, Theda had chosen to leave without giving me a definitive answer, leaving me in a state of constant unease. Days turned into weeks, and uncertainty continued to gnaw at my soul. I couldn't help but wonder if Theda had any intentions of returning or if she had simply vanished from my life forever. The absence of closure had left me feeling adrift, my thoughts consumed by the memory of that shared kiss and the bond I believed still existed between us.One day, Theda's mother, seeking to understand her daughter's whereabouts, visited the
Theda POV Staring at Norton's angry mother, I mustered the strength to speak, my voice filled with remorse. "Alpha Norton, I am so sorry," I managed to utter, my words weighed down by the heaviness of the situation. Alpha Norton, still facing away from me, nodded silently. His gesture conveyed a mix of understanding and resignation as if he had anticipated this outcome. "Theda, it's alright." I could sense the pain and disappointment radiating from him, and it tore at my heart. Meanwhile, Aunt Jael sneered, her expression filled with disdain as she continued to stare at me. The contemptuous gaze intensified the already overwhelming emotions within me, and I felt a desperate need to escape the suffocating atmosphere. Without another word, I turned and rushed out of the office, seeking solace and refuge. As I entered my room, my vision blurred by my tears, I stumbled near my bed. Collapsing onto the soft surface, I began to cry bitterly, my sobs echoing through the room. The
Norton POV Standing by the entrance gate, my heart sank as I witnessed Theda and Tyler locked in a passionate kiss. I had noticed Theda leaving the packhouse in a hurry earlier, and now, seeing her in the arms of another, my worst fears seemed to be confirmed. The sight struck me with a mix of shock and disappointment, and I felt a heavy weight settle in my chest. Silently, I retreated, my footsteps heavy and my mind clouded with a whirlwind of emotions. Doubts that had lingered in the back of my mind were now crystal clear, and my fears about Theda's feelings for Tyler seemed validated. I returned to my room, feeling dejected and betrayed, struggling to make sense of it all. In the following days, Theda seemed to avoid me, her presence scarce and her interactions minimal. She had only served me a meal the following day after that day. I couldn't help but feel the palpable tension between us, our once budding connection now strained. The distance between us only deepened my sen
Theda POV My conscience weighed heavily on me as I replayed the events of the day in my mind. I had spent the entire day feeling guilty for deceiving Alpha Norton about my true feelings for Alpha Tyler. After dinner, as I prepared to retire to my bed, I was interrupted by Aunt Jael, who approached her with a serious expression on her face. Caught off guard, I looked at her and managed to ask politely, "Aunt Jael, do you want anything?" Her gaze shifted briefly towards Liam who lay peacefully asleep on the bed. Wordlessly, she signaled for me to follow her outside. My heart raced as I complied, stepping out into the hallway and closing the door behind me. The dimly lit space added to my growing anxiety. Standing before the railings, Aunt Jael seemed composed, but I could sense an undercurrent of concern. Tentatively, I approached her, my unease palpable. I couldn't help but wonder what she wanted to talk about, especially with such a serious expression on her face. She finally
Norton POV I have been feeling a deep sense of insecurity gnawing at me ever since Theda had postponed our wedding. I love her with all my heart and I couldn't bear the thought of doubting her or questioning her love for me. However, her actions had been fueling my doubts and making me question our relationship. Unable to bear the weight of uncertainty any longer, I decided to have a candid conversation with Theda. I needed to understand why she had chosen to postpone our wedding for the second time, hoping that her answers would put my doubts to rest. I called her to my private chamber, a place where we often shared intimate moments and heartfelt discussions. As she entered the room, my heart raced. I took a deep breath, summoning the courage to confront my fears. I looked into her eyes, searching for reassurance, and began to ask her the questions that plagued my mind."Theda," I said, his voice trembling slightly, "I need to understand why you postponed our wedding. It's bee
Theda POV I walked up to Alpha Norton, my gaze fixed on my mother standing before me. The sight of my mother after five long years filled me with a mixture of emotions—joy, nostalgia, and a tinge of apprehension. I hadn't expected to see my mother again, and now that she stood before me, it felt like a surreal moment."Mother?" My voice trembled with a mix of uncertainty and longing, my eyes searching for answers."Theda, my child," her voice sounded as soothing as ever, reaching deep into my heart. Our bond had survived the test of time, and our connection remained strong. I couldn't help but be drawn to my mother, and I stepped forward, embracing her in a long-awaited hug. At that moment, the world around them seemed to fade away, leaving only the warmth and familiarity of our shared love. But as my eyes shifted to Alpha Tyler, who stood nearby with a smile on his face, a sense of unease crept over me. I couldn't shake the feeling that he had orchestrated this reunion, using