The snow fell heavily around the ancient pine forest, cloaking it in a blanket of white.

Inside the pack home, the Alpha sat, his piercing gaze fixed on the swirling storm outside. A sense of unease lingered in the air as he received news of a trespasser crossing into their territory.

"Alpha, a wolf has just crossed the border into the east," reported one of the loyal pack members.

"Keep up with him," the Alpha commanded with a stern voice, the authority palpable.

"Border patrol agents are already looking into it," the second in command assured.

"Good.”

"Do you want them to kill him?"

The Alpha glared out the window at the whirling snow drifts that dropped onto the pine forest just outside the pack home and muttered, "No, bring him here," before adding, "I'll kill him myself."

"Yes, Alpha," after stating these words, the guards prostrated themselves and exited the chamber to fulfill the commands. They never disobeyed the Alpha in any situation.

…..

Even though he raced quickly, dodging and weaving through the trees, the guards were able to catch up to him.

They were highly trained and shrewd, clustering together and then breaking apart to drive him into a corner, exactly as he had predicted.

When he glanced over his shoulder, he saw them growling and snapping their jaws, and he almost smiled at how predictable they were.

The sound came out as a low, guttural growl that echoed and bounced back from the woods, which only served to enrage the other wolves even more.

They quickly came up to him and pounced on him, taking him down on the ground and covering him with chilly leaves. They fell to their knees in the mucky earth, and then two large wolves held him down. As his nose dug further into the muck, he exhaled a scalding breath into the cold air around him.

"Shift!" one of the guards commanded. And to his surprise, it was female.

She had long, jet-black hair and a ferocious expression on her face as she stood tall and erect with her knees spread apart and her arms crossed over her chest.

He was reminded of a skunk by the hair that was attached to the collar of her black leather jacket.

He only hissed at her, and she moved closer to him as the two guards continued to push down on his back. When the guards loosened their grip on him, he rolled his eyes and then changed his position before rising to his feet.

The lady pushed him in the direction she believed to be the pack house and said, "Come one, move faster, you filthy mongrel!"

"Lady, do not address me in such a manner." He pushed himself away from her hard grasp on his shoulder and asked, "Don't you know who I am?"

She first looked at him with her eyes constricted, but then she opened them wider.

Naturally, it would be more difficult to recognize him if he had unkempt hair and a scraggly beard like that. However, he had high hopes of making a clean break in the near future.

Her pout quickly transformed into a smile, and she shot a quick glance at the other security personnel who were around her.

"Oh, I am truly sorry, Alpha. I really am. Did I cause you any pain?" After making fun of him, she pushed him violently once more. The others followed and burst out laughing.

"Take me to your Alpha!" he said, ignoring her jab and spoke with his teeth locked together.

"You have some good fortune. We are almost there already. Under normal circumstances, I would have broken your neck by now,” the woman responded with a smirk.

He snarled at the guys who were holding his arms constrained, sneered at them and asked, "Aren't you afraid of me?"

"Why should we bother being? Our Alpha has absolutely no fear of anybody,” they answered confidently.

"He must be, he should be!" he exclaimed.

Another knowing gaze was exchanged between the lady warrior and her men, and the woman's normally stunning and powerful face displayed a grin.

At this moment, all he wanted to do was rub it on the ground. ‘It will all work out in due time,’ he told himself.

…..

They quickly cut down the trees, which resulted in a greater accumulation of snow while the forest was being cleared. Despite the snowflakes that fell on his skin, he did not feel the cold. He had survived far more difficult situations.

As they traveled down a dirt path that was shortly paved over, the lady advised him, "Pretty boy, this will be your last opportunity to see the countryside, so make the most of it. Enjoy the view now."

One of the males glared at her accusingly and told her to "Tyra, stop it now, will you?"

"Oh, why? Was it wrong that I want to let loose and have some fun?"

Someone else made light of the situation by joking, "Fun? Oh right! We all know what happened the last time you had 'fun'."

"Admit it, you all have been thanking me for what seems like weeks now,” the lady boasted smirking at the men.

"You mean after we were released from jail," another of the men stated.

