THE ALPHA NEXT DOOR

ich typically involved a quiet corner and questionable self-care, but I wasn't about to complain. A kind-faced heal

ng depth. "That claw went deep, but it missed the main

ard as my head," I muttered, wi

ok down two wolves, from what I

a tired half-smile. "Impulse control isn't

ut Eliza. Anya had checked on her first, confirming she was physically unharmed but deeply shaken. They had given her something to help her sleep, and

mained. I always know about mine. On t

ressing. Rest. As if that were a simple commodity in my life. Especially now. I tha

ar from the pup incident was gone, replaced by a new kind of speculation. Eyes followed me curious, awed, some still uncertain. They knew

another part, the stubborn, defiant core of me, knew I couldn't. I needed to talk to Alpha Draven. I needed to face the cons

standing by the window, his gaze fixed on the woods I had just emerged from hours earlier. The early morning light cast his profile in sharp relief, highlightin

ightly on t

to sharp, assessing focus as he looked at me, my ban

lm, lacking the urgency of ou

atched

to the room. "Apparently, I'm just

lmost imperceptibl

omfortable, formal. Not a setting conducive to casual conver

his gaze steady on mine. "Three rogue wolves," he began, his voice serious. "O

g for a word that wasn't too graphic, that ca

and. Rogues who prey on the weak are a bli

ce, "seemed like the most effective approach at the time

Most shifters, even experienced ones, would struggle against three rogues of that si

un to." The snark was a shield, deflecting the intensity of his scrutiny. Yes, my wolf form was different. Faster, maybe strong

pivoting slightly. "The g

ed. "She didn't mean any harm wi

" he pointed out, his voice lacki

fference." I met his gaze directly. "She saved Lily's life, in a round

d slightly on his desk. "And your e

rmed. "My continued presence, in

almost to himself. "Why did sh

e as a bridge. Or maybe just a way to keep a piece of this world tied to her. I don't know her full motivation

he said finally. "We don't have protocols for this. She's

or him. "After what happened.

ed at me intently. "You risked yourself, not just against the rogue

table position for my shoulder, "my existence complicated things the moment

" He paused, then his expression turned serious once more. "Her presence here will raise questions. Conc

er back," I countered. "And she was nearly

rstand," he said. "Acceptin

"Or perhaps they'll see a scared girl who needs help, j

e searching. "You feel

ark momentarily dropping. "The loneliness. The craving for a

t a connection that went beyond Alpha an

hifting gears, though the intensity remained. "Speaking

ts?" My voice was flat, suspicious. Social events w

ow. "In approximately two weeks. We wil

n, unpleasant. My galas involved dodging guards and avoidi

were a particularly slow pup. "An opportunity for Alphas and key pack members to netw

. Sounds charming. Will there be place sett

's a formal gathering. Humans at

lending in is my specialty. Especially in formal wear." My

he gala, we will be holding a mating ceremony for all wolve

bonds within a pack structure. The antithesis of m

genuine discomfort. "So, forced social interaction and pu

k, Feei. They reinforce our bonds, both internally and externally. And as someone who is now

was, but expected as part of the scenery, the 'uniq

ss 'guest who saved the pup'

a unique individual, Feei. Your presence here is known among the regional Alphas, if only by rumour about the wraithbane. Yo

depending on the optics. The cynic in me, hon

just the weird lady in the spare room, I get to be the weird lady in a dress

t's not mandatory, Feei. But it would be bene

ng a minefield while blindfolded. My brain, already weary from the fight and

in the woods than making small talk

ut sometimes, the most dangerous battles are fought no

end a message? That Alpha Draven had the wraithbane? That he was allied with something ancient and powerful? Or was

nation that surprised even me. I had promised to stay. This, apparently, was part of the package

ce, a flicker of warmth that reached h

me anew. The fight with the rogues, the rescue of Eliza, the promise I h

had wanted a place to belong, a sense of safety. I had found it, in the most unexpected of places, among wolves. But it seemed belonging came with a price, and