Chapter 11: Building Something New

My first night as Alpha of Crescent Ridge, I barely slept. The pack house was smaller than Shadowpine’s but comfortable. They’d given me the Alpha’s quarters, a simple room with a large bed and windows overlooking the valley.

Every time I closed my eyes, I felt the weight of all those lives depending on me. Forty-three wolves now looked to me for leadership. For protection. For answers I wasn’t sure I had.

“Can’t sleep either?” Maya’s voice came from the doorway.

“How did you know?”

“Because I know you.” She came in and sat on the edge of my bed. “You’re worried you’ll mess this up.”

“What if I do? What if I’m not ready for this?” The fears poured out. “These wolves need a real Alpha. Someone who knows what they’re doing. Not someone who only trained for six months.”

“They need someone who cares. Someone who’ll fight for them instead of using them.” Maya squeezed my hand. “You’re already better than most Alphas just by being scared. The bad ones never doubt themselves.”

A knock on the door interrupted us. Dax stood there, looking uncomfortable.

“Alpha. Sorry to bother you. But we have a problem.”

Of course we did. “What is it?”

“The northern border. There’s a rogue pack that’s been harassing us for weeks. Taking our game. Threatening our patrol wolves.” He shifted his weight. “Our old Alpha was too weak to deal with them. They think we’re easy targets.”

“How many rogues?” I asked, standing up.

“Maybe fifteen. They have a leader named Marcus. Not a good wolf.” Dax’s expression darkened. “He’s cruel. Enjoys hurting others.”

The name Marcus made me flinch, thinking of Kaden’s father. But I pushed the memory away. That life was behind me.

“Take me to the northern border,” I said. “I want to see the situation myself.”

“Now? It’s the middle of the night.”

“Problems don’t wait for morning.” I grabbed a jacket. “Let’s go.”

Dax led and Maya me through the forest. The northern border was marked by a wide stream. On the other side, I could smell the rogues. Their scent was everywhere, deliberately marking what wasn’t theirs.

“They come across mostly at night,” Dax explained. “Hunt our deer. Sometimes attack lone wolves. They know we’ve been weak.”

“Not anymore,” I said firmly.

I shifted into my silver wolf form and howled. Long and clear. A challenge that echoed through the valley.

Within minutes, wolves appeared on the other side of the stream. Fifteen of them, just like Dax had said. All rogues with matted fur and wild eyes.

A large black wolf stepped forward, shifting to human. He was scarred and mean-looking. Marcus.

“Well, well. Crescent Ridge has a new Alpha.” He laughed, the sound ugly. “And she’s tiny. This should be fun.”

“Leave our territory,” I commanded, keeping my voice steady. “Stop hunting our game. Stop threatening my wolves. This is your only warning.”

“Or what? You’ll cry at us?” He grinned, showing yellow teeth. “Listen, little girl. We’ve been taking what we want from this territory for months. That’s not going to change just because they found some pretty new Alpha.”

“Then I’ll make you leave.” I let my Alpha power rise, silver light beginning to glow around me.

His grin faltered. “What are you?”

“Someone you don’t want to fight.” The silver light grew brighter. “Leave now. Don’t come back. Or I’ll show you exactly what I am.”

For a moment, I thought he might challenge me. His rogues shifted nervously, sensing my power. Then Marcus spat on the ground.

“This isn’t over,” he snarled.

“Yes, it is.” I pushed my dominance on him, making him stumble back. “You’re not welcome here. Spread the word. Crescent Ridge is protected now.”

They fled into the darkness. I waited until their scents faded completely before shifting back to human form.

“That was amazing,” Maya breathed.

Dax was staring at me with open respect. “I’ve never seen anyone make rogues run like that. You didn’t even have to fight.”

“Fighting should be the last option, not the first.” I turned back toward our territory. “Come on. We have work to do.”

Over the next few weeks, I threw myself into leading. It was hard work. Harder than training had been. Every day brought new problems. Territory disputes. Personality conflicts. Questions about the pack law.

But slowly, the pack began to heal. I made changes. Fair ones. Everyone got enough food, not just the high-ranking wolves. I listened to concerns from all pack members, not just the strong ones. I trained anyone who wanted to learn to fight.

“You’re good at this,” Elder Thorne said one evening. He’d stayed to observe my first month as Alpha. “Better than I expected.”

“I’m just trying not to mess up too badly.”

“You’re doing more than that. You’re building something real.” He gestured to the pack house where wolves were gathering for dinner. “Look at them. A month ago, they were defeated. Hopeless. Now they’re proud to be part of Crescent Ridge.”

He was right. I could see the difference. Wolves held their heads higher. Smiled more. Felt safe.

“There’s something I need to tell you,” Elder Thorne said, his tone becoming serious. “News from the other territories.”

My stomach tightened. “What news?”

“Kaden has been looking for you. He’s sent messengers to every neighbouring pack. Offering rewards for information about your location.”

The mention of his name still hurt. Less than before, but the pain was there. “What kind of rewards?”

“Alliance agreements. Trade deals. He’s desperate.” Elder Thorne watched my face carefully. “His marriage to Seraphina is apparently miserable. She’s cruel to everyone. The pack is suffering under her influence.”

Good, part of me thought viciously. Let him suffer as I suffered.

But another part, the part that still remembered loving him, felt sad.

“Does he know about me?” I asked. “About what I’ve become?”

“Not yet. But word is spreading about a young silver wolf who took over Crescent Ridge. Eventually, he’ll hear.” Elder Thorne paused. “What will you do when he finds out?”

“Nothing. He made his choice. I’ve made mine.” I stood, needing to move. “I’m building a life here. A good life. He’s not part of it.”

“And if he comes here? If he tries to see you?”

The question twisted something in my chest. What would I do if Kaden showed up? If he asked for forgiveness? If he said he’d made a mistake?

Six months ago, I would have taken him back instantly. Would have forgiven anything just to be with him.

Now? Now I wasn’t that girl anymore.

“If he comes, I’ll deal with it then,” I said finally. “But I won’t drop everything for him. I won’t stop being who I’ve become just because he decides he wants me back.”

“Good.” Elder Thorne smiled with approval. “You’ve learned the most important lesson. Your worth doesn’t depend on being chosen by someone else.”

That night, I stood on the balcony of my room, looking over my territory. My pack. The life that I’d built from nothing.

Somewhere out there, Kaden was searching for me. Missing me. Maybe even regretting his choices.

But I wasn’t the broken girl he’d rejected anymore.

I was Alpha Aria of Crescent Ridge. And I’d worked too hard to become her to go backwards.

Even for love.

Especially for love.

Because real love wouldn’t ask me to be smaller. Real love would celebrate my strength, not fear it.

And if Kaden couldn’t offer that, then he never deserved me in the first place.

The thought should have made me sad.

Instead, it made me feel free.