The Alpha's Heart

by Nana Adu

  "An eye for an eye. Since they like to see things and act on unfounded beliefs, let's make sure this never happens again. Let's make sure they can never see again."

  A sick satisfaction fills my heart as I step up, keeping Eliana at my side as I stop next to my father. He glances over at me as Eliana lifts her head from my shoulder, keeping her hand in mine, but giving me a little distance.

  This is where I leave everything behind. All my anger, all my hate, all my sorrow.

  I know you forgive me, Sam. It's time I forgive myself.

  Kneeling in front of the witches who scribbled the note, I take the pencil my father holds and stab it into her right eye.

  This is a new beginning.

  Eliana POV

  Each witch lays on the ground, holding their face as each eyeball has been destroyed. I smirk, as Noah sighs.

  It should be wrong but forgiveness doesn't have to be peaceful. It can be violent and therapeutic, even at the expense of others.

  "What do you want to do with them?" I ask Noah and his pack.

  "After what we just did, I don't feel much resentment left for these wolves. They were pawns in the witch's games, all so that they could survive. What do you suggest?" Noah asks, tilting his head at me as I unfreeze Moonstribe. Noah's pack behind us, tense, all ready to fight as the unfrozen members of Moonstribe approach us.

  "If you guys are ok with me deciding, I don't think we should hurt them, just send them far away and make sure they don't come back. They would be able to take the witches off our hands too." I suggest, watching as the pack nods. Eve and Thomas, Beth, even Hunter and Kai make sounds of agreement.

  Maybe I have hope for a home with people who love me and I love them.

  I already have Noah, but I want the people dear to him, to become dear to me.

  "However you're going to do that, go ahead. We'll give you your space." Noah says, backing away with the pack, closer to the door. I laugh, turning back to face Moonstribe. The smile drains from my face as Liam, John and the Luna, Mary, stop in front of me, each with anger pouring off of them.

  I stand my ground as Liam takes an extra step towards me.

  "I'll really kill you if you touch her." Noah's voice comes from over my shoulder as I turn back and see him right behind me. Liam stops in his tracks.

  I almost chuckle.

  Can't leave me alone for a second, can he? I love him.

  "Don't worry about me. I can handle them." I step closer to them, watching the hate on their faces aim at me.

  I used to be so afraid of them, I couldn't even stand without my face turned to the ground.

  I was someone insecure, lonely, and beaten up inside.

  Meeting Noah changed that. I let myself bloom.

  They don't look nearly as frightening as they used to.

  "You're supposed to be my doll. Without your powers, you would still be exactly that." Liam breathes out, reaching out his hand to me. I smack his hand out my face.

  "Maybe you're right, but I do have this blessing and I have time to work on myself with people who deserve to see that change. Good bye, Liam." I look into his eyes, meeting John's and Mary's as I turn on my heel, heading back to Noah. I smile.

  Moonstribe. Go and never return to this land as long as you and twice your generation, lives. Never seek out anyone from the pack you have fought today and take the five cursed creatures with you. Run.

  Footsteps turn into a sprint as members still in the house carry the children, taking off behind their pack. Vanessa passes by us in a hurry as well, following after them. I grab her arm, stopping her.

  "Wait." I say, as she blinks at me. Her gaze catches her pack running off somewhere and she flings my hand off her arm.

  "I have to go. I can smell that Liam is with them." She doesn't look at me, instead watching after the pack.

  I sigh.

  Everything she's done for me has been in the name of advancing her relationship with Liam. She'd be miserable without him.

  "Alright then, thank you." I say to her, turning again to gather with Noah and the others.

  Follow them. May you and Liam be happy together.

  Her feet take off, shifting into paws as she shifts into wolf form. I grab Noah's arm, rubbing my face against it.

  "Stop being so cute." He cups my cheek as I beam up at him.

  I understand her. I'd want to be with Noah, no matter what he's done.

  "That's it then? They're gone for good?" Beth mutters, unable to meet my eyes. I nod.

  "I banished them off this area. They 're going somewhere far away." I say, as they all watch me in disbelief.

