Chapter 60

Lauren

As we walked back toward the house, Alexander stopped to talk to a few members. The night air clung to me, heavy and electric, as the pack began to scatter into the shadows of the trees. The field still smelled of blood, but at least the fight had stopped, for now.

I stood on the edge of the clearing, heart pounding as I caught sight of Liam retreating toward the forest’s edge. My chest tightened. I couldn’t let him leave like this. Not without saying something. Not without trying to figure out what he meant the other day.

“Liam!” I called, my voice slicing through the murmurs of departing wolves. He froze, his broad shoulders tensing before he turned to face me. His eyes, those piercing pools of amber, met mine with a mixture of pain and defiance.

“If it isn’t our Luna. What do you want, Lauren?” His tone was sharp, but beneath it, I could hear a click of his humor.

I closed the distance between us, the soft crunch of leaves underfoot filling the silence. “We need to talk,” I said, keeping my voice steady even though my insides were churning.

“Talk?” He let out a bitter laugh. “No. Especially not here.”

“Then when?” I shot back, my voice rising. “You can’t just say what you did and not follow up! We’re partners. We were for years. You’re my friend.”

“Right,” His voice cracked, and the raw vulnerability in his gaze cut me to the core. “Tell me, does that reason justify this? Justifies him?”

I flinched at the mention of Alexander, but I squared my shoulders. “You don’t understand. This isn’t about choosing sides. It’s about the pack. Me. My children. They deserve the truth, Liam. Even if it’s painful for you.

He shook his head, his jaw tightening. “Me? You go the wrong idea. I’m not the one who is going to be in pain from this. Remember my warning.”

The weight of his words hung between us, but before I could respond, he turned and disappeared into the shadows. I stood there for a moment, the ache in my chest spreading like wildfire. The truth was, I didn’t know if I believed him. But I couldn’t ignore the doubt gnawing at the edges of my resolve.

“Lauren?”

Alexander’s voice pulled me from my thoughts. I turned to find him standing a few paces away, his dark eyes searching mine. There was something unreadable in his expression—gratitude, maybe? Or was it relief?

“We should go,” he said softly, nodding toward the path leading back to his home.

I nodded, falling into step beside him. The woods were quiet, the only sounds the rustle of leaves and the distant hoot of an owl. The tension between us was palpable, but neither of us spoke for a while. It wasn’t until the trail narrowed that Alexander broke the silence.

“Thank you again,” he said, his voice low. “For standing up for me back there. I didn’t expect it.”

I glanced at him, surprised by the vulnerability in his tone. “Why hadn’t you made an announcement about Sophia? What happened? Pride?” I asked.

“No,” he said, his tone quiet but resolute. “My family isn’t the pack’s business. I know what being Alpha entails, and I take that seriously. But not every problem needs to be shared. Trust me—I’m handling it like I always have.”

I nodded slowly, taking in his words. He was right, for all of ALexander’s faults, he was a good leader. Fair, and strong.

“So,” he pressed the silence. “Does this mean you’re officially my Luna again?”

I rolled my eyes, elbowing him. “I think whether I like it or not, I’m the Luna,” I said, my voice steady. “And the pack deserved the truth, no matter how messy it is for us.”

He looked at me then, his gaze lingering. “You’re stronger than you give yourself credit for.”

The compliment caught me off guard, and I felt a blush creeping up my neck. I opened my mouth to respond, but before I could, my foot caught on a root jutting out of the ground. I stumbled, a gasp escaping my lips as I pitched forward.

Alexander moved faster than I thought possible, his arms wrapping around my waist before I hit the ground. My hands instinctively gripped his shirt as he steadied me, his body warm and solid against mine.

“Careful,” he murmured, his voice a low rumble in my ear. “These trails can be tricky.”

I looked up at him, my breath hitching as our eyes met. For a moment, the world around us seemed to fade away. His hands were still on me, firm yet gentle, and I was acutely aware of the heat radiating from his body. The scent of pine and something uniquely him filled my senses, making my head spin.

“I… I’m fine,” I managed to stammer, though my voice sounded far away.

He didn’t let go immediately, his gaze searching mine as if trying to decipher something unspoken. “Are you going to push me away?” He asked.

I blinked, remembering earlier from the couch. How his lips had nearly grazed mine. I sucked in a breath, feeling my face heat as I tucked my chin. I knew my face was on fire.

“Get off me,” I grumbled to his chuckle. He straightened, his hands lingering a moment longer before he released me.

“Let’s keep moving,” he said, his voice softer now. But there was an edge to it, as if he were holding something back.

I nodded, unable to trust my voice. We continued down the trail, the silence between us heavier than before. Every so often, I caught him glancing at me out of the corner of his eye, but he said nothing.

By the time we reached his home, my thoughts were a tangled mess. I couldn’t shake the memory of his touch, the way his eyes had burned into mine. And yet, Liam’s words echoed in my mind, a haunting reminder of the doubts I couldn’t ignore.

Alexander opened the door and stepped aside, motioning for me to enter. “After you,” he said, his voice tinged with that familiar charm.

I stepped inside, the warmth of the mansion enveloping me. He followed, closing the door behind us. For a moment, we stood there in silence.

“You should get some rest,” he said finally, his tone careful. “It’s been a long night.”

I nodded, but I didn’t move. My feet felt rooted to the spot, my heart pounding in my chest. There was so much I wanted to say, so much I needed to ask. But the words wouldn’t come.

He took a step closer, his gaze intense. “Lauren…”

My breath caught as he reached out, his fingers brushing against my cheek. The touch was light, almost hesitant.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen,” he said quietly, his voice tinged with something I couldn’t quite place. “But I need you to know… I’m glad you’re here.”

My heart ached at the sincerity in his words, and for a moment, I let myself believe them. Let myself believe that, despite everything, there was something real between us.

Before I could stop myself, I reached up, my fingers curling around his wrist. “I… I’m glad I’m here too,” I whispered, the words feeling like a confession. Even if I didn’t know for how long it would last.

His eyes darkened before he pulled away. “Goodnight.”

It took everything in me not to reach for him as he swayed heavy up the steps.

“Night.”