Chapter 2

(Alaric's POV)

The meeting room buzzed with tension as my pack warriors debated strategies for upcoming border patrols. I sat at the head of the table, trying to focus, but the weight of leadership pressed heavily on my shoulders. Every word from my warriors felt like static, meaningless in the face of the unease gnawing at me. My thoughts kept drifting, consumed by an undercurrent of dread that I couldn’t shake.

Suddenly, Braylon’s voice pierced through the fog of my mind.

 “Alaric, I need to speak with you. It’s urgent.”

I raised an eyebrow, the foreboding sense intensifying. 

“What is it?”

“The head warrior’s son was killed by a human girl. She’s in the dungeons now.”

A cold chill swept through me. “Killed?” I muttered, my pulse quickening. “How?”

“An accident. She hit him with her car.”

The news struck me like a physical blow. I could feel the air leave my lungs, my heart racing with a mix of fury and disbelief. “I need to see her,” I said, my voice low and tight. I stood abruptly, drawing the attention of the others.

“Excuse me.”

As I left the meeting, I could feel their eyes on me, questions swirling. 

A human had taken a life,my thoughts raced as anger boiled within me. How could she be so careless? How could she disrupt our lives so brutally? The very idea of it churned my stomach.

I stormed down the dimly lit halls, each step echoing with the weight of impending consequences. 

The head warrior would want blood, and I could already hear the whispers of retribution from my fellow alphas. This girl had crossed a line, and the price for such an act would be steep.

Reaching the dungeon door, I paused to catch my breath, my anger simmering just below the surface. I pushed open the heavy wooden door, the dank air hitting me like a wall. The flickering torchlight cast eerie shadows along the stone walls as I strode down the corridor, my mind racing with questions. 

The cell was dim, but as I approached, my gaze landed on her,a young woman curled up against the wall, her frame small and fragile. 

Sofia. The name echoed in my mind before I could even process it.

 The moment I saw her, a jolt of recognition hit me, and my anger faded like a wisp of smoke.

She was beautiful, despite the grime and fear etched across her features. Her hair fell in disarray around her face, and her eyes,God, those eyes,held a depth of sorrow that struck me to my core. They were wide, filled with terror, yet there was a spark of something else,something that resonated deep within me. I felt a pull, a connection that I had never experienced before.

“MATE!” 

The realization hit me hard, the word reverberating through my mind like a drumbeat. The truth settled within me like a comforting embrace, overwhelming the rage that had fueled my thoughts just moments before. She was the one I had been searching for, the missing piece of my soul.

But why did it have to be her? Why did my mate have to be the woman who had killed a pup? The gravity of that truth crushed me, understanding the intensity of the situation dawned on me with brutal clarity. The conflict roiled inside me, a tempest of emotions I struggled to contain.

As I stood there, my breathing steadied, and I wanted to reach out, to assure her that I would protect her. But I couldn’t find the words. The weight of my responsibility pressed down on me, and I knew I had to think clearly, despite the chaos swirling around us. I had to be a leader, not just for her, but for my pack.

Her eyes met mine, and I could see the flicker of recognition mirrored there. Confusion washed over her, but beneath it lay something else,something like understanding. I could feel her apprehension, but also an undeniable spark of attraction. This was more than just a physical connection; it was primal, visceral.

Yet, the gravity of the situation loomed large. The loss of the head warrior’s son would ignite the fury of my pack. They would not take this lightly, and I had a decision to make. Protect her or bow to the expectations of my role as Alpha. If I chose her, I risked alienating my pack, the very people I was sworn to protect.

What would they think if they found out their Alpha’s mate was responsible for the death of one of their own? The whispers would turn into shouts, and the shouts into demands for justice. I could already feel the pressure building in my chest, the weight of their expectations pressing down on me like a vice.

I straightened, forcing myself to step back, the air between us charged with unsaid words. I had never faced a choice like this before. The weight of their expectations pressed down on me, threatening to crush me under their demands. They would want justice, and here I was, feeling drawn to the very person who had wrought chaos in our lives.

As I turned to leave, the weight of my declaration hung in the air, heavy with implications. I would find a way to keep her safe, even if it meant facing the wrath of my pack. Even if it meant defying tradition.

Sofia’s presence was etched into my mind, a fierce reminder of what was at stake. I had to act quickly. The council would be gathering soon, and I needed to prepare for the battle that lay ahead,not just for my pack’s loyalty, but for her life. 

What if they demanded her life in exchange for their anger? Could I stand by and let that happen? My heart ached at the thought. The image of her sitting there, vulnerable and terrified, ignited a protective instinct I had never known existed. How could I shield her from their fury?

As I stepped back into the corridor, I found my mind racing. The council would want to know why I had excused myself. They’d want answers, and I would need to prepare my defense. Would I be strong enough to convince them? Or would I falter under the pressure, letting my mate suffer the consequences of a tragic mistake?

The path ahead felt uncertain, but one thing was clear: I wouldn’t let anyone harm my mate. I would do whatever it took to shield her from the storm that was coming, even if it meant fighting my own kind. I would gather my allies, remind them of our code, and fight for her right to exist among us.

With each step away from her, I felt the pull of our bond tugging at my soul, a reminder of the stakes. I would need to gather the council, prepare for their anger, and find a way to convince them of her innocence,or at least mitigate the repercussions of her actions.

The weight of leadership pressed heavier than ever, but in that moment, I made a silent vow: I would protect Sofia, even if it meant standing against the very pack I had sworn to lead. She was worth it, and I would find a way to prove that.