Chapter 1.

Closing his eyes, the alpha could sometimes remember his face, beside him in the middle of the trees, with the sound of the rain in the distance. It was a bittersweet memory in his memory, for one hand, it was something precious, a memory he wanted to preserve. But on the other hand, it was something very painful, a grave mistake that he wished to forget forever.

Snapping out of his thoughts, alpha Alexis Romanov watched as in his car they finally arrived at that fine liquor store, which was his destination before going to his fiancée's house and then his home. He had left work late, after reviewing some documents regarding renovations to the walls surrounding the city, Alexis had to rush off work so as not to be late for the very important dinner he had that night. But since it was such an important dinner, he obviously could not arrive empty-handed, he had to find an appropriate gift for the occasion, as he should not make a bad impression on his new guests. So due to the time pressure, Alexis decided to buy a bottle of expensive plum wine, a specialty of his city, but a very expensive delicacy to which not many had access, which turned out to be a perfect gift for his guests, although it was something simple.

When his driver stopped the car in front of the square that Alexis had to drive through to get to the liquor store, the alpha took a deep breath before opening the door and getting out of the car, as he knew perfectly well what would happen when he got out. Soon several applauses were heard from all the places in that square, as Alexis Romanov passed by, making short bows and greeting all the citizens of his town, who praised and applauded him in the middle of his way to the liquor store. Within that great city, which was ruled by the Romanov family, Alexis was the most respected alpha, being acclaimed for his beautiful golden hair and strong character, the great alpha king was the most illustrious man anyone could mention.

Alexis was generally called a perfect man, having unquestionable morals, and being a born leader, he was admired and praised by all, having an unquestionable reputation. And although Alexis was already a mature man, who had become someone respectable and is a great leader, as a young man Alexis was a completely different person.

The alpha had no excuses, he remembered in a bitter and somewhat shameful way his youth, in which he was an arrogant and spoiled child, who believed he had the world at his feet just for being an alpha and the next heir to his pack. Thus when he was young, Alexis made serious mistakes, along with his gang of friends who were other alphas, not only mistreated public places and made many innocent citizens of the city he now appreciates so much suffering, he was also personally responsible for stealing and invading private property, as well as having street fights and being very violent with others. A past which he was very ashamed of and preferred to forget because Alexis was now a different man, a person who had matured and had truly become responsible.

Arriving at the liquor store, one that Alexis remembered bitterly, for when he was young he had entered in the middle of the night to steal liquor, the alpha simply held back all his shame and entered the place. After all, despite all the mistakes he had made throughout his 20 years of life, Alexis had never suffered a single consequence for his actions, as his father had always taken it upon himself to cover up all his mistakes and save him from all trouble. Alexis had behaved like a criminal throughout his life, but no one in town ever knew what he had done, and he was never punished for his wrongdoings.

Entering the store, Alexis was immediately greeted by the saleswomen there, who hurriedly wanted to take excellent care of the leader of the pack and the ruler of their city.

Bowing for Alexis, one of the saleswomen immediately greeted them: "Good evening King Alexis, how we may help you?"

Graciously reciprocating the bow, Alexis sketched a gentle smile on his face, and replied: "Good evening, I came to buy a couple of your best bottles of red plum wine."

Hearing the alpha's request, the female employees quickly set about finding bottles of wine for Alexis, finding the most expensive and finest for him, placing them on the counter.

"These are excellent purchases, King Alexis," Said the saleswoman with a nervous smile: "Are they for the family of your younger sister's fiancé?"

Seeing himself discovered, Alexis replied: "You are correct, these drinks will be for our visitors, my sister's omega has finally come to meet her and we must appropriately receive him."

"Many congratulations to Princess Naiya, may she have a prosperous marriage," The saleswoman said immediately, fearing she had been too indiscreet to have asked such a personal question.

But not bothered by the questions, Alexis answered: "You are welcome, thank you very much for your good wishes."

