Filed To Story: Destined Bond with My Forbidden Alpha Novel (Alpha Alexander & Selene)
He was always ready to lead his wolves, to run ahead of them into battle and protect them with all he had. Fighting for them physically or through talks with Alphas from other packs, he had no problem doing those things. But the day-to-day of leadership, the paperwork, the meetings, the mediation between department heads arguing over silly things. Those were the things that Alexander had hated and avoided as much as he could.
As he watched Galen calmly turning to each of the wolves and answering their questions, listening to what they had to say, Alexander realized that while he was Alpha, he had often sent Galen to handle those tasks that he found annoying.
He sighed.
“It seems to come to him easily,” he said softly.
“He had plenty of practice,” Fiona replied, leaning on the railing beside Alexander. “Between all the help he provided your dad, you, and me… Galen has more experience leading this pack than anyone.”
Alexander couldn’t deny it. As silly and lighthearted as Galen always presented himself, he was a hard worker and thorough in his tasks.
When they were children, Cain would give Alexander lessons on the running of Summer, but Galen was the one who would ask questions and take notes.
After Alexander became Alpha, Galen was always by his side. He was always the one who helped remind him of the proper ways to behave, the names to remember, and the things he could not avoid or ignore.
He had never doubted Galen’s importance. Alexander was well aware of how lucky he was to have a Beta and best friend as capable and likable as Galen. And even though he had named him the one to take his place, it was only now that Alexander truly saw how perfect Galen was for the role of Alpha of Summer.
Alexander took a deep breath and stood straight, stepping back from the railing.
“Are you all right?” Fiona asked, turning to look at Alexander.
“Yeah,” Alexander sighed. “Just settling into the new reality.”
Fiona smiled and touched Alexander’s shoulder.
“Take your time,” she said softly. “It’ll get easier.”
Alexander nodded and then looked carefully at his mother. Her gentle smile was warm and happy. Her eyes held a softness that he had not seen for a long time.
“You seem very at peace,” he said.
“I am,” she replied. She chuckled softly before adding, “Your return is the most unsettled I have felt in years.”
“Gee, thanks, Mom,” Alexander laughed.
Fiona laughed and lightly slapped Alexander’s shoulder.
“You know what I mean!” she said.
Alexander nodded.
“I do,” he smiled.
Alexander reached and pulled his mother close, kissing the top of her head.
“So,” he said. “You mentioned having gone through the mourning process in Broken Crag… and I’ve heard you’ve been spending a lot of time in Broken Crag…”
Fiona cleared her throat.
“And who have you heard that from?” she asked.
“People…” Alexander smiled.
“Gossips…” Fiona sighed. “I’ll have you know that I enjoy traveling and checking in on friends and other packs.”
“Mmhmm, I’m sure you do,” Alexander said, continuing to grin from ear to ear.
Fiona narrowed her eyes and pursed her lips.
“Have you always been this childish?” she asked.
Alexander cleared his throat and dropped his smile, putting a solemn expression on his face.
“I just want to know,” he said, looking straight into her eyes. “Should I call him Dad? Or would he prefer Father?”
Fiona’s eyes widened and then narrowed again as Alexander broke into laughter.
“Sorry, is Landon more of a ‘Pop’ kind of guy?” Alexander continued.
Fiona sighed and hit his arm again.
“Oh, knock it off!” she growled.
Alexander raised his hands in surrender and tried to suppress the last of his chuckles.
“Sorry,” he said. “I’m sorry. I’m done, don’t be mad.”
Fiona took a deep breath and shook her head. She wasn’t angry, a little embarrassed, but not angry.
“Honestly, though,” Alexander said, a gentle sadness in his voice. “Are you planning to leave Summer? Will you become Luna of Broken Crag?”
When Fiona looked back at Alexander, she could see that he was doing his best to hide the emotion in the question on his face. He was trying to appear neutral. But she knew him better than that. He was afraid of her answer, nervous to hear that she was planning to leave. But whatever answer she gave, she knew he would accept it and support her however he could. That was simply the man she had raised.
Fiona smiled.
“Landon is a good man,” she began. “And I do love him.”
Alexander smiled and swallowed. He was happy for her but hated the idea of her leaving.
“But,” Fiona continued, “the only future I am willing to look toward, with him or otherwise, is as far as the next rising and setting of the sun.”
She reached up and touched Alexander’s cheek again. Drawing his eyes to hers. She took a deep breath and tilted her head gently to the side.
“Only for the day I have been given,” she said. “With no promise of tomorrow or the day after.”
Alexander furrowed his brows in concern.
“It’s not a sad thing,” she whispered, shaking her head as she saw the concern in his eyes. “There is no need to worry.”
She smiled and gently rubbed her thumb against his cheek.
“I just don’t want to plan to be happy,” she continued. “I will be happy. I will embrace each morning and fill each day with that which gives me joy. So that every night, as I close my eyes, I will be satisfied, even if I never open them again.”
771 A Beautiful Image
Alexander smiled and lowered his eyes.
“So… I take it that means you won’t be Luna of Broken Crag?” he asked.
Fiona let out a soft chuckle.
“No,” she said. “I have been Luna of a pack… it is not a role that allows for… self.”
Alexander looked back into her eyes. He expected to see regret or pain. He knew that while she had always done her job and done it well, it had hurt her. It was one of the things that had always bothered him, figuring out how he could help ease the burden on her shoulders and give her the joy she deserved.
But as he met her eyes, he saw no regret or pain. Only the warmth and ease she had been showing him since the start of their conversation.
“You look happy,” he whispered. “I feel like it’s been a long time since I’ve seen you look this happy… even when Dad was still around.”
Fiona smiled.
“I am happy,” she replied. “I was happy with Cain too, don’t misunderstand. But these last two years…. I have experienced more freedom than I have had in my entire life. More time to understand the things I want and that I need.”
Alexander smiled and nodded.
“I loved my life before. I do not regret any part of it. Even the mistakes eventually taught me what I needed to know,” she said. “But this new adventure has given me a very different perspective. Regardless of whether I am reborn or not, the only life I know is the one I am living. So, I will fill what time I have left with joy, not obligation.”
“That’s great, Mom,” Alexander said softly. “I’m glad to know that you’re happy. You deserve it more than most.”
Fiona let out a soft chuckle.
“I won’t lie and say that I’m happy you won’t be here every day,” Alexander said, “but Broken Crag isn’t that far.”
Fiona furrowed her brows and tilted her head.
“Why won’t I be here?” she asked.
Alexander looked up, now he furrowed his brows.
“Because… you’ll be in Broken Crag… with Landon…”
“Did I say that?” she asked.
Alexander opened his mouth, but no words came out.
Fiona laughed and touched his shoulder. She took a deep breath and smiled at him.
“As I said, I will fill each day with that which gives me joy,” she said. “My son has returned to Summer. You are my greatest joy. Why would I be anywhere else but here?”
Alexander took a shaky breath. His heart ached in a way he hadn’t expected. A sense of relief fell over him as he hugged his mother closely. She held him tight, and he realized just how much he had missed her in the time he hadn’t even known he was gone.
A few hours after their chat, Fiona and Alexander walked toward the large private room just down the hall 10:13
from the kitchens.
***
A few hours after their chat, Fiona and Alexander walked toward the large private room just down the hall from the kitchens.
New Book: Veiled Desires of the Alpha King Novel
Dayson was the alpha of the largest pack in North America. Powerful figures from other packs sought to offer gorgeous girls as potential mates for Dayson. He steadfastly rejected these advances, he was not a pawn to be manipulated. But eventually there came a mysterious girl he could hardly say No. Who was she?