"If I didn't come up with my cunning ideas, what tales would you folks have to tell around the crazy nights?"

"Insane would be a better word for it." This remark resulted in the speaker receiving a smack on the back of the head, while the others just laughed knowing that Tyra would be the winner.

The trespasser, who couldn't wait to go inside and see what was going on, inquired, "How long until we're there?"

It was supposed to be a simple mission. He just needed to infiltrate the compound, eliminate the Alpha, and then assert dominion over the area.

He should avoid being entangled with these morons. He could still be able to--

"We're here," a guard muttered. When he heard these words, he snapped out of his reverie and pulled his head up.

A grey stone structure appeared out of the icy mist, giving the impression that it was a castle rather than a pack house.

Gargoyles glared down at him from each of the building's corners and gutters as he climbed the flight of stairs leading up to the main door.

The staircase was bordered with a winding banister. As the building's four story’s rose above him, he came dangerously close to falling as he was forced upward and inside.

As they made their way down the main hall, the sound of their footfalls reverberated off the stone floor, and the man's heart began to race and pound against his chest.

To regain his composure, he took a few slow, deep breaths, yet there was something unsettling about this location...

They forced their way through a door and entered a spacious room that had a series of windows running down each side and a raised platform on the far wall.

As his pulse raced and perspiration broke out on his hands, he came to the conclusion that the whole location had the atmosphere of a throne chamber.

Why was he behaving in such a manner? Have they tried to give him or inject some wrong medicine or anything else in secret?

A lady could be seen gazing out the windows while standing off to the side. When he was pushed down on his knees, the lady turned around.

Tyra, the lady warrior, greeted the woman and said, "Here he is, Alpha."

After which, she took her place alongside him and strutting her stuff as if he were her prize catch.

"Great job, Tyra."

He moved his head from side to side, attempting to get a better look at the Alpha.

Instead, the lady approached, her long platinum blonde hair cascading over her shoulders as she drew closer, her black cloak brushing against the polished floor as she did so.

"Stop this nonsense! I will only speak to the Alpha!" he grumbled angrily.

"You are already talking to the Alpha," she said as she came to a halt in front of him, drawing his attention upward.

Their eyes met, and in that little moment, something was communicated between the two of them.

He had fleeting thoughts of enveloping her in his arms and planting passionate kisses all over her delicate neck. He had never felt his heart beat so quickly before.

After that, he gave a head shake. He yelled out in a rage, "No way! Impossible! It can’t be!"

Her ice-cold stare wavered momentarily, but it was quickly replaced by a cunning quirk of her lips, and she put up a wall against displaying any sign of emotion.

"And what accounts for that? Why? Do you feel threatened by a strong, independent woman as an Alpha?"

"No, n-no. I… I," he sputtered, as she continued to stare directly into his eyes, the chilly tones of her irises penetrating him. He was startled by this.

As he descended further into their abyss, his mind kept repeating a single phrase over and over again. And the more he tried, he couldn't bring himself to accept it.

‘No, it can’t be!’

She couldn't help but gaze at him, disturbed by the depth that could be seen in his brown eyes but revolted by the anger and prejudice that could be seen there as well.

With a single glimpse of his eyes, it seemed that he was making fun of her and making fun of her capacity to reign as Alpha. He was condemning her ability to rule.

They reduced her to nothing. They made an effort to breach her defenses and see beyond the façade that she battled so hard to maintain in place.

Because her own heart was attempting to tear it down, and was striving to allow him in—her mate—and break down the barrier between them.

He sprang to his feet, and both of her beta and gamma seized hold of his arms at the same time.

"No! I don't believe it," he stated in a threateningly low voice. "Are you sure that this is the Silver Phoenix pack?"

"Yes," she said, protruding her chin.

"Then where is the stern and powerful Alpha that I've heard so much about? Where is he? Show him to me!" He took a step forward, but her warriors held him back with their hands.

"You are already in front of the Alpha you’re looking for. I've been the Alpha for five years," she stated with lethal accuracy, infuriated that he was underestimating her might.

