The air was filled with something I did not quite recognize, but it left an unsettling feeling in my heart.Something was definitely wrong?And I was sure of this, because my instinct told me so, not just because of the urgent gathering the alpha had called for which I had to attend to represent my parents.I stood among the elders of the pack, feeling the tension in the air as we all gathered in the heart of the forest. The full moon illuminated the center, casting a silver glow on the towering trees and the moss-covered rocks that surrounded us. I could hear the rustling of leaves as the wind whispered through the branches above, while the earthy scent of the forest filled my nostrils.Our Alpha, a tall and imposing figure with a thick mane of salt-and-pepper hair, finally stepped forward, his intense gaze sweeping over the crowd. His voice was deep and commanding as he began to speak. “Thank you all so much for gathering here at such short notice. I have called us out to discuss

THE RIVALING HEARTS; 003He looked different now - older, more rugged, with a scruffy beard and lines etched around his eyes. But there was no mistaking those piercing blue eyes, which met mine with a mixture of surprise and guarded recognition.Still oblivious of the tension between the couples, our alpha walked over to meet them halfway with a huge grin and walked them over to the table.I tried to collect my feelings which were scattered all over the hall together. Control yourself Samantha. Control yourself. You can do this.I was already in. There's no way out again.I pulled myself together, straightened my spine and watched them with a fixed smile on my face as they sat around the table, hoping that my face doesn't in any way reflect how I felt at the moment.Jackson sat beside me, his expression going back to cold and indifferent after he recovered from the shock of seeing me.Oh well."They look so good together," Someone said from the crowd and my blood boiled in anger.We