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
Norton POV"What was that...?" I murmured under my breath. With a swift motion, I cast a fleeting glance at my mother, silently signaling her to hold her thoughts. I swiftly moved towards the door, my steps measured and deliberate. As I reached for the doorknob, anticipation filled the air, causing my heart to quicken its pace. Opening the door with a sense of urgency, my lips parting in anticipation, my sharp gaze swept across the hallway outside. However, to my surprise, no one was present. The corridor stood empty, devoid of any signs of life. Perplexed, I took a step forward, my eyes darting from left to right in search of any trace of the mysterious presence I had sensed just moments ago. My brow furrowed, deep in thought, as I contemplated the situation."Was it just my imagination?" I wondered, his mind grappling with the possibility. Uncertainty clouded my thoughts, causing my forehead to crease with concern. The brief moment of suspense left him questioning my instincts
Norton POV Deep down, I remained resolute and prepared to face whatever challenges lay ahead. However, as the days passed, the pressure seemed to mount, weighing heavily on my shoulders. I remained determined not to succumb to the mounting stress, but deep inside, I felt the strain taking its toll. In my efforts to maintain focus on my responsibilities, I found myself spending more and more time secluded in my bedroom or office, engrossed in my work. However, my seclusion came at a cost. I felt a growing disappointment in my heart as I realized that I barely caught a glimpse of Theda, who had taken a confusing space in my heart, throughout the day. I wondered why she hadn't chosen to bring me a single meal, even just once, despite my secluded routine. One day, as my thoughts strayed from the contracts I was reviewing to unintentionally dwelling on thoughts of Theda, I suddenly found myself unable to maintain my usual composure. The stress and longing had reached a tipping point,