Ximena

Six years later.

Walking out of the pack house, I smiled softly as I made my way to the house. I was now one of the most respected female warriors and I owed it to grandmother.

She had groomed me so well, it felt like I had killed my old self just to bring out this new person. The good in me had saved the Alpha eventually because I couldn’t stand seeing Xena in pain. He should forever be grateful for that.

Although I still regretted not killing him.

I wouldn’t be a monster like him and cause pain to Xena. Walking down the isolated path, I scented a different blood.

It was fresh, vibrant and completely different from the dark ones that lurked around in the pack and I stopped.

I turned around slowly, trying to figure out who was following me but I saw nothing and I turned around again. I took a few steps and concluded that something or someone was following me.

“Who are you… Show yourself before I kill you!” I barked harshly and to my shock, a little boy walked out of the bush, smiling softly with his gap teeth visible.

I staggered back with shock as I felt a current trickle up my chest. He looked too lively to be from this pack and I was convinced that he was lost.

“Who are you and what do you want?” I asked and he walked up to me with a bright smile, it was almost blinding.

“I followed you… I was fascinated with how you looked so I decided to follow you.” I was taken aback.

“Are you cr…“ I stopped myself from saying something harsh before this child and I sighed heavily, moving closer.

“Do you know how dangerous this place is? Are you ready to die? Do you know the kind of terrible creatures moving around?” I asked, concern evident in my voice.

“I have my dad to always protect me.” He replied and I almost scoffed. “Well where’s your dad now? If you get attacked, what’s the probability that he’ll save you?” I demanded and he fondled his fingers before raising his head up.

His bright blue eyes reminded me of the past but the past was gone and I would rather chop off my head than spend a minute trying to recall it.

“He’s not coming because I have you to save me.” He replied and I almost scoffed. This kid was audacious and too confident, it makes me wonder who his parents are.

“I’m Juan, my father and I are visiting and we are staying at the pack house.” I looked in the direction of the Pack house and at him twice.

He had to be kidding, not just anybody can come into the pack and moreover why would a parent endanger the life of their son by bringing him to such a dangerous place without adequate protection.

“So your dad let you roam around and stalk strangers?” I asked and he shook his head.

“He was busy in a meeting…“

“Oh, so he’s the busy type who doesn’t have time for you?” I frowned heavily, disliking his father without seeing him.

“I don’t have any friends, would you like to be my friend?” He asked, his eyes swelling with anticipation and for the first time in six years, I saw the soul of another person.

He was lonely and I was drawn in, I was curious about this child. I wanted to know what kind of awful parents were training such a great kid and why he had no friends.

These emotions were too much for a cold warrior like me. “I’ll take you back to the pack house.” I replied, trying my best not to expose my emotions and his eyes dimmed with disappointment.

“You should never run after strangers, no matter how nice they look.”

“My instincts are never wrong. I knew you’d be a good person.” He replied and I wished there was a more appropriate way to explain to this kid that life wasn’t a bed of roses. One minute there could be great promises and the next everything turns out to be a big, fucking lie.

“Follow me.” I whispered and to my shock, he slipped his hand into mine as we walked side by side, heading to the pack house.

I was confused, this kid looked very familiar, probably I knew his parents years ago. My heart had never trembled or skipped beats ever since I got rejected but for this tiny kid, I was anxious, nervous and amused.

A part of me wanted to keep him close for amusement. “Daddy is just too busy with work, I didn’t want to bother him.”

“Well next time, if you don’t want to bother him, don’t follow strangers. He must be worried sick if he’s a good father but if he’s not, he won’t notice you’re gone.

We entered the pack house with lots of guards bowing down to greet me and he was amazed. “What are you? You’ve got so many people respecting you and you’re not the Alpha.” He pointed out and I smiled.

“I’m a strong, merciless warrior who will kill you the next time you follow me.” I replied and he chuckled, he didn’t look fazed at all and I sighed, a sweet sensation of longing settling inside of me.

