Part 2
1520 Words
Alec stretched his legs under the desk, rolling his head back against the chair. He made a face at a slight crick in his neck, which he eventually brushed off. It must be all those late nights he had been pulling for work. The Alpha had to finish up some loose ends.
The twenty-six-year-old trained his olive-green eyes on the smoke that came out in ribbons from the butt of the cigar. He took in a deep drag, feeling the burn in his lungs. Beads of sweat rolled down his forehand as he tried to concentrate on the documents in front of him.
He eyed the bottle of scotch close by before shutting files with more force than necessary. The Alpha bit down on the top of the scotch bottle and cracked the cap free, taking a deep swig as the alcohol dribbled down the corner of his mouth.
The wood blaze in the corner of the room roared, an inevitable wave of heat immediately breaking through the cold room. Not that he needed the heat but betas working in the quarter complained about the cold.
A sharp knock sounded on his door before it was pushed open. Alec raised his head only to see his assistant, Thomas, rush inside. He had a steaming cup in his hand, which he handed it over to the Alpha.
“I thought you would need something to keep you awake for tonight.”
"You shouldn't be working yourself for me, Thomas," Alec spoke slow. "Your omega is with child, and it seems that you need to be reminded of this now and then. Go home to them.”
"It's no use, Alpha," Thomas laughed softly, perching on the chair in front of him. “She wants to do everything on her own”
“Lucky you.”
Thomas shrugged. “So...is everything sorted?”
“Almost”, The Alpha sighed. “I need to leave in few hours, and I still have to finish some files.”
Alec was going back to his packhouse. He made up his mind, and nothing could ever change that. Everyone who worked under him had been informed of that, and they were to continue with their duties. Only that Alec appointed someone else to take over.
The Romanos brothers have been famous for owning their line of business from a very young age. Alec Romano is no different from his most exclusive VIP lounge clubs spread all over the States. At the mere age of twenty-six, he owned six clubs in his name and all of which he handed over to someone else.
“I can do it if you want.”
“No! I can't ask you that,” Alec breathed. “Besides, today was supposed to be celebration day for my employees.”
“It’s your last day here, Alpha. Not something we would like to celebrate.”
“I’m not leaving forever”, Alec chuckled. “I’ll be dropping by to check on the progress.”
They fell in silence. Thomas helped him with some papers for a while before they both got tired of it. He could notice that the beta was forcing himself to stay up. “I still have few hours to wrap up. Why don’t you go ahead?”
“Are you sure, Alpha?”
Alec nodded his head.
Thomas stood up from his seat. He thrust his hand in Alec's direction, his eyes shining brightly due to the flames. “Goodbye, sir. It's been nice working for you.”
“Goodbye, Thomas”
***
The wind blew gently at his hair into his eyes, making him blink and shake his head gently. He hoped that would get his thick chestnut-coloured curls out of his face without having to use his hands. In the end, he had to brush his fingers along its curve, tucking its end behind his ear. Alec should cut his wild curls, he thought absently, but he enjoyed how long his hair has gotten as they fell over his forehead.
Taking a deep breath, Alec threw his head back in the air. His bones crackled with intensity, muscles aching and squeezing together. A growl ripped out of his throat as he erupted into his wolf form. Claws jutted out of his fingers, sharp and long. Golden eyes shone against the dark as he looked around.
He had to make two hours journey to make it back to his packhouse. Like a sane person, Alec could have chosen to take some transport, but that would take him double the time. The roads leading to his pack house were twisted and required different types of tires. It was a lot of work in short.
Upon reaching the forest, his beta Charles was the first to greet him with a fresh set of clothes. They were old and clung to him like skin, but Alec didn’t complain. It was better than messing up his entire packing.
Once dressed, they started walking towards the packhouse. His beta, Charles, who's also his childhood friend, nudged his side, smiling gently. “So, how have you been, my friend?”
Meh, Alec wanted to yell out, but that’s a barely satisfactory answer, not to Charles, though, who worried a lot.
“Fine”
“Very convincing.”
Alec chuckled. “Why, thank you.”
“So you’re here to stay, right?”
“It appears so.”
“You don’t sound very excited about it.”
Alec slightly panicked when he felt a ball forming in his throat. How should he answer that? The Alpha didn’t want to sound selfish, but he’s happy in the city. In three years, he managed to set up six clubs. He had a goal in his mind to expand his business, but fate had other plans.
“I am” He looked away.
They’re drawing closer to the packhouse, and by then, they have left the wilderness of the forest for a more reserved neighbourhood. Alec passed by awkwardly through the familiar streets he once played.
“So,” His beta drawled, his hands stuffed in his pocket and a curious tilt to his mouth. “Now that you are here, will you take over your father?”
“Uhh...”
“The war’s over,” Charles reminded him, his eyes fixed on the road ahead.
His heart dropped to his stomach at the mention of the war. Alec filled his mouth with air, eyes trained on the pups running around in the garden. They were chasing something, butterflies perhaps and looking every bit pleased and happy. Something he longed for.
Nothing, not a single word that he would respond with, will be enough to describe the sorrow he felt.
The war’s over. And it was evident with how his pack members have been going out with beaming smiles on their face. The chatter of omegas and loud giggles from pups. He should be happy that wars over and everyone has something to do. Why does he still feel guilty?
“I know”, He breathed.
***
A few benches rested crookedly in the garden, its unmistakable cushions used to cover the surface. Without them- only splintery plywood remained. He was there when his father ordered the pack members to arrange for benches in the garden. That year his father was crazy about having skin tanned.
His lips twitched at the memory.
“Ready?” Charles grinned at him, his hand already on the handle of the door. Alec dumbly nodded.
Silence greeted him. Alec looked around; his lips pulled together when he noticed the empty hallway. The old wallpaper was already peeling off the walls, dust lining the exposed inner layer of the once sticky paper. The room reeked of a multitude of scents, from the smell of omegas, betas and alphas. His eyes rolled back, taking in the smell of his home.
He shuffled his feet forward anyway.
Charles cleared his throat. “No one knows you are here. I thought it would make a nice surprise.”
“Oh”
“Let’s go.”
The room right to the left of the front door was their living room. He followed his friend to the room with the fire stocked with freshly cut wood. It managed to keep the cabin to a comfortable temperature. Two wolves were standing in front of the fireplace, sipping on cups of hot chocolate as they poked something in the fire.
They turned around on seeing Alec.
“Alpha! You’re back pretty quickly?” The pink-haired beta—Jackie acknowledged.
Sierra, her older sister, hummed. “Yeah, we thought you would directly join us for lunch.”
“He travelled here in his wolf form”, Charles answered, silencing the both of them.
They all settled down on the huge couch, legs folded together while soaking in the warmth. Alec shifted uncomfortably in his seat, thinking of ways to escape the conversation.
“Luna hasn’t stopped crying since she got your call,” Jackie chuckled, chewing around a jam covered scone. “She has asked the chef to make your favourite for lunch.”
Sierra leaned forward, her elbows on the table, her chin resting on her hands. “Alpha,” She smiled, showing off her perfect teeth. They glimmer under the soft glow of the chandelier hanging over their head. “You haven’t said much!”
Alec wanted to tell her that he hasn’t for a reason, which is that he doesn’t want to participate in the conversation. Before he could say something, a guard interrupted them.
“Alpha Alec” He bowed down. “Pack Alpha and Luna want to see you.”
***
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