Chapter 4: Five years later

Roland’s POV…

I woke up in a pool of my own sweat, shivering from the cold.

I had dreamt of that night five years ago every single day.

It always ended the same way with my brutal rejection of her.

My first mate and the only woman I had ever loved.

But I knew it was for the best, I had to reject her for her own good.

I got dressed without any hope of sleeping again.

“It’s quite early Roland, why don’t you come back to bed,” Melissa called out from behind me.

“Go back to sleep. I have a lot of work back at the office.”

“It’s 2am.” 

I didn’t reply to her, I opened the door and left.

Apart from my usual nightmares keeping me awake the recent issues in the pack had disturbed my nights as well. 

“Alpha, we had over a hundred new cases today at the infirmary.” My beta spoke over the video call.

I was pretty sure he was as worked up as I was, if the worry lines on his forehead were any indication. 

“At this rate, the pack will be down 20% of its total population in a month.”

That's bad.

“We won’t survive an attack should one arise.” He added after a beat of silence had passed.

“I know,” I replied, brushing my hand over my face.

“We would need reinforcements, at least until you and…” 

I sent a scowl his way, “I don’t need a reminder of our incapability to bring forth a pup.” 

“I am sorry, I didn’t mean…”

“No need to apologize, it’s probably how the entire pack feels.” 

I was sure they blamed and resented me for the sickness their children suffered.

But I wasn’t the moon goddess.

“The other packs can’t know about this, they may choose to take advantage of it.” 

“They can’t.” 

“So where do you suggest we get reinforcements?"

I didn’t answer immediately but from my expression, he must've figured it out.

“You would go to the human realm?” 

“We have no choice.” 

“I don’t think I need to remind you that it wasn't over a decade ago that humans and werewolves were at war.” 

“A decade is quite some time.” 

“I know someone who could provide some arms…discreetly.” 

“How can we trust him?” 

I didn’t answer, I was not sure. But I didn’t have any more options.

“When do we leave?” 

“Tomorrow.” 

My beta nodded “Okay.”

——-

I opened up a portal. 

In a second we were in the human realm.

Only Alphas could open and close transport portals, which was a good thing.

In case of a rebellion or war amongst species.

It wasn't a hassle locating the dealer's shop.

I already had the details at hand and I knew him to an extent.

I stepped into Andrew's shop, and the doorbell chimed alerting him of our presence.

On the outside, the place appeared all sweet and innocent marketing luxurious and timeless jewelry pieces.

But deep down Andrew used the shop to launder money and traffic arms.

“Alpha Roland!” Andrew called out once I stepped into the shop.

“We can drop the ‘ Alpha’ .”

He nodded in understanding, I didn’t want to give out my identity. 

If humans knew wolves were now purchasing arms? It could give the wrong idea of us planning a war, which wouldn’t be good.

“Roland, it’s a pleasure to finally meet in person.” 

“I could say the same but given the circumstances.” 

“I know.”

My beta cleared his throat, beside me, “This is Christopher…my beta.” 

“A pleasure.” They both shook hands.

Just as I was about to speak, a little kid ran out from behind the store crying.

He was very fast and oblivious of the people around him as he ran covering his eyes.

He bumped into me causing him to stumble backward, he almost fell but instinctively, I wrapped my hand around him to balance him on his feet.

“I am sorry sir… I didn’t see—”

He paused when he looked up, studying my face.

His pup scent hit my nostrils. 

Humans didn’t have such a strong scent.

“Do I know you, sir?” 

“I don’t think so… do you?”

“You seem oddly familiar to me, but I doubt we’ve met before.” 

For a moment I looked around to be sure I wasn’t imagining things, he looked so young but spoke like an adult.

“Hello, sir.” He waved his hands in the air.

I crouched down to meet his height. I still towered over him a few inches.

“What's your name?” 

“I would tell you mine if you tell me yours.” 

“Fair… My name is Roland.” 

“Hmm, are you lying?”

“Why would I lie?” 

“Because your name sort of sounds like mine.” 

“Let me be the judge of that.” 

“Okay, my name is Ronan.” 

A beat passed, neither of us spoke, and we just stared at each other.

I lifted my gaze to meet Andrew’s before I spoke, “Whose kid is this?”

Andrew opened his mouth to speak but was cut short by a woman’s voice, which I swore sounded familiar…too familiar.

“Ronan, where did you run off to? I thought I told you not to leave the—“ 

I looked in the direction of the voice and there she was. 

The woman who had haunted my dreams for five years was right in front of me. 

Five years since I set my eyes on those long silver hair and blue eyes, her scent was still the same as I remembered. 

I took a deep inhale to waft it deeper into my memory. 

“Alpha?” She asked, but I didn’t miss the snare in her eyes when she moved the child closer before scooping him up in her arms.

“Zyra,” I spoke with a steady voice as I took in the similarity in their features. 

The boy had her eyes but didn’t quite share the same facial features as hers. 

He probably took after his father, I shifted my gaze to Andrew to compare them but they didn’t hold any similarity. 

They looked completely different.

Andrew was human, I couldn’t pick up any scent of him, but the boy's scent was strong, as strong as a wolf’s. 

“What are you doing here?” She asked, crouching the boy's head over her shoulder. 

“I could ask you the same?” Heat grossed over my skin. 

What was she doing in an arms shop?

Trash that. What was she doing in this realm?