Chapter 23

TWENTY-THREE

T he air in the pack's meeting hall crackled with tension as Alex stormed in, his eyes blazing with barely contained rage. The elders and his father looked up in surprise, their expressions quickly morphing into concern as they took in the young alpha's demeanor.

"We need to talk," Alex growled, his voice low and dangerous. "Darren and The Hillside Pack have gone too far. They attacked Lena on our territory, and they nearly killed her this time. This ends now."

The elders exchanged worried glances, their faces lined with the weight of centuries of experience. Alex's father stood, his posture still proud and strong despite his advancing years. "Son, I understand your anger," he began, his tone measured and calm. "But we must approach this with caution. A hasty retaliation could lead to an all-out war between the packs."

Alex slammed his fist on the table, the wood splintering beneath the force of his blow. "I don't care about caution!" he roared, his eyes flashing with a primal, animalistic fury. "They hurt my mate. They spilled her blood on our land. I want revenge, and I want it now."

The elders murmured among themselves, their voices rising and falling like the ebb and flow of a tide. Some nodded in agreement with Alex, their own anger and indignation clear in their eyes. Others shook their heads, their expressions grave and troubled.

"Alex, please," his father implored, placing a hand on his son's shoulder. "I know the pain you're feeling. I know the rage that burns within you. But you are the alpha now, and your actions have consequences that reach far beyond yourself. You must think of the pack, of the innocent lives that could be lost in a war with the Hillside wolves."

Alex shrugged off his father's hand, his jaw clenched so tightly, it looked like it might snap. "I am thinking of the pack," he snarled. "I'm thinking of their safety, of the message we send if we let this attack go unanswered. The Hillside Pack needs to learn there are consequences for crossing us, for daring to lay a hand on what is mine."

The debate raged, arguments and counterarguments flying back and forth like arrows on a battlefield. Through it all, Alex remained resolute, his determination unwavering in the face of his elders' caution and his father's pleas for restraint.

Suddenly, the door to the meeting hall swung open, and Lena limped in, her face pale and drawn, her movements stiff and painful. Alex was at her side in an instant, his anger momentarily forgotten as he wrapped an arm around her waist, supporting her weight.

"Lena, what are you doing here?" he asked, his voice rough with concern. "You should be resting at the clinic."

Lena shook her head, her eyes meeting his with a fierce, unwavering intensity. "I heard what you were planning," she said, her voice quiet but strong. "Alex, I love you for wanting to fight for me, for wanting to make them pay for what they did. But this isn't the way."

Alex's brow furrowed, confusion and frustration warring in his eyes. "Lena, they hurt you. They nearly killed you. I can't let that stand."

Lena reached up, cupping his face in her hands. "I know," she whispered. "And I love you for that. But, Alex, your strength isn't just in your ability to fight and destroy your enemies. It's in your ability to lead, to find a better way forward. If you must fight, let it be because that's the only way to go." She licked her lips. "Don't fight because of me. That's not a good enough reason."

He gave a rough laugh. "Lena, my love, that's all the reason I need. You. You are the only reason I would go to war against the world."

She gave him a soft smile. "I know. But not this time. Do not start a war for me. Not for me. There has to be another way."

She turned to face the elders, her chin lifted high, her voice ringing out clear and strong. "I know I'm just a human, and I don't have a say in pack business. But I'm asking you, as someone who loves your alpha with all my heart, to help him find another way. A way that doesn't lead to more bloodshed, more pain and suffering on both sides."

The elders looked at each other, their expressions thoughtful and contemplative. Alex's father stepped forward, his eyes shining with a newfound respect for the young woman who had captured his son's heart.

"Lena is right," he said, his voice firm and decisive. "We are stronger than our base instincts, stronger than the desire for revenge. We must find a way to protect our own without resorting to all-out war. It will not be easy, but it is the path of true leadership."

Alex looked at Lena, his eyes searching her face, his expression torn between the burning desire for vengeance and the dawning realization that she was right.

"Okay," he said, his voice rough with emotion. "Okay. We'll find another way."

The elders nodded, their faces set with determination and resolve. "You have our support, Alpha," one of them said, stepping forward to clasp Alex's arm in a gesture of solidarity. "We will stand with you, and we will find a way to bring peace to our lands."

His father came forward and met his gaze. "We will try another way, son, but if war is the only answer, we have your back."

Alex turned to Lena, his eyes shining with a mixture of love and gratitude. "We will try your way. Thank you," he whispered, pulling her into a gentle embrace. "Thank you for being my voice of reason, for reminding me of what truly matters."

Lena smiled, her own eyes filling with tears as she leaned into his touch. "I will always be here for you, Alex. In good times and in bad, in peace and in war. We're in this together, no matter what."

As the meeting adjourned, the air in the hall seemed to lighten, the tension and anger giving way to a sense of purpose and unity.

"Son?" his father called out.

Alex turned and pulled Lena closer. "Lena, I'd like you to meet my father. Gabriel."

Lena smiled. "Nice to meet you."

His father took her hand and clasped his other above it, sandwiching her hand between his. "It's my pleasure, young lady. I heard what you said in there. You love my son?"

Lena's face flushed and Alex had to fight to stop himself from grinning. "Do you?"

She glared at him. "Alex!"

"He asked."

She glanced at his dad. "Yes. I do. Alex is…"

His father shook his head. "You've said all I needed to hear." A smile played on his lips. "I'm glad my son found his mate in someone so concerned for our pack."

She glanced from his father to Alex. "I-uh- Thank you, sir."

"Your mother will be upset she wasn't at this meeting, so we'll need to have a family dinner so she can get to meet your lovely mate."