"So that means one thing… any whispers and rumors about the powerful Alpha that you have heard would have come from under my rule, my reign," she said.

The moment his mouth contorted into a smirk, the notion of running into his arms evaporated completely. She just wished she could give him a nice, hard smack.

Tyra, her head of guards, pointed her head towards him and said, "Alpha Alora, he's all yours."

She then reminded her of how she generally dealt with trespassers—whether they were rogues or Alphas, it made no difference. "He's all yours," Tyra repeated.

"Alpha Alora, is that it?" He took his time looking her over from head to toe, and the sensation of his stare caused goosebumps to rise on her skin.

"Alpha?" Tyra gave her an annoyed look.

‘Tyra, I-I just can't do it! T-This man… he's my… he’s my mate...’ Alora communicated with her through mind link.

‘No way? You don’t possibly mean that, do you?’ Tyra made an effort to cover the look of surprise on her face.

‘Tyra, do I give the impression that I am joking? He really is!’ Alora answered as she remained her cool.

"What are you waiting for, Alpha Alora? Go ahead, kill me," he responded with an arrogant expression on his face. "I don't care. That is exactly what you had in mind, right Alpha Alora?”

"Don't even presume to believe that you know what I have in store for you. Even those under my charge are unaware of my goals." She was babbling as she said this, but she was aware that she was doing so.

Her normally clear-cut cognitive processes were becoming clouded as a result of the man’s presence. She circled him and examined him thoroughly, just as he had done before with her.

Jeans that were worn and tattered, a black shirt, and unkempt dark brown waves of hair that fell over his shoulders and framed a lovely face that she really wanted to…

"Is that the reason you're taking your time? To put together some plans?" he asked, trying to annoy her.

Alora let out an angry roar before shooting her palm out to his neck and grabbing it firmly.

"Don't try to trick me in any way. I am able to say the same thing about you… the great and powerful Alpha of Black Trethello. Someone who have been dishonored, disavowed, and dismissed from your position by your very own father-"

"Don't attempt to speak about things that you have no knowledge of!" He sneered and before he could even utter some words, Alora cut him off.

"Oh, man! That's why you came here, isn't it?" She persisted with her question in spite of the pain and rage that could be seen in his eyes.

"You want to murder me and steal my land for yourself? You really believed that you could simply go in here and easily defeat this Alpha, did you? But don’t worry, don’t be too excited. We have something coming for you, so you have to be patience and-”

"Kill me then," he yelled at her, cutting her off this time, as the muscles in his neck tightened in response to her pressure.

"No, you do your plan! Come on! Banish me now! I dare you to wring my neck as I know you have planned all along! Take my territory and my pack. Go, kill me!” she challenged him as she looked at him fearlessly.

When the man raised his arm, Alora’s soldiers drew closer but remained at a distance, having realized that this display of force was essential to their Alpha's strategy. Alora is the one who establishes the parameters.

He was able to comfortably put his huge hand around her neck. The sensation of his flesh brushing against hers caused her to let out a startled gasp, which she quickly smothered.

He did not exert any force in any direction. Just looked directly into her eyes, nose to nose, with hardly an inch of space between their faces.

She was able to feel his warm breath on her lips, as well as the quick pounding of his heart in the chest that was pressed up against hers.

They were both bold, but neither of them was willing to make a move, regardless of whether they were going to win or lose.

While she did so, Tyra was holding her breath and shifting her gaze rapidly from one side to the other.

At long last, he pulled his hand away. "I would never intentionally harm you. You're my mate and you’re aware of that," he whispered to her.

Her soldiers choked and sputtered in response to this, but all it took was one glance from her to stop them.

"Take him to the Black Building," she ordered them.

They responded with, "Yes, Alpha," and obeyed.

"What about the Black Building?" As she made her way out of the conference room, Tyra automatically fell into step next to her. “Why not on the dungeon?" she added.

Alora took a slow, deep breath to slow her rushing heart, and after a while she flashed a kind grin to her childhood best friend.

She was appreciative of Tyra's compassion for her as well as the fact that she constantly looked out for her. On this point, though, she knows she was completely incorrect.

