New Beginnings

He knocked on the large wooden door at the end of the hallway

“Come in,” a rough voice called.

We stepped inside, and the man motioned for me to sit in the chair before him.

“You can leave, Lucas,” the Alpha said.

“Yes, Alpha,” Lucas started, but hesitated when the Alpha’s piercing gaze fell on him.

“Just go, Lucas. We’ll talk later,” the Alpha said, turning his full attention toward me.

“What’s your name?” he asked, his tone sharp.

“Z-Zoe… B-Berry, Alpha,” I stammered nervously.

“I see,” he said, leaning back slightly. “Zoe. Listen carefully. I’m not the kind of Alpha who would ever allow a rogue into my territory. I don’t give second chances lightly. To me, rogues are a plague — a rotten nuisance in wolf society. So, tell me… what should I do with you?” His gaze bore into me.

I swallowed hard and avoided his eyes. Tears began to fall. “I… I didn’t mean to enter your borders. They were chasing me. I didn’t even realise I had crossed into your pack. Please… don’t kill me. I can’t… I don’t want to die.

I’ve been rejected by my mate, bullied by my packmates, even my own brother… I left because I wanted to survive, to be strong one day, so I can prove to them I am not worthless.” My voice shook with each word.

The Alpha’s gaze softened for a fraction of a second, but his voice remained firm. “You still haven’t answered my question. What do you want me to do with you?”

I wiped my tears, steadied my voice, and looked up at him. “Please… may I join your pack? Can I have a better life here? Will you… Give me a second chance? I… I hate living as a rogue.”

He didn’t respond immediately. Ten minutes passed, then twenty. I barely breathed as he paced the room, studying me. Finally, he stopped, knelt to meet my eyes, and said quietly but firmly,

“Welcome to the Red Water Pack, Zoe Berry.”

At that moment, everything changed.

Celeste stirred inside me, her presence strong and comforting. It was time. My wolf shifted for the first time — a beautiful, pure white wolf, radiant and powerful.

Alpha Jacob taught me how to control my strength, even in human form, guiding me to master powers I had never dared explore before. Slowly, I began to understand who I could become.

*********************

Two Years Later

The pack meeting room buzzed with activity as Alpha Jacob entered. “We have a mission for you all,” he announced.

My heart jumped. The last mission had been thrilling — helping an allied pack stop rogues who were kidnapping young wolves.

He continued, “An allied pack has requested our help. Their members are weak, untrained, and in need of guidance. I’ve decided that Lucas, Ethan, Riley, Aria, Audrey, and Zoe will go to train them and assist.”

I swallowed hard. “Alpha Jacob… where exactly are we going?”

“Blue Mountain Pack,” he said, his gaze lingering on me. There was a sorrow I couldn’t quite read in his expression.

I felt my stomach twist. “Why? Why that pack? Alpha Jacob, I… I don’t want to go back. I don’t want to face them.”

“Because you are stronger now,” he replied firmly. “You’re one of my best warriors. And you know that place, so it makes sense to include you. This is my decision.”

“But… I don’t want to see anyone from my old pack,” I said, my voice breaking. “The only person I want to see is Jessica. I’ve missed her so much these past two years.”

“I’m ordering you, Zoe, not asking,” he said, his voice leaving no room for argument.

He turned to Lucas. “Lucas and Zoe, stay behind. The rest of you can start packing. You leave first thing tomorrow morning.”

As the others left, Alpha Jacob sighed and leaned forward. “Look, Zoe, I know what you’re feeling. But this is your chance to show them you’re not that weak girl they once despised. You’re stronger now. You can face your brother… and reject your worthless mate if needed. Keep an open mind — much can happen while you’re there.”

Celeste growled softly in agreement. “He’s right. We can’t hide forever. We have a duty to help those in need. Yes, it may be painful, but we’ve grown. We are no longer the girl they hurt. We are stronger. We are powerful. And they cannot touch us now.”

“Do you think I can… really?” I asked, doubt still lingering.

“No,” Celeste said firmly. “But we can. Together.” Her words struck me with power. “We’ve been given a second chance. We’ve been loved, supported, and trained. Now, it’s time to show Blue Mountain Pack exactly what we’ve become. And don’t forget… I am now the most powerful wolf in the wolven world. No one can hurt us.”

I glanced at Lucas, then back at Alpha Jacob, letting out a deep sigh. Reluctantly, I nodded.

“You leave in the morning,” Alpha Jacob said. “They’ll expect you the next day. Stick to the roads. Avoid the woods or forests — rogues roam there. I’ve processed your permits to enter Blue Mountain Pack. Is that clear?”

“Yes, Alpha,” Lucas and I said in unison.

As we left the meeting room, Lucas turned to me, concern in his eyes. “Are you okay?”

I nodded slowly. “I think so. But… I haven’t been back there in two years. I don’t know how they’ve changed. I don’t want to face them, but I can’t stay locked away forever. I must move forward.”

Lucas squeezed my hand. “I’m here, Zoe. You’re not alone.”

I smiled through tears. “I’m lucky… if it weren’t for you and Alpha Jacob, I would have died alone.”

Lucas pulled me into a hug. “And if it weren’t for you, Alpha Jacob wouldn’t have healed either, especially after losing his sister and mate. Because of you, he’s stronger now.”

We both chuckled softly, wiping away tears.

“But now,” I said, standing up, “we need to pack. Big day tomorrow. And someone needs their beauty sleep.”

Lucas rolled his eyes. “Look who’s talking,” I teased, sticking my tongue out as I chased him from the room.

As I lay in bed that night, my mind raced. How would they react? Disgust? Shock? Or maybe… happiness?

Tomorrow, I will find out.