The Alpha's Hidden Heir: Read Chapters 1-5

Today is a big day, not only because I had graduated from college, but also the Federation had thrown a masked ball, a tradition that hadn‘t been practiced in centuries. Sure, every year one of the two packs which used be 3 packs will host a graduation party for all pack members that were graduating from some education program.

The masked ball had been an event brought forward through time, requiring fancy dresses and intricate masks. Serena had been so overwhelmed by the flourishes of color and sparkles. She hadn‘t even really wanted to go, but it was tradition. Her mother, Charlotte, had picked out a red ballgown and matching mask for her.

The moment she‘d stepped through the door, Serena had grabbed herself a flute of champagne. A few more glasses later, she‘d started to loosen up. “I do believe, dear sister, you are drunk” Santino teased her. Serena giggled, pulling her champagne away from her brother as he tried to snatch it from her hand.

“I am a graduate, that is my prerogative,” she pointed out, sticking her tongue out at him since the mask made facial expressions hard to see. She did catch Santino‘s eye roll. “Leave it to you to use large words when you‘re drunk,” he chastised.

“I‘m going to find a foxy female I‘m not related to so I can really begin to enjoy my night.” Serena shrugged, twirling away from her twin and ending up getting caught up on the dancefloor with twirling, spinning dresses. Nearly tripping over her own feet, Serena stumbled right into the arms of a nearby man. He was dressed all in black with a matching black mask. The alcohol inhibited her wolf senses, and she could not scent who he was.

“My apologies,” Serena said, attempting to pull away. “There are few men who would mind getting bumped into by you,” he said in a thick, deep voice. Serena scoffed, shaking her head. “Is that your best pickup line?” she asked. The man shrugged, taking her champagne flute and setting it on a tray as a servant passed by.

“Who says it is a line?” he asked, taking Serena‘s hand and leading her onto the dancefloor. Serena halfheartedly fought against him, but something about his directness and willingness to take control made it easy for her to let go of her hesitation The man placed one hand on her hip, bringing her hand to his shoulder. He was so formal and proper he had to be related to an Alpha or Beta. Under the mask, all she saw was a deep pair of greenish–yellow eyes. She smiled at him.

“I don‘t know this dance,” she said. The man smirked at her, leaning in to whisper in her ear. “Just follow my lead,” he insisted, keeping their cheeks pressed together as he began. Serena stumbled over the first few steps, but her feet caught on to the rhythm soon enough. “This isn‘t so bad,” she said.

He chuckled, a sound that sent a shiver through her bones. Almost instantly after he laugh, he spun her away from him. Serena giggled, a rush causing her stomach to plummet. He pulled her back against him, the warmth of his body sucking her in. They continued to dance until the song ended, the mysterious man leading her through each step. She‘d never danced so formally before, and the combination of the dress, the dance, and the champagne had her feeling like a princess!

“It seems a little stuffy and outdated to me,” Serena couldn’t help teasing, trying to lighten the delicate feelings stirring inside her. "This dress has way too much fabric. I feel heavier than myself," she said with a playful glint in her eyes.

The man smiled and moved with ease, as if he were used to such occasions. He poured himself a glass of beer and raised it slightly. "Agreed."

He took a big gulp, then suddenly leaned down, kissing her shoulder. Serena gasped, closing her eyes as his lips nearly burned her skin! Her stomach twisted so pleasantly, tingles running down to her curling toes! Reaching behind her, Serena grabbed his hand from her back. She pulled him towards the nearest exit. Everyone else was too busy or drunk to notice their departure.

Out in the forest, Serena kicked off her shoes. She laughed as she dropped her companion‘s hand, running faster through the trees. She could hear his footsteps behind her.

“Are you trying to get away?” he called after her.

Serena looked behind her for a moment, sticking her tongue out at her pursuer. “isn‘t the chase half the fun?” she asked. She giggled again, running faster.

The man behind her was strong. She‘d felt his muscles while they were dancing. He would catch her long before he ran out of breath! Dodging to the left, Serena slipped between two trees. The man behind her easily changed his direction to chase her. Serena laughed, the sound carrying through the dark forest and tempting her pursuer.

When he did catch her, he collided with her full force. Serena grunted, being knocked completely off her feet. She playfully struggled as the man grasped her wrists and pinned her to the ground. He growled at her. Serena licked her lips, arching her back so her body pressed against his. He smirked at her.

