Page 9 of Bond To The Alpha (Fated Bond #1)

KANE

I want to rush forward to wrap my arms around her and never let go. I so badly want to crush my lips against hers and whisper into her ear how much I've missed her and how empty my life has been without her. But I don't move. Can't move. Because the moment our eyes meet, I see it. The wariness, the hurt, and the distance those six long years have carved between us.

She's even more beautiful than I remembered. She's so stunning it makes me feel like I'm seeing the sun for the first time after years of darkness. Her hair is longer, framing a face that's grown from the softness of youth into a captivating maturity. Her green eyes that once looked at me with such trust and affection now define a wariness that makes her seem both familiar and like a stranger.

All I want to know is, how has she been all this time? I already know where, but what has she been doing? Is she happy? Has she found someone else? I want to know everything about her life since she left. But as much as I crave that knowledge, I can see in the careful way she holds herself that she's not here for a reunion.

Liana takes a few cautious steps back as I try to move closer.

What do I say first?

"Greetings, Alpha.” She bows her head respectfully while I, an alpha who is used to giving orders and having my command obeyed, can barely tie two words together.

She’s already putting a wall between us by calling me that. I wish she would just say my name.

I gesture to the table in the corner of the room, pulling out a chair for her.

"Please, have a seat."

She moves with that same quiet grace and settles into the chair without meeting my eyes, instead fixing on the hands she’s clasped over the desk.

"Thank you for granting me an audience, I appreciate you taking the time to meet with me,” she begins neutrally.

"Liana, you don't have to be so formal with me," I say softly, then add, "Please."

Without looking up, she pulls up the bag resting on her lap and pulls out a file. Then she slides it across the table.

I pick it up. The documents include proposals, reports, and photographs similar to what Dan showed me earlier. Flipping through the pages, I steal glances at her. She's still not looking at me, and it's killing me.

"I'm here on behalf of the Moonlight Pack," Liana begins. "Alpha Sam Barrett and the entire pack send their greetings."

"I'm aware of the rogue attacks," I note, setting the file down.

My eyes anchor on her face even as she sidesteps my glances.

"Why the Moonlight Pack? Of all places, why did you go there? And how did you become their messenger? Do you have any idea how dangerous this is?"

Even I hear the worry in my voice that’s bordering on anger— not at her, but at the situation and at the thought of her putting herself in harm's way. I’d tried my best to not mention it, but I couldn’t help the urge.

Liana finally looks at me for the first time since she sat down.

"I don’t think that should be any of your concern….Alpha. I'm only here because I’m related to this pack by blood. It’s more appropriate for me to come and discuss the situation first.”

I quite understand the logic behind making her the forerunner, I hated it, nonetheless.

“Since you say you're already aware of the situation, I’ll leave you to peruse the proposal. But…” she adds solemnly, “…they need all the help they can get.”

Moonlight pack must have become the home her original home failed to be for her, seeing her sacrificing as much as returning here just to save it.

I tip forward on the desk.

“The proposal will be reviewed as soon as it can, also, this matter has already been discussed with the council. But ultimately, the decision lies with the Pack Assembly."

The pack assembly is a body that represents our pack members at large. In this case, since the alliance messenger is someone who’s tied to this pack by blood, regardless of where they’ve been living, the matter has to be presented to them as well.

Liana’s expression gives nothing away as she nods.

"I understand. When will the Assembly convene?"

"We can call a meeting for this evening," I reply, although I was so close to pushing the meeting more days ahead just so she’ll be here longer.

"If you need any assistance preparing, I'd be happy to—"

"That won't be necessary, Alpha," Liana cuts me off. "I'm capable of handling this on my own."

"Of course. I didn't mean to imply otherwise."

There's an awkward pause, and I find myself searching for something else to say. I just need anything to keep her here a little longer.

But I can’t think of anything before Liana stands and begins to gather her things.

"Thank you for your time,” she says.

??????

"We are being asked to risk our pack's safety and resources for the benefit of strangers. And by whom? A woman who abandoned her pack years ago!"

My head turns from one corner to another as another person nags,

"Not only did Liana leave the pack without a word to anyone, but her parents also fled after committing heinous crimes. And now she’s returning to ask for help for the pack she’s chosen over us.”

“That’s nothing short of betrayal!"

More voices join in and the volume in the room keeps rising.

