Chapter 285: Alpha’s Rejected

AURORA

The elders and seniors of the pack stayed behind with me and Dane. "We can't let her manipulate us like this," one of the senior wolves loudly said.

"She's just trying to divide us," another chipped in. I raised my hand, and the murmurs died away.

"Calla thrives on fear and division. But we've faced worse before, and we've always come out stronger," I said.

Dane stood beside me, crossing his arms. "We always come out stronger because we never let threats like these fester. We should just go head-on with her."

I turned to him, my tone even but firm, "And give her exactly what she wants? Public attention and a stage for fueling her lies? That's reckless."

"It's decisive," Dane returned, his voice rising slightly. "We can't afford to appear weak, Aurora. Not now."

Silence filled the room, and we both looked at each other for a while. I sighed. "Recklessness isn't strength, Dane," I said softly. "It's a risk we can't afford when the pack is already so divided."

"And caution isn't always the answer," he returned, his voice having lost a little of the edge. "We need to show them we're in control, not hiding behind words."

"I heard Calla mention his name," a senior said cautiously, looking toward Rowan.

Rowan, who was walking by, stopped and turned to the senior. "I don't know what Calla's planning, but I have nothing to do with it. I have stood in this valley, proving myself in loyal service to this pack every single day."

"Have you?" one more doubt voiced from the rear, but its speaker did not press forward.

"Enough!" I said, my voice cutting through the space, silencing the growing murmurs. "We are not here to toss around baseless accusations. If Calla mentioned Rowan, it's because she wants to sow more distrust among us. Don't let her win."

Dane looked at Rowan, his face unreadable, and said nothing.

Much later that night, Dane and I retreated to our quarters. I stayed quiet. The meeting had taken a toil on me.

"You didn't have to defend him like that," Dane said, pulling off his shirt as he sat on the bed.

I blew out a breath, sitting on the edge of the bed. "I had to say something. Rowan's been through enough already."

"He's also brought some of this on himself," Dane said tightly. I turned to face him, frustrated.

"Not everything has to be a confrontation, Dane. Sometimes people just need support."

Dane ran a hand through his hair, exhaling sharply. "And sometimes they need a push to take responsibility."

I rolled my eyes. "You always think you're right, don't you?" I snapped, and immediately regretted it.

Dane looked at me, his eyes softening. Without a word, he leaned forward, capturing my lips in a kiss. I pulled back slightly, my breath hitching.

"That's to shut me up, isn't it?" I asked as I wiped my lips with my elbow and looked away, but I caught his smirk.

"That's not all I want to do to shut you up, baby… not even close."

Dane's hand reached out from me and it rolled from my sides, clipping under my blouse to my breasts; his fingers caught my nipples, and he pinched.

I threw my head back, and it rested on Dane's shoulder. I rolled my eyes and moaned as he pinched harder, pressing a kiss against the skin of my neck.

"Get away from me," it rolled out of my mouth in a moan as I ran my hand through his hair, pressing him closer.

"I will never leave you… you drive me insane sometimes," he said, mumbling.

I smiled, my earlier frustration melting away as I bit his shoulder lightly, drawing a soft groan from him. We both laughed, and Dane pressed my back onto the bed, his lips trailing down my body.

I moaned softly, arching into his touch as his fingers slid inside my panties, teasing my clit.

"You're stubborn," I whispered, my voice breathy.

"And you love it," Dane growled back, his voice husky with want.

Our clothes vanished in a moment of warm motion, and the next thing, Dane was moving over me, his cock sliding around the wetness that came from my clit as it tried to find my hole.

He entered gently, both of us groaning out of want. I wrapped my legs around him, my nails digging into his back as he began to move deeper.

Dane kissed me hard, thrusting steadily, so intensely that soft moans escaped through my lips as I arched my back.

I cried out, my body tightening around him as my release washed over my thighs. Dane followed moments later, groaning my name as he spilled into me.

We lay tangled together, our breaths mingling in the quiet of our room. Dane pressed a kiss to my body and murmured, "I love you, even when we fight."

I smiled, leaning my head against his chest. "I love you too, stubborn as you are."

It was morning. I walked out of the packhouse. I was about to go to the training area to see how things were going when I heard werewolves discussing Calla’s message, and arguments were stirring.

I stood at the front of the room, my voice firm, trying to restore calm to the rising unease. "We cannot let Calla play us against each other," I said with firm resolution. "She speaks calculated words meant to divide the pack. We have to stand united."

"But what if she is telling the truth?" One of the younger wolves, Miles, ventured, trying to speak loud but still managing to lace doubt into his tone.

My jaw clenched. "Then we investigate. We don't act on baseless accusations."

Dane walked to me and stood by my side, his arms crossed. "Miles, Calla doesn't care about the truth. She wants to destabilize us. Following her lead would be playing into her hands."

Miles looked uncertain but nodded, retreating into the crowd.

Thick tension hung heavy as murmurs spread, werewolves exchanging uncertain glances.

Before I could continue, the gates to the packhouse swung open, and a messenger stumbled inside, pale-faced and gasping as though he'd run all the way from the borders.

"Alpha Dane," he panted, his voice cracking. "We spotted movement near disputed territory. They're not just scouting anymore. Advancing."

Suddenly, there was chaos: voices shouting at each other in high-pitched interest, questions in a rush.

"How many?" Dane took another step, voice sharp.

"Two dozen at least," replied the messenger. "They are encamping just over the northern ridge."

I felt my heart skip, and I turned to Dane; our eyes met. His face went hard, his eyes cold.

"We don't have time for debate," Dane cut through the babble. To me, he said, "We have to move right now."

