Chapter 3 Alpha's Hidden Feelings

Morgana looked in the mirror. The birthmark was glowing brighter now. The stars seemed to move, spinning slowly around the moon.

"This is impossible," she breathed.

"The prophecy speaks of a daughter of Stormhowl with hidden blood," Eldra said. "A daughter who would return when the packs needed her most. When war threatened to destroy everything."

"War?" Jahn asked.

Eldra nodded. "The Iron Claw pack is moving. Viktor has been gathering rogues and rejects. He wants to wipe out all the usual packs and run the areas himself."

Morgana remembered the attack that had nearly killed her. The cruel laughter of the Iron Claw dogs as they hunted her through the mountains.

"That's why Magnus is here," Dolph said, understanding. "He's heard the rumors."

"What rumors?" Morgana asked.

"That the lost Luna has returned," Eldra said simply. "That the prophecy is beginning."

Morgana felt like the world was spinning around her. "I'm not... I can't be..."

"Can't you?" Eldra moved closer. "Think, child. Your strength. Your healing. The way wolves bend to your will without you even trying."

It was true. Even as a child, other dogs had followed her. Even the older pack members had heard when she spoke. She'd thought everyone was just being nice to her.

"This is crazy," Morgana said.

A loud howl echoed from outside. Then another. Soon the whole pack was screaming, their voices rising to the sky.

"They sense it too," Eldra said. "They know their Luna has come home."

Dolph moved to the window and looked out. "Magnus is getting restless. We need to meet with him."

"No," Eldra said strongly. "Not without her."

"She's not ready-"

"I'm right here," Morgana said. She pushed herself out of bed, ignoring the pain. "And I can speak for myself."

She stood on shaky legs, but she stood. The scar on her shoulder felt warm, like it was alive.

"If I really am this Luna person," she said, "then I need to start acting like it."

Dolph looked at her with something that might have been pride. "The Wind Winder pack is dangerous. Magnus is not someone you can trust."

"Then I'll be careful."

"Morgana-"

"You sent me away once to keep me safe," she said. "How did that work out?"

He had no answer for that.

Outside, the howling stopped suddenly. The quiet was worse than the noise.

"They're coming," Jahn said from the window. "Magnus is heading this way."

Morgana took a deep breath. Nine years ago, she'd been a scared little girl. But that girl was gone. Whatever she was now-Luna, destiny, or just a survivor-she was going to face it head on.

"Let him come," she said.

The scar on her shoulder glowed with silver light, as if it agreed.

Like a dream, three days went by. Morgana slept most of the time and only woke up to eat little meals or drink water. Runa changed her dressings and mixed new plants while checking on her every several hours. Wounds were healing too quickly for normal dogs.

Dolph stayed near. Even though he knew better in his heart, he told himself it was only alpha duty. For hours, he watched her chest rise and fall while he sat beside her bed. She occasionally spoke while she slept, using languages from faraway places or yelling out names he didn't recognize.

The third night she was completely awake.

She said, "How long?" in a quieter but more distinct voice.

Dolph, who had been reading pack reports, looked up from his chair. "For three days. You have been asleep.

Morgana squirmed as she tried to sit up, her ribs hurting. Dolph rushed over to help her, his hands softly resting on her shoulders. Neither of them retreated, but the touch fired sparks through them both.

Despite saying, "I can manage," she did not push his hands away.

He said, "Your wounds are healing well," as he relaxed in his chair. "Runa says another few days and you'll be walking around."

They sat quiet for a while. Shadows danced on the walls as the fire crackled quietly in the corner. Snow pattered softly across the windows outside.

"Why are you here?" Morgana asked suddenly.

Dolph's mouth clenched. "You're in pain. Ensuring the safety of pack members is my responsibility. " I'm not a pack member." Old rage surged in her green eyes. "You made that very clear nine years ago."

The words hit him like a blow to the body. He remembered that evening, when he announced her exile, her sixteen-year-old face twisted with anger and hurt. It was for the best, he had convinced himself. She was unpredictable and wild. For someone so young, her wolf was too strong and frightening.

"Morgana-" "No." Ignoring the ache, she tried to sit up straighter. It is not your place to 'Morgana' me. I was thrown out like garbage by you. You told the entire pack that I was unstable and risky. Are you aware of how that affected me?

Dolph felt his heart tighten as her voice broke on the final words. Although he was aware that his refusal would be painful, he thought it to be the right choice. The safe choice.

Silently, "You were sixteen," he said. "Most people couldn't match the strength of your wolf. It was beyond your power. People were suffering injuries.

"One person got hurt!" Morgana fired back. "I defended myself when Magnus Windwinder grabbed me without my permission. That is the habits of wolves. " You nearly killed him."

"He had it coming."

Dolph combed his dark hair with his hand. He remembered this Morgana as strong, cocky, and unwavering. She was fire and lightning despite her weakness and pain.

"You were a child with the power of a grown alpha," stated the man. "I tried to keep you safe. as well as everyone else.

"Protect me?" Morgana's laughter was empty of fun. "You ruined me. Where have I been for the past nine years, do you know? What have I got to accomplish in order to live?"

He could see scars across her collarbone when she dropped the neck of her nightgown. Old ones that have gotten white.

Romanian fighting pits. Fighting for money was my only source of food when I was seventeen and living alone. She showed him her arm's other scar. " This one comes from a Prague silver blade. A hunter thought he may get a reward for a lone wolf.

For Dolph, every mark felt like a knife in his chest. In the hopes that she would find another pack or someone to look after her, he had sent her out into the world by herself. He had never thought of...

"And this," she added, touching the new cuts on her ribs, "was three days ago." My hiding place in the mountains was found by Iron Claw Pack. They claimed to have heard about a Stormhowl who lived by herself in the old caves.

Dolph's heart froze. "Someone told them?"

"Dolph, they were aware of things. About my roots, about my family name. Viktor's pack was utilized by someone who wanted me dead.

The door opened before Dolph could respond. Bringing a plate of soup and tea, Eldra entered. The old woman glanced between them, noting Dolph's stiff stance and Morgana's red cheeks.

"Good, you're awake," Morgana was told by Eldra. "We need to talk."