"Didn't your father ever teach you to keep your friends close and your enemies closer?"

‘But I wonder if he’d still choose to be my enemy after realizing about our bond…’

In the dimly lit chamber of the castle, Alora stood before the ornate mirror, her lengthy hair cascading like molten gold down her back.

With swift strokes, she brushed it through, preparing to weave an elaborate updo that befit her regal status as the Alpha of her pack. It was a departure from her usual straightforward braid, one she often donned during training with her troops.

As she meticulously wound a golden band around the final strand, her reflection gazed back at her, a mix of determination and vulnerability in her eyes.

Tonight, was no ordinary supper with her friends and command, as a peculiar guest awaited them in the depths of the basement dining room.

A man who claimed to be her mate.

Alora tried to push the thought to the back of her mind, reminding herself that she was not dressing up for anyone but herself. But a nagging feeling tugged at her heart, an unshakable intuition that destiny had something unexpected in store for her tonight.

Her flowing blouse clung gracefully to her form, and her black leggings added a touch of fierceness to her appearance.

She looked every bit of a powerful Alpha must possessed, yet within her, a mixture of emotions swirled, each vying for dominance.

With a deep breath, she slipped into her go-to shoes, completing her ensemble. Before leaving, she gave herself one last critical look in the full-length mirror.

She couldn't deny that she looked magnificent, but tonight's encounter held the promise of altering her fate forever.

As she stepped out into the grand hallway, she could almost feel the weight of her responsibilities as Alpha, the pressure to lead and protect her pack.

But beneath that, a yearning to explore the unknown stirred, pulling her towards the basement dining room where her mysterious guest awaited.

In this moment of uncertainty and allure, Alora was about to embark on a journey of self-discovery, love, and the collision of two worlds.

Fate had thrown an enigmatic challenge her way, and the castle's walls whispered with anticipation, eager to witness the unfolding of a tale that would forever change the course of her life.

Alora let out a sigh as she caught herself and as she was about to take a step on the stairway, she ran into Tyra.

"Alpha Alora, I was about to go and che—wow! You look amazing! You are so gorgeous!"

"No, Tyra. I don't think so. I don't look any more extraordinary than anyone else," Alora answered hastily.

"Oh really, sweetheart? Well, keep telling yourself that," Tyra said with an eyebrow arched and a grin on her face.

"That's enough. What exactly did you want to discuss with me?" Alora inquired to shake off the gaze that Tyra was giving her.

"Oh yeah, I almost forgot as I got mesmerized by your beauty. Well, everyone is all set for supper. And holy cow, what a jerk that man is!”

“First, he doesn’t want to go to the Black Building because he said he wanted to be with you. Oh, poor him! There was no way that we were going to allow him come close to our Alpha.”

“After that, he came close to punching Oliver for ordering him to get a grip on himself. but everything is okay now. Axel and Oliver took care of everything, and-"

“Urgh!” Alora's throat suddenly let out a roar of its own accord, and at the same time, she tightened both of her fists.

"Alora, are you alright?" Tyra asked.

Alora inhaled deeply before making a feeble effort at smiling. She had no clue where that emotion had originated, but the discussion of her mate getting hurt prompted her to respond.

"I'm alright, Tyra. Okay, so it means he's a jerk. Because of this, getting rid of him will be a lot less difficult.”

"What are you going to do?" Tyra asked as she turned her head to the side to gaze at her.

Alora confided to her closest buddy, "Well, to be honest... Tyra, I have no idea," as she pushed through the doors into the dining room of the house.

…..

The amount of conversation was sparse, and the atmosphere was tense to the point that Oliver's attempts to lighten the mood were unsuccessful.

The third in command under Tyra had a habit of cracking jokes about everything, from the manner in which his soldiers practiced their craft to the hue of the potato mash that was served to them.

Tonight, though, the laughter seemed a little forced. Everyone couldn't help but keep their eyes on the newcomer who carried himself as like he owned the establishment.

They all secretly hoped that he was down in the dungeon festering to death, but Alora had made it plain that she wanted him here for dinner so that they could get to know him and discover out what evil schemes he had up his sleeve.