I faltered, my mind racing. "If we rush in without a plan, we could lose everything."

"And if we don't move, they'll take what's ours," Dane returned, frustration edging into his tone.

The pack fell silent; all eyes were on both me and Dane. Then I nodded. "Then let's prepare."

Chapter 286: Warrick

I stepped over a root that poked into my path, following along the forest edge beneath a high blanched sun, the quiet far too much for a head filled with thought.

My chest hitched as memories of the tension sitting between Piper and me replayed themselves in my head.

I exhaled with a heavy sound and ran a hand over my hair, suddenly saying out loud, "Why can't I get things right?"

Suddenly, the very soft sound of footsteps snapped me out from these thoughts, turning my eyes which instantly met those of a sleek, curvily outlined she- wolf.

"Warrick," she purred, her head cocked slightly as a coy smile danced on her lips. "What are you doing out here all alone?"

"Patrolling," I returned shortly, my tone sharp as I continued ahead.

She chuckled, her voice low and teasing. I paused, I knew that laugh.

"Alina?" I growled low as I turned and saw her right behind me. I scoffed, "Decided to reappear again, to cause more harm to the pack from where you left off?"

Alina raised the sides of her lips in a small smile, "Warrick… always so serious, that's one thing that I always admire about you. You look like you could use some company."

Admire. I narrowed my gaze at her. She had been away for quite a while; I heard her friends had said something about her going back to her mother's pack across the rivers. Why has she come back?

"I'm fine," I said, turned, and walked away. I don't trust her.

She rushed closer, her fingers lightly brushing against my arm. I jumped and took a deep breath, and I hastened my steps away.

"Are you? You seem tense," she murmured, her gaze going pointedly to the bulge in my pants.

Shit. Why did she have to notice that? I had been battling with this urge for a while now. I can't seem to get close to Piper, so I just stay like that.

"Let me help you relax." She placed her hand on my pants in the bulge, and I froze and stood still.

"Alina… stay away from me," I said and took a step away from her reach. She smiled and walked up to me.

She placed her hand on my shoulder and tiptoed to reach my ear, her warm breath blasting the side of my neck. "Just a little distraction, Warrick. No one has to know," she whispered.

"Alina, stop," I said, my voice coming off softer than the growl that I had intended.

She pressed in closer, however, the tips of her fingers trailing down the waistband of my trousers. "Come on," she said in a honey tone, her voice sounded so sexy.

"Ok, just one kiss, that's all I'm asking."

"No," I snapped, taking one step backward, her lips turned upward in a sweet smile.

"Just one kiss," she repeated, her hands now on my chest. "You're strong enough to stop after that, right?"

She said it was like a challenge, and my resolve broke.

The image of Piper’s face flashed across my mind, but the weight of Alina’s body against mine was breaking through.

"Fine," I growled. She is not going to let me go. I'll just get over this shit. "One kiss. Then you leave me alone."

Triumph flared in her eyes, and she closed the space between us, her lips soft against mine.

For a second, I let myself sink into it, her hands slithering down to squeeze my cock through my trousers.

My breathing moved sideways as she leaned closer against me. "Alina, enough," I said, moving myself back.

"Piper."

I turned to see her standing there, her eyes wide with shock and hurt.

"So this is what you do now?" she said, her voice shaking with anger.

"Piper, it's not what it looks like," I stuttered, stepping toward her, but she threw a hand up, stopping me in my tracks.

"It looks exactly like what it is, Warrick," she hissed, her tone escalating. "You just can't help yourself, can you? A few days away from my pussy and you are already looking for a bitch to f*ck, huh? And you had to do this with her."

Her glare danced to Alina, who raised a brow at her. "The prodigal she-wolf."

Shit. I cursed in my head. I messed up. I felt this pang in my chest as I listened to her words.

"Maybe he just needs someone who understands him," Alina said, her words twisting the knife deeper in my chest.

"Shut up, Alina," I snapped, wheeling to glare at her.

"Don't bother pretending now," Piper cut in, icy. "I've seen enough."

I stood frozen, the sting of Piper's retreat burning into my chest.

My fists clenched at my sides. I turned back to Alina. "This was a mistake," I growled.

"Perhaps," she returned, shrugging as if nonchalant. "But it was your mistake, Warrick."

With those words hanging between us, I strode off to leave her standing, immersed in the heart of the forest.

The coolness of the air did little to extinguish the flames boiling in my veins.

At dusk, from a corner of my eye, I spied motion. Whipping around, a gangly werewolf walked up to me. His smile was razor-like, unpleasant.

"Rough day, Warrick?" he said smoothly, his voice drizzled with mock sympathy.

"Who are you?" I asked, immediately going into high alert.

"I am Orion, someone who recognizes potential," he said, circling me. "You're tired of being second-guessed, aren't you? Tired of bending over backward to prove yourself to wolves who will never see your worth."

Orion? I have never heard of that name. I balled my fist. "Get to the point," I snapped, losing patience.

A wolf's grin spread across his face.

"You want control, Warrick. Power. Respect. And I can help you get it."

I balled up my fist and shook my head at him. "No… you are wrong… you don't know me."

I gulped as I kept my eyes on him.

I had to get out of here. I can't be out here alone… what if this is an ambush?

I took a few steps back. "You don't know me," I thought again as I raced through the woods, back towards the pack.

"You will need me, Warrick, you definitely will!" he yelled after me.

I only increased my speed. As I ran, I thought of the one person who had ever known me for who I truly am: Piper.

She had been there always, and all I could do was hurt her? I have to find her and fix my mistakes.