“I caught you,” he said. “Do I get my reward?” Serena licked her lips again. “What do you think you deserve?”

Serena cocked her head to the side slightly. Her mask was skewed slightly but still secured on her face. The man pinning her down was breathing heavily, his hot breath on her face.

“What are you willing to give me?” he asked. Serena struggled against his grip. He released her, sitting back on his knees, eyes looking around the forest.

“Everything okay?” Serena asked, sitting up.

“I haven‘t been to this part of the forest in years,” he told her, rising to his feet and looking around at the treetops. Serena groaned, frustration settling into her stomach.

“Come on.” He held his hand out to her. Serena took it and he pulled her into a standing position. Her companion led her deeper into the woods, but it wasn‘t long before they came across a treehouse sitting high in the branches.

“Wow,” he muttered. “I used to play here all the time as a kid. I didn‘t know this thing was still standing.” He pulled his hand away from Serena‘s and headed to the tree where there were planks nailed in as a ladder to the treehouse.

“You don‘t expect me to follow you up there, do you?” Serena asked when he started to climb. He laughed.

“That is what I want for my reward,” he told her. Serena sighed, crossing her arms as he climbed higher. “Don‘t go back on your word now!” Rolling her eyes, Serena went to the tree and started to climb.

She made it to the treehouse, nervous that the floor wasn‘t stable, but the man who she‘d followed was walking around easily enough. “This place seems pretty sturdy, being left alone here for years,” she commented.

“I‘m sure some of the kids still play here,” he said. Serena stood up. The treehouse was small, but there was a window. She looked out, staring down at the ground. “Oh,” she muttered. “It is…high.” She backed away quickly.

The guy chuckled again, catching her as she tried to step back. Her back hit his chest, and his hands glided down the front of her dress.

“Haven’t you heard the saying ‘don’t look down?’” he joked, nudging her black hair aside with his nose and kissing her neck.

Serena let out a sigh, tilting her head to give him more room. He planted kisses on her neck and shoulder, his hands finding the back of her dress. It was a real gown, laced up tight, but he didn’t hesitate as he started to loosen the ties.

“Uh…um,” Serena stiffened in his hold.

“Got any objections?” he asked, his fingers gently tracing her back as he opened the bodice.

“No,” she breathed out.

Her stomach flipped; her skin felt so hot that his touch was almost icy. He slid her sleeves down her arms.

The alcohol still buzzed in her system, and the cool night air sent a shiver through her. The dress slipped from her hips, leaving her completely bare except for her mask.

Facing him, Serena wrapped her arms around his neck, rising on her tiptoes to kiss him, her chest pressing against his silk shirt. With a satisfied grunt, he wrapped his hands around her hips, exploring her backside.

She moaned, her hands diving for his shirt, yanking at the buttons. His lips moved against hers with intensity, and Serena closed her eyes, pushing his shirt off his shoulders with urgency.

He grunted again, squeezing her backside.

Next, Serena tackled his pants, pushing them down his hips. He lifted her up, making her wrap her legs around his waist. He pressed her back against the tree house wall, his lips trailing to her neck and throat.

A growl left his lips as if he was frozen in what he was doing, and she could feel it in his movements.

It wasn't long before he immediately grabbed her ass and started caressing it.

Grabbing her ass and jerking her against him, cupping the back of her neck and her ass to hold her flush against him.

His cock is thick behind his trouser, it's stiff, and it looks like it's ready for the possible battles to be faced.

He forcefully kissed her, a passionate and intense kiss that left her gasping for air when he finally let go. He firmly grabbed her butt and lifted her.

She quickly wrapped her legs around his waist so that she wouldn't fall from being lifted by him.

She also slipped her hands around his neck. What is important to her is to feel the warmth and sensation that the man makes her feel.

She leans down to kiss him, demanding his passion with her kiss. Their tongues clashed, and she moaned loudly as she savored the delicious taste of his mouth.

Their kisses remained unbroken, mouths in constant motion, lips savoring each other, and their teeth playfully nipping.

Their tongues intertwined and merged, creating a sensation that left them breathless.

He continued to suck on her tongue with an insatiable hunger, as if he wanted to consume every ounce of passion she had to offer.