“Who is your father?” I finally asked as we got to the entrance and he smiled, I could see a hint of pride in his eyes at the mention of his father.

“He’s…“

“Oh my, where have you been? I was worried sick. Come with me. We’re leaving now.” He wasn’t allowed to talk before his nanny dragged him away.

It felt awkward and odd to be left standing alone, he wasn’t my friend but he should’ve been allowed to say goodbye before being dragged.

“Get your act together, he’s nothing but one of those rich brats, focus on something better.” Xena suggested and I nodded, shaking off the leftover of whatever crazy feeling was inside of me.

With my job done, I turned around, ready to start heading to the house when I heard heavy footsteps and a few guards walked past me, trying to get everybody out of the way.

“Step aside, the Alpha is coming.” They announced and I took two steps back, eagerly waiting for the Alpha to leave.

The air changed all of a sudden and I knew the Alpha was close, the aura was so powerful that I almost bared my neck but as a well trained warrior I could withstand the pressure.

Glancing at the guards who left in ones and twos, I patiently anticipated the arrival of the ballsy Alpha with enough gall to come to this pack.

My pulse increased instantly, the wild thump of my heartbeat pounding against my chest soon filled my ears as I waited but before I could glance at him, I felt a tap on my shoulder and instinctively I turned, a dull stinging sensation hitting me immediately a resounding slap landed on my cheek.

Ximena

The slap could’ve made the old me stagger in shock but I stood my ground, my teeth gritted with my hands fisted as I stared at Eloise with fury.

“How dare you stare at the Alpha like that? Have some respect! He’s a fucking Alpha and you’re nothing but a guard, you should never look at him!” Eloise scolded and I scoffed with anger.

She was the Alpha’s only sister and she behaved like she was the owner of the world. Everything about her reeked of pride and it was fucking disgusting to be around her. Her aura made my skin crawl with disdain.

“Why did you come back? I’m sure you heard the Alpha was around that was why you rushed back.” She accused me and I scoffed, too bothered to even think of the Alpha who had already left.

“I have nothing to say to you.” I replied as I turned around to leave but she held me back, making my anger triple.

“Why are you running? Are you going to run after him? Is this how desperate you are? You know nobody in this pack is going to be with you because of that witch you call your grandmother, is that why you want someone from another pack?” She questioned and I almost scowled in anger.

I was breathing heavily with Xena trying her best to calm me down. “Get out of my way…“

“Why? Aren’t I allowed to speak the truth? Does the truth hurt so bad? Are you feeling guilty?” She asked with a sly smile and I inhaled and exhaled, trying to control my anger.

“Get out of my way, Eloise.” I warned subtly.

“Or what? You dirty guard! You’re nothing but mere servant to this pack, I could order you to go fight rogues and you can die along the way. If you’re in need of a man, I can be more than willing to give you one or two prisoners in the dungeon so you would stop throwing yourself at a person who would never have eyes for you…“ Eloise was still talking when the anger felt unbearable and I did the one thing I was most proud of.

I slapped her, the force was so overwhelming it took her seconds to snap out of it, I could see my hand lines plastered on her face and it felt awfully good to see her speechless with tears in her eyes.

“How dare you!” She snapped as she slapped me, making me turn in shock as I tasted blood in my mouth but today wasn’t like any other day, I wouldn’t let her get away with this, I’m going to give her a cup, not a sip of her own medicine.

“Argh!” She yelled the moment I returned the slap, her eyes were red and she was staring at me with fury, her hand plastered on her cheek as she tried to hold back the already streaming tears while looking like a time bomb ready to explode.

“I’m a warrior who is protecting not only this pack but your crazy ass! If you have a problem with me doing my job in the best way, then you can as well ask the Alpha to lay me off and if you have a personal beef with me, we can fight it out in the open and let the strongest man dominate.” It was a subtle threat and she stepped back a little, panting heavily with fury as she was too scared to say a word.

