"Father!"
Dalton leapt to his feet, his voice sharp with defiance. The Alpha’s aura filled the room, thick and oppressive, making it hard to breathe. "This isn’t fair! Why should the Luna be punished in his place?"
Alpha Francis sighed heavily, his broad shoulders sagging under the weight of his decision. His towering frame, muscled and imposing, seemed to dominate the room. "I’ve given my word, and the pack’s laws cannot be broken. George has a pack meeting tomorrow, and Dalton, your patrol duties can’t be postponed. Only someone of your rank can handle this. Luna Carla, what do you think?"
I lifted my head slowly, meeting the Alpha’s gaze with a calm I didn’t feel. My wolf stirred uneasily in the back of my mind, a low growl of resentment. "It’s all right, Father," I said softly, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside.
He nodded, his expression softening with approval. "You’ve always been dependable. I knew from the start you were the right choice for our pack."
...
I was alone in the pack’s storage room, grinding herbs under the dim light, when Dalton appeared at the door. His presence was sudden, unexpected, and he carried a steaming bowl of ravioli in his hands. His muscular frame filled the doorway, his Delta warrior’s uniform clinging to his broad shoulders.
I smiled at him, though my wolf bristled with unease. "Dalton, what are you still doing up?"
He didn’t answer, his stormy gray eyes shadowed with concern. He set the bowl on the table and silently took the pestle from my hands, his fingers brushing mine. I froze, unsure of how to respond.
His jaw tightened, a flicker of anger crossing his sharp features. After a long silence, he spoke, his voice low and controlled. "Why are you always so calm? It’s not natural to never show any emotion. You can refuse. No one can force you, Luna."
"Dalton, you should leave. If the Alpha finds out, he’ll be furious." I forced a weak laugh, reaching for the pestle.
But he held onto it firmly, his grip unyielding. My wolf growled softly in my mind, a warning I couldn’t ignore.
"You’re not helping me; you’re making it worse! Remember the last time? Because you intervened, the Alpha punished me even more!" My voice cracked, the frustration spilling over.
Dalton paused, his eyes searching mine. His voice dropped to a whisper. "Sister-in-law, when the Alpha chose you as George’s mate, it was only because I was too young. Otherwise... otherwise..."
He trailed off, but his gaze was steady, intense.
My face flushed, my wolf snarling in protest. "What are you saying? Please, just go. If anyone sees us, it’ll only cause trouble."
He exhaled deeply, the sound heavy with unspoken emotions. "The butler told me you haven’t eaten today. I made this for you. Please, eat something."
With that, he turned and left, his footsteps echoing down the hall. The room felt emptier without his presence, and I stood there, the bowl of ravioli cooling in front of me, my wolf’s growl fading into a low, uneasy hum.