She could feel the electricity coursing through every fiber of her being, intensifying with each passing second. She was on the verge of exploding, becoming more emotional and fiery.

She clenched her hand around the waistband of his pants and, with a swift motion, pulled them down, exposing the broad head of his impressive cock.

She couldn't help but be drawn to his readiness, wasting no time as she immediately knelt to satisfy her craving.

She leaned forward and tasted the salty, springy-soft drop of clear semen on his tip, savoring the flavor as it exploded in her mouth.

With a pop, he pulled away, leaving her mouth empty.

As he crawled onto the bed, her heart raced in her chest. Nervousness consumed her, but the allure of his long, jutting cock swaying with each movement was irresistible.

Slowly, he approached her, captivating her with his masculinity.

“Damn. I want your touch. I long to taste your exquisite beauty," he whispered, his voice a low rumble.

His hardness was scorching, like steel in her grasp, pulsating with an intensity that sent shivers down her spine.

"Please..." she begged.

His tongue swirled around her nipple with a tantalizing motion, leaving her breathless.

Their eyes locked, creating an intense connection at that moment.

"Are you wet for me?"

"Yes," she whispered.

"I can't hear you."

"Yes," she said. "I'm fucking wet!”

Serena moaned, feeling her companion‘s hard arousal seeking entrance. Succumbing to fatigue in the aftermath of their pleasure, Serena and the mysterious man collapsed on the floor of the treehouse, falling into slumber.

Sunlight struck Serena‘s face, waking her. She groaned, throwing and arm over her eyes and accidentally striking a warm body beside her. Forgetting her headache and her sensitivity to light, Serena sat up quickly. She was still naked, and so was the man beside her. His blond wavy hair covered his face, and Serena quickly grabbed her dress and mask. Her hair was a mess, but she didn‘t have time to worry about that! Without even checking his face to see who he was, she descended the treehouse.

“I can‘t believe I did that,” she muttered to herself as she walked back through the woods. She shook her head, mortified that she had gone so wild!

“Rough night?” Santino teased her when she went back to the building the party had been held at. “Shut up!” she snapped. Santino stopped smiling at her.

“Well, I‘ve got some news that will cheer you us,” he said, pulling an envelope out from behind his back.

“Since when does our mail get sent here?” she asked, seeing her name on the envelop. Santino shrugged. “I guess dad had it driven here personally,” he said. “And you should see why.” Serena sighed, taking the envelope and ripping it open. Quickly, she scanned the contents of the letter, mouth dropping open as she did. “I got in!” she cried.

“What?” Santino asked. “That is amazing! I knew you‘d get into medical school!” he hugged her fiercely, picking her up and swinging her around. Serena laughed, hugging her twin back.

“This is everything I wanted!” she said with a smile, her eyes shining with hope and anticipation for the future.

However, this joy became more complicated on the day of departure. Standing at the edge of the Star-seeking pack's territory, Serena took a deep breath and gazed at her familiar home, overwhelmed with a sense of desperation. She had grown up here, and this land held countless memories and emotions for her. Now, she had to say goodbye to it all and move to the distant human world to begin her five-year medical study.

In that human academic world, she would no longer be the Alpha daughter of Starseeker. She would be a normal medical student, buried in heavy textbooks and lab work, striving to improve her medical skills and chasing her dream of becoming a doctor.

That day, Serena sat in the waiting area of the school medical office, waiting for her examination report. She had lowered her head, her thoughts drifting, until the door of the infirmary was suddenly pushed open.

"Who's Serena?" A serious-looking doctor emerged with a report, scanning the room blankly.

"I am," Serena said, looking up with a hint of nervousness.

"Come with me." The doctor spoke briefly, then turned and walked back to his office.

Serena followed the doctor silently, her heart fluttering with unease. After sitting down, she was about to ask a question, but the doctor cut her off.

"You're pregnant!"

When Serena drove across the border into Night Sky pack territory, a moment of hesitation struck her heart. Her foot itched to press the break and reconsider, but she clenched her hands on the steering wheel and kept going. No! She‘d come too far to turn back now, and all because she had a one night stand with a mysterious man five years ago.

