Chapter 5 To Find an Alpha

DAHLIA

“Not… it can’t be.”

Kael’s voice was barely a whisper, rough and strained. His golden eyes widened, disbelief flashing in them like lightning.

“Dahlia.”

I smiled It ws slow, cool, and sweet the kind of smile that once trembled with insecurity but now carried quiet fire.

“Yes,” I said softly, tilting my head. “Dahlia. The one you didn’t care if she was dead or alive.”

His lips parted as though he wanted to speak, but no sound came out. The mighty Alpha Kael looked lost, standing frozen every inch of confidence stripped away. I could see the storm of emotions crashing behind his eyes — confusion, regret, maybe even guilt. But I didn’t wait to find out which one would win.

Before he could move, I turned and walked away.

The air around me buzzed with murmurs. I could feel the tension ripple through the hall as I left and could feel eyes following the crimson of my gown as it swayed with every step.

“Dahlia—”

His voice reached me faintly through the music and the whispers, but I didn’t turn back. The only sound that mattered was the rhythmic click of my heels against the marble floor.

Each step was freedom. Each step was revenge.

When I finally stepped out into the night, the cool breeze hit my face, and I closed my eyes. For a moment, I allowed myself to breathe. The moon hung high above, silver and haunting, watching like a witness to the chaos I’d just unleashed.

It should have felt like victory. And in a way, it did. I had faced him — the man who once called me worthless and walked away with my head high.

But deep inside, something still ached. Something unsettled. Maybe it was the way he’d said my name, broken and disbelieving. Or maybe it was the memory of what we’d once been before everything shattered.

I shook the thought away. The past didn’t deserve space in my heart anymore.

By the time I returned to Elder Sam’s house, the children were waiting at the door.

“Mommy!” Lila’s voice rang out first as she ran toward me, her tiny feet thudding against the wooden porch. Liam followed right after, holding Libby’s hand carefully so she wouldn’t trip.

Their laughter filled the air, and in that moment, every part of me softened. I crouched and gathered them into my arms, pressing a kiss to each of their warm cheeks.

“I missed you, my loves,” I murmured.

“You smell funny, like lollipop Mommy,” Liam said, scrunching his nose.

I laughed quietly. “That’s perfume, sweetheart.”

He nodded seriously, as if committing the information to memory.

Elder Sam appeared at the doorway, his kind eyes scanning my face. “You’re back earlier than I expected,” he said gently.

“I didn’t feel like staying,” I replied simply.

He nodded, understanding without needing to ask why. “Come in, child. Dinner’s almost ready.”

Inside, the warm scent of stew and baked bread filled the small home. I guided the kids to wash their hands before dinner, and as they chattered excitedly about their day, I slipped away for a moment to catch my breath.

In the small guest room, I stood before the mirror, studying my reflection again. My makeup was smudged at the corners of my eyes, and the faint curve of a tired smile lingered on my lips.

I should have been satisfied. I had looked Kael in the eye, and for the first time, he had been the one to flinch.

But when I caught sight of Liam’s reflection in the mirror, his little face peeking from the doorway, his golden-brown eyes wide and innocent, my heart skipped.

Those eyes.

Kael’s eyes.

No matter how much I tried to convince myself otherwise, there was no denying it. One of my sons carried his father’s gaze, the same shade of molten amber that once melted me and later burnt me.

I forced a smile and turned to him. “Come here, sweetheart.”

He ran into my arms, giggling as I lifted him onto my lap.

“Mommy,” he said softly, tracing the bracelet on my wrist with curious fingers. “Are we going home soon?”

“Yes,” I whispered, pressing a kiss to his forehead. “We’re leaving very soon.”

That night, after they’d all fallen asleep, I stood by the window, staring out at the silver glow of the moon. My decision was firm. I’d come, I’d faced my past, and now it was almost time to go.

The next morning, I took a long shower, letting the warm water wash away every lingering trace of the ceremony of Kael. Then I braided my hair and dressed simply, ready to spend one last peaceful day before we left.

At dinner, the atmosphere was warm and light. Elder Sam had prepared roast meat and vegetables, and the kids were happily competing over who could eat the most. For a while, everything felt almost normal.

“So”, Elder Sam began, setting his spoon down gently, “did you tell him?”

I froze, my fork halfway to my mouth.

“Tell him?” I echoed, pretending not to understand.

He raised a brow. “Kael. Did you tell him who you are?”

I hesitated, then shook my head. “Yes,” I said finally. “He knows.”

Elder Sam sighed deeply, leaning back in his chair. “Then you already know this will bring trouble.”

“I plan to leave first thing tomorrow,” I said quickly. “He won’t have time to—”

“Dahlia.” His tone was calm, but his eyes were serious. “That won’t be enough.”

A chill crept down my spine.

“What do you mean?” I asked quietly.

He hesitated, glancing toward the children, then back at me. “There’s a problem.”

My chest tightened. “What kind of problem?”

Elder Sam folded his hands on the table, his expression grim. “If the Alpha finds out about your pups… you won’t have a choice. He’ll claim them and you – under pack law.”

My stomach dropped.

“He can’t,” I whispered, shaking my head. “They’re mine. He has no right—”

“He has every right,” Elder Sam interrupted gently. “They’re his blood, Dahlia. If he confirms it, the council will force you back into his household as Luna—whether you want it or not.”

The resemblance with Kael and Liam was so much I didn't have to tell them before they knew he was Kael's son, and I hated it.

Silence fell. Even the children’s laughter in the next room seemed to fade into nothing.

“I won’t let that happen,” I said fiercely.

Elder Sam gave a small, sad smile. “Then you must find another way. The only way you can truly protect your children is to find another Alpha, a young one, strong enough to claim you and shield your pups under his name.”

I stared at him, my breath catching. The words felt heavy, almost unreal.

Another Alpha. Another claim. Another bond.

My throat tightened, and I looked away, blinking back the sting in my eyes.

“So that’s my only choice,” I whispered.

“Yes,” he said quietly. “If Kael finds out the truth… you’ll have no freedom left to fight for.”

I rose slowly, my chair scraping against the wooden floor. My hands trembled, but my voice was steady when I spoke.

“Then I’ll do whatever it takes,” I said. “Because no one — not even Kael — will ever take my children from me.”