12

KALEB'S POV

The pack had changed since Xenia left. I could feel it in the air, the subtle shift in the way the others looked at me, the whispers that followed me as I walked through the clearing. It was like an unspoken challenge—an acknowledgment that I was vulnerable without my mate. And in a pack like this, vulnerability was a dangerous thing.

It had only been a few days since Xenia left for the city, and I already felt the absence of her presence like a physical ache. She had become a part of me, of my identity as Alpha. Without her, there was a hollow emptiness that I couldn't fill, no matter how much I tried to ignore it.

I was standing near the edge of the forest, looking out over the horizon, when I heard footsteps approaching. I turned, my eyes narrowing as I saw Tochex and Octavyous walking towards me, their expressions unreadable. They were two of the strongest members of the pack, and they had never hidden their skepticism about me being Alpha—especially now that Xenia had gone.

"Kaleb," Tochex said, her voice carrying a hint of something—mockery, maybe, or challenge. "We were just talking about you."

I raised an eyebrow, my gaze steady on her. "Is that so? And what, exactly, were you talking about?"

Octavyous smirked, crossing his arms over his chest. "We were wondering how long it would take for you to lose your edge, now that your mate is gone. You know how important it is for an Alpha to be strong, to be... complete."

My jaw clenched, and I could feel the anger simmering beneath the surface. They were testing me, trying to push me—to see if I was still fit to lead without Xenia by my side. "I am still your Alpha," I said, my voice low and dangerous. "And I won't tolerate disrespect."

Tochex stepped closer, her eyes glinting with a mix of challenge and something else—something almost predatory. "We're not disrespecting you, Kaleb. We're just concerned about the pack. An Alpha without his mate is vulnerable, and we can't afford vulnerability right now. Not with the hunters getting closer."

I narrowed my eyes at her, my instincts on high alert. "What are you getting at, Tochex?"

She smiled, a slow, calculated smile that sent a chill down my spine. "We're just saying that maybe it's time for you to consider... other options. There are plenty of us here who would be more than willing to step up, to help you fill the void Xenia left."

My stomach twisted, and I felt a surge of disgust at her words. I knew what she was implying—knew that she was offering herself, or perhaps suggesting that I take another mate from the pack. It was a power play, a way to undermine my authority by questioning my strength without Xenia.

Octavyous nodded, his eyes cold. "The pack needs a strong Alpha, Kaleb. If you can't provide that, then maybe it's time for someone else to step up."

I took a deep breath, forcing myself to stay calm. They were trying to provoke me, to make me react, and I couldn't afford to lose control. Not now. "I am still the Alpha of this pack," I said, my voice steady. "And I will lead us, with or without Xenia. Anyone who thinks otherwise is welcome to challenge me."

Tochex's eyes narrowed, and for a moment, I saw a flicker of hesitation. She had wanted to push me, to test my resolve, but she hadn't expected me to call her bluff. She took a step back, her smile fading slightly. "No one is challenging you, Kaleb. Not yet, anyway. But remember, the pack comes first. Always."

I watched as they turned and walked away, their words still ringing in my ears. The pack comes first. It was true, of course—it had always been true. But now, more than ever, I felt the weight of those words pressing down on me. Without Xenia, I was vulnerable, and they knew it. They could sense the uncertainty, the void that her absence had left behind.

And as much as I hated to admit it, they were right. I needed to be strong, to prove that I could lead without her. But I also knew that no one could take Xenia's place—no one could fill the void she had left. She was my mate, my other half, and no matter how much the others tried to convince me otherwise, I knew that my heart would always belong to her.

But until she returned—if she returned—I had to find a way to lead, to be the Alpha the pack needed. Even if it meant standing alone.

MARRYLEN'S POV

Six months. Six long months had passed since Xenia left Beddington. Each day felt like a struggle, a battle between wanting to respect her decision to take space and the overwhelming urge to see her again. I tried to distract myself, to focus on my work with the forestry team, but nothing could fill the emptiness she had left behind.

I missed her—her laughter, her curiosity, the way she looked at me like I mattered. It was more than just an attraction; it was a connection I couldn't shake, no matter how much I tried. And every time I thought of her, I wondered if she was okay, if she had found what she was looking for in the city.

But the not knowing was the hardest part. The wondering, the hoping, the waiting. I had told her I would be here for her, that I would support her no matter what. But after six months of silence, I couldn't take it anymore. I needed to see her, to know if she was alright. To know if she still felt anything for me.

I packed my things and made arrangements to take some time off work. It wasn't easy—the pack was tense, with Kaleb's authority being questioned and the hunters getting bolder. But I knew I had to go. I had to find Xenia, to tell her how I felt, to see if there was still a chance for us.

The drive to the city was long, the landscape slowly shifting from rolling forests to towering skyscrapers. The closer I got, the more anxious I became. What if she didn't want to see me? What if she had moved on? What if Kaleb had been right, and I was only making things more complicated for her?

But I had to try. I had to see her, even if it meant risking rejection.

I arrived in New York late in the afternoon, the city bustling with life, a stark contrast to the quiet of Beddington. I found a small motel near the neighborhood where Xenia lived and checked in, my heart pounding in my chest. I had her address from when she first left, but I hesitated, not wanting to ambush her without warning.

Instead, I decided to walk through the neighborhood, hoping that maybe I would catch a glimpse of her. The streets were busy, people rushing past me, and for a moment, I felt out of place. I wasn't used to the noise, the chaos, the sheer size of the city. But I kept walking, driven by the hope that I might find her.

And then, as if fate had heard my silent plea, I saw her. She was across the street, her dark hair catching the light of the setting sun, her face as beautiful as I remembered. My heart skipped a beat, and I froze, unable to move or call out to her.

She looked different—more confident, more at ease. She was smiling, talking to someone I couldn't see, and my heart twisted with a mix of longing and fear. What if she was happy here? What if she didn't need me anymore?

But before I could let doubt consume me, I took a deep breath and crossed the street, my eyes never leaving her. As I got closer, she turned, her eyes widening in shock as they met mine.

"Marrylen?" she said, her voice barely above a whisper, her expression a mix of surprise and something else—something I hoped was happiness.

I smiled, my heart pounding. "Hey, Xenia. I... I couldn't stay away any longer. I had to see you."

She stared at me for a moment, and then, to my relief, her lips curved into a smile. "I can't believe you're here," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "I... I missed you."

Tears pricked at my eyes, and I took a step closer, my hand reaching out to touch hers. "I missed you too, Xenia. More than you know."

For a moment, everything else faded away—the noise of the city, the people rushing past us, the uncertainty of what lay ahead. All that mattered was that I was here, with her, and that maybe, just maybe, there was still a chance for us.