Chapter 1 - Cassius

Six months later

Cassius's eyes snapped open, his keen hearing picking up Aurora's soft whimpers before they escalated into full-blown cries. He groaned, rubbing his face as he glanced at the clock. 3:47 AM. Another night of broken sleep.

Fuck. When was the last time I slept more than three hours straight?

He pushed himself out of bed, padding quietly to Aurora's nursery. The moment he entered, her cries softened to sniffles. Her tiny hands reached for him, and despite his exhaustion, Cassius felt a familiar warmth spread through his chest.

"Hey there, little moon," he murmured, scooping her up. "What's got you all worked up, huh?"

As he changed her diaper and warmed a bottle, Cassius's mind raced through the day ahead. Pack disputes to settle, border patrols to organize, and a mountain of paperwork that never seemed to shrink. And the Alliance meeting.

Fuck me running.

Aurora settled against his chest, contentedly suckling her bottle. Cassius breathed in her sweet baby scent, trying to center himself.

How the hell am I supposed to do this? Be an Alpha and a father?

The question haunted him as he put Aurora back to bed and tried to catch another hour of sleep before his day truly began.

The shrill beep of his alarm dragged Cassius from his fitful sleep. He groaned, swiping at his phone to silence it. 6:00 AM. Another day, another battle.

He stumbled to the kitchen, the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee hitting his nostrils. Abigail had already arrived and was bustling around the kitchen.

"Morning, Alpha," she said, sliding a steaming mug across the counter to him. "Rough night?"

Cassius grunted in response, downing half the mug in one gulp. The scalding liquid burned his throat, but he welcomed the pain. It meant he was awake.

"Aurora's still sleeping," Abigail continued, unfazed by his lack of response. "I've laid out your suit for the meeting and prepared a quick breakfast."

He nodded, grateful for her efficiency. "Thanks, Abigail. I don't know what I'd do without you."

Probably drown in diapers and paperwork.

As if on cue, Aurora's cries echoed through the house. Cassius moved to get up, but Abigail waved him off.

"I've got her, Alpha. You focus on getting ready for your meeting."

Cassius hesitated, torn between his duties as a father and as an Alpha. But Abigail was right. He had a Pack to lead and an alliance to maintain. Being an Alpha means making hard choices.

Even when it comes to your own pup.

He finished his breakfast quickly, then dressed in the dark gray suit Abigail had prepared. As he adjusted his tie, he could hear Aurora's giggles mixing with Abigail's soothing voice.

At least someone's having a good morning.

Cassius paused by the nursery on his way out. Aurora was in Abigail's arms, her tiny hands reaching for a colorful toy.

"Da!" she exclaimed, her face lighting up as she saw him.

His heart clenched. "Hey, little moon. Be good for Abigail, okay? Daddy's got to go to work."

He pressed a kiss to her forehead, breathing in her sweet scent one last time before forcing himself to leave.

The garage door opened with a low rumble, revealing Cassius's prized possession, a sleek, obsidian black Audi RS7. It was a refined machine with 591 horsepower under the hood, blending luxury with raw performance.

As he slid into the driver's seat, the leather cool against his skin, Cassius felt some of the tension leave his body. Here, in this space, he was in complete control.

The engine roared to life, a sound that never failed to send a thrill down his spine. He peeled out of the driveway, tires squealing against the pavement.

The drive to the meeting location was a blur of winding mountain roads and dense forests. Cassius navigated them with practiced ease, his mind racing through the day's agenda: trade agreements, border disputes, rogue wolf sightings.

Just another day in paradise.

As he approached the meeting hall, a fortified structure hidden deep in the woods, Cassius took a deep breath. He parked the Audi next to a row of equally impressive vehicles—the other Alphas' rides.

Time to put on his game face. They can smell weakness.

Don't give them the chance.

Cassius strode into the meeting hall, his face a mask of calm authority that belied the chaos in his mind. The other Alphas were already there, their scents mingling in the air—a potent cocktail of power, ambition, and barely contained aggression.

Aleksander Volkov, his closest friend and ally, nodded in greeting. The Alpha of the Iron Fang Pack cut an imposing figure, his steel-gray eyes sharp and calculating.

Selena Nightshade of the Shadow Walker Pack lounged in her chair, dark eyes gleaming with secrets. Her beauty was a weapon, and Cassius knew better than to underestimate her.

Ragnar Stormborn's booming laugh filled the room as he clapped Cassius on the shoulder. "About time you joined us!"