And speaking of sleeves, Alora couldn't keep her eyes off the muscles that were visible through the borrowed button up shirt he was wearing in spite of the fact that he was wearing it with the sleeves rolled up.

Because neither her beta, Axel, nor her gamma, Oliver, were quite as large as him, the shirt was draped tightly around a very wide chest and biceps that bulged every time he put his fork to his mouth.

Alora now had the mental picture of raking her fingernails over his flesh with her fingers.

‘What the fuck was that, Alora?’ She thought behind her clouded mind.

“Uhm!” Alora was startled back into the present by a loud throat clearing. Alora blinked and mentally shook the lustful ideas out of her head as she caught sight of Tyra's stare directed in her direction.

"So, man, tell us your name?" Oliver questioned the man while chewing on a piece of steak.

"What, you don't already know?" Alora was the target of his inquiry, and he asked her with one eyebrow arched.

Alora took a deep breath in and glanced away, chastising herself for her failure to recall the information when she had heard it a few years before.

It was not something that should have been remembered at the time. He was nothing more than an ambitious and power-hungry Alpha.

Alora was shocked by his deep voice when the man spoke and said his name.

"It's Howland," and his brown eyes were mesmerizing as he continued to stare at Alora.

‘Alpha Howland! Wow, his name was as hot as he is!’ Tyra mindlinked her out of nowhere. Alora moved her foot around beneath the table before kicking it out to reach Tyra.

After which, Axel followed to ask him a question. "And why did you leave your pack?"

Axel was Alora's beta in addition to being Tyra’s mate. His leadership had grown more like a family to her, and they assisted Alora in ruling and protecting the rest of the pack.

Alora suddenly became aware that they were now conducting a cross-examination of the man on her behalf, despite the fact that they knew very little about him. She attempted to smile, but it immediately vanished when she saw that the man was frowning.

"My father..." He started but then paused for a while. "He didn't believe I was qualified to lead. He drove me away, and that is all I have to say about it at this point.”

‘Oh! A guy who keeps secrets... He’s quite mysterio-’ Tyra talked to Alora again through mindlink and Alora kicked her foot again towards her.

There was a little period of silence at the table, and when Howlan's eyes finally refocused on hers, she saw a fleeting pang of agony passing through them.

A part of her heart ached wishing she could reach out and comprehend that suffering he had in order to help alleviate some of it. She had a sufficient understanding of it to be able to recognize it.

"How long have you been acting rogue?" Oliver asked him once more with a stern look.

"Rogue? Well, I wouldn't call it rogue," he said as his gaze once again grabbed onto hers. "However, to answer your query, I think about a quarter of a year."

"Quarter of a year, you say? Then I'm going to assume that you've lied, stolen, and killed your way to survival?" One of Alora’s warriors, an elderly guy with enormous arms as thick as her thighs, questioned the man with contempt. He was one of her most intimidating opponents.

“You see, when it comes to the punishments our Alpha hands out for lawbreakers, she is quite stringent,” he added.

As Howland stared at Alora intently, the corners of his lips turned up into a smirk and he said, "Yeah, I see that. I'm sure she is."

Alora had a peculiar feeling in her gut, one that was a combination of anxiousness and displeasure. She came to the conclusion that she'd had enough.

"So…" she started hastily as she regarded the food on her plate. She asked the guy sitting across from her, whose clean-shaven jaw line was moving slowly as he chewed, pulling her thoughts away once again.

"Tell us then, where will you be heading tomorrow?" she glanced up at the man.

"Nothing, Alpha Alora. I will not be leaving tomorrow. I intend to remain in this house," he remarked with a confident smile.

Alora almost coughed up some of the peas that she had just ate. She quickly cast her gaze in his direction. His eyes shone brightly and smiled merrily at something that she did not find humorous.

Before Alora could answer back, he spoke once again. "Well, I want to get to know my mate more, my Luna, my future wife." He spat these words in a very serious tone.

This time, Tyra was unable to clear her throat and spat crimson liquid all over the table. She was well aware of how much Alora would despise hearing anything like that.