Night Sky wasn‘t the pack Serena had been born into, but she was returning from medical school and had been offered a residency position at the new medical building in Night Sky territory. It was a smart move for her to make for her career. Starseeker, the pack she‘d been born into, had always been close allies to Night Sky, so she would still get to see her father, Alpha of Starseeker, her mother who was Luna, and her twin brother Santino.

If she was being perfectly honest with herself, Serena was glad for the chance to step out of her brother‘s shadow. He had been selected to be the next Alpha, so her parents were always working with him and training with him. Serena didn‘t mind, he was her twin! But she wanted the chance to prove herself, and it was better to do that in a fresh environment.

Sighing, Serena relaxed her hands. She was grateful there was still another pack in the Federation to relocate to. Ever since Moonshine had been taken over by an illegitimate Alpha and separated from the Federation, tensions were high. Serena understood the resistance she’d encountered when she pursued her current career path in another pack. Reason had won out in the end.

What better way to keep Night Sky and Starseeker on good terms if the daughter of Alpha Thomas from Ștarseeker was living and working among the Night Sky pack? Inwardly, Serena satisfied herself with the thought that she was helping her father in ways Santino never could! She still had a long drive ahead of her. The border of the pack territory was two hours from the building she was headed to. A long, straight shot with no turns and nothing but forest to look at.

Glancing in her rearview mirror, Serena smiled at the two passengers secured in their booster seats. The girl smiled back, kicking her feet back and forth. The boy met her eyes, but then looked at his sister instead.

A fateful night it was, Serena thought to herself, bringing her eyes back to the road. “We there yet?” her daughter, Olivia, asked. “Almost, sweetie,” Serena said back. Her daughter clapped her hands while her son, Oliver, smiled shyly. She caught it in the mirror when she glanced back at them again. “I’m thirsty,” Oliver said. “Can you wait another ten minutes?” Serena asked. Oliver shrugged.

“I‘m thirsty too, mommy!” Olivia chimed in. “I want a drink now!” Serena shook her head, smiling to herself. “We‘re almost there, then we can have a drink,” she assured. Serena had always.loved having a twin brother growing up. She hadn‘t considered that being a twin was in any way genetic, but now she had a pair of twins sitting in her car.

After discovering she was pregnant with them, Serena had had one of the hardest decisions a woman ever has to make when she isn‘t expecting to be pregnant. Seeing their chubby, round faces in the rearview mirror, watching them grow into two entirely different people, she knew every day that the decision she had made had been the right one.

They pulled up in front of the main Night Sky pack building. Serena could feel it in her bones. Her life was starting anew, and the lives of her children were about to begin. They‘d never been part of a pack before, and it was a connection she wanted them to have.

Serena parked her car outside the house address she was given. There was a woman waiting on the front porch for her. Although Serena hadn‘t had many interactions with her yet, she knew it was Adriana, the woman who had secured her position in the pack medical facility.

Adriana waved and stepped off of the porch, heading to the driver‘s side door. When Serena cut the engine, Adriana opened the door for her. “Serena?” she asked.

Serena nodded, glancing behind the other woman at the house she was parked in front of. “This is your new home.” “Really?” Serena asked. She hadn‘t been expecting a whole house to herself!

“Come on, I‘ll give you the tour,” Adriana said with a soft chuckle. Serena got out of the car. Adriana went back to the porch, but Serena opened the back door of her car to let the twins out. Olivia immediately ran up the front steps, but Oliver hung back and walked next to his mom. “Adriana, these are my children ,Olivia and Oliver,” she said.

“They are adorable,” Adriana said, smiling at Olivia. Olivia stuck her tongue out at the chief of medicine. “Olivia!” Serena snapped, grabbing Oliver‘s hand and rushing up the steps, half dragging him behind her. “That is rude. Please apologize to Adriana and say ‘hello,” she instructed. Olivia pouted, looking down at her feet bashfully. “Please, I work with children, I‘m used to it,” Adriana said.

Serena sighed. “Come on, Olivia, be a big girl,” Serena said. Slowly, Olivia raised her eyes. “I‘m sorry for making faces,” she said. “It‘s nice to meet you.” She was still looking at the porch, kicking at the boards with the toe of her shoe.

“That is quite alright, Olivia,” Adriana said. “It is nice to meet you too, and Oliver.” She leaned down slightly to scrunch up her nose at Oliver. He laughed and hid his face in Serena‘s leg.

