Chapter 59

Alexander

My head snapped up, and there she was—Lauren, standing at the edge of the clearing, her chest heaving as she stepped into the circle. Her eyes were wide, her face pale, but there was steel in her voice.

The pack murmured in surprise, a ripple of confusion spreading through the wolves. No one outside the pack was supposed to interfere in a challenge, and yet here she was, moving to stand between me and my pride.

“Lauren,” I growled my voice low and warning. “This isn’t your fight.”

“Like hell it isn’t,” she shot back, her hands clenched into fists. “You think I’m just going to stand by while you tear each other apart? Over me?”

Gabriel shifted back into his human form, his chest heaving as he looked up at her approach. “This doesn’t concern you,” he said, his voice cold.

“It concerns me when my children’s father is about to lose control,” she snapped, her gaze never leaving mine. “When all of you go to him for answers I could give you just as well. But did you ever care to ask before, just, fighting? All of you, get a grip!”

The pack was silent, all eyes on us as the tension hung heavy in the air. I could feel the weight of their stares, their judgment, but all I could focus on was her.

“Move,” I said, my voice low and dangerous.

“No,” she said, her chin lifting defiantly. “You’re better than this, Alexander. You don’t have to prove anything. Not like this”

Her words cut through the haze of my anger, and for a moment, I faltered. She stepped closer, her hand brushing against my fur, and the warmth of her touch sent a jolt through me.

“Please,” she whispered, her voice soft now. “For me.”

I let out a low growl, but the fight drained out of me. Slowly, I stepped back, releasing Gabiel from my hold. He scrambled to his feet, his gaze darting between me and Lauren.

“This isn’t over,” I said, my voice cold as I shifted back into my human form, my clothes in tattered over my skin.

Gabiel didn’t respond, his face pale as he backed away, the pack parting to let him pass.

Lauren stood there, her eyes locked on mine, and for a moment, it was just the two of us. The weight of what had just happened pressed down on me, but her presence grounded me, pulling me back from the edge.

Lauren

I took a deep breath, my gaze sweeping over the pack. “This ends now,” I said, my voice firm. “We are not enemies. We are a pack, and we stand together. If anyone else has a problem with my leadership, speak now.”

Liam shifted, he didn’t look too much different than our last scrap. But he was just as irritating to look at. “This isn’t just about Gabriel feelings,” he said, his tone sharp. “This is about you, Alexander. The pack. You need to step up, tell us what’s happening.”

Alexander growled low, “I don’t owe you answers on my personal life.”

“I get it,” Liam said, “But you do when you’re an Alpha, when you’re face and bloodline matter, represent us.”

The words hit like a physical blow. I saw Alexander’s jaw tighten, his fists clenching at his sides. He looked ready to tear Liam apart, and honestly, I wouldn’t have blamed him. But I couldn’t let this spiral further.

“Enough!” I shouted, my voice ringing out across the clearing. All eyes turned to me, and I felt the weight of their gazes like a spotlight. My heart pounded, but I refused to back down. “You want the truth? Fine. Let’s talk about the truth.”

Alexander’s head snapped toward me, his expression a mix of shock and warning. But I ignored him. This needed to happen.

I stepped forward, addressing the pack directly. “Yes, I’m Lauren. The original Lauren. The one you all thought was gone. And those children? They’re mine. Mine and Alexander’s.”

A wave of gasps and murmurs rippled through the pack. I saw the disbelief on their faces, the questions forming behind their eyes. But I didn’t stop.

“You want to know what’s been going on?” I continued. “You want to know why Alexander has been stretched so thin? It’s because he’s been trying to protect all of you while also protecting me and our children. He’s been fighting battles you don’t even know about, making sacrifices you can’t begin to understand. And instead of supporting him, you’re tearing him down.”

Liam’s face hardened, but he didn’t interrupt. Gabriel looked stunned, his earlier defiance wavering. Alexander stood frozen, his eyes locked on me, his expression unreadable.

I took a deep breath, letting the anger and frustration I’d been holding back pour into my words. “Sophia was a traitor. She attempted to kill me, steal my child and take my role as Luna. She was liar and a cheat. Alexander isn’t perfect. He’s made mistakes. But he’s also done everything he can to keep this pack safe, to keep me safe. And if you can’t see that, then maybe you’re the ones who are unfit to be part of this pack.”

The clearing was silent, the weight of my words hanging heavy in the air. I turned to Liam, meeting his gaze head-on. “You question his leadership, but what have you done to support it? What have you done to make things better instead of worse?”

Liam’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t respond. I turned to Gabriel. “And you. You think challenging him makes you strong? It doesn’t. It makes you reckless. If you have a problem with Alexander, me, our family, there are ways to address it without tearing this pack apart.”

I felt Alexander’s hand on my arm, a gentle but firm touch. I turned to him, my voice softening. “You don’t have to prove anything to them. You’ve already proven more than enough.”

For a moment, he just looked at me, his eyes searching mine. Then he stepped forward, his presence commanding as he addressed the pack.

“Lauren’s right,” he said, his voice steady but laced with emotion. “I’ve made mistakes. I’ve let my personal life bleed into my responsibilities as your Alpha. But everything I’ve done, I’ve done for this pack. For all of you.”

He looked at Liam and Gabriel, his gaze hardening. “If you have issues with my leadership, address them with me directly. But if you ever undermine me or endanger this pack again, there will be consequences. Is that clear?”

Liam and Gabriel both nodded, their defiance tempered by the weight of his words.

The pack began to murmur, voices rising in agreement. A few even cheered, their loyalty to Alexander reaffirmed. I felt a swell of relief and pride as I watched him reclaim his place as their leader, his strength and determination shining through.

“Now,” he said, low and commanding. “Is there anything else? Anymore problems I need to deal with tonight or can I go home to my wife and kids?”

No one moved. No one spoke.

“Good,” he said, his voice sharp. “Then get out of my sight. All of you.”

The pack dispersed slowly, the tension lingering but the fight over. I stayed where I was, Alexander’s eyes never leaving mine.

“You didn’t have to do that,” he said, his voice low.

“Yes, I did,” I replied, my voice steady. “Because you’re not just their leader, Alexander. You’re mine too.”

Alexander paused for a moment before a smirk crossed his face. “Yeah, well. Not everything was solved. But I owe you for tonight.”

“Steak,” I said with a smirk. “An expensive steak dinner will do.”

He rolled his eyes with a grin, “Yes, dear.”