01

Seven years. That was how long I had stayed away from Moonridge Pack, long enough to convince myself the place no longer had a hold on me, long enough to believe the memories had finally stopped hurting.

I was wrong because the moment the plane landed, every promise I had made to myself began to crack. The mountains surrounding Moonridge looked exactly the same as they had the day I left with tears burning my eyes.

I had sworn I would never come back. Yet here I was, returning because Willow Rogen had asked me to stand beside her on the happiest day of her life. She had been my best friend since childhood, my sister in every way that mattered, and no amount of pain could make me deny her that one request.

I told myself I would survive a few days. I would smile through the engagement celebration, attend the wedding, hug Willow goodbye, and disappear before the past had another chance to ruin me.

The plan sounded simple until I walked through the arrival gate and realized Willow was nowhere in sight. Instead, standing near the entrance was Alpha Jacques Rogen, Willow’s father.

Time had touched him with quiet elegance rather than age. The lines around his eyes only deepened the strength in his expression, while the calm confidence he carried made everyone nearby instinctively move aside.

I remembered him as a distant figure who always seemed larger than life, yet the man walking toward me now wore a warm smile that caught me completely off guard.

"Elsie," Jacques said, his deep voice cutting through the airport chatter. "Look at you. Willow’s been tracking your flight all morning, but she got caught up at the venue. She was devastated she couldn't make it, so I told her I’d come pick you."

"Alpha Jacques," I stammered, my voice sounding smaller than I wanted. "You really didn't have to do that. I could have easily grabbed a cab or an Uber. You must be incredibly busy with all the wedding prep."

"Nonsense," he replied, offering a reassuring smile as he reached out. "You’re part of the family, Elsie. A cab is out of the question. Here, let me grab that suitcase for you before you hurt your wrist wrestling with it."

"Oh, no, it's fine, I've got—"

The instant our fingers brushed over the handle, a strange warmth shot through my hand and spread like wildfire across my entire body.

My breath caught so sharply that the back of my throat ached, and I almost dropped the bag entirely.

Alpha Jacques paused for the briefest moment, his eyes locking onto mine with an intense, unreadable expression. He cleared his throat quietly, breaking the silence, and picked up my luggage as though nothing had happened.

"All set," he said, his voice a fraction lower than before. "Let's get you out of here."

I immediately blamed my reaction on nerves. Returning to the place where my life had fallen apart was enough to make anyone feel unsteady.

The drive to Alpha Manor passed beneath a sky painted with the colors of late afternoon. Jacques spoke kindly, shifting the mood.

"Willow tells me you’re doing incredible work at the firm citywide," Jacques noted, keeping his eyes on the winding mountain road. "She boasts about your promotions like they're her own."

"She’s always been my biggest cheerleader," I said, looking out the window to hide a small smile. "The city keeps me busy. It’s fast, loud, and honestly... it doesn't give you a lot of time to sit around and think. Which works for me."

Jacques glanced at me, his gaze lingering for a second. "Sometimes a little quiet is a good thing, Elsie. But I'm glad the city is treating you well. You deserve to find your footing."

His quiet respect made the silence between us surprisingly comfortable, never once touching upon the painful reason I had fled Moonridge seven years ago. It unsettled me how safe he made me feel.

By the time we arrived at the manor, laughter and music drifted through the open doors. Relatives, Elders, and guests filled every hallway as preparations for the wedding celebration transformed the estate into a lively home once more.

Willow rushed toward me the second she spotted me in the foyer, nearly tackling me into the coat rack.

"Oh my gosh, you're finally here!" she cried, throwing her arms around me so tightly that every doubt about coming home almost disappeared. She pulled back, holding me at arm's length. "I am so, so sorry, Elsie! The caterers messed up the tasting menu, and the florist brought white roses instead of cream, and I just completely lost my mind. Did my dad behave himself?"

"He was a perfect gentleman, Soph," I laughed, hugging her back. "Take a breath. I'm just glad to see you."

"Okay, good, because I have a tiny bit of bad news," she said, wincing slightly as she led me toward the stairs. "Every single guest room is completely filled and..."

I froze on the bottom step. "Willow... where am I staying?"

"Don't panic! You're in William’s old bedroom," she said quickly, waving her hands. "He’s spending the whole week over at Jax’s house, so he won't even be here. It’s totally vacant, I promise. Is that okay? Please tell me you don't hate me."

My heartbeat stumbled violently at the mention of his name. "No, it's... it's fine. If he's not there, it's just... Don't worry about it."

Walking into that bedroom felt like stepping straight back into a life I had spent seven years trying to forget. The scent of cedar and old cologne still faintly clung to the curtains. Before I could even unpack my jacket, the door clicked and swung open behind me.

William stood there. He was taller than I remembered, his broad shoulders filling the doorway, but his usual arrogant confidence was replaced by a strange, tense hesitation.

"Elsie?" he breathed, surprise flashing across his face before a wave of guilt quickly followed. "I... sorry, I didn't mean to barge in. I just… it’s so good to see you."

For one suspended moment, neither of us spoke. The silence stretched between us, thick with the weight of everything left unsaid seven years ago.

"It's fine, I was just about to unpack anyway." I said, forcing the smallest, most polite smile I could manage. I stepped back. "Good to see you too."

He walked in slowly, picking up a silver watch, but he didn't leave immediately. He looked at me, his eyes searching mine. "Elsie, look, about the past—"

"It’s history, William," I interrupted smoothly. "We were kids. Honestly, don't worry about it. It’s good to see you're doing well. Now, if you'll excuse me, I really need to freshen up before the party."

I watched the certainty in his eyes quietly disappear, replaced by a hollow look of disappointment. "Right," he muttered, swallowing hard. "Yeah. Welcome home, Elsie." He walked out.

Later that night, after everyone had finally gone to bed and the music had faded, I lay awake staring at the unfamiliar ceiling above me.

I should have been thinking about seeing William again, or analyzing the guilt written all over his face. Instead, my thoughts kept stubbornly returning to the airport.

I could still feel the phantom heat on my skin, the strange, electric warmth that had raced through me the second Alpha Jacques touched my hand.

I pulled the blankets tighter around my shoulders, closing my eyes as I forced myself to breathe. *It was just nerves,* I told myself fiercely. *It meant nothing.*

Because whatever that spark was, it was dangerous, and it could never be allowed to happen again.