Cassius took his seat at the head of the table, scanning the faces around him. Beside Ragnar sat Lyra Frost, Alpha of the Frost Claw Pack. Her ice-blue eyes met his, a slight nod acknowledging his arrival.

Across from her, Marcus Redwood of the Crimson Oak Pack drummed his fingers impatiently on the table. His ruddy complexion deepened as he caught Cassius's eye, a challenge simmering beneath the surface.

Erik Shadowbane, leader of the Night Stalker Pack, watched the proceedings with detached interest. His gaunt face and hollow eyes spoke of recent hardships, but the strength in his posture was unmistakable.

Cassius's gaze swept over the remaining Alphas: Nadia Swiftshadow of the River Pack, her lithe form coiled with restless energy; Darius Ironheart of the Stone Claw Pack, his scarred face a testament to battles won and lost; and finally, Zara Moonsinger of the Silver Crescent Pack, her serene expression at odds with the tension in the room.

"Let's begin," Cassius said, his voice carrying easily across the table. "We have much to discuss."

"The situation with the lone wolves is becoming untenable," Marcus Redwood growled, slamming his fist on the table. "Every day, more of them cross our borders, seeking shelter or causing trouble."

Cassius leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. "And what would you have us do, Marcus? Turn them away? Leave them to the slavers or to go feral?"

"Better that than risk our own Packs," Marcus shot back.

Lyra Frost's cool voice cut through the tension. "Perhaps we should consider Articus's approach. The White Moon Pack has had success integrating lone wolves, has it not?"

A ripple of murmurs swept through the room at the mention of Cassius's cousin.

Articus. The poster boy for Light Side-Dark Side cooperation.

"Articus's situation is… unique," Cassius said carefully. "His marriage to Wren has certainly opened new avenues for cooperation, but we can't ignore the inherent risks."

Selena Nightshade leaned forward, a predatory smile playing on her lips. "Risks… and opportunities. The trade depots at the borders have been quite profitable, haven't they?"

Aleksander nodded, his expression thoughtful. "True. The increased interaction between Light and Dark has its benefits. But it also makes us more vulnerable."

"To what?" Ragnar boomed. "A few mangy loners and the occasional rogue? We're stronger than that!"

Cassius held up a hand, silencing the growing argument. "We can't ignore the potential threats, but neither can we abandon our own. These lone wolves are our people, lost and vulnerable. If we don't take them in, we're leaving them to a fate worse than death."

He thought of Wren, of the horror she'd endured before finding sanctuary with Articus. The room fell silent, the weight of his words sinking in.

"So what do you propose?" Erik Shadowbane asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Cassius took a deep breath. "We expand our integration programs. Each Pack takes in a quota of lone wolves based on their resources and territory. We establish a vetting process and training programs to help them adjust to Pack life."

"And if they prove untrustworthy?" Zara Moonsinger asked, her melodic voice tinged with concern.

"Then we deal with them," Cassius said firmly. "Swiftly and decisively. But we give them a chance first."

The discussion raged on, each Alpha weighing in with their concerns and suggestions. Cassius felt the pressure building behind his eyes, a headache threatening to bloom.

Stay focused. They need to see strength, not weakness.

"The trade depots have been a resounding success," Nadia reported, her eyes bright with enthusiasm. "We're seeing an unprecedented level of economic cooperation between Light and Side Packs."

Darius grunted, his scarred face twisting into a scowl. "And an unprecedented level of security risks. How do we know these 'traders' aren't spies or worse?"

"We don't," Cassius admitted. "But the benefits outweigh the risks. These depots are changing lives on both sides of the mountain."

He thought of the reports he'd received, stories of Dark Side wolves finding hope and opportunity through trade. Of Light Side Packs gaining access to rare resources and skills.

"It's not just about economics," Selena added, her voice silky smooth. "These interactions are changing perceptions. Breaking down old prejudices."

Marcus snorted. "Prejudices that kept us safe for generations."

"Safe but stagnant," Aleksander countered. "We can't ignore the changing world around us. If we don't adapt, we'll be left behind."

Cassius nodded, grateful for his friend's support. "The trade depots stay. We'll increase security measures and implement stricter vetting processes for traders. But we won't close these doors we've opened."

The tension in the room was palpable. Cassius could feel the weight of ten pairs of eyes on him, judging, assessing.

He met each gaze steadily, his posture relaxed but alert. Inside, his stomach churned with anxiety, his mind racing with all the ways this could go wrong.

One misstep, one moment of weakness, and it all falls apart.