I turned around and left the pack house, angrily making my way to the house with Xena trying to calm me but I was so done with Eloise. Whatever beef she has with me can’t keep dragging because I won’t take rubbish from anyone, not even the Alpha of the pack.

Getting to the house, I was shocked to see grandmother standing outside, looking moody. “Grandmother, is there are problem?”’I asked with concern and she sighed heavily.

“Come with me.” She replied and I was gripped with fear, ever since I came here, I’ve never seen her this way, it got me trying to rack my brain for what could be wrong.

My parents are okay, even though they had cut me off after asking me to return which I ignored. “What’s wrong?” I asked, unable to hide my fear.

“It’s your father.” She replied and I gasped with shock, my heartbeat racing at the thought that something crazy must’ve happened to him.

“What’s wrong with father? please tell me…“ I pleaded, grabbing her hands immediately as fear flooded my whole body as I thought of only one dreadful idea, death.

“He’s… He’s weak and he wants you to come back…“ Grandmother answered and my heart began racing heavily.

He was still alive, there was still a chance to see him and make sure he’s okay. Without a word, I shifted into my wolf form and dashed out of the house.

Running as fast as I could as I headed towards the border. Xena was worried and all she wanted was to see him, it had been years and now it was high time I returned back home.

Without being bothered about whether it was getting late or what I might encounter along the way, with determination I made my way to the Armstrong pack for the first time in six years.

Following the shortest way to the house, I dashed into the house with a growl loud enough to chase birds away.

“Ximena…“ I heard mom’s frail voice and it broke my heart into a million pieces. I was their only hope and I had left them, I had abandoned them out of my foolishness.

“Ximena.” My brothers called as they surrounded me and slowly, I shifted back to my wolf form, my eyes tears as I stepped forward slowly.

“Wh… Where is father?” I whispered almost breaking into tears. The house was still the same, not one thing had changed, they only got older and looked more weary.

“I’m here…“ He beamed with a big smile and I froze. I was shocked to see father standing with a smile. I was happy that he was okay but I was confused.

“Fa… How… What…“ I stuttered, looking from mother to father.

“He’s okay, we only said this so you could come back home…“ Kushim explained and my hands dropped to my side.

“What!” I gasped, unable to contain my shock and my brothers began smiling. It all seemed like a joke to them but it was damn serious to me.

“You… You did all these just to bring me back?” I demanded and they nodded.

“Yes, the Alpha…“

“What! Why would you lie to me just to bring me back home! Do you know how scared and worried I was! Does this look funny! Why would you use something as terrifying as that?” I snapped and silence dominated the house.

“Don’t ever send a message to me, I’m never returning to this pack, not even when I die! This is the last time you’ll ever see me!” I vowed harshly as I dashed out of the house, running with tears in my eyes.

Alvaro

“Alpha, are you sure about this? Do you think we should accept help from them? That pack is very dangerous… They have a bipolar Alpha…“ Dhruv’s voice was filled with concern and I sighed heavily.

“There’s nothing I can do! My pack is in danger… My pack members have lived in fear for the past three years, they can’t live their lives in fear… I need to do something. I don’t care if they have a feral Alpha, as long as he can help!” I replied sternly, feeling angered that he was trying to dissuade me from choosing the most effective but dangerous way to save the pack.

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have crossed the line.” He whispered, bowing slightly and I nodded. He walked out and I slumped on the chair, using my hands to crease the worries out of my forehead.

Going to the Shadow pack had been a very dangerous decision but just like I did what I had to do for my pack six years ago by rejecting my mate and getting mated to a woman of powerful background, I was going to give all it takes to save my people.

The shadow pack has a lot of powerful warriors but they had a very cruel alpha who was hard to please but with the goddess on my side, I was able to strike a deal with him and nothing is going to shatter our agreement.

“Daddy!’ The door flung open as my boy walked in, I opened my arms very wide with a broad smile plastered on my face. He was the main reason I got to smile everyday.

