Chapter 7

Samantha's POV

It had been six years since my life fell apart. I had sworn never to return to this pack, but here I was, with my son, Adrain. I was the genius doctor, and the one person they needed to save them.

Two weeks ago, I had received an official letter from the Raven Fur Pack, ordering me to return and offer my services. They had been attacked by mysterious looking rogues who possessed an infectious bite that killed the warriors at a great number. The medical council had tried to find a cure to the infection but their efforts were in vain.

I couldn't disobey the order because the reason I was able to fulfill my dreams and have my dream career was none other than my sponsor, Luna Tamia, Alpha Ric's mother.

We finally arrived at the main pack house. At the entrance was a small group of people waiting to welcome us.

I stroked Adrain's hair gently who was asleep on my laps. He was the only reason I was worried. He was Alpha Ric's son, after all, and his eyes bore a striking resemblance to Ric. It should be impossible to overlook that.

"Adrain," I tapped my son gently, and he shifted in his sleep. A few more taps, and he was awake. "We are here, honey," I said, and he rubbed his eyes to shake off the sleepiness. I smiled at my bundle of joy, the reason I had been able to live through all that pain and achieve my dream.

"Who are all these people?" His cute voice echoed, and I arranged his ruffled hair with my hand.

"They are members of this pack," I said, staring straight into his eyes to lock his attention. "Remember everything I told you. You need to be on your best behavior while we are here, promise?" I asked, and he nodded.

Once we got out, the smiles on everyone's face shifted to shock when they saw Adrain. I felt a bit nervous, but I assured myself that no one would force me to admit that Adrain was Ric's son.

"Doctor Samantha, on behalf of everyone, I'd like to welcome you back to Raven Fur Pack." That was Kayson, Ric's Beta. I nodded and managed a smile at all these people who once looked down on me and saw me as nothing less than the daughter of a rogue.

I looked around in search of someone. With my achievements, I had thought the Alpha would come to welcome me. Maybe he couldn't stomach the fact that he was asking for help from the same girl he rejected. I hoped that was the case.

"Uh—Alpha Ric couldn't make it to welcome you, Samantha. That's why I came," Kayson explained. He probably noticed me searching in the crowd for someone.

I let a smile lengthen my lips before bowing slightly before them. Adrain followed my lead and did the same. "Thank you all for being here. I appreciate the warm welcome and I promise to give nothing but my best," I said, and they all expressed their gratitude, except for one person: Erin.

The chairman of the medical council. He was Lily's father and the man I was about to take over from. His family held a significant position in the pack, more than just being the chairman of the medical council. Hundreds of years ago, their original pack headed by the house of Klaus, Erin's clan, merged with Raven Fur Pack to become one great pack, making us stronger and regarded by others.

Beta Kayson escorted us to the pack house and led me to us to our room. It was spacious, enough for Adrain and me. Adrain loved it, claiming it was bigger than our room back at Arcana Hills.

"A maid will be assigned to you if you need anything," Kayson said, and I nodded. I escorted him to the door, and he stopped just in front of it before peeking over my shoulder to catch a glimpse of Adrain. I cleared my throat to bring his focus back to me, and he looked embarrassed being caught.

"I didn't realize you had a son, Samantha," he said, and I let out a nervous sigh.

"You didn't expect people to have no fun in Arcana, did you?" I teased, and he chuckled.

"I suppose I held Arcana to a high moral standard," he said, and we both chuckled. His eyes suddenly changed, revealing white flecks, and I knew he was connected to someone through the mind link. His eyes soon returned to normal, and his countenance changed to being serious.

"Is something wrong?" I asked, and he blinked, easing the tension in his eyes.

"No, nothing serious," he said, but his expression was still tense to some extent. "Just that Alpha Ric has asked you to meet him at his office once you settle down," he said, and the moment he mentioned Ric's name, my heart skipped a beat and a gasp left my throat. Kayson excused himself, and I was left with a racing heart.

I didn't want to admit it, but I was nervous to finally meet Alaric.

Once I had settled in, I made my way through the corridor that led to Ric's office. My heart never stopped beating at a fast pace. I felt sweat all over my face and kept sighing sharply to ease my tension. I gulped hard the moment I stood in front of Ric's office, then told the guard to announce me. He did so through the mind link and opened the door at once.

The moment I entered the office, I felt lightheaded. It almost made me trip, but I held my stance. The aura in here was stronger than anything I had felt. Then I perceived a familiar scent. It appeased my physical senses, and I trembled slightly from the sensations that washed over me. My eyes fell on him, the man who had stolen my heart years ago.

Despite his seated position, Ric sat tall and imposing, his presence exuding strength and authority. His dark, thick hair was styled in a slightly tousled manner, complementing his sharp, chiseled jawline. His neatly trimmed beard framed his face, adding to his rugged, masculine appeal.

He was dressed in a black leather jacket over a dark shirt. His broad shoulders and muscular build were pronounced, making him look every bit the dominant figure he was meant to be as an Alpha.

None of us said anything or moved. We were simply frozen in that moment, staring into each other's eyes as the past filled our thoughts again.

I was the first to break free from our trance, and through a quivering voice, I called, "Alpha Ric." He didn't startle; he simply snapped out of his frozen state by blinking to look present.

"Samantha." He called and every pore of my skin was filled with chills from the way my name sounded on his mouth. His voice was deeper than I ever knew it to be. Then he relaxed back in his chair a little.

"May I?" I asked, looking at the chair facing him.

"Of course," he said, and I watched his eyes as they stayed glued on me until I sat down. I wanted to maintain eye contact, but the way Ric looked at me was something I couldn't compete with. It was something that made me feel a way I dared not admit.

No, this wasn't fair. I wouldn't let those forbidden feelings creep back into my heart. I resolved and maintained a serious look, overlooking the way my heart responded to his very presence.

"I'm glad you honored our invitation." He said and I chuckled.

"More like an order, you mean," I countered, toning my voice to sound as respectful as possible. I saw a smile twitch at his lips, and goodness! How that half-smile affected me....

"I'm sorry I didn't let you rest enough today, but our pack is in a dire situation, and I needed to brief you as soon as you came. You start work tomorrow," he explained.

"I am aware of the situation and what is expected of me," I said, maintaining a professional tone, even though I could feel my voice losing its confidence.

"I'm glad you do," he said and reached for a file in his drawer, which he pushed towards me. "Do take a look..." He had not finished his sentence when the door suddenly opened. I snapped my head in the direction of the door, and my heart sank, seeing Lily stride into the room.

I felt a knot twist in my chest, and I could remember the image of Alpha Ric making out with her on this table. I had purposely not tried to know about the Alpha's relationship all these years, so I had no idea if they were still together. I guess they were.

"You didn't tell me the doctor was already here, honey," she said and went straight to sit on his lap. The sight repulsed me, and I couldn't believe what I was feeling.

Jealousy.

"Hello, Samantha. It's been years. I've heard a lot about you, and I'm glad you're here to assist Ric in helping our pack," she said in a way that undermined my importance. I forced a smile at her. She really wasn't likable at all. At least not in my eyes.

"I wish I could say the same for you," I said, being intentionally sarcastic. It was fast, but I didn't miss the frown that quickly formed on her face.

"I'm sure you were busy with studies, so you must not know certain things about the pack," Ric said, tightening his hold around Lily's waist at the same time my heart squeezed in pain. He looked like he was about to say something that he felt guilty to say to me, and I was right. "Just in case you haven't heard, Lily and I are engaged."