Receiving three bottles of the store's finest wine, Alexis watched as the saleswomen had taken the time to wrap the bottles as if they were gifts, putting beautiful colorful bows and colorful papers on them, making them the perfect gift.

"And how much do I owe you for the three bottles?" asked Alexis, receiving his purchase.

Smiling nervously, the saleswoman immediately said: "Don't worry King Alexis, you don't have to pay anything."

"Please, I insist on paying something if nothing else."

"Take it as a gift of respect for your sister, her marriage will be very prosperous for our city and our herd, we hope the engagement will be of benefit."

Understanding that he could not change the saleswomen's mind, Alexis could only smile and bow, replying: "Thank you very much for your kindness."

Reciprocating her bow, the saleswoman said: "Thank you very much for choosing us to buy your sister's fiancé's gift."

Without wanting to say anything else, since this situation made him very uncomfortable, Alexis preferred to just smile and retrace his steps, leaving the liquor store to return to the square and then to his car. Many times Alexis felt uncomfortable with the kindness of the members of his pack towards him, since sometimes it was something too exaggerated like giving away those expensive bottles of wine, and secretly the alpha preferred to be treated like a normal person. Alexis knew that everyone in his pack treated him with so much respect because of the adoration they felt for him, but that even made things harder for the alpha, as he put pressure on himself to remain a perfect man and not let down everyone who trusted him.

But no one can be perfect.

Receiving applause and cheers again from the citizens in the square, which Alexis responded to with smiles and bows, Alexis was finally able to return to his car, where he was relieved, leaving the bottles of wine beside him on the seat and continuing on his way.

Night had almost completely set in the sky by now, as winter was beginning and the days were getting shorter, so looking at the clear night sky Alexis got lost in his thoughts again. It was curious to him, but after so many years, Alexis couldn't stop thinking about that omega, the little omega with brown hair and golden eyes, his memory usually came to Alexis mind and the alpha ended up getting lost in his beauty. Alexis didn't know why, but he could never forget that beautiful omega with clear eyes, he always haunted his memory.

Maybe Alexis remembered that omega because of the guilt he felt towards him, Alexis wasn't sure, but even if it was just because he felt guilty for the horrible things he did to the omega, that didn't change the fact that he couldn't forget him, and he always remembered his beauty in his loneliness.

Continuing on his way, Alexis' driver took him to his fiancée's house, a large mansion full of flowers, where his fiancée was already waiting for him in the gardens amidst the flowers. Seeing Alexis arrive in her car, Maddie stood up and smiling approached the car running, letting her jovial and cheerful attitude show.

"You were late" Maddie told him with a smile, with her usual sweet and cheerful tone of voice.

"Did I keep you waiting too long?" Alexis asked, opening the car door to let his fiancée in.

Shaking her head, Maddie replied: "No, but I'm afraid we'll be late for your sister's dinner..."

Maddie was Alexis' fiancée, a young omega girl from a very good family, a year younger than Alexis, with whom he had already been in a 5-year relationship. Alexis didn't know if he loved Maddie, he appreciated her for being a sweet and beautiful young woman, but she was the match his parents and society had decided for him as an alpha and a leader, so maybe he just put up with her, being with her out of habit and his parents' request.

"Did you buy our gift for the party?" asked Maddie, getting into the car and pushing aside the liquor bottles.

"Yes, I bought wine for the party" Alexis replied.

"Do you think it's appropriate? Your sister and her fiancé are still kids..."

"Yes, but Naiya already drinks alcohol like an adult" Said Alexis getting into the car and sitting next to Maddie.

Laughing, Maddie hugged Alexis next to her, and said: "Yes, but no one must know that, least of all her fiancé, we must be discreet to keep your family's good reputation."

"I know, I was just teasing you."

Smiling, Alexis felt Maddie kiss one of his cheeks affectionately, and even though he didn't feel anything, he kept smiling at her as if he liked that show of affection.

Looking at his driver, Alexis gave the signal to continue on his way to his parents' mansion, where everyone would surely already be waiting for them for dinner, and where Alexis could finally meet his younger sister's next fiancé.