“Shall we?” Serena asked. Adriana nodded, opening the front door and letting them in. Immediately, Olivia bolted into the house. Oliver ran after her.

“The house is move–in ready,” Adriana said, flashing a smile at Serena. “Electric and utilities are hooked up. Three bedrooms upstairs and a full bathroom. Eat-in kitchen, living room, office or den, and a half bathroom on the first floor.”

“Thank you, Adriana,” Serena said. “I‘m looking forward to getting to work.”

“Yes, of course,” Adriana said. “I am so happy you agreed to complete your residency here.”

“Thank you,” she said. “I am eager to get to work.”

“Oh, almost forget, here are your keys,” she said handing Serena a key ring. One was clearly a house key. There were a few other keys on the ring too. “The others are for the medical facility,” Adriana clarified.

Serena nodded and followed Adriana out to carry her luggage

“Alright, well, I will leave you to get settled,” Adriana said and waved a final goodbye. “If you need anything at all, please let me know. I’m around.”

Serena waved in return and then began hauling luggage out of her trunk. As Serena pulled the last bags out of her trunk, she stiffened, a distinct scent catching her nose. A scent she hadn‘t smelled in over five years, one that was barely a whisper of a memory from the haze of alcohol that had surrounded it.

Swallowing, Serena found that her legs would not obey her to turn around and face the approaching male. She‘d never seen his face, she couldn‘t remember his features behind the mask, but she remembered his smell!

Gripping the box in her hands, Serena slowly gained control of her legs again, even as her fingers and knuckles turned white from the strength of her hold. She turned to face him, brow creasing when she saw his friendly smile. No memory could put the face of the male she saw now on the body of the man she‘d spent the night with so long ago. He was handsome, muscular and well–built with greenish– yellow eyes and wavy ash blonde hair. If it wasn‘t for his scent, Serena would have sworn she‘d never seen him before.

“You must be Serena,” he said warmly, a deep smooth voice that complimented his height. “Yes, that‘s me,” Serena said, her voice croaking. She swallowed quickly; glad she was holding a box to keep from having to shake his hand.

“Welcome to Night Sky, I‘m Logan,” he said. Serena nodded, smiling again as she tried to find her voice. Trying to stay calm, Serena wondered if the man in front of her could be the mysterious man she had a one-night stand with five years ago. Was it just a coincidence?

As she was lost in thought, Logan’s voice broke the brief silence. "Haven't we met before?"

"Is it possible?" Serena stammered, trying to mask her nervous under his searching gaze. "After all, I spent more than five years in the human world..." Her voice wavered, as if she were making excuses for herself.

Logan's smile remained, as if he had no intention of delving further into the matter. He simply watched her quietly, waiting to see what she would do next. Serena shifted her weight from one leg to the other, searching for some semblance of stability.

“Can I help you with that box?” Logan asked, reaching out to take it from her. Instinctively, Serena pulled away, and Logan took a half step back. She sighed, finally snapping out of her daze. “Yes, thank you,” she said.

Logan stepped forward again and took the box from her. Serena hastened up the front porch and checked inside to make sure the kids were still upstairs. She could hear them giggling in one of their rooms, probably making a mess of something. Better that than have them wander down. She didn‘t know if Logan was the man she‘d slept with, though she was almost positive.

if she recognized his scent, he might recognize her. She didn‘t know how drunk her was that night or how inhibited his senses had been.

Even if he didn‘t let on, that didn‘t mean he didn‘t recognize her. Because if she recognized his scent, he might recognize her. She didn‘t know how drunk her was that night or how inhibited his senses had been.

She didn‘t want him to see the kids yet, just in case. She wasn‘t ready to explain!

Logan followed her up the steps, and Serena turned to take the box from him again. She set it inside and shut the door quickly. “Thank you, Logan,” she said.

“You seem to have everything under control with settling in,” he commented, eyeing the closed door oddly. Serena smiled. “Being a medical school student means I didn‘t have much to bring along with me,” she admitted, smiling despite herself. She couldn‘t help the way she felt in his presence, her mind feeling tingly suddenly around him.

Serena knew she wasn‘t thinking straight! She was still panicking slightly at running into the man she‘d slept with so soon after arriving at Night Sky, but there was something else that was almost putting her at ease around him.

“That‘s right,” Logan said with a nod. “Adriana said you‘d been living in the human world. What was that like?” Serena considered his question carefully.