"What about the debts her family owes?"

"Why should we trust her?"

"This could be a trap!"

To be honest, I never imagined how strong the animosity towards Liana and her family could still be, even after so many years have passed already. I glance at her where she’s standing next to me, watching her eyes dart from one person to the other as they keep throwing words around.

She doesn’t seem to be showing visible reactions, but I can imagine how it must hurt inside. It makes me so mad I want to punch all of them in their faces until at least one bone from each is crushed. At the same time, it’s irresponsible of me as a leader to not want to consider the thoughts of my members, at the expense of my personal emotions.

I raise my hand, silencing the murmurings to a reasonable extent.

“I understand your concerns. But Liana is not responsible for her parents' actions. She was a victim of their schemes as much as anyone else."

I hear a scoff somewhere to my right and another voice cuts in.

“But the fact remains that she left us. She chose to align herself with another pack. How can we be sure she isn't working against us now?"

"I agree. The White family has caused nothing but trouble for our pack. If Liana wants our help, she should settle those debts first."

Liana beats me to a response as she comes to the front.

"I understand your anger and distrust," she says, meeting all eyes unflinchingly. "But I am not my parents. I never participated in their schemes and…I…”

She takes a second to exhale.

“...I can't repay everything my parents stole, but I'm willing to contribute what I can over time as a gesture of goodwill."

I want to take her hand and intertwine my fingers with hers so bad; so that she knows I’m right by her side. Or at least if I wasn’t in the past, I am now.

"Why should we believe anything you say?" A young boy jumps up from his seat, interrupting Liana, and I watch the woman sitting next to him drag him back down, slapping the back of his head.

Who allowed kids in here?

The distraction however gives more room for noise and accusations that continue to fly around.

"ENOUGH!" I roar.

My voice silences the room instantly.

I can feel my wolf bristling under my skin, angry at the disrespect being shown not just to me, but to Liana.

"Liana White has come to us as a representative of the Moonlight Pack. She will be treated with respect!"

I take a deep breath and force myself to calm down.

"I know there is history here, and there are unresolved issues. But the threat we face is bigger than old grudges. The rogue wolves aren't just Moonlight Pack's problem. If left unchecked, they could become a danger to us all."

"Alpha, but how can we trust—“

"You all sit here, judging Liana for turning her back on the pack? Let me remind you of something…”

I let my eyes roam freely around the room, especially going for those who were most vocal in their accusations.

"While you're busy acting righteous, remember how we treated her when she was here."

The room is deathly silent now.

"Liana was ostracized, bullied, and treated as less than by the very people who should have protected her. We made her life here unbearable, and then we have the audacity to be angry that she left?

As for the debts, those were incurred by her parents. Liana was barely more than a child when she was left alone to fend for herself. Many people in this room owe her an apology…and others like her who have been bullied into running away."

I pause.

"Including me."

This is it; I realize.

This might be my best chance to make Liana really hear me out and understand just how sorry I am— apologizing publicly, in a way that wouldn't come off to the assembly as overshadowing the importance of the matter on ground with my personal feelings.

“No one is perfect, and we all make mistakes that could hurt others, as a family, as a friend, or…as a mate."

I see her head perk up slightly from the corner of my eyes.

"Sometimes we don’t realize that we’re more concerned with fitting in than doing what was right. We let others influence us instead of listening to our hearts, and in doing so, end up hurting the people who matter the most to us."

I fight the urge not to look at her again.

"It’s okay to say sorry. Tell them how you’re truly, deeply sorry. I know just words can't undo the hurt caused, but let them know that you regret your actions every single day. Let them know they deserve so much better, and that you’re ready to spend the rest of your life trying to make it up to them…if they’ll let you."

I imagine everyone wondering in their heads what I’m talking about, or why I’ve suddenly taken the matter in this solemn and seemingly unnecessary direction. But as long as the one to whom I’m directing the message is listening, it’s worth it.

I clear my throat.

"Now, regarding the proposal at hand. We've heard arguments on both sides, and I'm not naive enough to think we'll reach a unanimous decision here and now. Opposition is natural and, frankly, healthy in any major decision. However….”

There’s a satisfactory silence in the room.

“I will personally accompany Liana back to Moonlight Pack territory to investigate the rogue werewolf issue."

Immediately after I say this, Liana’s eyes come to find mine, widening with a bit of shock.