“My boy… How are you? How was your fencing class?” I asked as I placed him on my lap, running my hand through his chestnut hair which was just like that of his mother who was of blessed memory.

“It was great… I wanna be a great warrior like my friend.” He replied happily and I was taken aback.

“What friend? Did you meet any friends at the nursery?” I asked, paying rapid attention to him. He was the only family I had left and I wasn’t a good father but I’d never trade the little time I spent with him for anything.

My goal was to build a good relationship with him, try my best to give him half of the life he deserved and love him half the way his mother could love him because no love could match that of a mother.

He was a smart kid, smarter than his peers, with an adult brain and the thought of being the lucky man to be blessed with a kid like him always made my heart swell with pride.

“No, I have a friend at the pack… Shadow pack.” He replied with a smile and I was filled with shock. Not only did he know the name but he managed to make a friend.

“Really? Tell me about this friend? When did you meet him? Who are his parents?” I asked with curiosity and he smiled softly, his eyes glowing with excitement. They brightened like this whenever I said yes to him having ice cream.

“She’s a big, big warrior… I met her when you were at the meeting and before I could introduce her to you or Nanny Gloria, it was too late and you were in a hurry.” He replied and I felt slightly sad.

The fact that I had shortened his happy moment brought a dull ache to my heart. “I’m so sorry son, how about when we visit again, you will introduce your friend to me?” I suggested and he nodded.

“She looks very powerful and she’s very beautiful, it wouldn’t be bad to have her here.” He whispered softly, a sad, distant look in his eyes and I felt my wolf stiffening.

Juan needed a mother in his life, especially at this moment where I wasn’t spending much time with him. A nanny was a good idea but it never did half the job.

“You don’t need to worry, what is meant to be will be.” I didn’t know if he was the one I was comforting or myself.

“Was it meant to be, for mother to die? Why didn’t I see her?” He asked calmly and I exhaled.

“The goddess is the only person who has answers to that, maybe when you pray to her, you can ask her those questions and I’m pretty sure she’ll find a good answer for you.” I whispered and he nodded with a satisfied smile.

“I can’t wait to see my friend, I'd like to ask her lots of questions.” He was beaming with excitement and it was my first time I saw him genuinely excited for someone, this was a heartwarming moment for me and I owed it to his new friend who I would love to thank for this.

“I saw Aunt Emiliano and grandfather…“

“Did she come close to you? What did she say to you? Are you okay?” I was filled with fear immediately and I began staring at him intently, extremely concerned.

Emiliano and the Gamma had been nothing but trouble ever since the death of Marie, only the Goddess knew how I had managed to keep Juan by my side for so long without getting married to Emiliano.

“I’m fine, he wanted me to have dinner at the house with the rest of the family.” Juan whispered as he wrapped his hand around my neck, hugging me tightly.

“Two guards and three maids will follow you. You are not to get out of their sight, eat anything without them tasting or touch anything in that house.” I warned sternly and he nodded, smiling softly that his gap teeth became visible.

“Alpha!” Dhruv yelled as he raced into the office heaving rapidly with sweat beads all over his head and I bolted to my feet, instinctively pushing Juan to my back softly as I became alert and entered beast mode, ready to do all it took to protect my son.

“She returned back to the house…“ Dhruv announced and I stepped forward, my heart pounding very fast because I knew too well who he was talking about.

My wolf was alert and was on the verge of dashing out to go find her. “She came back but unfortunately…“ He went quiet and I walked towards him, my dark eyes increasing his fear.

“Unfortunately the omegas were attacked and one female omega wolf was found, her neighbor confirmed that it was her because it was a few minutes after she left there was an attack, her father was injured too but nobody is yet to tell the family about her death… She’s dead, Alpha.” He announced and I felt myself go numb as I lost myself, falling to the ground weakly as his words echoed in my head.

“She is dead… Mate is dead…“