Sighing, I settled back onto the blanket, my hand still loosely entwined with hers. “Training was different today.” I squeezed her fingers, taking in the idyllic scene unfolding around us: bees hovering around vibrant blossoms, butterflies dancing on the gentle breeze. “I let Sven take over, and it turned out better than I expected.”
“Really?” Witnessing the relief on Liza’s face, I could tell that the news had eased some of the concern I had unintentionally imposed on her. “That’s great, Ty. I’m glad you’re learning to trust others with some of the responsibility.”
“Me, too.” I really was proud of how my pack had responded to Sven’s guidance. They were strong, united, and soon, they’d be ready to face whatever came at us, and it was all because I’d finally swallowed my pride and admitted that I couldn’t do it alone.
Liza picked up our joined hands and kissed the back of mine. “I believe in you. Never think otherwise. But we both realized that this was out of your wheelhouse. I do trust you to always do what’s best for the pack.”
Her words warmed me from within like a shot of fine whiskey, burning away the lingering doubts and insecurities that had plagued me since this whole mess began. Although I’d acknowledged my shortcomings, having Liza beside me made me feel invincible. With her in my life, by my side, I could conquer the world, or at least protect our pack from whatever threats might come our way.
Liza’s trust in me settled both heavy and light on my chest; an anchor and a buoy all at once. “It isn’t just for the pack,” I said quietly, our shared breaths warm between us. “I’ll do whatever it takes, including putting my ego aside, if it means keeping you safe.”
Her eyes shimmered, and she nodded, understanding the depth of my promise. We sat there for a moment, wrapped up in each other, before life resumed its course, and we had to part ways.
Later, as I sat in my office, I mulled over the day’s events. The worn desk beneath my fingertips bore the scars of generations of use, grounding me in the present while connecting me to my family’s past. Outside, the wind sailed through the trees, their leaves rustling in a timeless dance, the melody of nature that had always brought me peace.
“Ty.” I blinked and looked up to see my father standing in the doorway. Dominic Keller, the man who had been alpha before me, made the large space of my office somehow cozier by his mere existence.
“Hey, Dad.” I straightened in my chair, my instincts urging me to show the respect he deserved. “What brings you here?”
He stepped into the room, shutting the door behind him before perching on the edge of my desk. “How are things progressing?.” His face creased, eyes tightening at the corners. “How are you holding up?”
I looked up at the ceiling, considering how much to reveal. This was my father. The man who had guided me every step of the way, even when I stumbled. “To be honest,” I said. “I’ve been struggling. Mom gave me a much-needed reality check.”
“Your mother has always had a way of cutting through the noise.” He grinned. “What did she say?”
“She reminded me that I needed to face the truth, no matter how difficult it may be.” I paused, my fingers gripping the edgeof the desk. “I told her that I was flying blind because you didn’t prepare for this sort of thing. But then she told me there are people here who want to help, even if they seem sketchy. They’re risking their lives to take down Castro, and I need to accept that help for the sake of the pack, and Liza’s life.”
“I feel like I owe you an apology,” Dominic said, pausing to face me. He appeared to struggle with his words as several emotions flickered across his face. “I didn’t raise you to be a fighter. I wanted you to lead the pack with your mind, your heart, and your ability to bring people together.”
“Being a fighter isn’t inherently bad, Dad.” I tried to understand where he was going with this. “But I understand. You wanted more for me.”
“Exactly.” He sighed and rubbed a hand over his face. “I focused so much on helping you become the alpha I envisioned, I didn’t prepare you for the harsh realities of leading a pack in times of conflict.”
“Times like these, you mean?” I asked with a wry chuckle.
“Yes, Ty. I never thought my mistakes would come back to haunt you. I should’ve understood that no matter how hard I tried to protect you, there will always be battles that need to be fought, even if they’re not the ones I anticipated.”
“I don’t blame you, Dad,” I said. “You did the best you could.”
“Thank you, son.” He smiled weakly. “But I need you to know that I’m sorry for putting this burden on you. No matter what, I am so incredibly proud of the man and alpha you’ve become.”
I hadn’t realized how much I’d needed to hear those words from my father. It eased my doubts and fears. I knew he held on to a great deal of regret. It was in his eyes, but so was the love and pride that shone through.
“Thanks, Dad,” I said. “I’ll do whatever it takes to protect our pack, and Liza.”
“I know you will, son.” Dominic nodded, steady and unwavering. “Remember, you’re not alone. You have your family, your pack, and the strength inside you. Trust in that, and you’ll find the way forward.”
As if wanting to show that strength I had inside me, my wolf stirred beneath my skin, eager for the freedom of the run. My father nodded when he felt his alpha call out to him.
“What do you say we go for a run?” he suggested. “It’s been too long since we’ve done this.”
I nodded, anticipation building within me. The bond between us was stronger than ever after our honest conversation, and I wanted nothing more than to go for a run and spend some quality time with him. We quickly went outside, where we undressed and stood side by side, our muscles tensing as we prepared to transform.
In unison, we let our wolves take over, our bodies morphing and contorting until we stood on four legs, and our fur bristled in the cool evening breeze. My father’s wolf was as regal and powerful as the man himself, his silver fur gleaming, and his eyes filled with wisdom and strength. Beside him, my own wolf was a darker shade of gray, and I saw the fire that burned within me in the reflection of my father’s eyes.
We exchanged a look, acknowledging the connection between us, before launching ourselves into the forest. The world around us blurred as we sprinted through the trees, our paws thudding against the soft earth and leaves crunching beneath our weight. The scents of the forest, and the musk of the countless animals that called it home invigorated me.
Running in unison, a powerful bond of camaraderie and understanding became apparent, revealing a void I hadn’t recognized. Throughout my life, my father had been my constant pillar of support, guiding and shaping me into the alpha I hadbecome. Yet, running alongside him added an extra layer of significance to everything we had discussed earlier.