But he couldn't afford to dwell on those fears. Not now, not ever. He was the Alpha of the Annex Pack, the leader of this alliance. They needed his strength, his certainty.

So he buried his doubts, his exhaustion, and his fears for Aurora's future. He wore the mask of the strong, decisive Alpha they expected him to be.

"We're at a crossroads," he said, his voice steady and authoritative. "The choices we make today will shape the future of our Packs, our alliance, and the entire Dark Side. We can cling to the old ways and risk being left behind, or we can embrace change and grow stronger for it."

He let his words hang in the air, watching as they sank in. Slowly, heads began to nod. Even Marcus's scowl softened slightly.

They're with me. For now.

As the meeting wound down, Cassius caught Aleksander's eye. A silent understanding passed between them, and soon, they found themselves in a private corner of the hall.

"You look like shit," Aleksander said bluntly, his gray eyes scanning Cassius's face.

Cassius barked out a laugh. "Tell me how you really feel, Alek."

"I'm serious, Cass. You can't keep going like this. The others are starting to notice."

Fuck. Is it that obvious?

"I'm fine," Cassius insisted, but the words sounded hollow even to his own ears.

Aleksander raised an eyebrow. "Right. And I'm the tooth fairy. How's Aurora?"

At the mention of his daughter, Cassius felt his carefully constructed facade crumble. "She's… she's perfect. And exhausting. And terrifying. I don't know what the hell I'm doing, Alek."

His friend's expression softened. "No one does, at first. But you can't do it all alone. You need help."

"What, you volunteering to change diapers?" Cassius joked weakly.

"Not me," Aleksander said, a thoughtful look crossing his face. "But… what about Alysa?"

Cassius blinked, caught off guard. "Your sister? What about her?"

"She's great with kids. Trained as a teacher before… well, you know. She's been looking for a purpose, something to throw herself into."

Alysa. Warm honey eyes and a laugh that could light up a room.

"I don't know, Alek. It's a lot to ask…"

"Just think about it," Aleksander pressed. "She could be a nanny for Aurora, help you get your feet under you. And having her there, someone you trust… it could make a world of difference."

Cassius rubbed his jaw, considering. The idea of having help, of not facing each day alone with Aurora… it was tempting. Dangerously so.

Abigail had helped when Aurora was first brought to him, but she had her own family, and her shift ran from morning to evening. Lena from his Pack also helped from time to time, but it didn’t seem to make a difference.

"I'll think about it," he said finally. "But no promises."

Aleksander clapped him on the shoulder. "That's all I ask. Now, go home and get some sleep before you fall over."

***

As Cassius made his way back to the Whiteborn estate, his mind whirled with the events of the day. The alliance of ten Alphas was a delicate balance, forged in the fires of necessity and maintained through a complex web of mutual interests and shared threats.

Four of the Alphas, and Cassius himself, were descendants of the original Light Side wolves who had crossed over generations ago. They formed the core of the alliance, their bloodlines carrying the weight of history and tradition.

The other five had risen to power through strength and cunning, carving out territories in the harsh landscape of the Dark Side. They were allies of convenience, their loyalty tested with each new challenge.

And Cassius was supposed to keep them all in line—while raising a pup and running his own Pack.

No pressure.

He thought of the other supernatural alliances that shared the Dark Side—the vampires with their blood feuds and ancient grudges, the witches with their arcane politics, and the werebears with their fierce independence.

And then there were the rogues, outcasts from every species who sometimes banded together in unholy alliances of their own.

It's a powder keg. One spark, and it all goes up in flames.

As he reached his home, Cassius paused, his hand on the door. The weight of his responsibilities pressed down on him, threatening to crush him beneath their load.

For a moment, he allowed himself to imagine a different life—one where he wasn't responsible for the lives of hundreds, where he could focus solely on being a father to Aurora, and where he could maybe, just maybe, find some happiness for himself.

With warm honey eyes and a laugh that lights up a room…

Cassius shook his head, banishing the thought. He had a duty to his Pack, to the alliance, and to Aurora. He couldn't afford distractions or selfish dreams.

But as he entered his quarters, hearing Aurora's soft coos from the nursery, a small part of him held onto that vision—of a future where he wasn't alone, where the burdens he carried were shared.

Maybe it's time to accept some help.

He thought as he went to greet his daughter. The future of the Dark Side hung in the balance. Cassius knew that the choices he made in the coming days would shape not just his life but the lives of all those who depended on him.

With a deep breath, he steeled himself for whatever challenges lay ahead. He was Cassius White, Alpha of the Annex Pack.

And he would not falter.