  It's crazy to me too.

  "Good, since this war is officially over. We have to finish it, correctly." Thomas says, dropping to his knees abruptly as his wife, and then the whole pack follows. My eyes widen as Noah gets on one knee besides me.

  What is this?

  "We are so, so deeply sorry. Do with us as you please."

  CHAPTER 64

  Eliana POV

  The pack mopes around me as we arrive at the house. Noah included.

  What are they thinking?

  After I told them to get off of the ground 50 times, them still refusing I said if they didn't get up I wouldn't forgive them. They protested saying they had to apologize and I've only managed to get them this far telling them we would talk about it at home.

  Now we're home.

  We step from the driveway into the training front yard as the wonderful smells of good food fill my nostrils. I almost melt.

  I've been so stressed out, I haven't eaten the way I want to.

  "Eliana!" A voice draws out my name, as the main door slams open and Alyssa stands above us, only the staircase between us. I smile up at her, opening my arms wide as she begins to cry.

  "I made it home!" I announce, another gate in my heart unlocking.

  I get to say that now. I'm home.

  Alyssa runs off the top of the porch, jumping towards me as I brace myself.

  This isn't going to end well.

  Her body hits mine as my body falls into something hard behind me. I glance over my shoulder as Noah shakes his head, holding the both of us up.

  "We just came back from a battle. Don't hop on her so soon." Noah says, as Alyssa pouts at him. I laugh, watching them glare at each other.

  "Let's get inside. We all have a lot to talk about." I remind them as the pack walks past us, up the stairs. Beth turns back to Noah, Alyssa, and I.

  "We're meeting in the living room right now and I really am sorry. I'm so sorry for everything." She turns and jogs up the stairs before I can say anything. Alyssa and Noah stand silent by me side. I sigh.

  We all are going to talk.

  "Let's go." I mumble, following Beth's path as we head to the living room. As we steps through the arch entrance a hand holds mine. I look down to see Robert smiling at me.

  "I'm glad you're back and- your mark. It's completely blossomed. You did it, whatever happened, you've gained control." He nods, letting my hand go. I nod, kneeling besides him as Alyssa and Noah, go to their seats.

  "Thanks to you. I had a clue about everything that was going on, I'm too grateful to express it. Thank you." I say to him, as he nods trying to hide the moisture in his eyes. He waves me away as I get up and go towards Noah's saved seat for me.

  I love that old man.

  As I sit, the room hurries to a hush. Thomas clears his throat and blows his head again.

  "Please-" I start but he cuts me off.

  "Before you tell me to lift my head, listen. Just sit there and listen." He grumbles and I bite my tongue, sighing.

  "When my daughter died, my wife and I tried to stay strong for the pack and for each other. We bottled up our emotions and let ourselves think we were fine. It was hard seeing my daughter's dead body. Her little- shit." His voice cracks as he stops for a second. Eve puts a hand on his back, comforting him.

  Of course it hurts to lose a child. It hurts to lose anyone. Tha
t's why I already understand. They don't have to do this.

  "He's trying to say that we let out those bottled up feelings out at you, just because you were here and an option. We all did." She says, as nods around the room echo.

  They all...

  "I won't lie to you guys. It hurt. It hurt like a bitch but families fight. Families cry together, argue, laugh, and they forgive. I was willing to take it because it eased your pain a little bit. That's what family does and I see you all as my family." I say, my eyes laying on every gaze in the room.

  "But, the things we said- what we did-" Beth stops, clenching her jaw shut. She sits in the corner of the room covered by the shadows. I shake my head, smiling at her.

  "I've had worse done to me by the people who had actually wronged me. I lived with them for 18 years. Now, because of you guys, I'm not alone anymore. So stop apologizing." I say, as they stare at me in a stunned silence. My face blushes red as I duck under Noah's arm. A chorus of small giggles sound around the room as I hide behind his back.

  It's embarrassing to be put on the spot like that.

  "You did good." Noah whispers to me, amusement in his voice.

  Is he laughing too?

