Chapter 4

SELENE WOLFE POV

2 Years Later

"Orion, you're such a traditional alpha," I teased, leaning against the side of a tree in the heart of the Silver pack territory. The dappled sunlight danced through the leaves, casting playful shadows around us.

He raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Oh, am I now? And what, may I ask, is wrong with being a traditional alpha?" I grinned mischievously, enjoying our friendly banter. "Well, you're all about the pack, the hierarchy, the responsibility.

It's like you have a to-do list that includes 'maintain an alpha aura' and 'project stoic strength at all times"

Orion chuckled, his deep voice resonating in the quiet forest. "Guilty as charged. But you see, Selene, being an alpha comes with certain duties and expectations."

I walked closer, teasingly poking his chest with a finger. "I get it, I do. But you know, you could use a little spontaneity in your life. Maybe, just maybe, once in a while, you could let loose and do something unexpected." He raised an eyebrow, his lips curling into a half-smile. "Oh, really? And what would you suggest, Ms. Spontaneity?"

I pretended to ponder for a moment, tapping my chin with a finger. "How about a moonlit

howling competition? Or a pack-wide game of capture the flag, where you have to participate too, of course."

Orion's eyes twinkled with amusement. "Moonlit howling, huh? Well, I suppose that could be arranged. But you'll have to promise to participate as well." I laughed, realizing I'd walked right into his challenge.

"You drive a hard bargain, Alpha. Fine,

moonlit howling it is. And I won't hold back; I hope you're prepared to lose." Orion's laughter echoed through the forest. "We shall see, Selene. But remember, you're the one who suggested a little spontaneity in my life."

I laughed too as I remembered how i met Orion.

I remember that day as if it were yesterday.

I had no money, no pack, and no direction. I wandered into that little cafe, hoping to find a moment of solace and maybe a cup of hot coffee to warm my spirits. I stood in line, nervously fumbling with my torn backpack strap, acutely aware of my ragged appearance.

I had been on my own for a few weeks, and the streets had been unkind to me. The other customers in the cafe cast judgmental glances my way, making me feel like an outcast.

As I approached the counter, I reached into my nearly empty bag, hoping to scrape together enough change for a coffee. My fingers touched nothing but crumbs and a lone, battered paperback novel. The barista stared at me with a mixture of pity and impatience. I

stammered, "I'll just have a regular coffee, please.""Sure," she replied, not hiding her annoyance. "That'll be two dollars."My heart sank as I searched my pockets once more, only to come up empty.

I felt a lump form in my throat, and I considered quietly retreating out the door, abandoning my meager hopes of a warm drink. That's when I felt a presence behind me."Excuse me," a deep voice said, and I turned to find a tall, handsome man standing there. He had a commanding presence, and his striking blue eyes seemed to see right through me.

"I'll cover her coffee," he told the barista. I was taken aback, not used to such kindness especially from from strangers. The barista hesitated for a moment but then nodded, handing me a cup of coffee. "Here you go," she said, a touch of reluctance in her voice. I turned to the generous stranger, feeling a mixture of gratitude and embarrassment.

"Thank you," I managed to mumble, my cheeks flushing with a blush I couldn't control. He simply smiled, a warm and reassuring smile that made me feel safer than I had in a long time. "You're welcome. My name's Orion," he introduced himself.

"I'm Selene," I replied, feeling an instant connection with him. And from there, he brought me to his pack and I became a member of his pack. Orion's voice broke me out of my daydream, and I blinked, realizing I had been smiling and lost in thought. "Huh? Oh, sorry, I was just...thinking," I replied, my cheeks flushing.

He arched an eyebrow, a sly grin playing on his lips. "Thinking, huh? About what?" I tried to come up with a witty response. "Just imagining how your stoic alpha expression might change during a moonlit howling competition."Orion chuckled, clearly amused by my

teasing. "You're really fixated on that moonlit howling, aren't you?"I shrugged, a playful glint in my eyes. "I like to keep you on your toes, Alpha. Can you handle a little unpredictability in your life?"He crossed his arms, feigning seriousness.

"Well, it's a challenge I'm willing to accept. But I must warn you, I've been known to surprise people from time to time."I grinned, eager for the challenge. "Bring it on, Orion. I can't wait to see what you come up with." I said as Beta Jaxon walked in.

He walked toward us with a sense of urgency, and his expression was serious."Alpha Orion,

Selene," Jaxon began, his voice steady, "I've just received a message from the Darkwood

Pack. They've requested a meeting to discuss forming an alliance."I felt a chill run down my

spine, and I exchanged a worried glance with Orion.

The Darkwood Pack was my past, a place of pain and betrayal. The idea of any connection with them sent shivers down my spine. Orion remained calm as he responded to Jaxon. "Thank you, Jaxon, for bringing this to my attention. We'll consider their request carefully."Jaxon nodded but couldn't hide his

concern. "Are you sure about this, Orion? You know the history between Selene and the Darkwood Pack. It might be a trap or some sort of revenge." I took a deep breath, my voice trembling slightly as I spoke up.

"Jaxon is right, Orion. The Darkwood Pack is...complicated. I don't trust them, and I'm not sure how they even knew I was here with the Silver Pack."

Orion's gaze shifted between Jaxon and me, his brow furrowing in deep thought. "This request is unexpected, and I share your concerns. They might not actually know that you're here but We need to tread carefully. Jaxon, inform the Darkwood Pack that we're willing to

meet but under neutral territory, and we'll bring only a small delegation. I'll handle this personally."

Jaxon nodded and retreated to send the message. My heart was still racing, and I felt a mix of emotions—fear, anger, and uncertainty. Orion turned to me, his expression softening. "Selene, I know this is difficult for you. We'll make sure you're safe, and we'll get to the bottom of their intentions. Trust me, I won't let anything happen to you or our pack." And I nodded as he hugged me.