True Identity

Lexi

“Did you just say Lexi?” Dean’s voice was calm, but his eyes burned into mine as he closed the distance between us.

“Yes? Do you know her?” Keith asked before I could stop him.

Dean stepped closer. His gaze searched my face like he was trying to dig up an old memory. He tilted my chin with a finger, studying me. My breath caught. I wasn’t imagining this. His hazel eyes were as sharp as ever. His hair had grown longer, brushing his shoulders in a rough mullet. He looked even more striking than I remembered, and his scent hit me like wildfire.

My wolf stirred inside me, thrilled to see him again, but like last time, he didn’t seem to care.

“The Lexi I know doesn’t have green eyes or black hair,” he said after a pause, and for a moment, relief washed over me until he added softly, “But…”

He reached for a strand of my hair, twirling it between his fingers before pulling me against him.

I froze. The last time he held me like this, he’d told me he loved me. He said that he’d find a way to get rid of Vanessa so we could finally be together. He said she was his father’s choice, not his. And that night, I believed him.

I remembered the tears in his eyes at the thought of losing me. The warmth of his breath as he kissed me. The way he murmured my name when I gave myself to him. Back then, his embrace had been loving. Now, it felt like a trap.

“…I know this scent anywhere,” he muttered, breathing against my hair. Then his face hardened, and my heart dropped.

Before I could react, Keith stepped forward. “Okay, look, she’s not into whatever freaky thing you’re trying to –”

Dean’s hand shot out, wrapping around Keith’s neck. He lifted him easily, choking him mid-sentence.

“Alpha Dean!” someone shouted before Gayle or I could move.

Alpha Max and Luna Phoebe appeared behind him, followed by several Alphas from the council.

“That’s my brother you’re holding,” Max said evenly. “If you don’t want another war, I suggest you let him go.”

Dean didn’t flinch. “Max, you’re the one inviting war,” he said with a dry chuckle, tightening his grip. “Considering you’ve been hiding my Luna all this time.”

I turned to Max, my heart racing with fear. Did he know? The look in his eyes said he didn’t. This was a misunderstanding, but knowing Dean, he’d take it as betrayal.

“Dean, you told me you were searching for your Luna. I thought you meant Vanessa. How was I supposed to know you meant the other one you exiled?” Max said.

Dean’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. “So that’s your excuse? You really didn’t know it was her?”

“I didn’t. Now let my brother go.”

“No.” Dean’s voice dropped lower. “The only way I let him go is if anyone here can look me in the eye and swear to the Moon Goddess that she isn’t the one.”

Max turned to me, silent, asking the question his lips didn’t dare voice. I couldn’t speak.

“I’m sorry to do this to you,” Dean said coldly to Keith, tightening his hold until Keith’s feet dangled off the ground. “But there’s only one person who can stop this. All she has to do is say she isn’t the one I'm looking for.”

Gayle’s voice cracked. “Lexi, please! Say something before he kills him!”

I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. My body refused to move.

“Any second now,” Dean taunted, eyes glinting with dark amusement. I’d never seen him look like this before – like his father’s cruelty had finally claimed him.

“Why do you have to be so cruel?” I choked out.

His grin faded. He dropped Keith to the ground, leaving him gasping while Gayle and Phoebe rushed to help.

“Me? Cruel?” Dean hissed, stalking toward me again.

“Why couldn’t you just leave me alone!?” I screamed, all the words I’d buried for years breaking free.

Dean circled me slowly, his tall frame casting a shadow over me. “I gave you a chance, Lexi. When my men didn’t return with your body, I thought maybe you’d run far enough that I’d never find you.”

“I did!”

“Then you didn’t run far enough!” he snapped, his voice like thunder. I stumbled backward, falling hard onto the dirt as he ran a hand through his hair, seething. Then he gestured to his men. “Bring her. She’s coming with me.”

“Dean, I’m afraid I can’t allow that,” Max said, stepping forward. “She’s part of Kloud Pack now. She’s no longer your prisoner.”

Dean let out a short, humorless laugh. “Max, if you don’t hand her over, you’ll have another war on your hands. And not even Dexter’s attacks will stop me from burning your pack to the ground.”

I turned to Max and Phoebe, silently pleading. Please, don’t let him take me.

But I could see the conflict in Max’s eyes. He was an Alpha who valued peace above all else. And Dean knew exactly how to exploit that.