Logan had crossed his arms and was leaning casually against her front door frame. Serena faced him, trying to keep her eyes on his rather than trying to imagine what his body looked like without clothes. She wasn‘t fantasizing about him, but she seemed to remember him naked more than she did his physical features.

“AS Alpha, I am qualified to show interest,” he said, grinning at her. Serena cleared her throat. “Oh, I didn‘t realize you were the Alpha,” she said, dropping her head slightly in respect.

Logan scoffed: “Yes, I‘m easily confused with the sunshine welcoming committee,” he told her sarcastically. Serena laughed, quickly covering her mouth to stifle the sound. She didn‘t want the kids to come downstairs and hear her talking to someone else. They would get too curious.

“Life in the human world was…well, I was away from the pack and my family,” she said. She hadn‘t paused much to think about it in the past five years. “I was always busy with classes and my…my studies. I guess it was a little lonely.” “You missed being part of a pack?” he asked, raising an inquisitive eyebrow. Serena nodded.

“I did,” she admitted. “There is a lot to do and see in the human world, so I never lacked for entertainment, or even human friends I met in my classes. It…wasn‘t the same though.” “I imagine that to be true,” Logan said with a nod.

“Have you ever been away from your pack?” she asked. Logan sighed, looking thoughtful. “I was away for my studies now and then,” he said. “I was never gone as long as you though. Adriana said this was a big change for you, I did pry a little into your history.” He winked at her. Serena‘s breath caught in her throat.

He was flirting with her! Or was he? She didn‘t think she could trust her own thoughts in her interactions with him. “As Alpha, it is understandable that you‘d need to check on anyone coming into your pack,” she said, rubbing her hands on her thighs nervously. It was a convenient excuse, one she hoped he corroborated.

“That is true,” he said. “Though I had some interest in why you were away from the pack so long.” Serena smiled mirthlessly, casting her green eyes to the porch. “I had a lot of things to work through,” she said as ambiguously as possible. “It was better for me to be on my own for a while.” Logan nodded; Serena caught the gesture from the corner of her eyes. She looked up at his face again. He wasn‘t looking at her anymore. “Does coming back mean that you worked through what you needed to?” Logan asked, his question seemed like an attempt to keep the conversation going.

Serena wondered what it is he was trying to get from her. Did he want an admission that she recognized him? He hadn‘t made any indication that he recognized her! Serena didn‘t want to be the first to break the silence.

“Um…for the most part,” Serena said, creasing her brow. “Either way, it is good to be back.” “It is good to have you here,” Logan said. They shared another friendly smile. “Do you have any objections to getting a tour of the rest of the territory?”

“Right now?” Serena asked, eyes darting to the door again. She‘d have to come up with an excuse to not leave her children alone without telling Logan about them. Logan chuckled. “I‘m sure you have more unpacking to do,” he said, waving his suggestion away.

“I can come by tomorrow morning and we can go then. There is a lot in the village I‘d like to show you.” “That would be nice,” Serena said with a nod. “Thank you, Alpha.” “Great, I will see you then,” Logan said, standing straight. Serena turned to head back to her car.

She needed to shut the trunk and lock it up. Just as she turned, Logan stepped forward. Their bodies collided, and Serena stepped back so quickly she nearly tripped over her own feet. Logan grabbed her arm, preventing her from completely losing her balance and falling.

“I‘m sorry,” she hastened to apologize as she stood on her feet again and pulled her arm from his grip. “No, that was my fault,” Logan said, holding his hands up in mock surrender. “I‘ll see you tomorrow.” Serena nodded. She didn‘t move and neither. did Logan. He stared at her for a moment, and she looked anywhere but at him. Finally, Logan left her front porch.

Serena sighed with relief. She waited until he was out of sight before she went to her car, closing up the trunk and locking the doors. Quickly, she went back inside to make sure the twins weren‘t getting into too much trouble. Thankfully, she found them in the room Olivia had claimed, attempting to rearrange furniture. Serena smiled at them, bringing the bags into Olivia‘s room that had her toys and clothes.

