Bound by Fate: The Alpha's Luna

Chapter 13: The Alpha's Dilemma (Alaric's POV)

Alaric shut the door behind him, feeling a weight lift from his chest the moment the latch clicked. His body relaxed, but his mind was anything but calm. He stood there for a moment, leaning against the wall, letting out a breath he had been holding since the moment he stepped into Isabella's room that morning.

He had faced countless enemies, navigated complex politics between packs, and made life-and-death decisions with ease. But speaking to Isabella, his Luna—his mate—had left him feeling like a fumbling pup.

The conversation had been stilted at best. He could tell she was still overwhelmed by everything, and he couldn't blame her. He should have been able to comfort her, to tell her everything would be fine. But instead, all he could manage were a few stiff words of reassurance. His role as Alpha was second nature, but when it came to matters of the heart, he was lost.

His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps coming down the corridor. Fenrir, his Beta, rounded the corner, his keen eyes immediately spotting Alaric standing outside Isabella's room. The smirk that spread across Fenrir's face was immediate, and Alaric groaned internally.

"Well, well," Fenrir drawled, leaning casually against the wall. "Fancy seeing you here, Alpha. Early morning visit to the Luna, hmm? How's that going for you?"

Alaric shot him a glare, but it had little effect. Fenrir's smirk only widened, clearly enjoying the rare sight of his normally composed Alpha looking out of sorts. Alaric pushed off the wall and walked past him, determined to keep moving, but Fenrir fell into step beside him, not letting him off the hook that easily.

"You seemed real comfortable back there," Fenrir continued, his tone teasing. "Isabella keeping you on your toes, huh?"

Alaric grunted in response, hoping his silence would be enough to deter the Beta from pushing further. But this was Fenrir—he never missed an opportunity to get under Alaric's skin, especially when it came to personal matters.

"You know," Fenrir said, his voice lowering just a fraction as they turned a corner, "it's okay to be nervous around her. She's not some rogue wolf you have to intimidate. She's your mate."

Alaric shot him another warning glance, but the truth of Fenrir's words stung. He knew Isabella was his mate, and yet every time he tried to talk to her, the words seemed to catch in his throat. He was used to command, to control, but when he looked at her—so vulnerable, so uncertain—he wasn't sure how to navigate the emotions that surged inside him.

"I'm not nervous," Alaric muttered, though the tension in his jaw said otherwise.

"Right," Fenrir snorted. "That's why you look like you just faced off with a rival Alpha and barely made it out alive." He clapped Alaric on the shoulder. "Listen, man, it's okay to be... awkward. She's probably just as nervous as you are. Maybe even more."

Alaric stopped in his tracks and turned to face Fenrir. "I don't know how to be around her," he admitted, his voice low and laced with frustration. "She looks at me like I'm some... stranger. And I don't blame her. I've done nothing to make her feel comfortable. All I've done is bark orders or hover like a damn watchdog."

Fenrir's teasing demeanor softened slightly as he crossed his arms and studied Alaric. "You're not used to this, are you?"

Alaric scoffed. "What gave it away?"

Fenrir shrugged. "You're used to being in control. But this? This isn't something you can control. Isabella's not one of your warriors. She's your mate. You can't just command her to feel comfortable around you."

Alaric ran a hand through his hair, feeling the weight of his responsibilities pressing down on him. He had been Alpha for years, but nothing had prepared him for the challenge of navigating a relationship like this. He could handle threats to the pack, but this—building a connection with someone who barely knew him, who had been thrust into his world against her will—was a different kind of challenge altogether.

"I just... I don't know how to do this," Alaric admitted, his voice quieter now. "How do I make her see that she can trust me? That I'm not going to hurt her?"

"Start by talking to her like she's a person," Fenrir said bluntly. "Not like she's another soldier or someone you need to protect every second. She's tough, Alaric. Give her some credit."

Alaric sighed, his mind replaying the awkward conversation he'd had with Isabella earlier. He had meant every word, but his delivery had been stiff, formal, like he was giving a status report rather than trying to connect with her. He didn't know how to let down his guard, not even with her.

Fenrir watched him for a moment, then added, "Look, it's not like you have to figure everything out at once. Take it slow. She's probably just as freaked out as you are. You've got time."

Alaric nodded, though the tightness in his chest remained. He knew Fenrir was right, but it didn't make it any easier. He was so used to being the Alpha, the one who had all the answers. But with Isabella, he felt... uncertain. Vulnerable. And that was something he hadn't felt in a long time.

"She's not expecting you to be perfect," Fenrir continued. "Just be yourself. Well, maybe a less terrifying version of yourself," he added with a smirk.

Alaric shot him a look, but there was no malice behind it. "Thanks, Fenrir," he said, his tone dry but sincere.

"Anytime, Alpha." Fenrir grinned. "Now, how about you stop brooding and actually, I don't know, maybe smile at her next time you see her? You'd be amazed how far that can go."

Alaric rolled his eyes but couldn't suppress the small smile tugging at his lips. Fenrir's teasing had managed to break through the wall of frustration, if only for a moment.

"Don't push your luck," Alaric warned, but there was no heat in his voice.

"Wouldn't dream of it," Fenrir replied, his grin wide as they continued down the corridor.

As they walked in companionable silence, Alaric's thoughts drifted back to Isabella. He knew he had to do better, to find a way to break through the wall of formality that seemed to surround him every time he spoke to her. She deserved more than just his protection. She deserved to know him, the real him, not just the Alpha.

And for the first time in a long time, Alaric found himself wondering if he was ready to let someone in.