Once Best Friend

He walks with the others, his posture relaxed, his movements fluid. But there's something in his eyes, a sharpness, a focus. I see the way his nose twitches, the way his eyes narrow as he scans the area. He's alert, more so than the others. 

More so than me.

I watch him, my heart in my throat. I know Liam. I know his keen senses, his sharp mind. He's always been the best at tracking, at noticing the little details. And he's always been suspicious of me, always questioning my decisions, my motives.

Especially since Elara. 

I never should have bedded her.

I can't let him find her. I can't let him find Lyla.

I see him pause, his head tilting to the side. He sniffs the air, his nostrils flaring, and my heart stops. I grip the ax tighter, my knuckles turning white. He takes a step closer, his gaze fixed on the cabin, and I know he's caught her scent. It's faint, but it's there. And Liam doesn't miss anything.

I force myself to breathe, to stay calm. I can't let him see my panic, my fear. I have to act normal, like nothing is wrong. Like there's nothing out of the ordinary.

But inside, I'm screaming. I'm begging him to stop, to turn around, to leave. Because if he finds her, if he sees her...

"Alpha."

I jump, my head snapping up. Liam stands in front of me, his expression unreadable. I swallow hard, my pulse racing. "Liam," I say, my voice steady. "What brings you out here?"

He looks around, his gaze sweeping the clearing. "I was looking for you. You've been spending a lot of time out here by your cozy little cabin lately."

I shrug, forcing a casual tone. "I like the solitude. The quiet."

He nods, but I see the doubt in his eyes. "It's unusual for you. You're usually more involved with the pack, with the lodge. But lately, you've been... distant."

He looks around again, his eyes narrowing. "But there's something else."

I force myself to breathe. "What do you mean?"

He doesn't answer, his gaze fixed on something behind me. I turn, following his line of sight, and I see the cabin. My pulse quickens, and I take a step forward, blocking his view. "I just needed some time alone."

His gaze sharpens. "Come now, Kalen. You can't hide from me. You're my Alpha. I've known you since you were a pup. I know your habits, your routines. But lately, you've been... different."

I shift my weight, my heart pounding in my chest. "Different how?"

Liam steps closer, his voice lowering. "You're avoiding us. The pack. You spend hours out here, alone. You don't eat with us, you don't sleep in the lodge. You don't even check in with the patrols. It's like you've become a ghost."

I open my mouth to respond, but he holds up a hand. "Don't try to deny it. I've seen it with my own eyes. And I hear the whispers. The pack is worried. They don't understand why their Alpha has abandoned them."

I bristle at his words, my chest tightening. But I’m also defensive. If the entire pack has noticed . . . What rumors are circulating about my self-imposed isolation? "I'm not abandoning them. I'm just... taking some time for myself. Is that a crime?"

He shakes his head, his expression hardening. "No, it's not. But it's out of character for you. And it's making the pack uneasy. They need their Alpha. They need your leadership. Or . . . Someone else’s. Someone . . . More reliable."

I glare at him, my anger rising. "And you think you're fit to lead them in my stead?"

His eyes flash with a challenge. "You know I am. I won't let the pack suffer because of your personal issues."

My anger boils over, and I take a step closer to him. "You're out of line, Liam. I'm still the Alpha. And I don't need you questioning my every move."

He doesn't back down, his jaw clenching. "I'm just pointing out the facts. You're not acting like yourself. And it's affecting the pack. If you need to take a moment to wallow in self-pity, lick some emotional wounds, fine, but don’t drag the rest of us down with you."

I can feel the tension between us, the air crackling with energy. We both know what this means. What it always means when an Alpha and his Beta clash.

I take a deep breath, my eyes never leaving his. "If you think you can do better, then challenge me."

His eyes widen, and I see the flicker of surprise in them. But it's quickly replaced with determination. "I don't want to fight you, Kalen.” The words leave his mouth, but the hungry anticipation in his eyes says otherwise. “But I can't ignore what's happening. The pack comes first."

I nod, my muscles tensing. "Then let's settle this. The old way."