The Alpha and the Powerful

we both stride out of my bedroom with grins plastered onto our faces. The excitement o

nt I feel. Something about tonight, my birthday, is unlike any other. Perhaps it's the weight of the pack's expectations or the w

ergy. The room is full of chatter, laughter, and the scent of rich food wafting through the air. The pack members are

kind, so eager to make me feel like the center of attention-like I deserve it. It's both humbling an

soft whisper in my ear. « I spy a

n and intrigue. Why is he staring at me like that? It's like his gaze is not only studying me but... something more. My stomach flips, and I quickly shake off t

's thinking of her mate. Her mate, who just so happens to be standing across the room, his gaze fixed on he

s, her voice playful, before

im, her confidence radiating in every step. She's always been like that-

urling into a smile. I don't want to get caught up in thoughts of him right

the kind of grace that only comes with age and experience. She's chatting with Lydia, one of the older pack mothers, their con

r chest, looking out of place in the sea of loud voices and dancing bodies. I feel a pull in my chest-some

eath and make my

ftly, crouching

t eyes. Her face is pale, and there's a slight

she whisper

s of my land not too long ago. The warriors who brought her to me said she had

but it felt like the right thing to do. Maybe it was because I, too, had been lost when I was younger. Or maybe it was just the way the worl

the party? » I ask gently

expression brightens, and she nods enthusiastically. «

rienced so much pain already. I can see it in the way she carries herself-sh

warmth of my presence. « Would you like me to introduce y

rby group of children. I can tell she's unsure, nervous about stepping out of her c

n beside them, catching their attention. The girls stop what they're doing, their eyes widening slightly as they ta

h a smile, and they immediately

ously. « Who's this? » she ask

od. « This is Mila. I was wondering if you g

ey consider my request. It's not easy to make new friends, especially for someone as shy as Mila.

rightly. The other girls follow suit

und her. For the first time tonight, I see a spark of joy in her eye

ls with pride. It's small moments like these that make everything worth it. The k

the energy of the party filling every corner of the room. And as I watch the people around me, I realize something: this is what it mean

inder that I'm never alone, that this pack is my