Alex sighed. "I'll give her a call."

"Good." His father patted Lena's hand. "See you both soon."

Alex watched his father walk away and then picked Lena up in his arms.

Lena squealed the moment Alex lifted her into his arms. "What are you doing? People are looking."

"I'm taking you home."

"Alex, put me down," she wiggled but stopped after just a second and just rested her head on his chest. "I'd fight you but I'm tired."

"Exactly. Just let me take you home to rest." He kissed the top of her head and she sighed.

Sunlight streamed through the open windows of Alex's kitchen, bathing the room in a warm glow that made Lena feel cocooned in a world far removed from the harsh realities outside. She watched Alex move around the kitchen with an ease and grace that belied his usual powerful, alpha demeanor. Today, he was just Alex, her caregiver, her haven.

He placed a plate in front of her, a simple assortment of her favorite foods—scrambled eggs, toast, and freshly sliced fruit. "I hope this is okay," he said, his voice laced with a tenderness that made her heart swell.

"It's perfect, thank you," Lena replied, her words sincere as she took a bite, savoring the normalcy of this moment. They settled into a comfortable silence filled with mutual understanding and shared smiles.

After they finished eating, Alex suggested they watch a movie. He chose one of Lena's favorites, a classic comedy that never failed to make her laugh. As they settled onto the couch, Lena tucked under Alex's arm, she felt a wave of gratitude for the normalcy, for the laughter, and for Alex's warmth beside her.

Halfway through the movie, Lena glanced outside at the bright day and felt a longing for the fresh air. "Can we go outside for a bit? I'd like to feel the sun," she suggested, looking up at Alex with a hopeful expression.

"Of course," Alex responded immediately, pausing the movie. He helped her to her feet with gentle hands, then went to grab a picnic blanket and a couple of water bottles. They made their way to a sunny patch of grass in his backyard where he spread the blanket under a large oak tree.

As they settled in, Alex propped a pillow behind Lena, ensuring she was comfortable. The sun was warm, the breeze gentle, and Lena felt a peace she hadn't known in days.

Alex chuckled softly, breaking the comfortable silence. "You know, this reminds me of a time when Wes and I tried to camp out here as teenagers. We were convinced we could live off the land. Turns out, neither of us was very good at catching food. We lasted less than a day before sneaking back for snacks."

Lena laughed, picturing a younger Alex and his best friend fumbling through the wilderness. "That sounds like something Tara and I would do. We once tried to build a fort in our living room with all the cushions and blankets. It got so elaborate that we ended up toppling it over and breaking a vase. Mom was not pleased, especially since we tried to glue it back together—badly."

Alex's laughter joined hers, filling the space around them with joy. "I bet your mom had a field day with that," he said, his eyes crinkling at the corners.

"Oh, she did. We were banned from ‘architectural endeavors' inside the house for a month," Lena replied, her tone light as she recounted the memory.

As the sun continued its leisurely drift across the sky, Lena felt a lightness she hadn't experienced in a long time. Wrapped in the comfort of Alex's presence and the gentle warmth of the afternoon, her spirits lifted further as they shared stories and laughter.

"So, your grand architectural venture ended with a vase casualty, huh?" Alex teased, his eyebrow arching playfully. "Should I be worried about any home improvement projects you might have planned for us?"

Lena giggled, nudging him lightly with her shoulder. "Only if you're clumsy enough to knock over a vase with a pillow. Are you?" She watched him with mock suspicion, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

"Absolutely not," Alex declared, his tone mock-serious. "I'm known for my pillow-fort integrity. Maybe we should have a competition sometime. Winner gets to command the TV remote for a week."

"Oh, you're on," Lena said, her voice laced with feigned challenge. "But be warned, I've improved my structural engineering skills since then."

Their laughter mingled with the rustle of the leaves above them, creating a symphony of sounds that felt almost magical. Alex reached over to tuck a stray lock of hair behind Lena's ear, his touch sending a warm shiver down her spine.

"Speaking of skills," Alex continued, his voice lowering to a more intimate tone, "I think you've mastered the art of making me fall more in love with you every day. Is there a tutorial for that, or is it natural talent?"

Lena blushed, her heart fluttering at his words. "It might be natural talent," she flirted back, "but I think it's your presence that brings out the best in me."

Alex smiled, a deep, genuine smile that reached his eyes. "Then I'll just have to make sure I'm around all the time. For inspiration."

The air between them thickened with unspoken promises and the electricity of mutual attraction. Lena leaned in closer, her head resting against Alex's shoulder. "I'd like that," she murmured, feeling the solid comfort of his body next to hers.

Their conversation drifted then to lighter topics, each sharing ridiculous tales from their youth. Alex recounted a particularly embarrassing story about a high school dance where he had worn pants that were way too tight— "It was a fashion statement," he insisted while Lena laughed so hard she had to catch her breath.

"Tight pants at a dance? That must have been quite the sight. Were they at least a decent color?" Lena asked between giggles.

"Bright red. I thought I was so cool," Alex admitted, his face turning a shade that nearly matched his described attire.

Lena laughed even harder, picturing Alex, the serious, often intimidating alpha, in bright red pants. "You? In red pants? Oh, I need photos. We could make it an annual holiday card."

Alex groaned, pretending to be mortified, but the sparkle in his eyes told Lena he enjoyed the banter as much as she did. "Only if you promise to keep loving me after seeing them," he joked.

"Deal," Lena said, her voice soft with affection. "But only if you promise to keep making me laugh like this."

"Always, love. Always," Alex replied simply, pulling her a bit closer.