“Careful with the furniture,” she admonished. “Olivia, why don‘t you unpack your clothes and toys. Oliver, your bags are in your room, you should go unpack too.” “Okay, okay.” Oliver consented, skipping out of Olivia‘s room. “I want this over there,” Olivia insisted, pointing at the children‘s bookshelf and the wall she wanted it against. Serena nodded, picking the shelf up with ease and placing it where directed.

“Let‘s get unpacked before trying to rearrange anything else?” she asked. Olivia nodded and went to her suitcases. Serena headed downstairs one last time to get her own bags and bring them to the corner bedroom that was officially hers. Her skin was buzzing with heat and anxiety, all at the same time. Seeing Logan, smelling him, being in contact with him for such a short moment…it was all too much! She was certain now that Logan was the man she‘d hooked up with. It was too mind–boggling. Not only had she run into him within hours of arriving at her new home, but he was Alpha! She couldn‘t remember if Logan had been Alpha of Night Sky when they had met at the party, but she didn‘t think so. He‘d been far too young then, even now he seemed young to have the title.

Serena started to unpack her clothes, folding them into the dresser in her room. The house was spacious and roomy. In no time at all, she knew it would feel like home. The twins finally had enough space to stretch their legs and run around. Serena hoped the larger house would mean they‘d be able to get more of their energy out. She smiled to herself at the thought, happy with the circumstances, even if Logan‘s presence and authority was certain to cause complications. Serena didn‘t want to think about that. She just wanted the chance to enjoy her new home with her children.

As Logan headed back to his office, he couldn‘t shake the feeling that he had met Serena before. Something about her scent, the way she moved, was familiar to him. He couldn‘t place it, though, and the more he tried, the more confused he became. She had acted strangely around him too. He could easily write that off as her nerves in regards to being back in a pack and meeting the Alpha right away. It felt like something more to him, though.

He considered that they might have encountered each other as children at a Federation event. That seemed most likely, but he didn‘t know why he couldn‘t place it!

Logan reached his office. Holly was waiting for him. She was sitting on the edge of his desk, wearing a short skirt, legs crossed so he could see their full length. A tight shirt outlined her ample breasts. The thoughts that plagued him vanished, and Logan smirked at her.

Holly was the daughter of the deposed Alpha from Moonshine. She‘d come to Night Sky for refuge after the pack had been usurped by the illegitimate Alpha that now ruled.

“I missed you this morning,” Holly said, leaning back on his desk and resting her hands behind her for support. Logan cocked his head to the side, taking in the fullness of her body and the enticing way she stretched in front of him.

“The new doctor arrived,” Logan said, moving around his desk and sitting down. Holly sat up, twisting so she could still look at him without getting off the desk.

“It isn‘t the Alpha‘s duty to greet incoming pack members upon their arrival,” she said, creasing her brow.

Logan looked up, the concern on Holly‘s face causing him to sigh and set his pen down. “This was a unique situation,” he said. “She‘s been living without a pack for over five years.”

“She?” Holly asked, jumping off the desk. She glared at Logan, crossing her arms fiercely across her chest. “I thought the new doctor was a man!”

Logan cleared his throat. “Why does that matter?” he asked, leaning back in his desk chair and crossing his arms.

Holly sneered at him fiercely. “It is just a little odd that my mate snuck off early in the morning to meet another female,” she said bitterly.

Logan sighed again. Holly wasn‘t his official mate. He thought that they could be, but he hadn‘t made her his mate because he had his doubts. As small as they were, they were still there. Still, Holly always called him her mate, and he let her.

“You make it sound like I was being unfaithful,” Logan said calmly, keeping his temper from boiling over. Holly was intense sometimes, and if he wasn‘t careful, he‘d end up in a screaming match with her…again. At least they had passion.

“I don‘t know what you were doing!” Holly snapped, putting her hands on her hips. “How do you think it looks to a new female pack member if the Alpha shows up on her doorstep? She‘s probably already smitten with you. That is disrespectful to your actual mate!”

“Holly,” Logan said sharply, sitting up. He felt his temper rising, but he was determined to keep himself under control. “The fact that she is female has nothing to do with why I wanted to speak with her. She‘s a new doctor, a new pack member, and has been living among humans for years. That‘s all.”

Holly scoffed, turning her nose up in the air. Logan rested his elbows on his desk, chin in his propped-up hands.

“Come on,” he pleaded. “Don‘t be that way.”