  I pinch his back. He flinches, slowly lifting his arm to look at me. I stare at him as he attacks my sides, tickling me at every angle while I laugh loud, struggling to get away.

  "Um, we're still in the middle of a meeting here." Kai coughs. Noah and I freeze. I sit back up, facing the pack as Noah composes himself.

  "Where were we?" I ask, a slight grin still on my face as Noah puts his hand on my thigh.

  I swear I'm going to jump this kid.

  "How about how you literally froze Moonstribe at the battle? We know you're a Royal, but how about you explain that too?" Hunter suggests, as the whole pack perks up a bit, ears twitching in wait for my words. I scoff.

  They really do know everything. I'll fill them in then on the rest of the small details then.

  "So it all started when I was visited by the Moon Goddess in a dream or something..."

  Noah POV

  Eliana burps under her breath besides me as we head up the steps to our room.

  I'm surprised she hasn't thrown up the way she ate just now.

  "I'm happy to see them with a frown on their faces for once. Even your parents were laughing with us at dinner." She says, as we pass the top step, walking down the hallway.

  "Yeah, you're right. It was weird, but hopefully that means they won't be so stuck up their own ass." I mutter, as Eliana shoves my arm lightly, laughing.

  "You wouldn't say that to their face. You know what Eve would do to you." Eliana laughs harder as I throw my hands up, smirking. We reach our room, throwing open the door and shutting it behind us as Eliana face-plants into the mattress. I lean on the door, watching her roll around on the sheets.

  She's back where she's supposed to be. This room doesn't feel like a room if she's not here. It was more like a prison full of her scent and memories driving me insane for the last three days.

  At the same time, my only comfort.

  "Ugh, a bed really does hit, when you've been strapped up to a wall for more than 70 hours." She moans on the bed, spreading her legs and arms, relaxing into it.

  "I'm still mad at you." I mumble, sitting on the edge of the bed as her head snaps over to mine. She nods.

  "It was hard without you too." She smiles, sitting up and hurrying over to me.

  "You scared me." My voice comes out barely above a whisper as her fingers cup one side of my face. I stare into her big brown eyes as she does my eyes.

  "I was scared I would never see you again." Eliana leans in, pressing her lips against mine and pulling back.

  My wolf growls inside me as other things stir, heat rushing to my face. Eliana sits next to me, pulling her legs from behind her to hang on the side of the mattress, like I am.

  "It's better to kiss someone awake, after all." My eyebrows rise at her words. She avoids my gaze, smiling.

  "What did you do?" I ask, as she tries to get away from me, crawling back onto the wide bed. I grab her ankle dragging her back to my side, as I get a knee on the bed, hovering over her.

  "This." She pecks my lips again, but this time I follow hers as she pulls back. My tongue slips into her mouth as she wraps her arms around my neck, drawing me in closer.

  It's like I've never touched her and can't get enough.

  My hand slips up her shirt as she tenses. I stop, drawing it back quickly but she stops me. My mouth drops open.

  "If we don't stop now, I-I won't be able to-" She nods, looking away from me. My mouth drops a little more open.

  She really trying to drive me crazy.

  "Just do whatever you want to. I'm ready." She smiles up at me and I nod, my body shaking. Her laugh dances as it reaches my ear.

  Damn, I missed that sound.

  She's back and everything is perfect.

  CHAPTER 65

  Eliana POV

  "Wake up, it's already noon. It's time to eat lunch." A deep voice calls from above me. I flinch up, an ache going through my hips as I ignore it, jumping out of bed and heading to the bathroom. Noah heads in after me, as I stick my toothbrush into my mouth.

  We've completed the mating process. We finished it.

  I try to hide my smile as Noah bumps into my slightly. I glare at him.

  "I know you're thinking about last night. A scene of it just flashed through my mind. I think you sent it." He says, bothering me as I wash out my mouth.

  I forgot we'll be able to tell each other's feeling a lot better, damn near mind reading. What if I don't want this wolf in my head?

  No, I want him in my head. I get to be in his too, it's only fair.

