Alpha Hole

Ch. 4

Aiden's steps never faltered as he made his way through the labyrinth. The towering trees seemed to part for him, their branches whispering secrets to one another as we passed.

In silence, we traversed the woods, my thoughts as tangled as the underbrush beneath my feet. 

The closer we came to the pack's territory, the more palpable the tension in the air became. The forest thinned, giving way to a clearing that held a sense of both sanctuary and danger. The packhouse emerged from the shadows, its imposing structure a testament to the power that resided within.

Aiden paused at the edge of the clearing, his gaze locked onto the packhouse. His voice, when he finally spoke, carried the weight of an unspoken understanding.

"We're here."

Once in view of the front steps, a figure darted toward us.  Aunt Clara I realized. 

"Layla!" she called out, reaching me in a flurry of emotion, her arms enveloping me in a tight, desperate embrace. "Thank the stars you're safe!"

I returned her hug, my emotions a whirlwind of confusion and relief. "I got lost," I mumbled, my voice muffled against her shoulder.

Aiden, who had been standing nearby, observed the reunion with a stoic expression. Our eyes met briefly, and he gave Aunt Clara a nod before stepping away, his presence receding into the shadows.

Aunt Clara pulled back, her hands on my shoulders as she searched my eyes, worry etched in her features. "You had me worried, Layla. You shouldn't have wandered off like that."

"I know," I admitted, my guilt weighing heavily. "I just needed some air, to clear my head."

She nodded, her gaze thoughtful. 

"What were you doing with Aiden?" She asked, her voice giving way to her disapproval. 

"He found me in the woods and brought me back." I answered as I wrapped my arms around myself.

Aunt Clara made a disgruntled sound and led me back inside. 

Aunt Clara motioned for me to sit, and I reluctantly obeyed. Her eyes held mine, a mixture of sympathy and determination. "Layla, I know this is overwhelming," she began, her voice low but resolute. "But it's time you learn the truth about our pack and your place in it."

I swallowed hard, my mind racing with questions that had no answers. "I don't even know where to start."

She leaned in, her gaze unwavering. "You come from our pack's original alpha blood line, Layla. And some might think your presence here is a show of dominance a grab at power."

I couldn't contain the incredulous laugh that escaped my lips, the absurdity of it all overwhelming. "You can't be serious."

Her eyes darkened, her grip on the table's edge betraying her own turmoil. "I wish it were, Layla. And then there are those who might try to take you for their on in way that defies the moon's plan for your life. To lay claim on you and in turn attempt to take their place as Alpha."

Dread settled in the pit of my stomach, "Who? Who would try to "take" me?"

Aunt Clara's voice dropped to a whisper, her fear tangible. "There are a few I can think of that would claim you for this very purpose."

The room seemed to close in on me, my heart pounding in my chest. "Claim me? What do you mean?"

"To take you as their mate, Layla," she confessed, her eyes filled with a mixture of sorrow and desperation. "To solidify their power and control."

My mind reeled, "a mate? Like to have sex with me!"

Aunt Clara's face tensed, her eyes reflecting the seriousness of the situation. Layla, in our world, a mate bond is valued above all other connections. It's a deep, binding link that joins two shifters on a profound level. Some might try to force this bind on you to rise in power."

My disbelief grew as I tried to wrap my head around it. "So what do I do?"

"We hope your true mate makes their claim on you first, or Alpha Dominic has suggested he-." She began.

"No- absolutely not." I almost shouted.  "I won't be with him."  My eyes widened.