The Elusive Bond

Tensions and Absences

The meeting carried on, but Aleksander's mind remained in two places at once. The scent of Amira's heat cycle still lingered faintly in his thoughts, even though she was miles away, locked safely in Baghra's hut. He couldn't shake the pull of his wolf, constantly reminding him of her presence, her growing maturity.

But there were other matters at hand—important matters that demanded his attention, no matter how distracted he felt.

As the discussion continued around the table, Aleksander's sharp gaze swept across the room, noting the absence of two key Alphas. The Ketterdam Alpha and the Wondering Isle Alpha were missing, their seats conspicuously empty. It wasn't entirely unusual for some Alphas to miss a meeting due to regional matters, but for both of them to be absent? It was concerning.

Aleksander leaned back in his chair, his mind now shifting toward what their absence could mean. Ketterdam was known for its underworld dealings, a place where power was traded like currency. The Wondering Isles, on the other hand, were isolated but strategically important for trade routes and territory claims. The absence of both Alphas suggested that something larger might be brewing.

Nova, ever perceptive, seemed to catch Aleksander's shift in focus. Her dark eyes followed his gaze toward the empty seats, and she raised an eyebrow. "You've noticed, haven't you?"

Aleksander's expression remained neutral, though his mind raced with possibilities. "It's not like them to miss a gathering like this."

Hakon, the Fjerdan Alpha, grunted from his seat, folding his arms across his chest. "Agreed. Ketterdam is always up to something, but the Isles... that's unexpected."

Nova nodded, her lips pressing into a thin line. "I've heard rumors. Whispers of unrest in the Isles—power struggles between the packs there. If the Alpha of the Isles is absent, it could mean those rumors are more than just whispers."

Aleksander's wolf stirred, sensing the shift in the room's atmosphere. If there were power struggles in the Isles, it could have ripple effects across the regions, especially if Ketterdam was involved. The Isles had always been a key point of interest for trade and territory, and if they were destabilized, it could disrupt more than just pack politics.

"What of Ketterdam?" Aleksander asked, his voice low but commanding. "Has anyone heard anything from their Alpha?"

Hakon shook his head. "Nothing official. But Ketterdam always plays its own game. If their Alpha is absent, I wouldn't be surprised if it's because of some internal power move."

Aleksander's jaw tightened. Ketterdam had always been a place of intrigue and danger, a city where alliances shifted as quickly as the tide. But the Wondering Isles were different—strategic, isolated, but rarely the source of conflict. If something was happening there, it was only a matter of time before it spilled over into the other territories.

Nova glanced around the table, her sharp gaze taking in the reactions of the other Alphas. "We should keep a close eye on this. If both Alphas are missing, it's not just a coincidence."

Aleksander nodded, though his thoughts remained divided. The potential instability in the Isles and Ketterdam was concerning, but his mind kept drifting back to the Little Palace, to Amira. She was sixteen now, and as her heat cycle continued, the reality of her growing maturity weighed heavily on him.

For years, he had kept the game alive, the chase that had bound them together in a way neither of them fully understood. But now, the time was drawing near when the truth of their bond would come to light, and Aleksander wasn't sure how to feel about it.

His wolf, however, knew exactly how it felt.

"She's ours," the wolf whispered, its voice low and insistent. "She's nearing her age."