Her Return As An Alpha

Chapter 9 : The Weight of Leadership

Drew stood alone in the woods, his breath visible in the cool night air. The moon hung high in the sky, casting a silver glow that seemed to mock him with its peacefulness. This was the spot where he had rejected Liana, and the memory of that night haunted him. His inner wolf had been restless ever since, giving him the cold shoulder for pushing away their mate.

The pain of the decision gnawed at him, an ache that never truly left. He could still see her in his mind's eye: her red hair cascading down her back, her jade green eyes filled with hurt and confusion, the curve of her lips trembling as she tried to hold back her tears. It had been four months, but he couldn’t get the scent of earthen flowers out of his mind. It was as if she had become a part of him, a ghost that lingered no matter how far he ran.

From the shadows, three bare-chested warriors emerged, their presence a stark contrast to the tranquility of the night. The oldest, Marcus, had graying hair and a face lined with the wisdom of his years. Beside him were Nathan and Caleb, both in their twenties and brimming with the energy of youth.

“Young Alpha,” Marcus, as the Beta, greeted with a respectful nod, his voice steady and commanding.

“Report,” Drew responded, forcing himself to focus on the matters at hand.

Marcus began with the usual updates, detailing the border issues and the interactions with other packs. “We’ve had some skirmishes along the northern border,” he said. “The Red Moon pack is testing our defenses again.”

Drew nodded, his mind partially occupied by thoughts of Liana. He needed to stay focused. “Increase patrols in that area. I don’t want any more surprises.”

Nathan, always eager to share news, spoke up next. “I caught the scent of the Wolf King’s travelers near our territory. They didn’t cross the border, but they were close.”

This piqued Drew’s interest. The Wolf King’s presence was always significant. “Keep an eye on them,” he ordered. “Report any further movement."

"I wonder if they found any rogues," Caleb muttered. "There has been an uprising recently. The rogues have been unified under a formidable leader. They've been extremely cautious in their movements of late."

Drew frowned. "Send word to the King King that we are willing to supply resources and warriors in the vicinity, should he require them."

The warriors nodded and prepared to disperse, but Marcus lingered behind. Drew could sense the older man’s concern even before he spoke.

“Drew,” Marcus began, his tone more personal, more fatherly. “What’s troubling you? You’ve been distant lately.”

Drew shook his head, trying to brush off the question. “I’m fine, Marcus. Just the usual stress of leadership.”

But Marcus wasn’t easily deterred. He stepped closer, his gaze piercing through the darkness. “Is it about the girl? Liana Dane?”

Drew’s heart clenched at the mention of her name. He wanted to deny it, to push the thoughts away, but Marcus had always been perceptive. “It’s nothing, Marcus. Just... old memories.”

Marcus sighed, placing a hand on Drew’s shoulder. “You did what you thought was right. She’s better off without you, Drew. The role of Luna isn’t for someone as fragile as her. If she were to face the ancestral test, she wouldn’t survive.”

The mention of the ancestral test brought a fresh wave of guilt. Drew's mother, the late Luna, had died tragically during the trials despite her strength. She had just given birth to him, when her body convulsed, and she vomited blood. Soon enough, her body had begun to burn up and crack, slowly turning her into a withered corpse. She had met the same fate as his grandmother did.

Drew’s father, the current Alpha, had almost collapsed at the death of his mate. Had he not had a son, he would have lost himself to the misery of his wolf, who was now impenetrable due to its sufferings. It was a trial that every Luna had to endure, a test of strength and endurance that often ended in tragedy.

“You need someone strong by your side,” Marcus continued. “A regular member of the pack who can handle the pressures of being Luna, without claiming the official title of Luna itself. Someone who can face the challenges head-on and be your wife without being marked by you. At least until, you need an heir, at which point we might have to prepare the poor lass.”

Drew knew Marcus was right, but it didn’t make the pain any easier to bear. “I just hope she’s safe,” he muttered, more to himself than to Marcus. “Wherever she is.”

“She’ll be fine, Drew,” Marcus assured him. “Sometimes the hardest decisions are the ones that save lives. Your parents had you at a late age, which provided them with ample amount of time to prepare. Liana is too young.”

With that, Marcus gave Drew a final pat on the shoulder and walked away, leaving Drew alone with his thoughts once more. The night seemed colder now, the silence more oppressive.

Drew sighed deeply, turning his gaze back to the moonlit path ahead. “I’m sorry, Liana,” he whispered into the night. “I hope you’re out there, somewhere safe and happy.”

With a heavy heart, Drew made his way back to the pack’s mansion. Each step felt like a mile, his mind replaying every moment he had shared with Liana. The rejection, the pain, the hope in her eyes that he had crushed. He wondered if she had found a new life, if she was well-fed and safe, or if she was hurt and struggling.

As he approached the mansion, the grandeur of the building seemed to contrast sharply with his inner turmoil. The pack’s home was a symbol of strength and unity, but right now, it felt like a prison.

Inside, the halls were quiet. Most of the pack members were asleep, resting for another day of duties and responsibilities. Drew walked through the corridors, his footsteps echoing softly. His room was at the end of the hallway, a space that felt both comforting and isolating.

He entered the room and closed the door behind him, leaning against it for a moment. The weight of leadership, the burden of his decisions, and the pain of losing his mate all pressed down on him. He crossed the room to the window and looked out at the moonlit landscape, the same view he had seen countless times but which now seemed different.

“Liana,” he whispered again, his voice filled with longing. “Where are you?”

The moon offered no answers, only its cold, distant light. Drew lay down on his bed, his thoughts still consumed by the red-haired girl with jade green eyes. Sleep came slowly, and when it did, it was filled with dreams of what could have been, and what he had lost.

The following day was much like any other, filled with the duties of an Alpha. Drew woke early, the weight of his responsibilities dragging him from bed. The pack needed him to be strong, to be focused. He couldn’t afford to dwell on his personal regrets.

Breakfast was a quick affair, shared with the senior members of the pack. Marcus, Nathan, and Caleb joined him, discussing the latest developments and strategies. Drew tried to engage, but his mind kept drifting back to Liana.

After breakfast, he headed to his office, a spacious room filled with maps, reports, and books on pack history and law. The day was spent addressing issues, planning defenses, and ensuring the pack’s safety. It was a routine that required his full attention, yet he found it increasingly difficult to concentrate.

In the afternoon, he received a visit from Hannah, a strong and capable warrior who had been suggested as a potential mate. She was everything a Luna should be: fierce, loyal, and respected by the pack. But as Drew spoke with her, he couldn’t help but compare her to Liana. The spark wasn’t there, the connection that made his wolf stir.

Hannah sensed his distraction and addressed it directly. “Drew, if you’re not ready, just say so. I can see that your heart is elsewhere.”

Drew sighed, rubbing his temples. “It’s not that simple, Hannah. There’s a lot at stake.”

“I understand that,” she replied gently. “But you can’t force a bond. It has to be real.”

He nodded, appreciating her honesty. “Thank you, Hannah. I just need more time.”

“Take all the time you need,” she said, standing up to leave. “But remember, the pack needs a strong Luna.”

As she left, Drew felt a pang of guilt. He knew the pack needed stability, a leader and a Luna to guide them. But he couldn’t shake the feeling that he was making a mistake, that by rejecting Liana, he had lost something irreplaceable.