“Be what way!?” Holly nearly screamed. Logan suppressed his eyeroll as to not incite her anger further. He swallowed the growl that rose on his lips.

Logan stood up, walking around the desk. He put his hands on Holly‘s shoulders. As Alpha, he could put her in her place if he needed to. He didn‘t want to hurt her or disrespect her, though. Holly refused to look at him for a moment.

“I‘m sorry,” he said. “I should have told you where I was going, or at least left a note.”

Finally, Holly‘s bright eyes flitted to his face. “I‘m still mad at you,” she said, pouting adorably.

Logan smirked. He cared about her more than he‘d ever cared about anyone, and they had a lot of good times. He wasn‘t fully ready to commit to her as his mate, though.

“I know,” he said, bringing a hand to her face. He took her chin between his thumb and forefinger. “I know just the remedy for that.”

Holly smiled up at him, closing her eyes. Logan leaned in to kiss her.

Logan! A voice through the mental link that bound him to the pack stopped him in his tracks. Pulling away from Holly, Logan let his hand drop from her face. The voice was that of his Beta, Carson, and it was filled with panic and pain.

What is it? Logan asked back, turning away from Holly slightly.

“Logan!” Holly snapped. “What the hell?”

Logan held his hand up to her to silence her complaints. He tapped the side of his head, and she shut her mouth.

Convoy was attacked, Carson said. Logan could practically hear his grunts and pain through the link, even though that wasn‘t something conveyed well through telepathy.

Where are you, what‘s going on? Logan asked, becoming the serious, professional Alpha.

On the way back to Night Sky, convoy attacked, many injured, Carson relayed.

Logan growled. On my way, Logan said. He turned to his office door and strode away from Holly.

“Logan!” she called after him. “What is going on?”

“Holly,” he said, turning back to her, clenching his hands at his sides. “I don‘t have time to explain.”

Holly‘s jaw dropped open, but Logan couldn‘t placate her. He had pack members that needed him! As Alpha, he was supposed to protect them! He left Holly in his office. She gaped after him, too stunned to do anything.

As jealous as she‘d been acting, Logan knew she understood his responsibilities to the pack and wouldn‘t stand in his way. He regretted snapping at her, but if there were injured wolves, he didn‘t have time to explain things and keep her happy. The pack came first, always!

Where are you, I‘m on my way, Logan sent back.

Northern border, Carson told him.

Logan grunted to himself and then expanded his voice to other pack members. Relief and security to the northern border, emergency rescue in progress! His voice boomed through the mental link, calling as many pack members to act as he could reach. The authority in his voice was irrefutable, and no one would dare disobey him!

Logan picked up his own pace, running in the direction where he‘d find Carson and the others. He had the sickening feeling that his Beta was injured too, and he couldn‘t stomach the thought! Carson was a good friend and vital to the pack!

Adriana, Logan reached out to the doctor. Get to the medical facility, and call in that new doctor. All hands needed. Adriana didn‘t answer, nor did she question his demands. She was a medical professional, getting called in for emergencies was a part of her job description. Logan imagined that she was too busy prepping the emergency medical equipment to respond, as she should be!

On his way to the attack site, Logan kept thinking about what had gone wrong. They‘d taken all the precautions they were supposed to. Nothing had gone wrong on the last several convoy trips.

This was bad!

No, Logan shook his head. He should have done more! He should have been prepared for any outcome, including an attack. It didn‘t matter how careful they were or what back trails and covert roads they followed. There was always a risk, and Logan had let himself become complacent!

Immediately, Logan suspected Moonshine involvement. They were the closest pack who had any cause to attack Night Sky, but it still didn‘t make any sense.

He tortured himself with all the thoughts of what he could have done differently to prevent this catastrophe. He tortured himself with the stomach–churning thought that Carson could be in serious trouble. He tried to block the flood of images in his mind that showed him Carson bitten, bloodied, and in agonizing pain. Wounded mortally and gasping for breath!

It was a horrible thought, but Logan couldn‘t shake it! He knew he likely imagined the pain and panic in Carson‘s mental voice, but that just let his imagination fill in the gaps in ways he didn‘t like.

Growling to himself, Logan began to run faster. He would get there long before anyone else made it. It gave him some comfort to know he wasn‘t far away, but what could he do on his own once he was there!?

He knew he would lose his temper entirely if his Beta was seriously injured!