ALPHA LIAM 2

CHAPTER FIVE

LIAM'S POV.

Since I first saw Elena, I haven’t been able to focus. There’s something about her that’s taken over my thoughts, and it’s driving me to distraction. She’s my mate…I know it with a certainty that goes beyond the rational. Yet, her calm and somewhat distant demeanor surprises me. It’s as if she’s trying to ignore the mate bond that I can feel so acutely. Is there something wrong with her? My wolf, Orion, responds to her presence with an intensity I can barely contain.

At the training ground, Orion’s mood shifted dramatically. He surged forward, eager to be near her, to claim her. I could sense her proximity even before I saw her. Her caramel eyes sparkled with a mixture of fear and curiosity when they met mine, and her olive skin glistened under the sunlight, making her appear almost ethereal.

She’s a beauty, no doubt. If she truly is my mate, I’m ready to claim her and make her mine. I vow to protect her with everything I have and ensure that no harm comes to her. Orion’s roars and whimpers in my mind are a constant reminder of how much he craves this bond. Yet, her reactions are confusing. She doesn’t seem to feel the mate bond the way I do, and I don’t want to rush into anything that might make me regret it.

When she averted her gaze from me, a small, shy gesture, it managed to stretch my lips into a smile. I knew my intense stare had unsettled her, and her reaction was both amusing and endearing. She’s so different from the usual confident wolves I encounter—she’s timid and delicate.

I watched her leave the fountain side with Beatrice before turning back to my training with the pack. "Where are you, Liam?" My Beta, Derek, asked through the mind link.

"At the training ground. I’ll be there shortly," I replied, heading toward the pack house.

I intended to meet Beatrice afterward to discuss where she had found Elena. I needed to learn more about her, understand her background, and figure out why she seemed so detached.

___

After a lengthy meeting with the pack’s council, I had a mountain of work ahead of me. The rogues were causing severe disruptions, and it was time they felt the consequences. As I walked down the hallway toward the pack’s borders, her sweet scent hit me again. It was unmistakable and irresistible.

It’s her.

I turned sharply toward the source of the scent and overheard a conversation between Beatrice and Adelaide, the head guardian. Their voices carried through the corridor.

"I'm sorry, Beatrice, but we’re not hiring any more workers at the pack house. However, I know of a vacant position at a shop nearby. It’s a…"

"She’s hired," I interrupted without hesitation. My gaze locked onto Elena’s, and she immediately lowered her eyes, seemingly intimidated.

Beatrice’s face lit up with a radiant smile. Seeing her happy brought me a sense of satisfaction. Moreover, placing Elena in the pack house would allow me to observe her more closely, understand her better.

"Yes, Alpha. I’ll show her the working areas and the…"

"Not as a cleaner or cook. Something less demanding," I interjected.

"Yes, Alpha," Adelaide responded, bowing her head in submission. Though I’m not entirely sure she’s my mate, I want to give her the chance she deserves. I won’t let my mate work in menial roles in my pack.

"Thank you so much," Beatrice said, her gratitude evident.

My attention remained on Elena, who was too shy to meet my gaze. I gave a nod of approval and excused myself. Heading toward the pack border, I was acutely aware of the rogue presence. I could smell them…the scent of troublemakers, mischievous wolves intent on causing chaos.

The last rogue I caught on my territory nearly met his end due to my sympathy. They never seem to learn their lesson, always pushing boundaries. Today, I’m determined to teach them a lesson they won’t forget. My warriors were already mobilizing. The plan was in place: we would act as though we were unaware of their schemes. Rogues are cunning and elusive, traits that have allowed them to wreak havoc on other packs, but they won’t succeed here.

When I finally caught them, I’d deal with their leader first. In the meantime, we’d maintain the pretense of ignorance about their plans. They intended to sneak into my pack to steal the ancient stone…a priceless artifact.

___

I arrived at the pack’s borders, and the atmosphere was tense. The scent of rogues grew stronger as I neared. My warriors were in position, hidden and ready. I could almost hear their whispers, their plans to infiltrate our territory under the cover of darkness.

The sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the land. As darkness settled, I could see the rogues beginning their approach. They moved with a practiced stealth, trying to avoid detection. But their efforts were in vain. My senses were honed, and I could track their every move.

I signaled my warriors, and they moved silently into their positions. The rogues were close now, their excitement palpable. They were eager to get their hands on the ancient stone, unaware that we were ready and waiting for them.

From my vantage point, I watched as the rogues crept closer to the stone’s resting place. Their leader, a burly wolf with a scar across his face, was at the forefront, leading the charge. His arrogance was evident in his posture and the way he barked orders to his subordinates.

As they neared the stone, I gave the signal. My warriors emerged from their hiding spots, surrounding the rogues with a precision that left no room for escape. The rogues were caught off guard, their surprise quickly turning into fear.

The leader of the rogues tried to make a run for it, but I was faster. I tackled him with a force that left him gasping for breath. His attempts to fight back were futile against my strength and skill. The other rogues were subdued quickly, their resistance crumbling under the weight of our attack.

I stood over the leader, my gaze cold and unyielding. "You thought you could come into my territory and steal from us without consequences?" I growled, my voice a low, dangerous rumble.

He looked up at me, defiance still burning in his eyes. "You’ll never keep us out forever. We’ll be back."

I leaned in closer, my face inches from his. "You can try, but you’ll find that our defenses are stronger than you think. And next time, you might not be so fortunate."

With that, I signaled for my warriors to take the rogues away. They would face the punishment for their actions, a lesson in the price of crossing the line.

As I made my way back to the pack house, my thoughts drifted to Elena. Her presence had been a constant distraction today, but now I had a clearer perspective on her situation. I couldn’t ignore the connection between us, even if she seemed to be pushing it away.

I needed to understand her better, to find out why she was so distant. It was clear that she had been through a lot, and I wanted to be there for her, to support her. But I also had to be cautious, to avoid making any mistakes that might push her further away.

The night was calm, the only sounds being the distant rustling of leaves and the occasional hoot of an owl. As I approached the pack house, I couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to Elena’s story than met the eye. I was determined to uncover it, to offer her the understanding and support she needed.

My resolve was firm. I would protect my pack and my mate with everything I had. And as I walked through the pack house doors, I felt a renewed sense of purpose. Tomorrow would bring new challenges, but for now, I was ready to face them head-on.