As we made our way around the southern perimeter of the pack, wolves in their warrior forms emerged from the dense foliage. Their fur-covered heads and sharp eyes fixed on us, noting the subtle changes in our appearance. Some stepped forward with confidence, eager to greet their Alpha, while others hesitated, their ears twitching as if sensing the transformation before fully understanding it.
One by one, recognition spread across their faces, mingled with surprise and unease. They didn’t just see their Alpha and Luna; they saw something more-something different. Yet, even in their astonishment, the respect for Leonardo was undeniable. The power he exuded wasn’t solely tied to his Fae lineage; it was rooted in the strength of an Alpha, a force both primal and evolved. Fire and ice, blending into something extraordinary.
Gradually, the warriors lowered their heads in a show of loyalty, their snouts grazing the ground. It was an unspoken gesture of trust and forgiveness. They accepted his absence and placed their faith in us to restore balance. Their movements spoke of honor and unity, reminding us of the responsibility we carried.
As Dante had warned repeatedly, sleep was a luxury we couldn’t afford that night. Around three in the morning, Leonardo, Sofia, Enrico, and I joined the warriors as they changed shifts, helping where needed and running patrols alongside them. It was oddly grounding, a rare sense of normalcy amidst the chaos. If I focused hard enough and ignored the magic thrumming in my veins, I could almost believe I was just another pack warrior again.
We returned to the house around dawn, just as the sun began to crest over the treetops, casting a golden glow over the land. Leonardo departed shortly after with Dante, Enrico, and Carlo to handle a brewing issue with other Alphas. Many of them had grown resentful, refusing to treat with a Beta in Leonardo’s absence, their pride outweighing their sense. Meanwhile, Chiara, Sofia, and I loaded supplies into a van and set out to distribute them to families in town.
Noemi had initially wanted to join us, desperate for distraction despite missing the Fae realm and her mother. Graziana, however, handled her grief differently, retreating into herself. Though she spoke briefly with me the night before, any deeper attempts at conversation were met with a cold silence. Noemi chose to stay behind, hoping to coax her sister out of her shell.
As we navigated the quiet streets, many houses appeared abandoned-an intentional deception in case rogues ventured this far into town. It was unlikely they’d waste time searching empty homes when their prey lay elsewhere.
“Now that we finally have you to ourselves,” Sofia began, gripping the steering wheel with giddy anticipation, “you have to tell us what’s going on with you and Leonardo. We all saw that mark on your neck! I’ve never seen anything like it.”
Chiara chimed in from the back, her tone teasing but curious. “I wouldn’t mind knowing either. The way you two look at each other… it’s like you share some secret the rest of us aren’t in on.”
I laughed, the fluttering in my stomach betraying my attempt to appear unaffected. “There’s a special way we look at each other now?”
“Obviously,” Sofia replied with a grin. “It’s like you’re speaking without words.”
Reluctantly, I explained how our bond had changed since becoming Fae, doing my best to describe something even I didn’t fully understand. As I spoke, I noticed a flicker of longing in Sofia’s eyes, a look I hadn’t seen before. I cursed myself for not asking sooner about her own life amid the chaos.
“Enough about me and Leonardo,” I said, nudging her playfully. “What about you and Fabio? You’ve got to catch me up.”
Sofia’s nose wrinkled in mock indignation as she kept her eyes on the road. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“She beat him up,” Chiara interjected smoothly from the backseat, a sly smile playing at her lips.
“I did not beat him up,” Sofia snapped, though the corner of her mouth twitched. “Knocking him out isn’t the same thing. Beating someone up implies effort. It only took three hits to drop him.”
Despite her indignation, I couldn’t hold back my laughter. “What did he do to deserve such a thorough takedown?”
“Oh, where to start?” Sofia mused, her annoyance softening. “First, he spent a month sending mixed signals. One minute, he couldn’t stay away; the next, he acted like I was chasing him. Then he had the audacity to try and embarrass me in front of my training class. Naturally, I had to set him straight.”
“If men have one thing, it’s audacity,” Chiara quipped, earning a laugh from Sofia.
“Not that I’m excusing him, but do you think there’s a reason behind his behavior?” I asked gently, sensing there might be more to the story.
Sofia sighed, her expression growing somber. “I think it has to do with Francesca, but I can’t say for sure. She’s carrying his child, but for some reason, she’s in the middle of everything.”
“That’s… complicated,” I murmured, unsure how else to respond.
“That’s putting it lightly,” Sofia muttered as we pulled up to another house. She climbed out of the van to deliver supplies, but her tension lingered in the air. Whatever lay between her and Fabio, it was far from over.