The Elusive Bond

The Double Taunt

Six months had passed since Amira had last slipped under Aleksander's nose, still the elusive white wolf that danced just beyond his reach. By now, it had almost become routine—a game that neither of them had openly acknowledged but both were fully invested in.

Aleksander still felt the sting of each near-miss, each taunt, as if the pup was mocking not just his power, but the title he wore: Alpha of Alphas. And yet, in all that time, he had never come close to catching her. Not once.

But what he didn't know was that the little white wolf had grown more clever with time. Amira had learned how to blend in with the others, hiding in plain sight among the Grisha wolf pups.

She had befriended two girls her age—Marie, an Inferni with a fiery temperament, and Nadia, who possessed the dual gifts of a Squaller and Tidemaker. They were inseparable, often seen running across the palace grounds together, laughing and playing as carefree children do. Amira had taken to wearing the deep blues of the Tidemaker pack, masking her unique scent among the others. It was perfect camouflage.

When Aleksander inspected the pack, he rarely gave the group much thought. The Tidemaker and Inferni scents were familiar, and Amira's own wolf scent was buried beneath them, blending seamlessly. It was easy for her to slip between the ranks, laughing with Marie and Nadia as if she were just another ordinary Grisha wolf pup.

But despite the friendships she had formed, Amira's favorite pastime remained the same: taunting the Alpha of Alphas.

This morning had been no different.

As dawn broke over the Little Palace, Aleksander had stepped outside for his usual morning patrol. His sharp eyes scanned the grounds, searching for any sign of the white wolf, but nothing seemed out of the ordinary. The pack was in order, the wolves going about their routines without issue.

That was, until she appeared.

Amira darted out from behind a tree, a blur of white fur as she streaked past him. Aleksander's eyes snapped to her in an instant, and the chase began.

She had led him through the woods, twisting and turning, her little paws carrying her faster than he could follow. It was a game they both knew well, and once again, she had slipped out of his grasp, disappearing into the trees before he could even come close.

The frustration lingered with him all day. His temper had been shorter than usual, and even his pack had noticed the tension in his movements. But Aleksander tried to push it aside, telling himself that tomorrow would be different. Tomorrow, he'd catch her.

But Amira had other plans.

By evening, she struck again.

Aleksander had just finished a meeting with his lieutenants when he caught a flash of white out of the corner of his eye. His heart pounded in his chest as he turned, seeing her dart across the courtyard.

Not again.

He shifted immediately, his black wolf form tearing after her with a speed that should have been impossible. But just like before, she was too fast, slipping through narrow gaps and leaping over obstacles as if the very wind carried her.

For the second time that day, she vanished, leaving nothing but the echo of her playful yip and the unmistakable feeling of defeat gnawing at Aleksander's pride.

By the time he returned to his chambers, his frustration was palpable. The shadows in the room seemed to swirl more darkly than usual, feeding off his agitation. He sat heavily in the chair by the fire, rubbing his temples as he tried to calm the storm of emotions that raged inside him.

Then he saw it—a small piece of parchment, neatly folded and resting on the table beside him. Aleksander didn't need to open it to know what it said.

Another note. Another taunt.