Alison’s POV
The car’s engine hummed softly, a rhythmic sound that only seemed to amplify the whirlwind of emotions storming inside me. I sat in the back seat, my fingers tightly gripping the leather armrest. The sight of the winding forest road stretching endlessly ahead did little to calm me. My chest tightened with each mile we traveled, and the looming uncertainty of how I would be received at the Crimson Pack weighed heavily on me.
The Crimson Pack. My pack. My family.
Or at least, I believed it was my family
I swallowed hard, feeling the car hit a small bump on the road. Was I really ready for this? What if they rejected me? What if I’d been away for so long that the bonds that should be between pack members had withered into nothingness? What if my parents don’t see me as the child they had yearned for hears to find?
“You have been so quiet, Miss Alison,” Beta Luke said from the driver’s seat, his sharp gaze flicking to me through the rearview mirror. “Nervous?”
I let out a half-hearted laugh. “That obvious, isn’t it?”
He grinned, his masculine features softening. “If it helps, I don’t think you have anything to worry about. They are your parents and it’s general knowledge that no matter how a child is their parents cherish them, they have waited for this moment for years, they wouldn’t miss it for anything in the world.”
“You really think so? I don’t know why my mind keeps telling me they might have this idealized version of me?” I muttered, half to myself.
Luke tilted his head thoughtfully before speaking. “You’re honestly overthinking this. Trust me, Alison, your father wouldn’t have agreed to have you back home if he didn’t believe the pack was ready to welcome you with open arms. Besides, what’s not to like about you? I bet they would adore you.”
“Thank you so much Luke. You know you have really helped me so much, I sincerely appreciate,” I said with a small smile, though my hands remained clenched in my lap.
“Always at your service Miss!,” he said with a wink. “I have seen you fight through much worse, I believe you got this”
His lightheartedness chipped away at some of my anxiety, but the tension still clung to me like a second skin. “Do you really think they’ll accept me?” I asked, my voice coming out more as a whisper now.
“They will,” he said firmly. “But even if they don’t, you’re strong enough to prove yourself, like you did with is NightFang pack, You’ve come this far, surely you wouldn’t just let yourself be weak again”
I nodded, his words settling like a small anchor in the sea of my doubts. I shifted my focus back to the road, but the knot in my stomach refused to loosen.
The towering gates of the Crimson Pack’s territory came into view, framed by the crimson-hued trees that gave the pack its name as I had read in the ancient myths of naming packs. My breath hitched. The gates were wide open, as though they’d been waiting just for me.
As we pulled in, I spotted a figure standing at the entrance of the main house. My heart skipped a beat when I recognized him. My father, Alpha Gaius, stood tall and imposing, his presence radiating authority even from a distance. But it wasn’t just him. A woman stood beside him, her delicate features and regal posture making her appear almost ethereal.
“Who is that?” I whispered, more to myself than to Luke.
“That’s something you’ll have to find out, but I could definitely assume she’s your mother,” Luke said cryptically, a sly smile tugging at his lips as he parked the car.
I stepped out of the car, my legs feeling shaky beneath me. The crisp autumn air nipped at my skin, carrying with it the faint scent of pine and earth that felt so achingly familiar.
My father’s face lit up as I approached, his stern features softening into an expression I could only describe as pride.
“Alison!! At long last,” he said warmly, his deep voice wrapping around me like a blanket.
“Father,” I replied, my throat tightening.
The woman beside him took a step forward, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. “Maureen,” she whispered, using the name I didn’t know was mine.
I froze. Her voice stirred something deep within me, a memory I hadn’t dared to revisit. “Mo… Mother?” I choked out, my voice barely above a whisper.
She nodded, and before I could process what was happening, she enveloped me in a hug. The scent of lavender and honey washed over me, and for a moment, I forgot everything else.
“I never thought I’d see you again,” she murmured, her voice trembling.
I pulled back slightly, smiling as I looked at her face “I’m here now mum”
“There’s so much to catch up with,” she said softly, brushing a strand of hair from my face. “But tonight is about celebrating your return.”
I suddenly began to feel relaxed then my father’s voice cut through the moment. “Come, Alison. There’s a feast waiting for you. Your family is eager to see you.”
I glanced back at Luke, who leaned casually against the car, watching the reunion unfold. I walked over to him, gratitude swelling in my chest. “Thank you, Luke,” I said earnestly. “For everything. I couldn’t have done this without you.”
He smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “It’s been an honor. But you’ll be fine now. Just… look after yourself, okay? And one more thing.”
“What’s that?”
“Don’t let Alpha Xander get too lost without you,” he said, his tone light but laced with genuine concern.
I nodded. “I’ll try. But while I’m here… can you keep an eye on him for me?”
Luke gave me a knowing look. “Consider it done.”
With that, he climbed back into the car, leaving me to face the next chapter of my life.
The feast was grander than I could have imagined. The dining hall was adorned with garlands of crimson flowers, and the long tables were piled high with an array of dishes that made my mouth water. Pack members filled the room, their chatter a harmonious blend of curiosity and excitement.
My father stood at the head of the room, his presence commanding silence without a single word. When he spoke, his voice was steady and filled with conviction.
“Tonight, we celebrate the return of my long lost daughter, Maureen,” he announced, his gaze sweeping over the crowd. “The rightful heir to the Crimson Pack.”
A ripple of murmurs spread through the room. My heart raced, the weight of his words settling heavily on my shoulders.
“As my time as Alpha nears its end, I want you all to know that Maureen will succeed me as Alpha Female. She will lead this pack into a new era.”
The room erupted into a mixture of cheers and hushed whispers. I caught fragments of conversations, some filled with admiration, others with doubt.
“Isn’t it too soon? We barely even know her” one voice whispered.
“A female Alpha? That’s unheard of,” another said.
I stood frozen, my hands trembling at my sides. My father’s declaration was bold, unprecedented. And I wasn’t sure I was ready for it.
After the feast, my parents escorted me to my room. The familiarity of the space was a stark contrast to the whirlwind of emotions inside me.
“Father,” I began hesitantly. “Isn’t it… too early to make such a declaration? And no pack has ever had a female Alpha before.”
He placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. “You are my daughter, Maureen. You were born for this. But we’ll discuss it further tomorrow. For now, rest. You’ve had a long day.”
My mother pressed a kiss to my forehead. “Goodnight, my love,” she said softly.
As they left, I took a long shower, letting the hot water soothe my frayed nerves. When I finally climbed into bed, my phone buzzed on the nightstand.
Xander: How was your day?
I stared at the screen, my fingers hovering over the keyboard. Part of me wanted to tell him everything… the reunion, the feast, my father’s shocking announcement. But something held me back.
Me: It was good. Better than I expected actually. How about you?
His reply came quickly.
Xander: Missing you already.
I smiled, my heart aching with a longing I hadn’t anticipated.
Me: Same here. Talk tomorrow?
Xander: Always.
I placed the phone back on the nightstand and turned off the light. As I lay in the darkness, I whispered a silent prayer to the Moon Goddess, thanking her for guiding me home.
Sleep claimed me swiftly, and for the first time in weeks, I felt a glimmer of peace.