Chapter 10 : A Lesson from the Wolf

Ren’s Point of View

Ren leaned against the balcony railing of his private quarters in the pack house, the cool night air brushing against his face. The soft rustling of the forest below usually brought him peace, but tonight, it did little to quiet his thoughts.

The evening with Elena replayed in his mind - the warmth of her smile, the way her eyes lit up when she talked about her work, the way she had laughed at one of his rare attempts at humor. It had been perfect.

Almost.

You’re an idiot, his wolf growled suddenly, breaking the silence in his mind. A complete dumbass.

Ren straightened, frowning. What are you talking about?

You didn’t ask her out again. You didn’t even get her number!

Ren sighed, running a hand through his hair. I didn’t want to rush her. This is new for her. For both of us.

His wolf let out an exaggerated huff. New, sure. But now you have no way to contact her. You’re going to have to stalk her on campus again like some lovesick pup. Do you have any idea how pathetic that is?

Ren’s jaw tightened, his grip on the railing firm. It’s not like I can just tell her the truth. ‘Hi, Elena, I’m your mate. Oh, by the way, I’m also a werewolf.’ That would go over well.

You don’t have to tell her everything, the wolf retorted. But you could at least make sure you can see her again without leaving it to chance.

Ren hated to admit it, but his wolf had a point. He had walked her back to campus, thanked her for the evening, and let her slip away into the night without securing any way to contact her. Now, he was left hoping their paths would cross again - a gamble he didn’t like, especially given how strongly he felt the bond pulling him toward her.

You’re the Alpha, his wolf continued, his tone laced with sarcasm. The leader of this pack. You strategize, plan, and command dozens of wolves on a daily basis. And yet you can’t even ask one woman for her phone number? Pathetic.

Ren growled softly under his breath, though there was no one around to hear it. I’ll see her again, he said, more to reassure himself than his wolf. It’s not over.

You better hope it isn’t, the wolf shot back, retreating with a final, frustrated growl.

The restless energy in Ren’s chest refused to fade, so he left the balcony and made his way to his office. The stack of reports waiting on his desk might not quiet his wolf, but they would at least distract him.

Kael was waiting for him when he arrived, leaning casually against the doorframe. “You’re back late,” the beta said, his tone light but curious.

Ren grunted in response, brushing past him and dropping into the chair behind his desk. “I had a… meeting.”

Kael raised an eyebrow, stepping inside and closing the door. “Meeting? At a café?”

Ren shot him a sharp look, but Kael’s smirk only widened.

“Word travels fast,” Kael said, shrugging. “One of the younger wolves spotted you in town with someone. A woman.”

Ren’s wolf growled in warning, but Ren ignored it. “And?”

“And,” Kael said, his smirk fading into something more thoughtful, “if it’s who I think it is, you might want to be careful.”

Ren narrowed his eyes. “What do you mean?”

“The pack doesn’t know about her yet,” Kael said, his tone serious. “And until they do, every move you make is going to be scrutinized. You’re the Alpha, Ren. You’re supposed to be focused on the pack, not sneaking off to town to court a human.”

Ren leaned back in his chair, his gaze steady. “I’m not sneaking off,” he said calmly. “And she’s not just anyone.”

Kael studied him for a moment, then nodded slowly. “Fair enough. But you know how the pack is about tradition. If they think you’re distracted - or worse, breaking their expectations - it’s going to cause trouble.”

Ren sighed, rubbing his temples. “I know, Kael. Believe me, I’m trying to balance this. But she’s my mate. I can’t ignore that.”

Kael’s expression softened slightly. “Then don’t. Just make sure you’re ready for what comes next.”

Later that night, as Ren lay in bed, his wolf stirred again, its presence restless but quieter than before.

You need to see her again, it said simply, the anger from earlier replaced by a steady resolve. You need to claim her.

Not yet, Ren replied, though his chest ached at the thought of being apart from her. She needs time.

His wolf growled softly, but it didn’t argue. Then don’t waste another chance. If she’s ours, we need to make sure she knows it.

Ren closed his eyes, the image of Elena’s smile the last thing he saw before sleep claimed him.