A fierce ALPHA before a loving Mother

Chapter 2

The tension in the room was palpable, pressing down on Lila like a physical weight. Alec’s eyes bore into hers, filled with an intensity that made her pulse race. She forced herself to stay composed, refusing to let him see the effect he still had on her. After all these years, after everything, he still had the power to unsettle her. But Lila wasn’t the same girl who had left this place broken and defeated. She was stronger now—strong enough to face him, to face all of them.

Alpha Donovan’s voice broke the silence, sharp and commanding. “Enough.” He stepped between Lila and Alec, his eyes narrowing as he assessed the two of them. “This is neither the time nor the place for whatever unresolved issues you may have.”

Lila’s gaze flicked to Donovan, who was watching her with a calculated expression. She knew he was trying to figure her out, trying to decide whether she was a threat or an asset. She couldn’t afford to let him see any weakness.

“I’m here for the pack,” she said, forcing the words out evenly. “There’s something coming, something dangerous. If you want to survive, you’ll need me.”

Donovan raised an eyebrow, skeptical. “And why should I believe you? You left this pack years ago. What makes you think you can walk back in here and start issuing warnings?”

Lila straightened, her eyes cold as she met Donovan’s gaze. “Because I’ve seen what’s out there. I’ve faced it, and I’ve survived. If you don’t take this seriously, there won’t be a pack left to lead.”

The room fell into a tense silence as the weight of her words settled over the gathered wolves. She could see the doubt in their eyes, the uncertainty. They remembered her as the weak Omega, the one who couldn’t even protect herself. It would take more than words to convince them that she was different now, that she was strong enough to lead them through the storm that was coming.

Donovan studied her for a long moment before he finally nodded. “We’ll talk,” he said. “But not here. Not with everyone listening.” He turned to the rest of the pack, his voice authoritative. “Return to your posts. This meeting is over.”

The wolves began to disperse, murmuring among themselves as they cast curious, wary glances at Lila. She ignored them, focusing instead on Alec, who hadn’t moved from his spot by the door. His eyes followed her every move, as if he was trying to unravel the mystery of who she had become. But Lila wasn’t about to give him the satisfaction of knowing her thoughts.

Donovan gestured for Lila to follow him, leading her through the pack house toward his private office. The hallways were the same as she remembered—dark wood paneling, the scent of old leather and pine in the air. It was as if time had stood still in this place, even as everything else in her life had changed.

As they walked, she could feel Alec’s presence behind her, the heat of his gaze lingering on the back of her neck. She forced herself to keep her focus on Donovan, on the task at hand. But it was impossible to ignore the way Alec’s proximity made her skin prickle, the way her heart seemed to beat faster whenever he was near.

When they reached Donovan’s office, the Alpha pushed open the heavy door and stepped inside. Lila followed, and Alec slipped in behind her, closing the door with a soft click. The room was dimly lit, with bookshelves lining the walls and a large, worn desk dominating the center. Donovan moved to sit behind the desk, gesturing for Lila and Alec to take the seats opposite him.

Lila hesitated for a moment before sitting down, her senses on high alert. Alec took the seat beside her, his leg brushing against hers as he settled in. The contact sent a jolt through her, and she clenched her fists in her lap, trying to ignore the surge of emotions his closeness stirred.

Donovan leaned back in his chair, his sharp eyes locking onto Lila’s. “Start talking,” he said. “Tell me why you’re really here.”

Lila took a deep breath, her mind racing as she tried to decide how much to reveal. She had expected Donovan to be suspicious, but Alec’s presence complicated things. There was so much she couldn’t say with him here, so much that she needed to keep hidden until the time was right.

“I’ve been tracking rogue activity in the northern territories,” Lila began, choosing her words carefully. “They’ve been growing bolder, moving closer to pack borders. But it’s not just the usual rogues. There’s something different about them—something… organized.”

Donovan frowned, his expression skeptical. “Organized? Rogues are nothing more than scavengers, outcasts. They don’t organize.”

“These ones do,” Lila countered, leaning forward. “They’re not just attacking randomly. They’re targeting specific packs, taking out key members. It’s systematic, calculated. And they’re getting stronger.”

Alec, who had been silent until now, spoke up, his voice low and measured. “And how do you know this?”

Lila turned to him, meeting his gaze head-on. “Because I’ve fought them. I’ve seen their leader, spoken to him. He’s not like any rogue we’ve encountered before.”

“What does he want?” Donovan asked, his tone sharp.

Lila hesitated, knowing the answer would send shockwaves through the pack. “He wants to overthrow the established packs. He believes the current system is weak, corrupt. He wants to create a new order—one where only the strongest survive.”

“And where do you fit into all this?” Alec asked, his eyes narrowing as he studied her.

Lila felt the weight of his scrutiny, the unspoken questions in his gaze. He was trying to figure out what had happened to her, why she had returned so different from the girl he once knew. But she couldn’t afford to let him get too close, couldn’t let him see the cracks in the armor she had built around herself.

“I don’t,” she said, her voice firm. “I’m here to protect this pack, to stop him before it’s too late.”

Donovan sat back, his fingers steepled as he considered her words. “And why should I trust you? You left this pack without a word. How do I know you’re not leading these rogues right to us?”

Lila’s jaw tightened. She had expected resistance, but the accusation still stung. “Because I’m not the same person I was when I left. I’ve seen what these rogues are capable of. I’ve fought to protect myself, to survive. And now I’m here to protect all of you.”

The room fell into a tense silence, Donovan weighing her words carefully. Lila could see the doubt in his eyes, the hesitation. But there was something else, too—something that made her think he was considering her offer.

Finally, Donovan nodded. “I’ll allow you to stay—for now. But you’ll be watched. If you make one wrong move, if I even suspect you’re not telling me everything, you’ll be dealt with.”

Lila nodded, relief flooding through her. It was a small victory, but it was enough for now. She could work with this, could build on it. She just needed time.

Donovan’s gaze shifted to Alec. “And you,” he said, his tone hard. “Keep an eye on her. Make sure she’s telling the truth.”

Alec’s eyes flicked to Lila, and she saw a flash of something in his expression—something that made her heart skip a beat. “I’ll do whatever it takes to protect this pack,” he said, his voice steady.

Lila forced herself to meet his gaze, refusing to let him see the turmoil his words caused. Alec was the last person she wanted watching her, but she had no choice. If she was going to protect the pack, she would have to navigate this dangerous game carefully.

As Donovan dismissed them, Lila stood, her mind already racing with plans. She had to find a way to uncover the rogue leader’s next move, to stop him before he could bring his war to their doorstep. But as she turned to leave, Alec’s hand closed around her wrist, stopping her in her tracks.

“Lila,” he said, his voice low enough that Donovan couldn’t hear. “We need to talk.”

She looked up at him, her heart pounding. The last thing she wanted was to be alone with him, to face the memories that still haunted her. But the look in his eyes told her he wasn’t going to take no for an answer.

“Fine,” she said, pulling her wrist free. “But not here.”

Alec nodded, releasing her, and she walked out of the office, her mind a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. She had come back to protect her pack, but the past was catching up with her faster than she had anticipated.

As she stepped outside into the cool night air, Lila took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm raging within her. She would have to face Alec, to confront the pain and betrayal that still lingered between them. But she couldn’t let it distract her from her mission.

The pack needed her. Whether they knew it or not, whether they accepted her or not, they needed her. And she would do whatever it took to protect them—even if it meant facing the ghosts of her past.

As Alec emerged from the shadows, his eyes dark and unreadable, Lila braced herself for what was to come. This was only the beginning. The real battle was just getting started.