“Dean, listen –” Phoebe began.

“You know the rules, Max,” Dean interrupted.

I shut my eyes. I knew them too well: Anyone exiled must never cross paths with their Alpha again. If they do, they become a prisoner once more.

This was my fault. I should’ve gone farther. I should’ve never let myself feel safe here.

“You also know the rule that says any fugitive who crosses into Kloud Pack is under our protection. You can't harm her,” Max said.

Dean’s lips twitched. “Who said anything about harming her?”

“Please,” I begged, my voice cracking. “You can’t trust him.”

“Give me some time to think about it,” Max said. “Three days and –”

“I leave this evening,” Dean cut in. “She had better be waiting in my car when I do.”

And with that, he turned and walked away, not sparing me a second glance.

I stood there, knowing that no matter what Max decided, I’d already lost.

 *****

My steps felt heavier with every inch I took into the house. Gayle stormed in after me, her anger practically radiating off me.

“Lexi, we need to talk. Right now!” Gayle snapped.

“Please… just give me a minute,” I muttered, trying to reach the nearest couch before my legs gave out.

“No. We need to talk now!”

“I said give me a minute!” I shouted, my voice breaking louder than I intended.

“Oh, you do not get to use that tone with me,” Gayle shot back, her voice trembling with rage. “We gave you four years to tell us about your past, and now look what’s happened – Keith almost died today!”

“Yet he’s not the one yelling and giving me a fucking migraine!” I snapped.

Her eyes widened, caught between shock and fury. She’d never seen me lose control like that. “Ah,” she said bitterly. “So, you finally got some personality. Maybe it’s not such a bad thing that he came around.”

“Why are you being like this, Gayle? I’m the one leaving, not you!”

“That’s precisely the problem!” she fired back. “If you’d told us the truth, we never would’ve let you anywhere near that meeting. You wouldn’t have to leave!”

“Okay, girls. Let’s calm down,” Keith cut in, his voice hoarse. “Max might not let him take her.”

“Don’t be stupid, Keith,” Gayle said sharply. “You know that Max won’t risk a war. Dean’s stronger than all of us, and his pack would crush ours in a heartbeat. She’s definitely leaving.”

“I’m sorry,” I said quietly. “But you wouldn’t understand the horror I went through.”

“Maybe not,” Gayle murmured, her tone softening as she sank beside me. “But it would’ve been nice to know that you trusted us enough to try.”

She reached for my hand, and that tiny act cracked something open inside me. The words I’d buried for years came spilling out. My exile, the betrayal, Dean, the night I ran for my life. By the time I finished, my throat ached and my eyes burned. Keith’s face was pale, and Gayle was crying openly.

“I’m so sorry,” she choked out, wiping her cheeks.

“It’s fine,” I whispered. “I think what hurts most is knowing that after losing my family in Bay Pack, I’m about to lose this one too. I’m sorry I didn’t open up sooner.”

“You’re not losing anything,” said a voice from behind us.

We turned. Max stood at the doorway, his expression firm but heavy with regret.

“She’s not going?” Keith asked hopefully.

“She is,” Max said, stepping forward, “but I have another plan. I won’t let you stay there for long.” He crouched beside me and gently smoothed a hand through my hair – an oddly tender gesture for someone who just sealed my fate. “You two should help her pack. Dean’s leaving soon.”

“Pack?” I echoed. “He’s going to kill me. There’s no point.”

I pushed myself up and moved toward the door, numb and hollow, Gayle following behind me. Keith joined us moments later, carrying a small purse.

“It’s got some essentials,” he said quietly. “And… uh, some toiletries. You know, just in case.”

I managed a weak smile. Then I hugged them both, holding on a little longer than I meant to. Gayle’s tears soaked through my shoulder, and Keith’s arms tightened around us both.

“I’m sorry Phoebe couldn’t be here,” Max said softly, while I nodded. “She couldn’t watch you go.”

Dean arrived shortly after, his boots echoing against the marble floor. A faint smirk tugged at his lips when he saw me already waiting.

Normally, I’d have trembled at that look, but not tonight. If he was going to kill me, I’d face him with my head held high. So, I met his eyes, daring him to see how little I cared.

But something in his gaze stopped me.

There was no hatred. No contempt, but still it was dark, uncertain, and cold enough to crawl under my skin.

What does he plan to do with me?