Against All Odds

* Zeina *

I was standing on the balcony of our room, gazing out at the horizon where the golden hues of the setting sun kissed the tops of the distant hills. The sky was painted in a warm blend of orange, pink, and violet, a breathtaking display that would have made my heart flutter under any other circumstance. But tonight, it served as a quiet reminder of the days that had slipped by three long days since my mate, Alpha Robert, left to conquer the enemies threatening our border in the West.

He had always been strong, brave, and resilient. I never doubted him for a moment. Deep inside, I could feel our bond stretching but never breaking, a tether that told me he was alive, that he was coming back to me. The guards had informed me earlier that the mission had been successful and they were on their way home. Since then, I had barely moved from my place on the balcony, eyes fixed on the winding road in the distance that led to the Alpha house. It was the farthest point my eyes could reach from here, and I refused to look away, not even for a moment.

Behind me, I heard a soft knock followed by a familiar voice.

"Your Majesty, are you going to have dinner now?"

It was Donna, my faithful servant and closest confidante. Her voice was gentle, though I could tell she already knew what my answer would be. The hour had long passed six o'clock, our usual mealtime, but I had no appetite without Robert by my side.

"No, Donna. I'll wait for Robert. He's coming any minute now. I want to have dinner with him, to hear every detail of how he conquered the rogues on the western front," I replied, unable to keep the excitement from my voice.

She smiled, her eyes kind and understanding. She knew the bond Robert and I shared went far beyond duty or tradition, it was deeper than anything words could capture. She gave a graceful bow, her loyalty etched into every motion.

"Then I'll take my leave for now, Your Majesty, and ensure the dining room is ready for both of you."

"That's a good idea, Donna. Thank you," I said warmly.

With a final nod, she turned and left the chamber, her footsteps fading softly behind her. I turned my gaze back toward the horizon, and the silence of the room seemed louder than ever. The past three nights had been long and restless. Without Robert by my side, I found it impossible to sleep peacefully. The bed felt too cold, the air too still. It's true what they say, when you love someone with your entire soul, the world feels incomplete in their absence.

I thought back to how our story began, an unlikely tale, stitched together by fate. Robert was once a human, a highly respected officer and Chief at the city's central police station. Even back then, he carried himself with authority, strength, and a sharp mind. I admired him long before the supernatural ever touched his life.

Everything changed the night he crossed paths with a rogue wolf, one of the many monsters that lurked in the shadows, terrorizing humans. In a twist of fate, he was bitten. My guards were nearby and managed to save him before the rogue could finish what it started.

He was brought to me for protection and recovery. At the time, I stood as the sole leader of the West, the Alpha of our pack. It was a responsibility I carried with pride, but also with loneliness. I made the decision to guide Robert through the transformation, to teach him the ways of our kind. He struggled at first, he didn't even know how to hunt or control his newfound power. But there was something charming about those early days. We laughed, we fought, we grew closer. I didn't realize I was falling for him until it was too late to pull away.

My thoughts were interrupted by a sudden clamor outside. My heart skipped a beat as the heavy metal gates of the Alpha house began to creak open. The guards moved with purpose, pulling them wide, and two vehicles rolled into view. My breath caught in my throat. One of them was a familiar Ford truck, Robert's.

I didn't wait. A smile broke across my face as I turned from the balcony, practically sprinting toward the stairs. My dress flowed behind me as I made my way down, each step faster than the last, until I reached the entrance of the house.

And there he was, standing tall and proud at the threshold, a grin of victory lighting up his handsome face. His arms opened wide as I rushed toward him.

"Oh, honey! Welcome back!" I called out, my voice thick with emotion.

"Come here, hon. I've missed you so much!" he replied, his arms beckoning me in.

I didn't hesitate. I leapt into his embrace, wrapping my arms tightly around him. He held me with a strength that was both powerful and gentle, and I could feel the eyes of the returning warriors behind him. But I didn't care. Let them watch. They'd seen us like this many times before.

"How was the fight? Were you hurt? I'm so relieved you all came back safe. How many enemies did you face?"

Robert chuckled, kissing my temple before setting me down gently.

"There were more than we expected, but you know me, I'm not Alpha for nothing. Although, the rogue leader wasn't there. Most were too afraid to stand their ground. A few surrendered. We brought back some prisoners, the rest chose death over capture."

"The rogue leader?" I said with intrigue.

"Yes, I went there thinking to finally fight him. Cerberus, as what the rogues call him. But I think he was a coward!"

It's the first time I am hearing the rogue leader's name and I felt afraid for my mate. Rogues are our mortal enemies.

He shook his head, still smiling. "Don't worry about it, my love. His time will come. For now, I need a real shower and a proper meal. And more than anything, I just want to be with you tonight."

He winked before heading upstairs. I watched him go, heart full and eyes gleaming. I turned to the warriors and nodded, giving them permission to rest. Then I approached Beta Aldin.

"How was it, Beta Aldin?" I asked curiously.

He smiled, but there was something behind his eyes, something unreadable.

"It went well, Luna Zeina. Just like Alpha Robert said. The fight ended quicker than we had anticipated, and not a single warrior was injured."

I studied him for a moment, wondering if he ever felt the same sense of purpose when I was the one leading. He had always been loyal, always dependable. But something about him felt different tonight.

"Still haven't found your mate, Aldin?" I asked with a teasing tone.

He laughed. "No, Luna. I've come to realize that finding a mate doesn't mean everything. I have a girlfriend, she's not my mate, but she's someone I care about. That's enough for now."

I laughed at his honesty. "Well, enjoy your freedom while you can. Once you find your true mate, there's no going back. Remember when you used to say no wolf would dare woo me because I was both a Princess and an Alpha?"

He nodded, smiling.

"And now look at me," I continued. "I'm just the Luna. I gave Robert the Alpha title because I trust him, and because I love him more than power or pride. When your time comes, you'll understand."

A mysterious smirk curved on his lips. "We'll see, Luna Zeina. For now, I'll take my leave. Rest well."

He bowed respectfully before walking away. I turned toward the dining hall, where the long table had already been beautifully set. Candlelight danced across the plates and crystal glasses, casting a warm glow throughout the room. Donna approached, her expression pleased.

"I'm happy Alpha Robert is back, Your Majesty."

"Thank you, Donna," I said, smoothing my dress as I took my seat. "And thank you for preparing everything. You can rest now, I'll wait for him here."

She bowed and quietly left, followed by the other servants. I sat in peaceful silence, the warmth of the room and the joy in my heart enough to finally make this house feel like home again. Robert was back. And tonight, everything felt right again.