  "The Luna ceremony for you will be tonight." Noah sing-songs. My eyes widen.

  What?

  I choke on the mouthwash in my mouth as he pats my back, helping me as I cough.

  "T-tonight?" I ask him. Noah nods.

  "You said you thought of the pack as family already. We were just at a meeting to decide when you would join the pack. I tired to wake you up but you kept kicking me out the room with your blessing, so I gave up. Tonight's the only full moon for another mouth, and preparations had to start. If you don't want to, just tell me and we can cancel." Noah reasons, pulling me into his chest.

  This is way too much pressure.

  "I want to join the pack, it's just- I'm not sure if that's as Luna, right now." I tell Noah. His face falls and nods, looking away from me.

  Luna is for the female leader of a pack. I've grown. I know I have but I'm not sure if it's enough.

  "Just so you know, you're one of the strongest wolves I've ever met in my life. You've gone through so much. You forgive but not without reason. You fight for what you care about. You managed to save this whole pack and me. They know that and so do I, I just hope you can see that in yourself." Noah brushes a stray curl from my face, I look up at him.

  Is that how he sees me? That beautiful strong wolf is the person I am to him?

  I hug him tight, laying my head against his cheek.

  "We're in it together, right?" I ask him, trying to even the shake in my voice.

  "Yes, always." He whispers, planting a kiss on my cheek and on my lips. I nod.

  "Then I'll try. Don't blame me if-" Noah lifts me up, and I scream. He puts me back on my feet, pulling back to reveal a huge smile of his face. I mirror his face.

  "Thank you so much. Now let's go and eat lunch. I'm sure you're hungry." He smirks as I gasp, playfully smacking at his arm.

  "What's that supposed to mean?" I ask, as he turns on his heel, leaving the bathroom. I jog after him.

  I'll give being Luna my all. With Noah by my side, I think I actually can do it.

  Noah slows, as we leave the room. We go down the hallway, stairs, and walk on the path leading to the entrance. Noah and I go back and forth teasing each other. We stumble into the dining room and shut up instantly.

  E
ve and Thomas sit at the table, along with everyone else. I swallow, heading towards the empty seat next to Alyssa as Noah grabs my hand, dragging me back with him.

  I haven't sat with Alyssa in so long. We still have to talk about everything.

  Like what happened last night. I have to gossip.

  Noah and I sit at our seats, the chicken and rice in front of us, hot, emitting a delicious scent. My mouth waters as Thomas gets up, clinking his glass with his fork.

  "Today, we will be accepting Eliana into the Fang pack." Cheers erupt around the table and I flinch, surprised by the reaction.

  I guess I've made it to their good side. Should it feel this good?

  "This is the last meal before she's taken for preparations for tonight's celebration. Any last words before she's the Luna of this pack?" My heart spikes in my chest as confusion sets in. I turn to Noah.

  "Right after this?" I ask him. He nods, taking a bite of the food.

  I just woke up. My hips still hurt.

  I smile as my heart continues to beat hard in my chest.

  I'm so excited.

  "I have something." Alyssa's voice rings out, dragging me from my thoughts.

  "I can't wait for you to do things your way. Since you got here, the pack has been a livelier, more welcoming place. I can't wait to see what you do with us." She laughs as more cheers sound around the room. I smile, mouthing her a 'thank you'.

  "I have something too." Beth says, looking over at me. I nod.

  I want so badly for us to be friends again but it's hard when she barely meets my eyes.

  "I remember when I thought you were the most annoying wolf ever. I remember a girl who couldn't even stand up for herself when people would talk shit about her, to her. Now, I see a girl willing to go up against the world to stand up for herself and others. I know did you wrong, but I just want to say I'm sorry and I hope we can be as close as we were before." Beth's eyes fill with tears as I mirror her.

  I never blamed her. I'd be happy if she kicked my ass in those training sessions, like before.

  "Start up those torture sessions again and I'll make sure to come everyday. Thank you, Beth." I nod to her as the table cheers again. Noah smiles at me as I wipe the corners of my eyes.