The Alpha's Dilemma

(Kennedy's POV)

I stormed out of her room, my mind storming with all sorts of emotions. Her words echoed inside my head, each word deeper and more painful than the last.

"I don't have the heart to take in someone as beautiful as you."

Beautiful? That's all she thought of me? Like some passing fancy, something she could admire but never have. And her rejection wasn't a hit against my pride, it ripped the bond I felt so well. She thought she was saving me from pain, but in doing so, she was ripping me apart.

My hands fisted, my nails digging into the palmar surfaces. The mention of her past mate, Marcus, seemed to fan the fire in me. He had rejected her? Hurt her so deeply she couldn't even see her worth anymore? I wanted to hunt him down and make him pay for what he had done to her. My wolf growled low in my mind in complete agreement.

"Weak fool," my wolf growled. "He didn't deserve her. But you do. She's ours to claim!

I exhaled sharply, trying to steady myself. No. She wasn't ready for that. Not yet. Forcing the bond on her now would only make things worse. She needed time to heal, to see herself as I saw her strong, radiant, worthy. But damn, it was hard to hold back when every fiber of my being screamed for her.

On the way to the common room, Jerry waited along the way, a steaming cup of tea in his hand. He always knew when I needed him.

"Rough talk?" he asked in his light tone laced with knowing.

I snatched the tea off him, drinking deeply before turning back to answer, "She's… stubborn."

A smirk twisted Jerry's face as he leaned against the table. "And you're not? Face it, Alpha. You've met your match.”

I turned to him a glare, yet truth-in words stung: "She does not understand the bond, she is caught up in some past, dwelling on that bloody bastard who could not realize the real worth of her." everything was just too overwhelming, more than I could hold inside me.

The smirk fell, and Jerry's face sobered. "She's been hurt, Kennedy. That kind of pain doesn't just go away because you want it to. Give her time. She'll come around.”

"Time," I growled out, bitter. "How much time am I supposed to give her? The bond isn't something you can ignore, Jerry. It's like-" I broke off, shaking my head. "It's like every second she pushes me away, she's ripping me apart."

Jerry nodded slowly. "I get it. But if you push too hard, you'll lose her for good. Patience, Alpha. She's worth it, isn't she?"

I didn't respond. I didn't need to. It was pretty much self-explanatory. Alina was worth every ounce of pain, every moment of frustration. But it didn't make it any easier.

He changed the subject. "About the rogues…"

I frowned, welcoming the distraction. "What about them?”

Jerry crossed his arms over his chest. "Scouts reported movement in the southern woods. It's too close to Shadowclaw territory for comfort. Seems like a small group, but they're hanging around longer than usual. It might be nothing, but."

I didn't need him to finish. Rogues near Shadowclaw territory were never nothing. That pack couldn't be trusted, and I wasn't about to let them make a move against mine.

"Gather the men," I ordered. "We will get to it."

Jerry hesitated, his eyes searching my face. "You sure? Earlier, you seemed set on staying in the pack."

"I need the air," I muttered. And I did. The tension in my chest needed an outlet, and dealing with rogues was far less complicated than sorting out my feelings for Alina.

Jerry gave me a knowing look but didn't push further. "I'll get the team ready. We'll meet in the war room.

The war room was dimly lit; the air was thick with tension. A map of the territory spread across the table, riddled with markers showing rogue activity. My men, Dean and Dan, stood at opposite ends of the table discussing strategy.

Dean pointed to the southern border. "Here. If we come in from the east, we can cut them off before they retreat into Shadowclaw territory.

"And if they cross the border?" Dan asked, his voice laced with caution.

Dean snarled. "We let them know exactly whose land they're messing with."

I nodded, liking the plan. "We leave at dawn. Check your gear tonight. I don't want any surprises out there."

"Got it," Dean said, his eyes glinting with resolution.

Jerry leaned against the wall, eyeing me closely. "You sure you're up for this, Alpha?

"I'm fine”, I said briefly, my mind still with Alina.

Later that night, once again I stood outside her door, the soft glow of the light beneath the frame a clue that she was still awake. Raising my hand, I steeled myself for just a moment before knocking.

What would I say to her, anyway? That I wasn't able to stop thinking of her? That the thought of leaving the pack without seeing her one last time made my chest ache?

My hand dropped to my side. She needed time, Jerry had said. But how much time could I give her before the bond became too much to bear?

I exhaled sharply, stepping back, and my wolf growled in protest, urging me to go inside, to take her as mine. However, I forced myself to turn away.

As I went down the hall, my eyes went once more toward her door. "Goodnight, Alina," I whispered low under my breath, fully aware she could not hear me.

I'll sort out the rogues tomorrow. For tonight, I'd leave her alone. For now.