Chapter 4 The Alpha who sees me

The wolves in the Northwood pack weren't very jovial people

Even though they offered me some warm meals they didn't say kind words. Instead, they watched me like I was a burning flame, unsure whether to put me out or add some more fuel.

But Aether? He didn't just watch. He really saw me. And honestly, that scared me more than Castillo's rejection ever could.

–––

*Training Day*

I heard the clash of steel before the sun rose this faithful morning

Aether was out in the clearing, shirtless and gleaming with sweat, as if the atmosphere wasn't cold enough or his body was being defensive against the wind. He moved like he was born for battle, striking his opponent with accurate precision. This wasn't about proving anything; he simply exhibited dominance.

Then our eyes met, and he stared at me continuously until I held my gaze. Before I knew it, he was pointing right at me.

"You. Step in!"

I blinked. "Excuse me?"

"If you're staying here in Northwood you fight," he replied, his voice sharp like winter air. "We don't harbor freeloaders"

"I never asked to stay," I shot back almost immediately.

He tilted his head, and I could sense my challenge in his eyes. "Then leave, right now!" He ordered.

I opened my mouth, but no words came out. Because deep down, I knew he wasn't wrong. I really wasn't ready. There was no way I'd survive a night out there on my own.

"I thought so." His smirk was anything but kind. "Grab a sword young lady."

He didn't take it easy on me. Kade fought me like I was one of his warriors-not a healer or a girl with a broken heart. Every strike of his I defended felt like a spike to my bones, every swing of his hit my pride hard.

But I refused to go down.

Something inside me screamed to stay on my feet. I don't know if it was either Zeal, anger, or perhaps pain, or maybe it was the part of me that still wanted to matter to someone, that wanted to be valuable and validated to anyone-even if it is an Alpha who doesn't believe in mates.

At one point, our blades clashed so fiercely that they ignited little sparks of fire. He smirked, as he looked at me and both of us were breathing heavily.

"I can tell you're angry," he said quietly.

I nodded.

"Good. Anger means you're not broken yet." Then he walked away, leaving me shaking in the snow-half furious and half elated.

The wolves of Northwood who were watching the fight murmured as they dispersed.

And for the first time since Castillo broke my heart, I felt seen.

–––

*The Dream Again*

That night, the dream returned-but this time, it wasn't just flashes. I could hear a voice.

A woman's voice.

"He will choose you over the bond, and the blood will run for it."

Then I saw them; Red eyes, fangs, wolves without skin, crawling from beneath the ice like shadows formed from death or betrayal.

I screamed hard and woke up. Aether burst into the cabin, with his sword at hand. My chest was heavy as sweat dripped from my head to my toes.

"Did you see them again, Was it some sort of trance?" he asked, his voice low.

I nodded.

"Tell me exactly what you saw!"

And so I explained, I told him about the red-eyed wolves, the woman's tiny voice, and that feeling of something ancient arousing from beneath Northwood's sacred ground.

When I finished explaining, he just stood there silent looking at me and without a word, he pulled off his shirt and tossed it on a chair. He didn't leave. He stayed put.

He sat on the chair across from my bed, his sword resting across his lap.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

"Watching the door," he replied calmly.

"You think something is coming."

"I have a feeling there is."

I swallowed hard.

"Do you always sleep with a weapon beside you?"

His gaze met mine, and I could see the reflection of the flickering fire in his eyes.

"I haven't slept in two years."

His response left me confused.

The silence between us grew heavy. I pulled the blanket around me, covering up to my shoulders.

"I have asked you before," I whispered. "Why don't you believe in the mate bond?"

Aether's expression darkened.

"Because I followed mine into battle," he said. "And she betrayed my pack to save her Alpha father who was evil."

My heart sank. "She was a spy?"

He nodded once. "I trusted her. My wolf loved her. But when it mattered most... she chose blood over bond."

"I'm so sorry," I replied not knowing what else to say

"Don't be." He stood up. "It made me stronger."

He walked to the door but paused with his hand on the door frame he turned back, his eyes more serious.

"But there's something about you, Maybel. Something my wolf can't overlook. And honestly, it freaks me out."

He called my full name just like my late dad always did, it felt weird but as I took a second glance at him, his eyes lit with burning desire, and for a moment I thought he would come grab and kiss me. The tension within the room heightened, but at that very minute we heard horns blaring from the gate.

Warriors immediately whipped out their blades, growling low. Aether ran out to join the warriors. His dominance was fascinating and his voice icy and commanding.

Then I saw who was coming in, not rogues, not raiders.

A Southern envoy, and the leader of the Blue Crest pack- Castillo.

I felt my breath stuck in my throat.

He looked just like I remembered-dark hair, standing tall like always, and that fierce gaze that cut right through the guards, right past the warriors, and locked onto me.

Then he said the last thing I ever expected to hear.

"May, you need to come back home. I messed up.