His Delicate Love

16

"Who are you, and what are you doing on our lands?" Alaric's voice rang out, commanding and sharp, leaving no room for hesitation. His expression was stern, his piercing gaze fixed on the lone wolf trembling beneath both his and Killian's feet.

The intruder remained silent, fear evident in every shake of his body. The tension in the room thickened, and Killian, his patience wearing thin, growled menacingly, stepping closer. His voice was low, cold, and dangerous. "Answer him, you mutt," he snarled, his words like a blade cutting through the air.

The lone wolf whimpered under the weight of Killian's presence, his body sinking lower in submission. His voice trembled as he finally spoke, barely able to get the words out. "I-I'm Riley," he stammered, his eyes darting between the Alpha and Killian. "I-I'm not here to hurt people, please."

Alaric's gaze remained unwavering, his posture steady as he repeated the question, more forcefully this time. "What are you doing here?"

Riley's breath hitched, his voice shaking even more as he tried to explain. "It was an accident—I-I ran away from my lone wolf pack," he admitted, his eyes pleading for understanding. "I'm afraid."

Alaric's eyes narrowed, assessing the truth of the wolf's words, his silence stretching as he weighed the situation. Killian's growl hadn't lessened, his body still on high alert. He had little tolerance for excuses, and his protective instincts over the pack, and especially Annie, were too strong to trust anyone easily.

"Afraid of what?" Alaric asked, his voice calm but firm, not letting up the pressure.

Riley swallowed hard, clearly terrified of both Alaric and Killian. "M-my pack... they... they're violent," he stammered, his eyes wide with fear. "I couldn't stay with them anymore. They started hunting other packs, trying to take land. I wanted no part of it, so I ran."

Alaric and Killian exchanged a glance. The idea of a rogue pack looking to stir trouble on their land wasn't something they could afford to take lightly. But there was more to be uncovered.

"Why come here?" Killian asked, his voice low, his suspicion clear. "Why not run somewhere else?"

Riley's head dipped lower, his voice barely above a whisper. "I heard about this pack... how you protect your own... I thought maybe... maybe you'd give me a chance."

The room fell silent as Alaric considered the lone wolf's words, the tension still palpable. Killian's eyes never left Riley, his dark gaze filled with suspicion. Riley may have been pleading, but the safety of the pack was paramount.

Alaric finally spoke, his voice steady. "You will be watched closely. If there's even a hint of deception, you'll regret ever stepping foot on our land." He glanced at Killian, his message clear. "We'll see what's true soon enough."

Killian growled softly in agreement, his gaze still locked on Riley, knowing he would keep a very close eye on the newcomer.

————

The next day, Riley's fear was palpable, his whole body trembling as he sat in the omega cabins. The soft eyes of the other omegas watched him, their gazes full of uncertainty and quiet suspicion. Though they tried to comfort him in their own way, it was clear that fear still lingered—both of who Riley truly was and of the danger he might bring to their peaceful lives. His story was still fresh in everyone's mind, but only a select few knew the full truth: that Riley was a lone wolf seeking refuge, his profile intentionally kept low under the Alpha's orders.

Killian was in the barracks, training his warriors, his focus sharp but his thoughts distracted by the night before. He had explained little to Annie about what had happened last night, brushing off her concerns with a vague explanation. "I took care of it," he had said, his voice curt, but Annie saw right through him.